Opinions on 86/FRS/BRZ and Celica

Yes. I am aware the BRZ is a Subaru, but I don't want to join a Subaru forum just to ask one question.

I'm in the market for a new daily that is better on gas. The Tundra is currently my daily driver, but I drive 130 miles a day to and from work. Just about anything would save me the trouble of having to fill up every 2.5 days. That being said, I have a strong preference for driving Asian. Japanese brands have yet to fail me, and I love them for it.

I've done some research and I've narrowed down my top choices that are readily available in my area. All manual drive, all above 25mpg highway, and all within a reasonable price range. (Private sellers only, I work on European vehicles, I know how the current car market is at dealers.)

• Toyota Celica - by far the MOST affordable in my area.
• Scion FRS - Every single one available has a salvage title.
• Subaru BRZ - All salvage titles, like the FRS, but this one tends to be pricier.
• Toyota 86 (still being sold close to cost by private sellers, but I figured if I include the FRS and BRZ might as well add the 86.)
• Hyundai Veloster (fuel efficiency is the absolute best, but how reliable are Korean brands?)

Opinions and thoughts please!

 

The Sub and toyotas would be fine. They have a following so look for online forums like this one for more info, details on issues, reliability, etc.

I would skip the Hyundai. The wife has had a hyundai car and a Kia suv, you can get some nice features for the $ but they do not compare to toyota reliability and the resale value on them is miserable. Not saying they are not reliable overall and if purchased new the warranty is good, but much of reliability depends on the model and engine. Hey have had some bad issues with some of their engines, cars on fire, etc. My niece had her 2.0 turbo hyundai SUV blow an engine at less than 100kmiles, was one of the models that had issue and hyundai did replace the engine however.

 

Thank you, this is the part of the Korean brands I was worried about. I knew Kia's in particular have had a recall for complete engine replacements, wasn't too sure about Hyundai.

 

This was my 2017 BRZ Premium Performance Package 6 speed manual. I loved this car and it was my daily for 2.5 years. I averaged mid 20s city and 30+ highway. I live in northern Ohio and ran Blizzaks in winter. It was great overall and I miss it a lot. I traded it for my tundra because I started a home inspection business which flopped. When the snow got deep I would get stuck but that’s only a handful of times each year. The Tundra is a lot more practical now since I have a house now but no where near as fun to drive as the BRZ. That is the last picture the day before I traded it in and it’s final hand wash.

 

Not really a recall but a "settlement", they agree to certain terms to avoid a formal recall.

The upside is the replacement long block (all current accessories get put back as is) has a lifetime warranty, if it blows again they'll cover it and rentals.

This applies to the 2 and 2.4L GDI & turbo models from 2011-19, see attached if anyone has one for more details.

They're not all bad engines, my '13 2L turbo (all original) is at 199,500 and burns virtually no oil between 5K OCIs.

 

130 miles a day? Holy smokes thats far. Normally a second car is not a money saver on gas, however that commute is a lot. You drive 650 miles a week for work? Im guessing moving is out of the question

you have a cool truck, maybe just get a boring nissan sentra to just save money

 

Celica GT (1zz) stay away from 2000-2002 as seems to burn oil.. I have an 02 and never noticed and I checked, I did replace the cat so it was burning oil...
Edit: GT is regular gas

GTS are fairly good 2000-2002 have issues with Lift bolts which need to be replaced with new ones..
Edit: GTS required Premium fuel

 

Unfortunately moving is very much so out of the question. I own my house in a small-ish town where the good jobs are scarce and work in a large city where affordable housing is rare. I went with the celica, and its been a lifesaver on fuel prices so far.

 

If you're looking for a commuter maybe expand the search. It's hard to buy a car you don't like but Civic and corolla are a dime a dozen and will meet both the reliability and fuel efficiency you want, if anything they'd beat an 86 on both. The 86 looks really fun to drive, I also have considered getting one but they're very impractical for anything but a commuter or track car, and there are much cheaper options for a commuter. One other thing, Subaru had a weak head gasket design for a long time, I don't know if that was addressed for the 2.5 in the 86 cars, but if not that would be a deal breaker for me.

I made the mistake of buying a commuter that I loved and was fun to drive. I wondered how much more fun would it be with better suspension? Then I needed better tires to keep up, and better brakes, and then I got into the go fast parts and $6k later I haven't saved a dollar on the original intention. If anything I'm deep in the negative and still hurling cash at it. Don't fall into that trap!

Edit- I see you went Celica, wise choice.