2013 Toyota GT 86/Subaru BRZ best buys of 2012

In this global economy and new era that we’ve entered, its a good time to be alive as we look at what is happening in the auto industry. In Australia, where according to The Motor Report (TMR), consumer sentiment “is patch at best,” things are looking very good in the automotive sector. Every year TMR recognizes Australia’s ten best car buys. For 2012, they have given the award to the 2013 GT 86/Subaru BRZ “twinned pair.”

2012 Best Buy Award had never been so difficult

The two cars beat out a a number of worthy releases and new models for the record-setting 2012 calendar year. In the country down under, retail car sales last year have hit the magic million sales number in November putting the market squarely on track for a history-making record. And as TMR looked over the past year, they saw a year that produced “many very, very good cars.” The job of picking out the best of the best buys for their 2012 Best Buy Award had never been so difficult. It just shows how many really good cars are being manufactured today.

The 2013 Toyota GT 86, (Scion FR-S in the U.S.), /Subaru BRZ jointly produced sports cars were designed by Toyota and Subaru to be fun and affordable. And they succeeded in a great way. Priced under $25,000 here in the U.S., they give buyers a value that is hard to find in other sport coupes around the globe. Akio Toyoda, who is the top man at Toyota, wanted to infuse some excitement into the Toyota brand and worked with Subaru to produce a winning car. The car brings a sporty rear-drive coupe that produces superb handling and balance, and is fun to drive for a price that most can afford.

TMR was very impressed

The folks down under at TMR were certainly impressed after spending time behind the wheel of the two-door sport coupes. “Spend some time at the wheel, and you’ll get out of either one scratching your head, “How is this possible: a car this good, this complete... and at this price?” The 86 and BRZ are simply head and shoulders above all comers for sheer buying value and capability. We’re not alone in this choice. At sub-$40k on the road, and, in Toyota 86 GT entry spec, costing barely more than a mid-market small hatch, we’ve not seen such superb buying value in decades.”

Buyers are voting with their pocketbook

And buyers have been impressed also. The GT 86/BRZ/FR-S trio have been selling well around the globe and dealers can hardly keep the cars on their lots. In the U.S., the 2013 Scion FR-S is ranked the number four fastest selling car and stays on dealer lots for only 15 days before it’s snatched up by a buyer. The 2013 Subaru BRZ is the number nine fastest selling car in America and only stays on lots for 18 days.

In Australia, sales have been so strong that Subaru needed to source extra production of its high-demand BRZ sports car in February and March next year. The extra allocation of 140 vehicles means customers due to receive cars from May onwards will achieve better than anticipated delivery dates.

The 2013 Toyota GT 86/Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ rear-drive sports cars are certainly one the best stories of 2012. The automotive industry is alive and well globally and these cars have set the table for an even more successful 2013.