Although affordable rear-wheel drive sports cars aren't exactly common, we're happy that there are three we can count on: Mazda MX-5 Miata, Toyota 86, and the Subaru BRZ. Well, make that two. News just broke that Subaru is no longer taking orders for the BRZ since it just ended production after eight years of the first-generation car.
This means you can no longer place an order for the configuration of your choice (although you might be lucky to find the one you want on a dealer lot if you search hard enough. Just don't choose an automatic!). Expect the BRZ's sibling, the current Toyota 86, to come to an end soon after. Although it's still being produced and orders are being taken, it won't continue for much longer.
While you can still configure a BRZ on the Subaru USA website, you can only choose from available dealer stock. Furthermore, Subaru's Japanese BRZ page states:
"We have finished accepting orders for build-to-order manufacturing of the models listed. Due to stock availability at retailers, we may not be able to meet customer requests for body colors and options. Please contact your dealer for more information."
What we do know is that both the BRZ and the 86 will return totally redesigned sometime in 2021, and that's awesome news for enthusiasts who want old school rear-wheel drive, manual shifting, and tractable handling.
Rumor has it that the future 86 will be called the GR86, and the BRZ name will be unchanged. Power will come from a turbocharged four-cylinder (versus the current naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter four-bangers), and output will be around 252 horses, up significantly from the current cars' 205 (Subaru) and 200 (Toyota) horsepower engines.
The next-generation Subaru BRZ will continue to share a platform with the Toyota GR86. The interiors of both cars, as well as the exterior styling, will likely be upgraded from the somewhat low rent look and feel (okay, so the front seats are pretty nice) of the 2020 models. We can't wait to see (and drive) the next-gen BRZ and 86, but you can still get your hands on both of them now if you're willing to compromise on some colors and options.
Find Local Discounts on the Subaru BRZ