The BRZ’s sticker price is only part of what it costs to own one. For Nassau County buyers who think in total cost terms — sticker, fuel, insurance, maintenance, and what the car is worth when you sell — the BRZ’s picture is more favorable than its sports car classification might suggest.
Bottom Line: The BRZ’s total 5-year cost of ownership is competitive with mainstream sedans when depreciation, fuel, and maintenance are factored together — and delivers a driving experience that no mainstream sedan can match.
- New BRZ Premium starts at $30,395; expected 5-year depreciation is lower than average for the segment
- Fuel costs average $2,200-$2,500 per year at 15,000 miles (91+ octane recommended)
- Maintenance is routine Subaru service; no premium parts or specialized labor required
Depreciation: Where the BRZ Outperforms Expectations
Sports cars and coupes historically depreciate faster than sedans and SUVs — buyers pay a premium for novelty, and that premium fades. The BRZ is an exception to this pattern. The current generation BRZ has maintained stronger residual values than most sports cars at its price point, driven by limited production volume, a dedicated enthusiast buyer base, and Subaru’s reputation for reliability.
Over five years, buyers who purchase at sticker and sell at fair market value should expect to retain approximately 45-55% of their original purchase price — better than average for the segment. A $30,395 BRZ Premium purchased today might realistically be worth $13,500-$16,000 at the 5-year mark with normal mileage, though used car market conditions vary year to year.
For context, a comparable-priced Civic Si or Camry often depreciates similarly or faster despite being less engaging to drive. The BRZ’s sports car collectibility factor provides a floor under resale values that pure commuter cars don’t enjoy.
For the complete picture on BRZ specs and configurations, see our complete Subaru BRZ guide.
Fuel: Annual Cost for Nassau County Commuters
The BRZ recommends 91+ octane premium fuel for optimal performance. Using 87 octane won’t damage the engine — the ECU retards timing to protect it — but fuel economy and performance both suffer somewhat, and the cost savings narrow. Most BRZ owners use premium.
At 15,000 miles per year with a mix of Long Island stop-and-go and highway driving, expect approximately 23-25 mpg combined. At $4.00/gallon for premium (a mid-range estimate for Nassau County), that works out to roughly $2,400-$2,600 per year in fuel costs.
Five-year fuel cost estimate: $12,000-$13,000 at current pricing. This is higher than a Civic Si but comparable to many turbocharged sedans that also require premium fuel, and considerably lower than a large SUV at similar driving patterns.
Insurance in Nassau County: What to Expect
Nassau County carries above-average insurance costs compared to the national average — the metro area’s density, repair costs, and theft rates all factor into rates. Sports cars compound this: the BRZ is classified as a performance coupe, and insurers price it accordingly.
Annual insurance for a BRZ in Nassau County varies significantly by driver profile:
- Under 25: $3,000-$4,500+/year depending on history and coverage levels
- 25-40 with clean record: $1,800-$2,800/year for full coverage
- Over 40 with clean record: $1,500-$2,200/year
These are estimates; your actual rate depends on your specific driving history, coverage selections, and insurer. Getting 3+ quotes before purchase is worthwhile — variance between insurers for a specific driver profile on a specific car can be $500-$1,000 per year.
Five-year insurance estimate (mid-range adult): $9,000-$14,000 over 5 years.
"The BRZ's maintenance costs genuinely surprise buyers who expect a sports car to be expensive to keep. It's a Subaru -- the service intervals are standard, the parts are regular Subaru parts, and our service team handles BRZ maintenance the same way they handle any other model. The car doesn't cost extra to own just because it's fun to drive."
General Manager, Grand Prix Subaru
Maintenance Schedule and Costs
The BRZ follows Subaru’s standard maintenance schedule — not a separate, premium-tier sports car program. This keeps costs predictable and manageable.
Key maintenance items over 5 years/60,000 miles:
- Oil changes (full synthetic, every 6,000 miles): $80-$110 each x ~10 changes = $800-$1,100
- Tire rotations (every 6,000 miles with oil changes): often included or ~$25 each
- Brake fluid flush (every 2 years recommended): $100-$140
- Air filter replacement (at 30,000 miles): $30-$50
- Spark plugs (typically at 60,000 miles): $150-$250 parts and labor
- Tires: One full set of performance tires at ~40,000-50,000 miles: $700-$1,100 depending on brand and size
Total estimated maintenance over 5 years: $2,500-$4,000 depending on tire choices and driving conditions. Buyers who run separate summer and winter tire sets will add $600-$900 for a winter set but extend the life of both sets.
Warranty coverage eliminates unplanned repair costs for the first 36,000 miles (bumper-to-bumper) and 60,000 miles (powertrain). Extended warranty through Subaru Added Security is available for buyers who want coverage beyond the factory period.
Five-Year Total Cost Summary
| Cost Category | 5-Year Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $30,395 | BRZ Premium manual MSRP |
| Depreciation (est.) | $14,000-$17,000 | Value retained at 5 years: 45-55% |
| Fuel (5 years) | $12,000-$13,000 | 91+ octane, 15k mi/yr, ~24 mpg avg |
| Insurance (5 years) | $9,000-$14,000 | Varies significantly by driver profile |
| Maintenance (5 years) | $2,500-$4,000 | Standard Subaru service intervals |
| Total 5-Year Cost | $37,500-$48,000 | Net after estimated residual value |
How BRZ Compares to Alternatives
A Honda Civic Si costs about $31,315 to start and uses premium fuel at 30/38 mpg — annual fuel costs run around $1,800-$2,000 at similar mileage. Insurance is modestly lower than the BRZ. Over 5 years, the Civic Si typically comes out $2,000-$4,000 cheaper in total cost of ownership.
A Mazda MX-5 Miata starts around $29,050 and gets approximately 26/35 mpg on regular fuel — annual fuel costs around $2,000-$2,200. Lower purchase price and lower fuel cost make the MX-5 competitive, though its insurance rates are comparable to the BRZ.
The practical conclusion: the BRZ costs modestly more to own than economy-oriented alternatives, but the gap is smaller than many buyers expect. The larger drivers of total cost — insurance rates and depreciation — apply broadly to all cars at this price point.
View BRZ inventory at Grand Prix Subaru | Check current BRZ specials
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the BRZ require premium fuel? Subaru recommends 91+ octane premium for optimal performance. The engine will run on 87 octane — the ECU adjusts timing — but power and fuel economy decrease. Most BRZ owners use premium consistently.
Is the BRZ expensive to maintain compared to a regular Subaru? No. The BRZ follows Subaru’s standard maintenance schedule, and parts pricing is consistent with other Subaru models. There are no specialized performance parts intervals beyond what standard maintenance requires. The major cost difference versus a Crosstrek or Forester is that performance tires wear faster and cost more per set.
What warranty does a new BRZ come with? A new BRZ includes 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage, 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage, and 5-year/unlimited-mile corrosion coverage. Roadside assistance runs for the first 3 years. Subaru Added Security extended warranties are available for purchase.
How much do BRZ tires cost to replace in Nassau County? Performance tire prices vary by brand and size. The BRZ Premium’s 17-inch Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires run approximately $150-$200 each; the Limited’s 18-inch tires run $180-$240 each. A full set replacement at 40,000-50,000 miles runs roughly $700-$1,100 including mounting and balancing at Grand Prix Subaru’s service department.
Does the BRZ hold its value well? Better than most sports cars at this price point. Limited production, an active enthusiast market, and Subaru’s reliability reputation support BRZ residual values. The current generation (2022+) is too new to have full historical data, but early indicators align with the prior generation’s resale pattern.
The Ownership Equation for Nassau County Buyers
Total cost of ownership for the BRZ lands in a range that’s competitive with the alternatives — the primary premium is fuel and insurance, both of which reflect the car’s performance classification rather than any mechanical complexity. What doesn’t show up in the cost table is what the car costs drivers in terms of dread going to work, because most BRZ owners report the opposite: the commute became something they look forward to.
Schedule your BRZ test drive at Grand Prix Subaru and evaluate the complete ownership picture with our team in Hicksville.
Ready to see it in person? Visit any of our VIP Automotive Group locations: