I've just been reading about a significant number of faults with 86/BRZ. Admittedly some of these Forums were American ones.
Examples of issues are ECU failure, rear suspension noises, engine failures, gearbox weaknesses (esp 2nd gear), idling problems, CEM warning lights and limp mode, fuel pumps, problems with warping dashtops etc etc. I was very surprised. This is not like Toyota. 
Has anyone on this Forum (who has an 86) had similar issues or other reliability concerns?
Most of the people suffering these issues said that Toyota was trying its best to sort out but Subaru dealers standard response is "within spec" or "they all do that".
I had always thought that a 2nd hand 86/BRZ might be a future buy. I think I'll hold off until convinced that faults have been resolved.
cheers
Steve

Thats one of the reason's most people recommend to buy the second generation of a particular vehicle. The manufacturer usually iron's out aclot of these niggly problems. You can so clearly see it with the MR2 between gen 1/2 + the Gen 3. 
 
If your going to get one, hold off till next year when the revised model is available :)

Bought one in 2012 when they first came out. Only issue I had was a notchy second gear which sorted itself out. Apart from that it has been running like a dream 44,000km on the clock now.

I wouldn't worry about it to be honest. They're quite simple cars using hardware that's been developed over many years. Australian Consumer Law also provides local new car buyers a level of protection (more than in the States I bet).
 
Keep in mind, the US is a much larger market. So even if certain issues affected 0.1%, the larger volume would equate to more "cases". I have a few friends with 86's & BRZ's since they were first released & they still drive/look like they did off the showroom floor.
 
I agree with not buying a "first batch release" though, applies to more than cars.

The 86 has already received its second minor revision this year in May. I dont think there will be another one for a while (possibly a complete model change sometime in 2016). I work at Toyota and personally dont think they are a bad car at all. All cars have their problems and only some of those issues mentioned are common but are no worse than problems on the majority of the other models being released. There is yet to be a recall for anything on the 86 which is a good sign aswel. If you purchased a 2014/2015 model you would be pretty safe

MR2QIK
Australian Consumer Law also provides local new car buyers a level of protection (more than in the States I bet).
 
 

 
Dunno, I think their 'lemon law' is pretty good. 86/brz isn't a bad looking car, biggest flaw is the engine being at the wrong end imo. 

Should be powered by toyota, 2gr would be nice

have driven two now and both times I have thought that it needs more power. It feels a bit heavier than it should and I find the steering too electronic for my liking. They would be a very nice daily drive though

I have had a couple of run ins with them in my N/A SW20, and the mr2 is deffinetly faster

Really, a 2GR or 2JZ would be an ideal engine for the car