RE: Chris Harris video: GT86 vs 370Z vs Cayman

[RossP]

Dagnut said:

The rear seat in the GT86 , which he doesn't even mention, make a huge difference to the desirability and usability of the Toyota...

Have you seen the rear seats in the GT86? Only somebody with no legs at all would fit.

[Dagnut]

SWoll said:

Practicality, low emisions, MPG, and the desirability of rear seats. For me the very cornerstones of any performance car purchase.

You should do your own video review, sounds like it would be riveting...

I hate to bring the 21st century crashing in on you here but, crazy as it seems, these things actually matter to new car buyers. Wild huh?

[SWoll]

redgriff500 said:

Pointless putting used cars against new ones as unless you deliberately pick duff ones the used cars will win every time as you are buying a car that cost far more a few years ago.

How does a GT86 or indeed a Cayman fare against my £5k 340bhp 1250kg RX7 - it's thirstier and rattles more but it's faster and (IMO) more fun and better looking.

and even the cheapest Cayman is 3x the price.

So you could have my RX7 and £10k spare for say a Boxster S and a Range Rover.

It's a perfectly acceptable comparison AFAIAK and it the decision I'm sure the majority of PH'ers make everytime they buy a car.

Anyone with £25-30k to spend on a sports coupe would be daft not to consider all options available to them. I agree that comparing it to a 10+ year old 5K car would be pointless though.

[Rob_F]

Great stuff. How good were the 'freakishly good' fuel consumption figures I wonder? I'm still suprised evo found the current megane better balanced on track - think I'll have to get a test drive.

[SWoll]

Dagnut said:

SWoll said:

Practicality, low emisions, MPG, and the desirability of rear seats. For me the very cornerstones of any performance car purchase.

You should do your own video review, sounds like it would be riveting...

I hate to bring the 21st century crashing in on you here but, crazy as it seems, these things actually matter to new car buyers. Wild huh?

I really think you might be missing the point of PH and performance cars in general by quite a large distance TBH. I'm sure 'What Car' probably have a forum where you would feel more at home.

[Dagnut]

RossP said:

Have you seen the rear seats in the GT86? Only somebody with no legs at all would fit.

Once it takes child/Baby seat or that's all that matters

[vintageracer01]

Here it becomes obvious how incredibly UGLY this horrible Toyota thing is...!!!

Does Toyota know that there is anything like design???

[Dagnut]

SWoll said:

I really think you might be missing the point of PH and performance cars in general by quite a large distance TBH. I'm sure 'What Car' probably have a forum where you would feel more at home.

Your missing the point of the GT86...it's an all rounder...the Porsche is a second car or single mans daily

[tommy vercetti]

Would take the GT86 out of the three, not a massive fan of the Zed and the Cayman is just too too ugly from the rear.

[SWoll]

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

That's where I take issue with the GT86. Sounds like a very good car, but £25-28K seems like a lot of money for what it offers, warranty or not.

[seismic22]

The way Chris describes the drive of the GT86 and the way it makes him feel is just how id describe my old 100k 1.8 mk1 mx5 used to drive and make me feel. The GT86 is definitely the car if you love b road blasting and are not a poseur who thinks driving fast is all about out dragging others on slip roads and at traffic lights. That said if the Cayman has 90% of the fun of the GT86 then its got to be the best choice.

[Sagacitas]

Fantastic video and just the sort of reviews we need more of! Top job. Now when is the next one?

[toppstuff]

Excellent video. They really are improving the content of PH considerably !

Intelligent, well produced video from a man with an opinion. I am hardly the sycophantic type, but these Harris video's are probably the best on the web anywhere these days.

[JD2329]

I love lots about the GT86, but most of all the principle of getting away from headline figures. My old Mk1 MR2 was never fast but it always felt eager and exciting - and that showed Toyota knew a few things about building a cracking sports car (albeit with a little help from Lotus and a Ford BDA)

It's hard, though, to get past the allure of a Cayman, which as Chris says has all that and more. For 25k - or less - a properly prepped approved used Cayman S with 2 year Porsche warranty would be my choice.

[redgriff500]

SWoll said:

redgriff500 said:

Pointless putting used cars against new ones as unless you deliberately pick duff ones the used cars will win every time as you are buying a car that cost far more a few years ago.

How does a GT86 or indeed a Cayman fare against my £5k 340bhp 1250kg RX7 - it's thirstier and rattles more but it's faster and (IMO) more fun and better looking.

and even the cheapest Cayman is 3x the price.

So you could have my RX7 and £10k spare for say a Boxster S and a Range Rover.

It's a perfectly acceptable comparison AFAIAK and it the decision I'm sure the majority of PH'ers make everytime they buy a car.

Anyone with £25-30k to spend on a sports coupe would be daft not to consider all options available to them. I agree that comparing it to a 10+ year old 5K car would be pointless though.

Well why stop at a £16k Cayman then, why not a Ferrari 355 available at around the same price as a new GT86.

[MBK]

Another great video and comparison thanks Chris, really enjoyed that.

I like the creativity in group tests the GT86 is creating, I enjoyed Evo's comparison with the Integra, E30 M3 and Clio cup just as much. The GT86 and alikes must have been compared to just about all reasonable rivals by now.

I'm actually starting to quite like the looks and looking forward to seeing one for real out and about soon. I might even take a trip to the local Toyota dealer for a drive.

For all that's been said about how good it is I think the performance figures will remain a sticking point. If I was in this market I'd still need a rear seat so yes the Cayman S is fabulous but no use to me - and it's too pricey for just a track toy. If I wanted a new 2 door coupe with some practicality that is as equal fun on road or track my money would still go on the Megane 265 for me that's the car the GT86 needed to match or preferably beat.

[em177]

I genuinely hope loads of you who are in a position to buy a GT86/BRZ go and do.

As they'll be a bigger choice of used one's for me when their sub £5 in a decade or so!

For now I'll stick with playing with Mx5's.

[j_s14a]

What of his MPG revelation?

[Dagnut]

redgriff500 said:

Well why stop at a £16k Cayman then, why not a Ferrari 355 available at around the same price as a new GT86.

Why not a 911? Its closer comparison with rear seats..if its just 2 seaters what about an Elise?..surely that's closer in spirit ...the lists could go on and on...

pointless comparing used with new/.. especially one which will cost twice as much to run and insure.. probably 4 times as much to service.
The GT86 is about affordable fun that's meets the boring modern standards that NEW car buyers look for...if you couldn't afford a Cayman new chances are you couldn't afford to run a used one.

[hygt2]

SystemParanoia said:

the dip mid corner on that road looked horrific!!

imagine comming in too hot and not realising that was there lol.

The roads, and especially the corners, look fantastic and the scenery magnificent. I know it is Wales and include the certain triangle but would any one shine some light on which sections of roads in Wales that might be (besides the certain triangle)? Thanks in advance!!