RE: Toyota GT86 facelift details
Discussion
Conscript said:
There are varying levels of practicality. About the only way it's not practical is that the rear seats are pretty useless. It's comfortable, comparatively economical, has a fair amount of boot space
Very true - I've had a fair few, 4-seater 2/4 doors that are rwd and GT86 weight.Sadly the rear seats were an essential for me and they were just too small to accommodate my 2 lads for daily stuff, holidays etc In the end, I got a shorter, older rwd 2-door with less power that will seat 4 adequately and offers similar performance and a better noise IMO. I'll hang on and see what else new comes out in the future
kambites said:
Maybe I worded that badly. It's USP (amongst sports cars) is that the money spent on development hasn't been spent on performance. For me that's an enormous draw - I tend to find that really fast cars are almost (the almost is important, there are exceptions) universally dull on the road.
I actually partly agree with you, one of my criticisms of the m135i is that it is a bit too fast without feeling as fast as it is, if you know what I mean?Hi Matt,
Just thought I'd try and add to the info. I've seen the aero kit option in the flesh. I was at RRG Macclesfield Toyota on the 10th October when it was unloaded from the transporter.
There are some other differences. Sachs dampers for example which I first saw on an 86 at Fuji Speedway in early August. Also there is the shark fin aerial, better fake carbon looking material on the dashboard. There is also a tyre pressure monitor which is as I understand it mandatory.
The mid level, 'GT86' (no moniker to this one) is not as I see it in the basic brochure named as 'Classic'. It's really the same as the current model apart from the revision changes.
There will be 86 Gialla's, which really is a limited cosmetic edition in a one-off colour and it will be individually numbered.
The standard wheel size is also 17". It's only the GT86 Aero Kit that gets the 18" OZ Ultralights.
Anyway, here's a link to the thread that has all the info.
http://www.gt86.org.uk/forums/topic/2036-my15-gt86...
Cheers,
Lauren
Just thought I'd try and add to the info. I've seen the aero kit option in the flesh. I was at RRG Macclesfield Toyota on the 10th October when it was unloaded from the transporter.
There are some other differences. Sachs dampers for example which I first saw on an 86 at Fuji Speedway in early August. Also there is the shark fin aerial, better fake carbon looking material on the dashboard. There is also a tyre pressure monitor which is as I understand it mandatory.
The mid level, 'GT86' (no moniker to this one) is not as I see it in the basic brochure named as 'Classic'. It's really the same as the current model apart from the revision changes.
There will be 86 Gialla's, which really is a limited cosmetic edition in a one-off colour and it will be individually numbered.
The standard wheel size is also 17". It's only the GT86 Aero Kit that gets the 18" OZ Ultralights.
Anyway, here's a link to the thread that has all the info.
http://www.gt86.org.uk/forums/topic/2036-my15-gt86...
Cheers,
Lauren
P-Jay said:
Me too. They seem to be selling enough from what I can see. I think most people aren't that bothered about power. Despite it's modest engine the MX5 still seems to be doing well. This looks like a normal styling refresh and tweak that happens with every car mid way through the run rather than some need for sales. I don't see that they need to increase power. It would increase fuel consumption and may well put off quite a few buyers. It would probably also push it in to competition with the 370Z.
It would only become a 370Z competitor if the price went up accordingly. With only a power increase, it would instead be considered a performance bargain.
chrispmartha said:
The GT86 just isn't special enough to be a second car and isn't well made (it feels very cheap and plasticky inside!) and practical enough for an everyday car.
More than practical for me - I drop the kids off at school every morning and get the weekly shop in the boot (which is surprisingly spacious). Then on the weekend I can go for a goon on the moors.(someone mentioned an uprated one at the 'ring - this is my standard one, with too much traffic and plenty of dick drivers -
http://youtu.be/p3OZezkrTJk
This wasn't the first time I've been there, but its the best car I've driven there!)
Edited by chopper602 on Friday 17th October 21:38
Edited by chopper602 on Friday 17th October 21:42
loose cannon said:
My Megane RS slaughters a gt86 they are slower than a 1989 astra gte 16v Ffs and yes I have driven 1 i thought it was gutless, fun it maybe but it isn't fun enough though I'd find a nissan 200 sx much more fun tbh and faster if it was more fun I would own 1 but they just are not IMO sorry
The Megane Renaultsport Cup 265 manages a lap of the Top Gear circuit in 1:27.7. The GT86’s time was 1:31.3 on a partly wet track, so the Megane lapped 3.6 seconds quicker.But if you allow the GT86 a couple of seconds for the damp track and perhaps swap over the standard Michelin Primacys for something slightly more optimal much of the Megane’s 3.6 seconds advantage would disappear.
Just wondering when it was decided that grip alone equals good handling? I seem to here it alot on here, things like it handles brilliant it just grips and grips, handling is more than just grip, some of the best handling cars in my opinion have poor grip but great handling, ie feel, controllability on the limit etc. the gt86 seems to be doing everything right in the handling stakes and owners think they are great fun yet people belittle it, i dont get it. The gt86 is exactly the kind of car pustonheaders should like.
For instance i have had a subaru wrx with 350bhp which was brutal acceleration and comedy grip but was no fun at all for me as you had to get well beyond speed limit speeds to have fun with it. In contrast i had a boggo 1.6 lancer that had no power and average grip but was genuinely fun and had great handling and a buzzy wee engine, it was light on its feet had lift of oversteer that you could use easily and could be hustled down a b road at a decent lick, but most of the fun happens within the speed limit.
I had a shot of a 5 year old golf gti and it was boring as hell i thought and looked boring as hell in silver also. Is same with my current car 330i with its crappy light steering(for comfort) it has next to no feel therefore having no confidence in it compared to my 98 323i i had before it which had the old steering rack in it which made the car fun and inspired confidence.
More power and more grip does make a car better, maybe on a track but in the scottish roads i drive on you can have way more fun with something lighter with less grip and power.
Cars are more and more being designed for people with no interest in anything but power and comfort which is why we are left with a bunch of hot hatches that leave me completely cold, the focus st particularly does nothing for me, lots of power and lots of grip but heavy and bloated. More drivers cars please and less heavy fwd tanks with lots of grip but no real balance on the limit or if it does ur going so fast it cant be used.
As the subaru demonstrated to me the novelty of acceleration gets old quickly or you get used to it. I would rather take the s
tty wee lancer out for a b road blast and fly round a corner at 50 having to lift mid corner to balance it round with lift of than one of these hot hatches that just grips and grips till you come off the road at a silly speed because its lost grip and understeered into the nearest ditch. More light low powered cars with nice balance of grip please and less fat hatches with a billion horsepower and no on limit poise.
For instance i have had a subaru wrx with 350bhp which was brutal acceleration and comedy grip but was no fun at all for me as you had to get well beyond speed limit speeds to have fun with it. In contrast i had a boggo 1.6 lancer that had no power and average grip but was genuinely fun and had great handling and a buzzy wee engine, it was light on its feet had lift of oversteer that you could use easily and could be hustled down a b road at a decent lick, but most of the fun happens within the speed limit.
I had a shot of a 5 year old golf gti and it was boring as hell i thought and looked boring as hell in silver also. Is same with my current car 330i with its crappy light steering(for comfort) it has next to no feel therefore having no confidence in it compared to my 98 323i i had before it which had the old steering rack in it which made the car fun and inspired confidence.
More power and more grip does make a car better, maybe on a track but in the scottish roads i drive on you can have way more fun with something lighter with less grip and power.
Cars are more and more being designed for people with no interest in anything but power and comfort which is why we are left with a bunch of hot hatches that leave me completely cold, the focus st particularly does nothing for me, lots of power and lots of grip but heavy and bloated. More drivers cars please and less heavy fwd tanks with lots of grip but no real balance on the limit or if it does ur going so fast it cant be used.
As the subaru demonstrated to me the novelty of acceleration gets old quickly or you get used to it. I would rather take the s
tty wee lancer out for a b road blast and fly round a corner at 50 having to lift mid corner to balance it round with lift of than one of these hot hatches that just grips and grips till you come off the road at a silly speed because its lost grip and understeered into the nearest ditch. More light low powered cars with nice balance of grip please and less fat hatches with a billion horsepower and no on limit poise. I've had my 86 for about 20 months now. I love it. I find it mostly practical! I'm 6'8" and can drive it in comfort (just). I can get my 23" 29er mountain bike in the back with back seats folded down. It averages 34mpg with a lot of city driving. Tyres are pretty inexpensive, road tax is reasonable and I couldn't care less if someones diesel whatever is faster. I don't understand the mentality of having to have a faster car than everyone else. Who cares? The 86 isn't slow in the grand scheme of things. It might be slow compared to a Golf R (for example) but as a petrolhead I'll choose the RWD, low centre of gravity, LSD equipped sports car over the large engined version of an ordinary car. EVERYTIME! I've driven my friend's 335d and it's surprisingly quick but boring to drive. Would I care if one overtook me at speed? Not in the slightest.
I'll leave mine completely standard for the next couple of years. There are things I'd like to change. Rear lights, spoiler and wheels but these are all aesthetic and don't change how the car drives so I'll not bother for now. The only thing I can see myself replacing it with is a Cayman in a few years but that's only if I can get away with a second car (due to less practicality) and if I fit!
As for the face lift, I'd have liked the option of the spoilerless model when I bought mine and I like the Ultraleggeras. Might go for them for mine but I'll stick to 17s.
I'll leave mine completely standard for the next couple of years. There are things I'd like to change. Rear lights, spoiler and wheels but these are all aesthetic and don't change how the car drives so I'll not bother for now. The only thing I can see myself replacing it with is a Cayman in a few years but that's only if I can get away with a second car (due to less practicality) and if I fit!
As for the face lift, I'd have liked the option of the spoilerless model when I bought mine and I like the Ultraleggeras. Might go for them for mine but I'll stick to 17s.
I think you are correct bobby as their are great second hand rivals for the gt86, the problem is their are no great new rivals for it. I agree the gt86 should probably be a bit cheaper to start with which maybe put people off but atleast its trying to appeal to real drivers so the second hand market has something to be happy about in the future.
Ps. I couldnt think of a car i would like less than an audi s line diesel or fake 'm'. This is the way these days, everybody want's a car that looks like it means business. They couldn't really care if its powered by hamsters and handles with all the poise and delicacy of gordon brown doing gymnastics.
Ps. I couldnt think of a car i would like less than an audi s line diesel or fake 'm'. This is the way these days, everybody want's a car that looks like it means business. They couldn't really care if its powered by hamsters and handles with all the poise and delicacy of gordon brown doing gymnastics.
Fire99 said:
Well that may be true but I think I've seen three on the road in total (including the Subaru version) and the facelift / tweaks give the impression of a hint of desperation in selling a few more..
We had that topic last year IIRC, and I wanted to reply by quoting the rather good sales figures for Europe. Well sadly turns out that, in contrast to last year, 2014 has been pretty grim for the twins. German market data: January to September 2014, 663 sales (BRZ and GT86 combined). 65% less than in 2013. Discounts are very average though and no special editions on sale. Looks like (at least around here), everybody that understands the appeal now has one. Autobild (Germany's Autoexpress) tested both against a 200 hp Scirocco at launch. Review was headlined as "What is more fun to drive?". The VW won of course. Five seconds quicker round the track, safe handling, Autobahn grunt and they criticized that "ESP off" means off with the Japanese twins.
Of course that is *incredibly* stupid. But they are writing to please their audience, so a good indication of what the lemmings want. IMVHO they'd sell a lot more if it had FI levels of torque, at least 250 hp and was tested on stickier tyres. Might spoil the car, but the people aren't getting it. In hindsight they should have launched that type of BRZ first, then added some sort of NA "Clubsport" version similar to the current model (perhaps a bit more basic and lighter).
Atomsforpeace said:
Just wondering when it was decided that grip alone equals good handling?
Handling is what happens when the grip (road holding) runs out! Don't think I would get a GT86 but quite fancy a BRZ in blue - and someone said its just a Caterham with a roof. How on earth is that bad? I have had a couple of caterhams and, living in rainy rural Lancashire with two children, would hardly get to use one. But a BRZ I could use for commute, fun and school run, fold down the back seat to fit my bass in. Kolbenkopp said:
We had that topic last year IIRC, and I wanted to reply by quoting the rather good sales figures for Europe. Well sadly turns out that, in contrast to last year, 2014 has been pretty grim for the twins. German market data: January to September 2014, 663 sales (BRZ and GT86 combined). 65% less than in 2013. Discounts are very average though and no special editions on sale.
Looks like (at least around here), everybody that understands the appeal now has one. Autobild (Germany's Autoexpress) tested both against a 200 hp Scirocco at launch. Review was headlined as "What is more fun to drive?". The VW won of course. Five seconds quicker round the track, safe handling, Autobahn grunt and they criticized that "ESP off" means off with the Japanese twins.
Of course that is *incredibly* stupid. But they are writing to please their audience, so a good indication of what the lemmings want. IMVHO they'd sell a lot more if it had FI levels of torque, at least 250 hp and was tested on stickier tyres. Might spoil the car, but the people aren't getting it. In hindsight they should have launched that type of BRZ first, then added some sort of NA "Clubsport" version similar to the current model (perhaps a bit more basic and lighter).
Looks like (at least around here), everybody that understands the appeal now has one. Autobild (Germany's Autoexpress) tested both against a 200 hp Scirocco at launch. Review was headlined as "What is more fun to drive?". The VW won of course. Five seconds quicker round the track, safe handling, Autobahn grunt and they criticized that "ESP off" means off with the Japanese twins.
Of course that is *incredibly* stupid. But they are writing to please their audience, so a good indication of what the lemmings want. IMVHO they'd sell a lot more if it had FI levels of torque, at least 250 hp and was tested on stickier tyres. Might spoil the car, but the people aren't getting it. In hindsight they should have launched that type of BRZ first, then added some sort of NA "Clubsport" version similar to the current model (perhaps a bit more basic and lighter).
Interesting stuff, and I agree with you.. Handling is what happens when the grip (road holding) runs out! Don't think I would get a GT86 but quite fancy a BRZ in blue - and someone said its just a Caterham with a roof. How on earth is that bad? I have had a couple of caterhams and, living in rainy rural Lancashire with two children, would hardly get to use one. But a BRZ I could use for commute, fun and school run, fold down the back seat to fit my bass in.
Exactly and when grip runs out most hot hatches are crap but this is when gt/brz comes alive. I would love one but not in a position to spend that kind of money at the moment. The way i see it is that the gt/brz does everything you would want from a drivers car like caterham but with 90% or the practicality of a hot hatch. Surely that what a proper pistonhead wants is it not? No compromise like a caterham or a hot hatch.
Exactly and when grip runs out most hot hatches are crap but this is when gt/brz comes alive. I would love one but not in a position to spend that kind of money at the moment. The way i see it is that the gt/brz does everything you would want from a drivers car like caterham but with 90% or the practicality of a hot hatch. Surely that what a proper pistonhead wants is it not? No compromise like a caterham or a hot hatch.
Bobby Shaftoe said:
For the performance and handling minded Brit, we have a enormous range of used bargains to choose from which offer far better value for money. Why would you pay £27k for one when you could have a mint DC2 Type R for £6k, exactly the same ethos and much faster (15.5 seconds v 18 seconds 0-100mph).
There's probably hundreds of older alternatives that are just as fun and offer better performance. But I didn't want to drive around in a 10 year old Honda. It would be fairer to compare it against it's modern rivals.I wanted a new(ish - used approved) car, the GT86 ticked all the boxes and I'd loved the look of it since it came out. I had the money and decided it would be a worthy upgrade from my MX5...and it has been. I could have spent ages looking for an older car to save myself money, but now I have the pleasure of owning (for the first time) a car which was essentially new, pristine, has the peace of mind of a warranty and modern design.
Edited by Conscript on Saturday 18th October 00:26
Bobby Shaftoe said:
I do find the notion that 50 or 70bhp more would completely ruin the car absurd as well.
Doubt anyone really says that. No one would mind a couple of thousand extra revs or two more cylinders (and the resulting power increase). But turbo-charging would alter the spirit of the car to much. A blower could be a good compromise, but I guess that's difficult from an efficiency point of view. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff