Toyota GT86

Author
Discussion

otolith

55,794 posts

203 months

Monday 2nd July 2012
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Cool smile

LordGrover

Original Poster:

33,528 posts

211 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2012
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Just back from test drive. biggrin

Really quite liked the whole thing, even though it was an auto. As everyone has said, the driving position and steering are just right and turn in pin-sharp. Almost signed on the dotted line there and then; decided to wait and pop back tomorrow once I've had a chance to sleep on it.
The only negative was the sound being piped into the cabin - just silly. It's just not throaty enough to make a decent noise - it sounds like a sound effect piped through a tinny speaker. I'm hoping it can be sorted but I'm sure I could live with it if need be. The octagonal/nut like heater/AC switches are a bit twee too.
Hoping they'll do a decent trade-in on my zed to make life easier. If they do, I think I'll go for it. thumbup

LordGrover

Original Poster:

33,528 posts

211 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2012
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Not sure if it's important to PHers but I just noticed something that surprised me a little:
  • Auto is more economical 39.8mpg vs 36.2mpg manual
  • Auto cheaper to tax £170pa (G) vs £325pa (I)

Marf

22,907 posts

240 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2012
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The £325 is only the first year tax, drops back to £215 after that. Same as my MR2 Turbo.

ady_GTi

325 posts

209 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2012
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LordGrover said:
Not sure if it's important to PHers but I just noticed something that surprised me a little:
  • Auto is more economical 39.8mpg vs 36.2mpg manual
  • Auto cheaper to tax £170pa (G) vs £325pa (I)
I guess the auto can "cheat" the test better than a driver using a manual? I would assume real world they would be similar if not slightly the other way round?

StormLoaded

889 posts

178 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2012
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The auto has longer 5th an 6th gears.
1-4 are very close.
The manual hits top speed in 6th at 140 where the auto hits it's top speed (130) in 5th and doesnt have the power to hit vmax in 6th (although with more power I believe it's theoretical top speed is 170/180?).
The better mpgs will certainly come motorway cruising, at 85mph in 6th the auto is doing nearly 1000rpm less than the manual.

GravelBen

15,641 posts

229 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2012
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ady_GTi said:
I guess the auto can "cheat" the test better than a driver using a manual? I would assume real world they would be similar if not slightly the other way round?
yes

Doesn't the Euro test specify manuals must change gear at x% of maximum revs, while autos are left to decide for themselves? Whatever the details it seems to make higher-revving manual cars look worse than they are.

Shurv

953 posts

159 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2012
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I too did 6 ( I got an extra one) laps at Donington last week in the GT86.My current weekend toy is a 3.0 Z4 which I've done Donington in. In comparison, the Gt86 feels much lighter,the steering is lovely, the brakes loads better than the Z4,it even sounds pretty good. Turn in is sharp, it feels light and very well balanced.At no stage did it feel it needed more power.200 brake is plenty for a road car,especially one that handles like this does.The driving position is good, seats supportive and the interior looks good.We were taken off for a spot of drifting too and the drift drivers all loved it, one did some rather impressive doughnuts with both hands waving out of the window. Try that in your 200 bhp front wheel drive shopping trolley.I don't think many will appreciate the detail that has gone into this car,there are many small aspects that add up to a great car. I understand that the Toyota version has suspension more suited to UK back roads than the Subaru version,which is stiffer all round.I#d like to drive the GT86 again, without someone looking over my shoulder, for a longer period of time to fully assess the extent of it's talents,but it is a really good car.If you want one that is lower, bigger wheels,more power etc, I'm sure the tuners will be offering kits very soon.Anyone who complains it needs more power out of the box, simply can't drive properly,point to point, you'll have more fun in this than anything else.

nickfrog

20,814 posts

216 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2012
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Keith ctr said:
very concerned about the paint finish/thickness, its very thin like Civic's, Golf's etc, even the red one on the stand had lots of swirls and a few chips in already.
Not sure what you mean about Golf's paint being thin. Do you mean soft ? VW paint is one of the hardest (with BMW). Japanese cars paint is always VERY soft. Which indeed means it swirls easily but also means it polishes/corrects easily too.

otolith

55,794 posts

203 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2012
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Dunno about soft jap paint, I went to the launch event for the new Porsche 911, and they were all swirled to buggery. Shocking.

nickfrog

20,814 posts

216 months

Wednesday 4th July 2012
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Porsche paint is medium hardness. Any paint will immediately get swirled with the wrong washing technique anyway, and trust the franchised dealers to offer free swirls.

LordGrover

Original Poster:

33,528 posts

211 months

Wednesday 4th July 2012
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Taken from t'other thread:

StormLoaded said:

AndyQuattro

32 posts

162 months

Wednesday 4th July 2012
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Just test drove a GT86. Love it!
Pros: steering, feel, driving position,head room (I'm 6'with long back), looks, visability,islands, corners, bends, gearbox gate.

Cons: back seats, for me something has to work if its there and they don't. The few tweeks/options of the demo car takes it to just shy of £30k

ODDS: The piped engine noise.

LordGrover

Original Poster:

33,528 posts

211 months

Wednesday 4th July 2012
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Nice 'pro' 86 video test versus VW, BM & MX-5: youtube.
I fancy a little biased, but not bad.

LordGrover

Original Poster:

33,528 posts

211 months

Wednesday 4th July 2012
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Spec and price agreed, deposit paid. The wait has begun.

Marf

22,907 posts

240 months

Wednesday 4th July 2012
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Good stuff!

When's your delivery date?

LordGrover

Original Poster:

33,528 posts

211 months

Wednesday 4th July 2012
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4-7 August. He said maybe sooner, but knowing my luck it'll be longer. grumpy

Marf

22,907 posts

240 months

Wednesday 4th July 2012
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Not as long as I thought! What colour did you go for?

LordGrover

Original Poster:

33,528 posts

211 months

Wednesday 4th July 2012
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Orange

RichyBoy

3,739 posts

216 months

Wednesday 4th July 2012
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AndyQuattro said:
Just test drove a GT86. Love it!
Pros: steering, feel, driving position,head room (I'm 6'with long back), looks, visability,islands, corners, bends, gearbox gate.

Cons: back seats, for me something has to work if its there and they don't. The few tweeks/options of the demo car takes it to just shy of £30k

ODDS: The piped engine noise.
Is this mods? I thought the only options were leather and satnav.