Cheap GT86s....
Discussion
So the prices of 2013 GT86s (in my case Scion FR-S) have come down substantially in the US, to around 10k GBP.
As a 10k used car, how does the 86 stack up, assuming some forced induction will be applied?
Was it really just power people were unhappy with, or would the interior and steering also grate compared to, say, a 370Z?
As a 10k used car, how does the 86 stack up, assuming some forced induction will be applied?
Was it really just power people were unhappy with, or would the interior and steering also grate compared to, say, a 370Z?
I can give you my opinion, based on my other half owning a GT86 and me a 350Z.
The steering of the GT86 is very nice, sharp with good feedback and feel.
The Z steering is heavier, it has wider tyres and it is a heavier car, but I like the 'chunky' feel of it, some people don't.
Interior is a bit subjective, and the 350Z gets a hard time for its interior (the 370Z less so), but I quite lke it.
The GT86 is just as plasticky but I don't mind it, maybe apart from the slightly high dashboard, and I really like the optional alcantara seats.
It's not so much a lack of power that the GT86 has (big power was never the point of the car) but it has a rather flat delivery in the mid range, you have to really keep it buzzing, and to my ears makes a horrid noise (induction noise fed into the cabin) as it does so.
Forced induction and good mapping should negate that, though.
The steering of the GT86 is very nice, sharp with good feedback and feel.
The Z steering is heavier, it has wider tyres and it is a heavier car, but I like the 'chunky' feel of it, some people don't.
Interior is a bit subjective, and the 350Z gets a hard time for its interior (the 370Z less so), but I quite lke it.
The GT86 is just as plasticky but I don't mind it, maybe apart from the slightly high dashboard, and I really like the optional alcantara seats.
It's not so much a lack of power that the GT86 has (big power was never the point of the car) but it has a rather flat delivery in the mid range, you have to really keep it buzzing, and to my ears makes a horrid noise (induction noise fed into the cabin) as it does so.
Forced induction and good mapping should negate that, though.
The only doubt I have about the Subaru flat-4 engine in the BRZ/GT86/FRS is the durability. N/A six cylinder engines tend to be less stressed and given most people don't warm up their oil before thrashing their cars and they use too cheap an oil or the wrong weight.... I just wouldn't buy a second hand 4-pot sporty car.
But I would buy new...
Everything else, the BRZ/G86/FRS is the best car on the market place right now unless you can get a Porsche Cayman for sensible money in America...
But I would buy new...
Everything else, the BRZ/G86/FRS is the best car on the market place right now unless you can get a Porsche Cayman for sensible money in America...
I have owned both cars (currently on the 370Z and have owned a 350Z previously) and my recommendation depends solely on the driving you do.
GT86
+ Amazing turn in
+ It has one of the best electric racks, steering feels connected
+ Balanced, feels great, like the chassis moves around you
+ Interior is decent with loads of toys
+ Suspension a bit hard for longer journeys
+ I think it looks great, especially with a few tweaks
- Engine needs to be worked hard due to the lack of torque, good for the track, not so much for day to day driving
- The chassis is capable of so much more than 200bhp, I wouldn't call it slow though! You would be surprised on the road how little distance an extra 130+ bhp gives you.
- The engine noise enhancement is a bit, poor
- Exhaust note was too quiet for a sports car, no fun going through tunnels
- The speakers are poor, the Yaris courtesy car was better and cost £12,000 less...
- The Michelin Primacy tyres are fine in the dry, but in the wet on a slippery bit of road it will go, and go very quickly even with very little throttle application
370Z GT
+ For a "heavy" car (still the same weight as an E46 M3), it turns in very well and has a good balance to it when pushing on or taking sideways. Rarely snaps or bites hard.
+ More feedback as it utilises an electro-hydraulic steering rack, everything you use feels weighty and purposeful
+ Toys, loads of toys on the GT pack including heated seats, Bose sound system (get a 60 plate onwards with the HD screen and USB connection) and a nicely finished interior
+ Nice place to be for long journeys
+ Loads of torque, overtaking is a breeze and the power plant is effortless and feels exciting when you put your foot down
+ Subjectively, it looks very special on the road and is a rare car to see. Wide arches, big wheels, wide tyres
- Very wide arches, loads of blind spots and a low seating position make it a difficult car to park and get through narrow gaps
- Standard exhaust doesn't do the power plant justice in tone and volume, especially compared to the stock 350Z. Make sure to upgrade to something civil, or a cheap mod (£200) with the Cybox short tails for something raucous
- Wide tyres mean a lot of road noise on the motorway. Can be fixed with some sound deadening material
- The differential should be more aggressive, sometimes it won't lock and one wheel will spin up
- Very tyre dependent (wear/quality of tyres) compared to the 86, don't skimp!
- Synchros in the gearbox, had to have the box rebuilt and the 6th gear synchro seems to be going again
- It feels heavy, even though it isn't. It has a lot more grip than you expect too (took me a while to feel confident pushing it close to the limits)
For me, if you end up driving lots of B-roads or going on track the GT86 will be the more exciting car. If you do long distances, windy A roads and a car that is still good on B-roads, the Z fits the bill.
For me, 90% of the time the Z is the better car, but that 10% of the time on the right B road the GT86 cannot be beaten in terms of how it makes you feel.
GT86
+ Amazing turn in
+ It has one of the best electric racks, steering feels connected
+ Balanced, feels great, like the chassis moves around you
+ Interior is decent with loads of toys
+ Suspension a bit hard for longer journeys
+ I think it looks great, especially with a few tweaks
- Engine needs to be worked hard due to the lack of torque, good for the track, not so much for day to day driving
- The chassis is capable of so much more than 200bhp, I wouldn't call it slow though! You would be surprised on the road how little distance an extra 130+ bhp gives you.
- The engine noise enhancement is a bit, poor
- Exhaust note was too quiet for a sports car, no fun going through tunnels
- The speakers are poor, the Yaris courtesy car was better and cost £12,000 less...
- The Michelin Primacy tyres are fine in the dry, but in the wet on a slippery bit of road it will go, and go very quickly even with very little throttle application
370Z GT
+ For a "heavy" car (still the same weight as an E46 M3), it turns in very well and has a good balance to it when pushing on or taking sideways. Rarely snaps or bites hard.
+ More feedback as it utilises an electro-hydraulic steering rack, everything you use feels weighty and purposeful
+ Toys, loads of toys on the GT pack including heated seats, Bose sound system (get a 60 plate onwards with the HD screen and USB connection) and a nicely finished interior
+ Nice place to be for long journeys
+ Loads of torque, overtaking is a breeze and the power plant is effortless and feels exciting when you put your foot down
+ Subjectively, it looks very special on the road and is a rare car to see. Wide arches, big wheels, wide tyres
- Very wide arches, loads of blind spots and a low seating position make it a difficult car to park and get through narrow gaps
- Standard exhaust doesn't do the power plant justice in tone and volume, especially compared to the stock 350Z. Make sure to upgrade to something civil, or a cheap mod (£200) with the Cybox short tails for something raucous
- Wide tyres mean a lot of road noise on the motorway. Can be fixed with some sound deadening material
- The differential should be more aggressive, sometimes it won't lock and one wheel will spin up
- Very tyre dependent (wear/quality of tyres) compared to the 86, don't skimp!
- Synchros in the gearbox, had to have the box rebuilt and the 6th gear synchro seems to be going again
- It feels heavy, even though it isn't. It has a lot more grip than you expect too (took me a while to feel confident pushing it close to the limits)
For me, if you end up driving lots of B-roads or going on track the GT86 will be the more exciting car. If you do long distances, windy A roads and a car that is still good on B-roads, the Z fits the bill.
For me, 90% of the time the Z is the better car, but that 10% of the time on the right B road the GT86 cannot be beaten in terms of how it makes you feel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUhLXvxlQR4
This could give you a good comparison. Allow Harris didn't seem to like the 370z all that much.
This could give you a good comparison. Allow Harris didn't seem to like the 370z all that much.
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