GT86 owners - did you consider/drive a M135i?

GT86 owners - did you consider/drive a M135i?

Author
Discussion

Fantuzzi

3,297 posts

145 months

Saturday 18th January 2014
quotequote all
RobM77 said:
Fantuzzi said:
Id like to know if anyone considered a standard elise, which are the same price at 25k.

That is if the car is meant for fun rather than everyday, as no boot everyday as I find in the MR2 can be, um, interesting when shopping...
I was interested in a GT86 and owned an Elise for 3 years. There's a thread about running one everyday currently over on the PH Elise forum: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I've not driven a GT86, but I should imagine the Elise is much better to drive, but without the practicality. Of course both have Toyota engines, so even in an Elise you benefit from Toyota build quality a bit! The rest of the car isn't up to Toyota standards, but it's really not bad at all and I never had any issues with mine at all.
Its interesting, because when people talk about the modern elise they always start with how its far more accommodating than other generations, softer, more gadgets (well a few), and not having driven one I couldn't help thinking how perhaps the s3 wasn't such a weekend car anymore, and therefore could compete with the gt86 as a real contender.

otolith

55,899 posts

203 months

Saturday 18th January 2014
quotequote all
The only real difference is that modern Elises are less unrefined. They are still noisy, tight for shoulder room, awkward for the uninitiated to enter and exit and have nothing more than an ineffective stereo for gadgets. The seats are fixed back and can only be adjusted fore and aft and the wheel has no adjustment. If you are the right sort of shape, however, they are comfortable once you are in and ride more smoothly than you would expect.

In terms of luggage, this lot went into the boot after I forgot which car I was in:


Martin_M

2,071 posts

226 months

Saturday 18th January 2014
quotequote all
I like the Elise but it doesn't tick all my boxes - space being high up on the list....and how expensive are the new models - I couldn't believe the price increase when I had a look at Murray Lotus!

RobM77

35,349 posts

233 months

Saturday 18th January 2014
quotequote all
Fantuzzi said:
RobM77 said:
Fantuzzi said:
Id like to know if anyone considered a standard elise, which are the same price at 25k.

That is if the car is meant for fun rather than everyday, as no boot everyday as I find in the MR2 can be, um, interesting when shopping...
I was interested in a GT86 and owned an Elise for 3 years. There's a thread about running one everyday currently over on the PH Elise forum: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I've not driven a GT86, but I should imagine the Elise is much better to drive, but without the practicality. Of course both have Toyota engines, so even in an Elise you benefit from Toyota build quality a bit! The rest of the car isn't up to Toyota standards, but it's really not bad at all and I never had any issues with mine at all.
Its interesting, because when people talk about the modern elise they always start with how its far more accommodating than other generations, softer, more gadgets (well a few), and not having driven one I couldn't help thinking how perhaps the s3 wasn't such a weekend car anymore, and therefore could compete with the gt86 as a real contender.
They're not softer; the suspension actually got stiffer with the generations and the body/wheel control better. They have got quieter though and with less 'noise, vibration and harshness' - I used my 2004 one as my only car for a few years. I think they're a step away from normal modern cars like the GT86 though. It depends what you want though - an Elise is no worse than a classic mini for living with it and driving it.

daveknott5

Original Poster:

731 posts

218 months

Monday 20th January 2014
quotequote all
Had a drive in a GT86 at the weekend. You know, the usual - accompanied test drive - 30 mins max, so not enough of a drive to form a real opinion on the car. However, here are my impressions.

Engine: As others have stated, it's not the greatest powerplant in the world. The test car had only 500 miles on the clock so the engine was still tight, but you really don't feel you have 197Bhp until you get the car over 4500 rpm. At which point, it revs nicely and picks up. You can pile on some speed surprisingly quickly if you rev it properly. The engine doesn't sound great at all though and the induction noise is piped in to the cabin which means the engine resonates from around your feet/drivers door, rather than from the nose of the car. Sounds weird. Also, sounds artificially "gravelly" as if its doing an impression of how a sports car should sound.

Steering: Lovely pointy, but meaty feeling steering. The car wants to turn and feels positive doing so. That said, there is no "feel" really coming back through the steering - its a fully electric set-up

Chassis/tyres: It was a damp day so an interesting test of the tyres/chassis. I gave it half throttle mid corner on one occassion (with TC fully on) and the back stepped out, needing a very slight correction. You can definitely feel that the car doesn't have a surfeit of grip in greasy conditions and would be an oversteer fest if you're so inclined! I'm sure in the bone dry you wouldn't get this feel and would have to provoke the car more to get it to slide, but it does feel like a car set up for some sideways fun if you have the skills to drive it on the throttle. I'm sure for a few rear-drive novices it might catch the unwary out... S2000 style!

Brakes feel very positive with good bite and a nice firm pedal.

Interior and controls: Great driving position, seats hold you very well but are too bolstered over the shoulder for my liking. Steering wheel feels perfectly sized. The clutch is light and the gearboax is snikety and has a short-ish shift. You can feel that the engineering team have put a lot of time into ensuring the controls have the right weight and feel for a sports car. They just feel "right".

The interior doesn't feel like a £25k car in my opinion. Its nice enough - bit dark and plasticky though (typical of Jap cars), but would feel more appropriate to a £15-17k car. The stereo sounded weak and there was a trim rattle from the centre dash near the windscreen. Not brilliant on such a new car.

The rear seats could actually be used by a person of average height (up to say 5'8). I am 6'1" and sat in the back and my head touched the rear window. A smaller person could probably get away with it for a short journey. Foot/Leg room is a real issue for the rear passenger though unless the person in the front seat jacks his/her seat up from the floor and moves it forward.

The seats can of course be folded flat for taking tyres to a trackday/slotting in a bike with a wheel removed.

Summary: I reckon it'd be a really nice daily driver, capable of providing some fun on track/on a B-road. Those rear seats are actually a bonus and a real advantage over something like a Cayman. The engine is a disappointment though - it feels a bit thrashy and uninspiring, but does rev out smoothly to the red line. The chassis balance is the real star.

Fantuzzi

3,297 posts

145 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
RobM77 said:
Fantuzzi said:
RobM77 said:
Fantuzzi said:
Id like to know if anyone considered a standard elise, which are the same price at 25k.

That is if the car is meant for fun rather than everyday, as no boot everyday as I find in the MR2 can be, um, interesting when shopping...
I was interested in a GT86 and owned an Elise for 3 years. There's a thread about running one everyday currently over on the PH Elise forum: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I've not driven a GT86, but I should imagine the Elise is much better to drive, but without the practicality. Of course both have Toyota engines, so even in an Elise you benefit from Toyota build quality a bit! The rest of the car isn't up to Toyota standards, but it's really not bad at all and I never had any issues with mine at all.
Its interesting, because when people talk about the modern elise they always start with how its far more accommodating than other generations, softer, more gadgets (well a few), and not having driven one I couldn't help thinking how perhaps the s3 wasn't such a weekend car anymore, and therefore could compete with the gt86 as a real contender.
They're not softer; the suspension actually got stiffer with the generations and the body/wheel control better. They have got quieter though and with less 'noise, vibration and harshness' - I used my 2004 one as my only car for a few years. I think they're a step away from normal modern cars like the GT86 though. It depends what you want though - an Elise is no worse than a classic mini for living with it and driving it.
By softer I was refereeing to the car in general rather than the suspension, from what I've gathered as the generations have gone on the car got less extreme and more habitable than the tricky S1.

I sympathise with the post above on boot space, my MK3 MR2 is a rather good excuse for not doing the weekly shop myself!

RobM77

35,349 posts

233 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
Fantuzzi said:
RobM77 said:
Fantuzzi said:
RobM77 said:
Fantuzzi said:
Id like to know if anyone considered a standard elise, which are the same price at 25k.

That is if the car is meant for fun rather than everyday, as no boot everyday as I find in the MR2 can be, um, interesting when shopping...
I was interested in a GT86 and owned an Elise for 3 years. There's a thread about running one everyday currently over on the PH Elise forum: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I've not driven a GT86, but I should imagine the Elise is much better to drive, but without the practicality. Of course both have Toyota engines, so even in an Elise you benefit from Toyota build quality a bit! The rest of the car isn't up to Toyota standards, but it's really not bad at all and I never had any issues with mine at all.
Its interesting, because when people talk about the modern elise they always start with how its far more accommodating than other generations, softer, more gadgets (well a few), and not having driven one I couldn't help thinking how perhaps the s3 wasn't such a weekend car anymore, and therefore could compete with the gt86 as a real contender.
They're not softer; the suspension actually got stiffer with the generations and the body/wheel control better. They have got quieter though and with less 'noise, vibration and harshness' - I used my 2004 one as my only car for a few years. I think they're a step away from normal modern cars like the GT86 though. It depends what you want though - an Elise is no worse than a classic mini for living with it and driving it.
By softer I was refereeing to the car in general rather than the suspension, from what I've gathered as the generations have gone on the car got less extreme and more habitable than the tricky S1.

I sympathise with the post above on boot space, my MK3 MR2 is a rather good excuse for not doing the weekly shop myself!
yes it certainly changed its focus. The S1 was designed as a weekend, trackday and sprint car, but people bought them in far greater numbers than expected, and mostly to use every day, so Lotus addressed that with the S2. The common misconception is that the S2 was not as good a driver's car, but in reality as well as making the car more liveable, they also had a far greater budget, so re-engineered elements of the car to improve it. For example, the trickiness you mentioned was due in part to aerodynamic lift at speed, moreso at the rear, whereas the S2 produces slight downforce at speed, moreso over the rear. The S2 also got lower and stiffer for better control, especially through transitions. The S1 also never had bespoke tyres, despite the unusual weight distribution needing it, and the S2 addressed that.

I love mk3 MR2s by the way - nice car smile I had a mk1 for a few years and loved it to bits.

Fantuzzi

3,297 posts

145 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
RobM77 said:
Fantuzzi said:
RobM77 said:
Fantuzzi said:
RobM77 said:
Fantuzzi said:
Id like to know if anyone considered a standard elise, which are the same price at 25k.

That is if the car is meant for fun rather than everyday, as no boot everyday as I find in the MR2 can be, um, interesting when shopping...
I was interested in a GT86 and owned an Elise for 3 years. There's a thread about running one everyday currently over on the PH Elise forum: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I've not driven a GT86, but I should imagine the Elise is much better to drive, but without the practicality. Of course both have Toyota engines, so even in an Elise you benefit from Toyota build quality a bit! The rest of the car isn't up to Toyota standards, but it's really not bad at all and I never had any issues with mine at all.
Its interesting, because when people talk about the modern elise they always start with how its far more accommodating than other generations, softer, more gadgets (well a few), and not having driven one I couldn't help thinking how perhaps the s3 wasn't such a weekend car anymore, and therefore could compete with the gt86 as a real contender.
They're not softer; the suspension actually got stiffer with the generations and the body/wheel control better. They have got quieter though and with less 'noise, vibration and harshness' - I used my 2004 one as my only car for a few years. I think they're a step away from normal modern cars like the GT86 though. It depends what you want though - an Elise is no worse than a classic mini for living with it and driving it.
By softer I was refereeing to the car in general rather than the suspension, from what I've gathered as the generations have gone on the car got less extreme and more habitable than the tricky S1.

I sympathise with the post above on boot space, my MK3 MR2 is a rather good excuse for not doing the weekly shop myself!
yes it certainly changed its focus. The S1 was designed as a weekend, trackday and sprint car, but people bought them in far greater numbers than expected, and mostly to use every day, so Lotus addressed that with the S2. The common misconception is that the S2 was not as good a driver's car, but in reality as well as making the car more liveable, they also had a far greater budget, so re-engineered elements of the car to improve it. For example, the trickiness you mentioned was due in part to aerodynamic lift at speed, moreso at the rear, whereas the S2 produces slight downforce at speed, moreso over the rear. The S2 also got lower and stiffer for better control, especially through transitions. The S1 also never had bespoke tyres, despite the unusual weight distribution needing it, and the S2 addressed that.

I love mk3 MR2s by the way - nice car smile I had a mk1 for a few years and loved it to bits.
Yeah the Mr2 great fun, lots of fun!

Not having driven any Elise, all I can draw is from mags and the like, but wasn't the biggest reason for the majority of the s2 being seen as a lesser drivers car was due to the added understeer by the smaller width front tires on the s2?

Ive been brushing up on them from as I plan to get an s1, from all Ive read it seemed to be that one to pick over the s2. But Id welcome some different opinions!

RobM77

35,349 posts

233 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
Fantuzzi said:
RobM77 said:
Fantuzzi said:
RobM77 said:
Fantuzzi said:
RobM77 said:
Fantuzzi said:
Id like to know if anyone considered a standard elise, which are the same price at 25k.

That is if the car is meant for fun rather than everyday, as no boot everyday as I find in the MR2 can be, um, interesting when shopping...
I was interested in a GT86 and owned an Elise for 3 years. There's a thread about running one everyday currently over on the PH Elise forum: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I've not driven a GT86, but I should imagine the Elise is much better to drive, but without the practicality. Of course both have Toyota engines, so even in an Elise you benefit from Toyota build quality a bit! The rest of the car isn't up to Toyota standards, but it's really not bad at all and I never had any issues with mine at all.
Its interesting, because when people talk about the modern elise they always start with how its far more accommodating than other generations, softer, more gadgets (well a few), and not having driven one I couldn't help thinking how perhaps the s3 wasn't such a weekend car anymore, and therefore could compete with the gt86 as a real contender.
They're not softer; the suspension actually got stiffer with the generations and the body/wheel control better. They have got quieter though and with less 'noise, vibration and harshness' - I used my 2004 one as my only car for a few years. I think they're a step away from normal modern cars like the GT86 though. It depends what you want though - an Elise is no worse than a classic mini for living with it and driving it.
By softer I was refereeing to the car in general rather than the suspension, from what I've gathered as the generations have gone on the car got less extreme and more habitable than the tricky S1.

I sympathise with the post above on boot space, my MK3 MR2 is a rather good excuse for not doing the weekly shop myself!
yes it certainly changed its focus. The S1 was designed as a weekend, trackday and sprint car, but people bought them in far greater numbers than expected, and mostly to use every day, so Lotus addressed that with the S2. The common misconception is that the S2 was not as good a driver's car, but in reality as well as making the car more liveable, they also had a far greater budget, so re-engineered elements of the car to improve it. For example, the trickiness you mentioned was due in part to aerodynamic lift at speed, moreso at the rear, whereas the S2 produces slight downforce at speed, moreso over the rear. The S2 also got lower and stiffer for better control, especially through transitions. The S1 also never had bespoke tyres, despite the unusual weight distribution needing it, and the S2 addressed that.

I love mk3 MR2s by the way - nice car smile I had a mk1 for a few years and loved it to bits.
Yeah the Mr2 great fun, lots of fun!

Not having driven any Elise, all I can draw is from mags and the like, but wasn't the biggest reason for the majority of the s2 being seen as a lesser drivers car was due to the added understeer by the smaller width front tires on the s2?

Ive been brushing up on them from as I plan to get an s1, from all Ive read it seemed to be that one to pick over the s2. But Id welcome some different opinions!
As I'll always say, buy the car you prefer from driving both. A fair few people do say the S1 is more of a driver's car, but I've always thought people probably say that because it's noisier and a bit lighter, rather than from a more honest assessment of how the different cars drove. The tyre issue arose when the Elise moved to bespoke tyres. Basically the Elise has a very light front end, so it's prone to aquaplaning, which demands a narrow front tyre. The trouble with that is it would make the car understeer on a dry road, so Lotus specced a softer compound to balance the car. The issue with that is you need to drive the car properly to avoid understeer - so turning in gently, and loading the front up correctly etc. I have also heard hints from Lotus that they wanted a car that inexperienced hands wouldn't get into trouble with, but experienced drivers could really enjoy. Many of the understeer stories centre around Clarkson's hamfisted attempts at driving and reviewing the car on Top Gear. Lotus have pretty much always made progress in the right direction, and in my opinion the Elise just got better and better as the years went on in terms of its ride, handling and steering. It did pick up some negatives along the way, which include weight increase, servo brakes in 2004 and the Toyota engine at the same time, which had characteristics not everyone valued. My personal favourite is probably the SC, because it avoided the top end power characteristics of the Toyota engine, but being a later car had extremely well resolved handling and was very refined for everyday or long distance use too. I also loved the S2 111S, which had the lovely VVC k series engine with a very flat torque curve and no servo brakes - I owned an S2 111S for 8 years.

james_gt3rs

4,816 posts

190 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
Fantuzzi said:
Yeah the Mr2 great fun, lots of fun!

Not having driven any Elise, all I can draw is from mags and the like, but wasn't the biggest reason for the majority of the s2 being seen as a lesser drivers car was due to the added understeer by the smaller width front tires on the s2?

Ive been brushing up on them from as I plan to get an s1, from all Ive read it seemed to be that one to pick over the s2. But Id welcome some different opinions!
VX220... I'm probably going to change my MR2 for one some time this year - cheaper than the Elise S1, much cheaper to insure and it's got more of the S2 creature comforts (roof etc).

Only problem is they're so damn rare might have to travel around to find one.

Robert Elise

956 posts

144 months

Tuesday 15th April 2014
quotequote all
Thread resurrection here. Interesting that the latter half of this thread moved to Elise & GT86 as i've just got a GT for general duties.
Elise has top slot in my garage and will only be replaced by another Lotus until i need a crane to get behind the wheel. The GT is sublime and as the opening posts stated, doesn't compete with a M135i - different market segment. For me it doesn't compete with the Elise either, although it offers similar joys on a b road. After all the press coverage my first drive in the Toyota showed 2 things: 1. it really doesn't have any mid-range punch; and 2. it's actually far more civilised than i expected. No german competitor for sure, but for me it offers enough practicality for most daily chores (no kids), longer runs and is always there to step up for an involving twisty blast. Perfect compromise car i'd say. A short test drive gives some indication of its intent and capability but it needs many more miles to get under your skin and show its depth, whereas i suspect many would be seduced by 10 mins behind the M135 and its obvious solidity and power. As always drive any car yourself, but in the case of the GT86 make sure you give it enough time to shine.

davyvee

295 posts

134 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
quotequote all
Took delivery of a GT 2 weeks ago. Flipping fantastic it is. As chuckable as a RS clio but rear wheel drive. Oh yes.

Do I regret not test driving the cheaper (in lease/pcp terms) M135i? Nope. you can't hide an extra quarter ton.

Fantuzzi

3,297 posts

145 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
quotequote all
Robert Elise said:
Thread resurrection here. Interesting that the latter half of this thread moved to Elise & GT86 as i've just got a GT for general duties.
Elise has top slot in my garage and will only be replaced by another Lotus until i need a crane to get behind the wheel. The GT is sublime and as the opening posts stated, doesn't compete with a M135i - different market segment. For me it doesn't compete with the Elise either, although it offers similar joys on a b road. After all the press coverage my first drive in the Toyota showed 2 things: 1. it really doesn't have any mid-range punch; and 2. it's actually far more civilised than i expected. No german competitor for sure, but for me it offers enough practicality for most daily chores (no kids), longer runs and is always there to step up for an involving twisty blast. Perfect compromise car i'd say. A short test drive gives some indication of its intent and capability but it needs many more miles to get under your skin and show its depth, whereas i suspect many would be seduced by 10 mins behind the M135 and its obvious solidity and power. As always drive any car yourself, but in the case of the GT86 make sure you give it enough time to shine.
You sir have my garage 5 years in the future! albeit with the S1. The GT seems to be a perfect car that can be used for (admittedly limited) daily duties. I think whilst the M135i is meant to be rather good the bit that puts me off is the often repeated 'not much steering feel' - the bane of the modern cars - but will have to get behind the wheel of one, preferable the 235i coupe, not a fan of the hatch no need for space.

davyvee said:
Took delivery of a GT 2 weeks ago. Flipping fantastic it is. As chuckable as a RS clio but rear wheel drive. Oh yes.

Do I regret not test driving the cheaper (in lease/pcp terms) M135i? Nope. you can't hide an extra quarter ton.
As for the speed difference, the M135i is 30,995 (evo oct), given the praise the Litchfield option has been given, for the same price (given you go easy on the options), even a supercharged GT86 with the handling pack is still cheap by a whisker.

Must admit I have been thinking an awful lot about a Litchfield GT, Black with the leather and alcantara...

Robert Elise

956 posts

144 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
quotequote all
Fantuzzi said:
You sir have my garage 5 years in the future! albeit with the S1. The GT seems to be a perfect car that can be used for (admittedly limited) daily duties.
Thank you! They're becoming keepers now, including the 'everyday' GT86. It has that low running cost fun factor that puts it amongst MX5s, MR2s but is just a lot more comfortable and spacious. The pure fun cars are for (regular) fun use but not suited to everyday chores.

i also fancy an MR2 at some point.
Elise - go drive, it's the only way. There's a lot more banter amongst Lotus owners than, say, Porsche. An outsider might get the impression that only the S1 is a drivers car and that an S3 is really a hairdresser's car. Reality is that the S3 is still as bare as an S1 apart from some welcome safety gear and an amusing jockstrap cup holder. The GT is a Rolls by comparison. The understeer issue can i) be dialled out, and ii) isn't really there anymore.

My MX5 is going as part of deal with swmbo to rationalise cars ;-( That was an early MK3 which is inherently BAD, but suspension was corrected by WIM and she's a fabulous car now. But i can see her point, we have a fleet of cars and yet when we need to do a long straight journey she still has to 'gracefully fall into her seat' (GT86).

Fantuzzi

3,297 posts

145 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
quotequote all
Robert Elise said:
Fantuzzi said:
You sir have my garage 5 years in the future! albeit with the S1. The GT seems to be a perfect car that can be used for (admittedly limited) daily duties.
Thank you! They're becoming keepers now, including the 'everyday' GT86. It has that low running cost fun factor that puts it amongst MX5s, MR2s but is just a lot more comfortable and spacious. The pure fun cars are for (regular) fun use but not suited to everyday chores.

i also fancy an MR2 at some point.
Elise - go drive, it's the only way. There's a lot more banter amongst Lotus owners than, say, Porsche. An outsider might get the impression that only the S1 is a drivers car and that an S3 is really a hairdresser's car. Reality is that the S3 is still as bare as an S1 apart from some welcome safety gear and an amusing jockstrap cup holder. The GT is a Rolls by comparison. The understeer issue can i) be dialled out, and ii) isn't really there anymore.

My MX5 is going as part of deal with swmbo to rationalise cars ;-( That was an early MK3 which is inherently BAD, but suspension was corrected by WIM and she's a fabulous car now. But i can see her point, we have a fleet of cars and yet when we need to do a long straight journey she still has to 'gracefully fall into her seat' (GT86).
Well this was what I was thinking, the GT86 - compared to the MR2/any tiny sportscar - would seem comparatively large, comfy and spacious - jeez it even has (tiny) rear seats! So would seem perfect as a daily given I have no children, or if I'm honest any real commitments that warrant a boring normal cars. And having 45mpg sounds good as well! That said I would be VERY tempted to get the Litchfield upgrade, looks really good fun in a 1240kg car!

On the Elise issue, I'm under no impression the later gens aren't ace, its just the S1's style and approach seems to be right what I'm after. Id love to have a play in an S3, see how 'useable' the modern Elise has become with some (minor) creature comforts. But I quite like the idea of something really stripped.

Id have a look at the mk3 MR2, I love mine, they seem to be universally loved. I need some new tyres on mine soon so will be getting some Yokohama ADO8S, so I hoping compared to the cheap as chips tyres the previous owner had put on (basically new tyres when I got it!), the MR2 should be transformed to an even more enjoyable drivers car! At 975kg its only really beaten in lightness by very early mk1 MX5s, and the 138bhp makes it pretty swift if you are willing to use the fun end of the rev range!

nottyash

4,670 posts

194 months

Sunday 27th April 2014
quotequote all
In terms of looks the GT86 wins hands down, in performance the 135 is in another league, the weight can't account for the 120bhp difference of the 3.0 turbo engine.
Price wise, forget rrp. New GT86 are less than 22 grand, and M135 26 grand.

Fantuzzi

3,297 posts

145 months

Sunday 27th April 2014
quotequote all
nottyash said:
In terms of looks the GT86 wins hands down, in performance the 135 is in another league, the weight can't account for the 120bhp difference of the 3.0 turbo engine.
Price wise, forget rrp. New GT86 are less than 22 grand, and M135 26 grand.
22K seriously, that's insane!

Is that normal for a new gt86 at a dealer?

nottyash

4,670 posts

194 months

Monday 28th April 2014
quotequote all
Fantuzzi said:
22K seriously, that's insane!

Is that normal for a new gt86 at a dealer?
Drive the deal, the dealers I tried wouldn't move much.

LordGrover

33,531 posts

211 months

Monday 28th April 2014
quotequote all
nottyash said:
Drive the deal, the dealers I tried wouldn't move much.
Lost me. confused
Are you saying you can buy from a Toyota dealer, brand new, unregistered for less than £22,000?

Alex

9,975 posts

283 months

Monday 28th April 2014
quotequote all
http://www.drivethedeal.com/

I got a quote from them before I bought my BRZ. They have relationships with various dealers and were offering around £3k off a new GT86.

They don't offer Subaru, so no deals on the BRZ.