The happiest chap in Latvia

The happiest chap in Latvia

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dmitry

Original Poster:

341 posts

162 months

Friday 11th September 2015
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That'me I think. Finally bought a GT86 today and I'm overfilled with emotions. I've been waiting for this car for 7 years, from the moment Toyota announced they will build a successor to the old 86. Everything said about this car through the years was in a way painful as it concentrates everything I love, the balance, the (reasonably) light weight, the lowest possible seating position, the rear wheel drive and low enough power to make you work behind the steering wheel. I think not a day had passed without me silently thinking "I really really want it". Now it's here under my window and I'm absolutely chuffed. Drove it today and it was like a long time dream has come true, probably because it has. It is indeed as brilliant as all the reviewers are telling you.

The car is one year old, with full history and two years of warranty still left. It has an aero pack, but first owner removed the silly wing and got a dealer to replace it with a 5 Axis duck tail. It's nicely packaged with cruise control, seat heaters and leather/alcantara and should make a competent all-year round car to complement my summer-only MX5. Though I think after a few years I will retire it from daily/all-year round duties and keep it away from salt to enjoy it for a long time, I don't think I will ever sell it, just like the 5.

No pictures yet, but I will make some soon.

mwstewart

7,585 posts

188 months

Friday 11th September 2015
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I came across quite a few GT86's during a recent road trip and found they are a very capable car in the right hands. I like them.

Dr G

15,159 posts

242 months

Saturday 12th September 2015
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I don't like the noise they make and I don't like the tail lights.

Otherwise I think they're great; do get some pictures up for us smile

dmitry

Original Poster:

341 posts

162 months

Monday 14th September 2015
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Just spotted the silly typo in the thread title. getmecoat

I've done only around a hundred miles in the car but I'm in love already. It very much reminds me of my MX5 in the way how fun it is, but being almost new and having +2 seats it also makes a very good 'sensible' car. That isn't to say it beats a tuned 5, I still prefer my Roadster for ultimate thrills!
 
Haven't had a chance for a proper photo shoot yet, just grabbed a couple pictures yesterday.






JimNotJon

761 posts

209 months

Monday 14th September 2015
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I love the look of the cars, but I always think the wheels let them down. Glad you're happy with it though!

rb5er

11,657 posts

172 months

Monday 14th September 2015
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Lovely car.

I agree with the other posters comments about wheels,lights and noise though.

An STI/TRD version would be awesome if they did one.

epom

11,479 posts

161 months

Tuesday 15th September 2015
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Thats lovely, really nice. Enjoy.

Poisson96

2,098 posts

131 months

Tuesday 15th September 2015
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rb5er said:
Lovely car.

I agree with the other posters comments about wheels,lights and noise though.

An STI/TRD version would be awesome if they did one.
Although I think the aim is to get people to do it themselves, be it the ducktail the OP has right through to utterly mental modifications...

kayzee

2,796 posts

181 months

Wednesday 16th September 2015
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Yeah another vote for lovely cars but terrible wheels!

Nice one smile glad you got your dream motor.

dmitry

Original Poster:

341 posts

162 months

Wednesday 16th September 2015
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Poisson96 said:
Although I think the aim is to get people to do it themselves, be it the ducktail the OP has right through to utterly mental modifications...
It is indeed and it's refreshing to have this attitude from a manufacturer.

Fully agree with the fact that factory wheels and slightly awkward ride height don't do any favours to the look of the car and I hope to sort it out soon, probably with Eibach Pro-Kit springs and different but still 17" wheels albeit with a lower offset to fill the arches slightly better.

F1GTRUeno

6,351 posts

218 months

Wednesday 16th September 2015
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Might I suggest these wheels.

Think this one looks great (albeit it's an FR-S)




Lovely car btw, enjoy it!

ManOpener

12,467 posts

169 months

Thursday 17th September 2015
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The "correct" ( wink ) wheel choice for a GT86 is Enkei RPF-1s



Lovely car, and in the right colour too. Seriously contemplating one...

Coker

4,436 posts

175 months

Friday 18th September 2015
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ManOpener said:
The "correct" ( wink ) wheel choice for a GT86 is Enkei RPF-1s



Lovely car, and in the right colour too. Seriously contemplating one...
Those are the correct wheel for any car. Can't go wrong with 'em.


Very nice, OP. Enjoy!

dmitry

Original Poster:

341 posts

162 months

Friday 18th September 2015
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Oh the RPF1, they are indeed fantastic looking and suit almost anything. In fact, that's one of the choices I have in my head, albeit in 17" size (I think the one pictured is 18"). Can't wait to sort the wheel issue, just need to get rid of my Volk CE28Ns first. 5x100 PCD on these cars is a little bit of pain, understandable why Toyota gone with it, but still.

dmitry

Original Poster:

341 posts

162 months

Friday 9th October 2015
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Now that almost a month has passed I've been enjoying driving the car thoroughly and yesterday finally had a chance to get out on a short track session at the local circuit. The car performed faultlessly and as many owners said before, driving on track indeed cures the brake squealing problem. Never I've had a car before that could be fixed by going on track, good job Toyota smile

A video of one lap below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8houFf5vhU

In other news, I'm waiting for Eibach Pro-Kit springs and camber bolts to arrive and also managed to get my hands on a set of Work Meister S1 wheels. They aren't new and as such I've given them to a wheel restoration specialist to bring them up to former glory. Hopefully they will be ready before the end of October so I could put them on the car for a week or so before going back to standard wheels for winter. That's all for now.

LordGrover

33,535 posts

212 months

Friday 9th October 2015
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Very nice. Pleased it's living up to your expectations. Congratulations. thumbup

ETA Looks like a great track too.

Edited by LordGrover on Friday 9th October 14:17

dmitry

Original Poster:

341 posts

162 months

Friday 9th October 2015
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Thanks! Must say your 86 thread in this section was one of the annoying things - that is until I got my own Toyobaru.

LordGrover

33,535 posts

212 months

Friday 9th October 2015
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Bar the aero pack yours is very similar to mine; best colour, rear tints, sensible spoiler, etc. plus planned camber bolts and while I had the uprated/lower springs I went back to stock.
I'd leave the wheels for a bit, they may grow on you. Before you lavish too much on mods, take your time and think it through - I've spent a few quid modding this 'n' that only to regret it later. They're a great drive as they are and it's easy to change its character completely, which may or may not be what you want.

dmitry

Original Poster:

341 posts

162 months

Friday 9th October 2015
quotequote all
Good advice, thanks! I certainly enjoy the character of the car and don't want to change it much. For this reason the new wheels are still 17" in diameter, but with lower offset to bring them out a bit and I will be putting the factory tyres on them for now. The Eibachs will reduce road clearance a bit but from my experience with them on my previous cars and going by reviews on the different forums I hope the suspension will still be pretty compliant. Coming from FN2 Type-R with its infamously crashy ride quality I love the 86's suspension and think even with Eibach springs it will be miles better than the Civic. But yes, a very good point on being cautious to not get too carried away with mods, fully agree with that.

Evangelion

7,702 posts

178 months

Friday 9th October 2015
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You swine, Dmitry, now I want one as well!