Toyota GT86: PH Fleet
Another red car that the Internet loves to argue about joins the fleet - welcome the GT86 Primo!
So to say I've been rather keen to run a GT86 long-termer would be rather underselling the excitement. But why now, with the car a few years old and with apparently every Internet argument made? Well you may have noticed recently a little range refresh for the '86, which included the introduction of the GT86 Primo. No spoiler, 16-inch wheels, less equipment and, most importantly, a price £2,500 under a regular car. The £22K GT86 becomes a reality!
GY15 VFZ is a GT86 Primo. Furthermore, it is a £22,495 Primo, deliberately specified without a single option. Not only does this mean the car can be assessed in its most basic form, it also opens up a whole load of new comparison possibilities. See the Clio Trophy for example, which starts at £21,780. So it's painted in the only no-cost colour - GT Pure Red - with the normal stereo, seats and everything else. Which is quite refreshing actually.
It arrived yesterday and, yes, it's certainly basic. It locks and starts with a key (!), the lights are on a stalk, the infotainment screen feels tiny and even the digital speedo has gone. The latter is quite annoying in fact but there's already a lot to like. I think the GT86 look is vastly improved by deleting the spoiler, even if the 16-inch wheels aren't quite so appealing. It feels very much like a my first Gran Turismo car, ready to do battle with Civics and Silvias in the Sunday Cup. No bad thing given I'm quite a fan of that too. The tyres - because what's a GT86 story without mention of those? - are Yokohama DB E70s; I've not heard heard of them but will report back after some, er, more comprehensive testing...
It arrived box-fresh yesterday with 81 miles and is currently on 126. A running-in period isn't advised (we've checked with Toyota, honest!) so the full fury of 200hp and 151lb ft can be unleashed from the off. For the first evening I just mooched home and there are no plans to be flat out just yet; it just seems like the right thing to do with a brand new car. Famous last words...
Still, we have lots of activities planned for it. With Beaulieu hosting Simply Japanese this weekend it would be rude not to pop down and there's a Scottish road trip planned too - more on that over the coming weeks. It will be heading on track as soon as possible to see how those tyres stack up and I quite fancy another 'ring trip. Don't forget there's an AE86 on Toyota's heritage fleet as well... So plenty to look forward to over the next six months or so, particularly for a self-confessed fanboy. How deep-seated is the appeal? Would you really buy one over a turbocharged hot hatch? Can it do boring journeys as well as the fun ones? Answers to follow in due course. For now feel free to discuss how it's too expensive and not fast enough...
FACT SHEET
Car: 2015 Toyota GT86 Primo
Run by: Matt
On fleet since: July 2015
Mileage: 126
List price new: £22,495 (and £22,495 as tested! List price £22,700, GT86 Primo currently available with £205 dealer discount until September 30)
Last month at a glance: First day in what promises to be a blissful six months!
[Photos: Ben Lowden]
The biggest question for me though is, would it be worth spending the extra? If it was me, I'd be looking for every excuse to step up. I think the price gap needs to be larger - if you can afford a £22.5k car new, a £25k one isn't going to be that that much further away. And in the latter, you won't be constantly reminded of cost-cutting. Make the Primo 20/21k and it would appear better value in my eyes.
I have to agree with the removed spoiler though.
I'm currently watching values of used GT86s, hopefully the introduction of a cheaper one will make them sink again. It's a real world sports car that isn't going to empty your wallet if you have to do 10-15k miles a year.
Probably the most irritating 650 miles of my life
Probably the most irritating 650 miles of my life
Nearly all performance manufacturers engines are fine, it's the gearboxes that need some nannying (with autos - manuals can drop the clutch and drift out the showroom if you like).
Running in period is a legacy from yesteryear! Although I imagine manufacturers like the fact you're looking after the car for them within the warranty period...
BUT I'm not talking about strapping a turbo onto it and making it 300bhp+ as that would defeat the whole purpose of a cheap sportscar. What I am talking about is another 30bhp and 15lb and some breathing\exhaust mods to make it sound nicer and give it some much needed zing.
It's been out for a few years now, I really thought they'd do a mild facelift and give the engine a going over to give it a bit more character.
BUT I'm not talking about strapping a turbo onto it and making it 300bhp+ as that would defeat the whole purpose of a cheap sportscar. What I am talking about is another 30bhp and 15lb and some breathing\exhaust mods to make it sound nicer and give it some much needed zing.
It's been out for a few years now, I really thought they'd do a mild facelift and give the engine a going over to give it a bit more character.
No rear spoiler seems like a good way to go. They don't do much at road speeds anyway, and just spoil the lines.
The higher profile tyres won't hurt the handling all that much, but it will probably ride a lot better, especially in the UK.
I miss mine a bit. I had the Scion FR-S version. It was a lot of fun at the weekends on the open road, but no good for city driving. Ride was horrid on potholed streets and the low clearance required slowing almost to a crawl over kind of ramp or traffic bump.
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