Toyota GT86 - Owned
Discussion
I've been asked several times to 'review' my new car.
I'm no Clarkson or Harris but I've brought together a few of my thoughts and experiences thus far...
I saw a couple of articles on PH; GT 86 vs BRZ and Toyota GT86, after some of the early articles like Toyota FT-86. It fell short of the concepts I'd been drawn to here: Designed for the Enthusiast but I was still attracted to it.
FT-86 Concept
I'd recently had a TVR Griffith and a Nissan 350Z GT. The Griff was quick and fun and the Zed was a bit more practical and still had some grunt. I felt I'd done the moar powr thing and I needed a change - the BRZ seemed to fit the bill nicely.
I'd gone for the Subaru option because I perceived the brand had more 'cred'.
However, no dealer within 40 miles and I didn't like the look of it nor the equipment levels. The mouth is upside down and looks a bit weak, the side/DLR/fog light arrangement is messy and looks 'softer' alongside the Toyota. There was also talk of the Subaru being set up differently with the Toyota having more bias to oversteer, which I'd become used to with the Tiv and Zed. Not sure how true this is in real life, but I swallowed it at the time.
Toyota is was then.
When the demos started to trickle into the dealers, the only option locally was an automatic. Not my first choice, but the salesman did his best to convince me of its merits. He failed.
The seat was snug and the driving position pretty good after a few adjustments; seat adjusts (manually) up/down, forward/back as usual with no additional lumbar adjustment. The steering wheel felt great and adjustable up/down and in/out. The rearview mirror looked odd - it's rimless/borderless. I like it. Electrically operated (and heated) door mirrors are quite a good size allowing for good rear visibility driving as well as reversing and manoeuvering.
The whole thing felt quite taught/tight even pulling out of the car park. Not hard as such, but stiff - in a good way. Pulling away from the first set of lights a few things became apparent. It wasn't terribly quick, and the 'fake' induction 'growl' sounded ridiculous. Like there was a tinny little speaker in the footwell. Not the best of starts. It was a slushbox (torque convertor stylee auto) so perhaps the 'launch' was understandable - kickdown and in-gear acceleration while not blistering was acceptable.
Fortunately, it was quite wet for my test drive. I warned the salesman I'd hit the second or third roundabout maybe harder than he may be used to, but he was keen to win the order so was okay with me trying it out. Cornered nicely and pretty flat and a little wiggle even with the safety nets full on and me not trying too hard. I smiled. Again. By now, I'd forgotten about how twee the piped induction growl was and had grown to like it.
Over the next few roundabouts I first tried sport mode, then all off. It was very wet, very quiet and hardly a soul to be seen. It was a hoot. I was pretty much giggling like a small child. There was no drama or screaming of tyres, just balletic poise as I danced in slow motion. The salesman knew he had me, and I knew I couldn't not buy one.
Played it cool when we got back - I waited three or maybe four minutes before I asked how much money he'd like me to give him. So much for my negotiating skills.
Ordered six speed manual, Alcantara leather (heated seats), Touch & Go audio/satnav all dressed in Ginger paint.
That was 4 July. Picked it up on 1 September. A few niggles and complaints regarding the dealership but that can wait.
The handbook said to run it in over the first 1,000 miles, not exceeding 4,000 RPM.
Clearly, I knew better than the giant Japanese multinational so once it had 100 miles on the clock (maybe two hours?) I started upping the limit a few hundred revs at a time with the ocassional unstressed blip towards the top of the dial.
I'd booked the week off to play with my new toy and so got in and drove.
The first day found me in the Brecon Beacons; some great roads, especially for this car and importantly on this occasion, pretty much flat so less stress on a running-in engine.
In the Principality
The following day I went on one of my favourite runs in the Cotswolds and Fosse Way. To be honest, the TVR and Nissan had bags more grunt so the long straights and steep inclines were barely noticed - the 86 struggled a little. It's better suited to the bends and twisties of Britain's B roads than arrow straight A roads; the very roads on which I struggled with the TVR because it was unpredictable (in my hands) and would bite me in the arse every now and again. The 86 feels lighter and more nimble, despite being 150kgs heavier.
The next day I went down to Dartmoor and Exmoor and then on to Woolacombe, North Devon. Great roads for the Toyota, not dissimilar to those in the Brecons, though the scenery is rather different and rather fewer sheep. More cows though.
Seaside
On my way back from Devon I went through 1,000 miles.
Job jobbed
Gave it a quick chamois down and took a polaroid up on the Common after a hard couple of days, running in.
Shagged out
Six weeks in and I'm still loving it. What I thought of in the test drive as 'modest' acceleration has become the norm - for many it won't be enough. For what the car's about it's plenty.
You could say it's a bit crap at being an estate car. Not too clever as a people carrier either.
More power is a trivial issue, if it were the intention the combined might of Toyota and Subaru would've produced a 250+/300+/500+ BHP monster, but they didn't - because that is not what was called for. They decided a small, (comparatively) light-weight 2+2 with modest power, limited grip and excellent handling was what they wanted, and that is what we got.
Cheap, reliable motoring with a bit of fun thrown in.
If I want full-on, drag racing, expensive to run/insure slaaag I'd look at a GTR or M-car - this is not it. Nor is it meant to be.
Surprisingly for a Jap car, it attracts a great deal of attention from many different people.
I was used to small boys (yes, I know ) pointing and staring at the Griff - most blokes looked away, trying not to appear interested - envy? I dunno. Women in general fairly non-plussed.
The 350Z is a good looking, muscular car which was well regarded by most, but a bit too common to be of much interest. A few women in the office said they liked it, which I thought was unusual.
It may be the colour that draws the attention with my 86, but everywhere I go people stop, stare, point and comment. They walk up to me in the filling station to ask what it's like. Astonishing!
It's a mass produced Japanese coupe, but they've got something right.
Toyota GT86 2.0M
11/10
I'm no Clarkson or Harris but I've brought together a few of my thoughts and experiences thus far...
I saw a couple of articles on PH; GT 86 vs BRZ and Toyota GT86, after some of the early articles like Toyota FT-86. It fell short of the concepts I'd been drawn to here: Designed for the Enthusiast but I was still attracted to it.
FT-86 Concept
I'd recently had a TVR Griffith and a Nissan 350Z GT. The Griff was quick and fun and the Zed was a bit more practical and still had some grunt. I felt I'd done the moar powr thing and I needed a change - the BRZ seemed to fit the bill nicely.
I'd gone for the Subaru option because I perceived the brand had more 'cred'.
However, no dealer within 40 miles and I didn't like the look of it nor the equipment levels. The mouth is upside down and looks a bit weak, the side/DLR/fog light arrangement is messy and looks 'softer' alongside the Toyota. There was also talk of the Subaru being set up differently with the Toyota having more bias to oversteer, which I'd become used to with the Tiv and Zed. Not sure how true this is in real life, but I swallowed it at the time.
Toyota is was then.
When the demos started to trickle into the dealers, the only option locally was an automatic. Not my first choice, but the salesman did his best to convince me of its merits. He failed.
The seat was snug and the driving position pretty good after a few adjustments; seat adjusts (manually) up/down, forward/back as usual with no additional lumbar adjustment. The steering wheel felt great and adjustable up/down and in/out. The rearview mirror looked odd - it's rimless/borderless. I like it. Electrically operated (and heated) door mirrors are quite a good size allowing for good rear visibility driving as well as reversing and manoeuvering.
The whole thing felt quite taught/tight even pulling out of the car park. Not hard as such, but stiff - in a good way. Pulling away from the first set of lights a few things became apparent. It wasn't terribly quick, and the 'fake' induction 'growl' sounded ridiculous. Like there was a tinny little speaker in the footwell. Not the best of starts. It was a slushbox (torque convertor stylee auto) so perhaps the 'launch' was understandable - kickdown and in-gear acceleration while not blistering was acceptable.
Fortunately, it was quite wet for my test drive. I warned the salesman I'd hit the second or third roundabout maybe harder than he may be used to, but he was keen to win the order so was okay with me trying it out. Cornered nicely and pretty flat and a little wiggle even with the safety nets full on and me not trying too hard. I smiled. Again. By now, I'd forgotten about how twee the piped induction growl was and had grown to like it.
Over the next few roundabouts I first tried sport mode, then all off. It was very wet, very quiet and hardly a soul to be seen. It was a hoot. I was pretty much giggling like a small child. There was no drama or screaming of tyres, just balletic poise as I danced in slow motion. The salesman knew he had me, and I knew I couldn't not buy one.
Played it cool when we got back - I waited three or maybe four minutes before I asked how much money he'd like me to give him. So much for my negotiating skills.
Ordered six speed manual, Alcantara leather (heated seats), Touch & Go audio/satnav all dressed in Ginger paint.
That was 4 July. Picked it up on 1 September. A few niggles and complaints regarding the dealership but that can wait.
The handbook said to run it in over the first 1,000 miles, not exceeding 4,000 RPM.
Clearly, I knew better than the giant Japanese multinational so once it had 100 miles on the clock (maybe two hours?) I started upping the limit a few hundred revs at a time with the ocassional unstressed blip towards the top of the dial.
I'd booked the week off to play with my new toy and so got in and drove.
The first day found me in the Brecon Beacons; some great roads, especially for this car and importantly on this occasion, pretty much flat so less stress on a running-in engine.
In the Principality
The following day I went on one of my favourite runs in the Cotswolds and Fosse Way. To be honest, the TVR and Nissan had bags more grunt so the long straights and steep inclines were barely noticed - the 86 struggled a little. It's better suited to the bends and twisties of Britain's B roads than arrow straight A roads; the very roads on which I struggled with the TVR because it was unpredictable (in my hands) and would bite me in the arse every now and again. The 86 feels lighter and more nimble, despite being 150kgs heavier.
The next day I went down to Dartmoor and Exmoor and then on to Woolacombe, North Devon. Great roads for the Toyota, not dissimilar to those in the Brecons, though the scenery is rather different and rather fewer sheep. More cows though.
Seaside
On my way back from Devon I went through 1,000 miles.
Job jobbed
Gave it a quick chamois down and took a polaroid up on the Common after a hard couple of days, running in.
Shagged out
Six weeks in and I'm still loving it. What I thought of in the test drive as 'modest' acceleration has become the norm - for many it won't be enough. For what the car's about it's plenty.
You could say it's a bit crap at being an estate car. Not too clever as a people carrier either.
More power is a trivial issue, if it were the intention the combined might of Toyota and Subaru would've produced a 250+/300+/500+ BHP monster, but they didn't - because that is not what was called for. They decided a small, (comparatively) light-weight 2+2 with modest power, limited grip and excellent handling was what they wanted, and that is what we got.
Cheap, reliable motoring with a bit of fun thrown in.
If I want full-on, drag racing, expensive to run/insure slaaag I'd look at a GTR or M-car - this is not it. Nor is it meant to be.
Surprisingly for a Jap car, it attracts a great deal of attention from many different people.
I was used to small boys (yes, I know
) pointing and staring at the Griff - most blokes looked away, trying not to appear interested - envy? I dunno. Women in general fairly non-plussed. The 350Z is a good looking, muscular car which was well regarded by most, but a bit too common to be of much interest. A few women in the office said they liked it, which I thought was unusual.
It may be the colour that draws the attention with my 86, but everywhere I go people stop, stare, point and comment. They walk up to me in the filling station to ask what it's like. Astonishing!
It's a mass produced Japanese coupe, but they've got something right.
Toyota GT86 2.0M
11/10
RenesisEvo said:
Thanks very much for sharing your thoughts on your ownership thus far, it was a good read.
Have seen a few about, pretty much all of them orange interestingly enough, they certainly turn my head. Time will tell whether the 'cheap to run' proposition bears truth (e.g. is the insurance in line with what you expected for a 2.0 coupe? Frequency/cost of replacing tyres, etc.)
Insurance is reasonable, for me in a 'good' postcode and qualifying for SAGA anyway; I got a small refund on the 350Z which meant it's probably about £260 pa.Have seen a few about, pretty much all of them orange interestingly enough, they certainly turn my head. Time will tell whether the 'cheap to run' proposition bears truth (e.g. is the insurance in line with what you expected for a 2.0 coupe? Frequency/cost of replacing tyres, etc.)
Tyres, a little too soon to tell, but they're not expensive anyway. A couple of UK owners with >5k miles are saying no signs of wear - at all. I'll be popping on some Winter tyres soon anyway so they'll be expensive but an 'investment' meaning the next time I have to buy tyres will be sometime distant. I hope.
LouD86 said:
LordGrover, very nice to hear your review. As a dealer myself, its nice to read back, and find positives from customers, including the ones we have in here.
May I be cheeky, what issues did you have with your dealer??
I may post a separate topic, but I'd have to be mindful of name & shame rules. May I be cheeky, what issues did you have with your dealer??
nosuchuser said:
Sounds good, I see on your garage you had a fto at one point.. what's the speed feel like compared to that? Had a few enjoyable drive's in my ex's gpx.
Also, you had a custom exhaust and you've got rid - do tell
The FTO was a while ago, can't really remember it well enough to compare. Sorry.Also, you had a custom exhaust and you've got rid - do tell
The exhaust was a mistake. Sounded fine on full chat and tickover, but got a nasty drone/resonance between 2,000-3,000RPM. Couldn't live with it.
Podie said:
LG - a few things...
. To follow - Any photos of the engine bay?
- think I'd change the front indicators for silver bulbs, and try and lose the number plate plinth on the front
- Agree with the sentiments about the wheels, they don't suit the car IMO.
- any plans for any mods?
- did you realise this was going to be such a contentious car? Reminds me of the Broccoli / Civic Type-R thread from years ago...
. Were it any other colour I may agree, but the ginger suits the winkers IMO. The US FR-S in the Polaroid just looks wrong with no plate - guess I've been conditioned.
. I have no problem with the wheels, and no cash to do anything about it if I did
. Not this year. Maybe next, but nothing much.
.
been watching the threads for about a year now. 
Podie said:
RichyBoy said:
How are you finding the lack of grunt? People discount these after a 30 minute test drive but I've found after a month the modest power output is not an issue and I'm starting to think its perfect. I'll never get tired of heel toeing to 3rd and taking the third exit of a roundabout in this car (all the nasty things off of course).
Is circa 200bhp really not enough for daily driving?Granted, I think they should have used a smaller capacity turbo with around 250bhp...
Can't find orig post.I'm with RichyBoy on this... initially it feels a little underwhelming, but once I became used to the [lack of] power it's now the norm. And I like it.
I've never driven a turbo or sc powered car so can't possibly comment, but my gut feel is I have no need to. I like this.
I'm sure if I drove one of those red italian super cars I'd like it, but for the time being I can be happy in my own little world, not missing what I've never had.
FWIW, the Griff and Zed had way more oomph, but I prefer this as a day-to-day all-rounder. Even fun on a fun-run.
Podie said:
LG - a few things...
Now have chromed winkers all round. - Any photos of the engine bay?
- think I'd change the front indicators for silver bulbs, and try and lose the number plate plinth on the front
- Agree with the sentiments about the wheels, they don't suit the car IMO.
- any plans for any mods?
- did you realise this was going to be such a contentious car? Reminds me of the Broccoli / Civic Type-R thread from years ago...
A nice surprise... just re-insured it for another year: £164!
I paid c. £300 for the 350Z last year and had a small rebate, about a tenner when I switched to the Toyota in September. I was expecting £250-300.
I suspect the combination of me hitting the big 50 and insurance companies no longer able to discriminate because I'm not a woman helped.
I paid c. £300 for the 350Z last year and had a small rebate, about a tenner when I switched to the Toyota in September. I was expecting £250-300.
I suspect the combination of me hitting the big 50 and insurance companies no longer able to discriminate because I'm not a woman helped.
GB71 said:
I also have a GT86 and want to improve the sound, Was just curious which exhaust it was that had a nasty drone
Sorry, missed that.It was a custom job, not an off the shelf solution so no danger you'll get the same.
No reflection on the company either - they were more than willing to tweak, amend, even begin again to get it right - I just lost interest after the third or fourth attempt.
I believe the first UK customer owned turbo GT86 is with us: click here.
Now all we need is the Litchfield supercharger to make an appearance and we can do some comparisons.
Now all we need is the Litchfield supercharger to make an appearance and we can do some comparisons.
You sound similar to me in some respects and I couldn't be happier with mine.
It was a fiftieth birthday present to me - I'd never bought a new car myself, nor shall I again.
My view has changed a little in the year (bar two weeks) I've owned it. It's less of a hooligan than I first thought or maybe it's just familiarity, especially more comfortable on long-ish runs. It's definitely rekindled my interest in driving for the sake of driving, to the point I've taken a serious interest in advanced driving and roadcraft.
I think you have a good understanding of what the car is and what it's about - maybe more importantly what it's not.
Best of luck.
It was a fiftieth birthday present to me - I'd never bought a new car myself, nor shall I again.
My view has changed a little in the year (bar two weeks) I've owned it. It's less of a hooligan than I first thought or maybe it's just familiarity, especially more comfortable on long-ish runs. It's definitely rekindled my interest in driving for the sake of driving, to the point I've taken a serious interest in advanced driving and roadcraft.
I think you have a good understanding of what the car is and what it's about - maybe more importantly what it's not.
Best of luck.
Extremely happy with it... still.
I look at Pitman's topic ( click) and think that'd be great, but apart from the lack of funds, it'd make it into a different beast altogether. I really like mine the way it is - it's plenty fast enough for my driving skills on the road.
I've toyed with replacing the wheels, mainly because everyone else doesn't like them, but I still come back to why fix what ain't broke. I like it the way it is.
Clearly, this may change over time but for the moment there are no changes planned. Dull perhaps, but I'm happy.
I look at Pitman's topic ( click) and think that'd be great, but apart from the lack of funds, it'd make it into a different beast altogether. I really like mine the way it is - it's plenty fast enough for my driving skills on the road.
I've toyed with replacing the wheels, mainly because everyone else doesn't like them, but I still come back to why fix what ain't broke. I like it the way it is.
Clearly, this may change over time but for the moment there are no changes planned. Dull perhaps, but I'm happy.
T'were it that simple.
Plus fitting, plus handling pack, plus tuning comes out at c. £6,000.
Probably need wheels and tyres - maybe even brakes to fully appreciate it all.
It's not quite as simple (or cheap) as bolting on the kit.
I just don't have £6-8,000 to spare even if I wanted to, which I'm not sure I do at the moment.
It may be interesting to try one out, but mine's my daily car - it would be a waste.
Plus fitting, plus handling pack, plus tuning comes out at c. £6,000.
Probably need wheels and tyres - maybe even brakes to fully appreciate it all.
It's not quite as simple (or cheap) as bolting on the kit.
I just don't have £6-8,000 to spare even if I wanted to, which I'm not sure I do at the moment.
It may be interesting to try one out, but mine's my daily car - it would be a waste.
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