Just bought a GT86

[nickfrog]

Nothing short of a revelation. You can do pretty much what you want with it, in or out of corners. Gob smacked that a manufacturer have the balls to sell something like that.
It really makes Audi a boat manufacturer in effect.

[nickfrog]

Thank you all. After 4 days, I am still gob smacked at how good the chassis is. It is totally neutral and balanced. But what amazes me is how they have made it so progressive in the way it loses lat grip, even in the traction zones. It basically gives you almost a second of warning as there is so much feel through the wheel and the seat, you know precisely what's happening at all times. It is so predictable. It feels exactly half way between a Cayman and an Elise in terms of feel, feedback and NVH. Which is exactly where I want to be for just over £16k with 3 year warranty left. I might give in and get grippy tyres as the Primacy will not withstand track use...
The engine? The jury is out. It does match the chassis perfectly in terms of delivery and peakyness but it's a bit gruff. It's is so low though and that helps the front end so much, you can forgive it that.
If anyone has been put off by the power and the 0-60 time (which is not a reflection of the true performance of the car at all) then it's their loss and helping initial prices to settle at their natural levels.

Edited by nickfrog on Wednesday 12th November 21:43

[nickfrog]

[nickfrog]

Trailhead said:

Tried to say lovely looking car. How does it feel in terms of speed?

I love the look of them, but can't help but think they are quite slow for a sports car? It seems a bit silly to me to have a sports car that is slower than a diesel estate?

Genuinely interested about opinions on this because they are a lovely looking car. Just seems a shame they dont make a fast variant!

You would need to define "sports car", "fast" and "slow" first.

On non-eco tyres I am confident a GT86 would out brake and out corner (at the apex at least) many "fast" "sports cars".

But in a straight line ? Well, it's comparatively slow and therefore certainly not for everyone. But to me a sports car is for corners.

A sports car is a car that you have to drive skilfully to extract the best out of, however "slow" that makes me as a driver.

[nickfrog]

Robert Elise said:

james_gt3rs said:

How does it handle compared to a Boxster?

Boxster is composed, solid, even graceful. Undoubtedly wonderful engineering, and entertaining. The GT is lighter, lively and bobbles along uneven roads. It is more communicative though, and more fun at lower speeds on B roads. Both great cars and not really in direct competition to my mind.
someone earlier put the GT between Porsche and an Elise, fair point i think.

I would go along with that. I did come up with the notion that it's halfway between a Cayman and an Elise, despite the figures.

To some that will be the worst of both worlds, to me it's the best of both.

It actually is trickier to drive than the mid-engine low PMOI Boxster/Cayman up to the limit of adhesion but easier beyond...

[nickfrog]

keo said:

Is an engine noise streamed into the cabin via speakers? The noise sounded very artificial which i didnt like, but maybe i would get used to it.

Yep. Same here, it is artificial. It was a bit carp the first time. But then I got distracted by all the positives that you have started listing and loads more and now I don't even think about it.

[nickfrog]

keo said:

Hi Nick, sorry if my comment came over in any way funny, it wasn't meant to and i am not knocking your car, it looks very nice. Thanks for the reply i will see how my extended test drive goes next week. Would like to see what it feels like down a twisty country road. Not just sat in traffic as i mainly was today.

No Keo no issues as I totally agree with your comment as I felt exactly the same.

Thanks Pelo for the insight, I was convinced it was fake, but clearly it's not. They could have used 2 yogurt pots and a bit of string though.

Edited by nickfrog on Saturday 15th November 14:41

[nickfrog]

I drove the TRD one and it didn't feel different really. I would stick to smaller wheels for cheaper tyres. I find the TRD body kit a little in your face not to mention the quad exhaust. For me the std car is spot on.

[nickfrog]

Yes and 4wd, perfect.

[nickfrog]

Well the car is now on Goodyear Eagle F1s as the Michelin Supersport in this size are US only, how bizarre.
Despite very little scrubbing off on those greasy roads, the amount of front mechanical grip is very impressive, what with that low engine. Traction loss still on tap though but the cornering speed has gone up a (big) notch, which some say defeats the object but is what I am trying to achieve. It is now very near the way my 2.5 986 drove and gripped but in a more playful but catchable guise.
Track day season will start in March and I can't wait to see what it can do with a bit of heat in the tyres. It will need more front neg camber though but £20 for a pair of camber bolts is not exactly going to break the bank...

[nickfrog]

Thanks. Amusingly I once drove a 200SX many years ago at Oulton Park. At least it had a proper engine compared to the GT86!!!!

On a serious note, first track day of the year at Bedford on 9 March to see how the car goes on zero camber and zero toe all round !! Still haven't fitted the bolts...

[nickfrog]

They are the same car apart from spring rates which make the Subaru more neutral, a little less understeer but less snappy on the throttle or on weight transfers than the Toyota. But the difference in handling remains small. I would have preferred the BRZ handling but I was open to both and bought on value for money. The Toyotas are cheaper, higher volume I suspect.

[nickfrog]

Just based on driving both I foubdw BRZ does understeer less on turn in but the softer rear springs give a wider area of neutrality from the apex, it even push understeers on a light throttle whereas the GT86 has an abrupt transition under power. It is snappy courtesy of the stiffer rear springs. We are talking nuances here anyway, they'll both do pretty much anything you ask them, which is great.
There was a good comparo here http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/2878...

Edited by nickfrog on Monday 16th February 14:00