RE: The Toyota GT86 is more relevant than ever: TMIW

[daemon]

Distraxi said:

Isn't pretty much this whole thread non converts being like "well a GT86 is slow, the engine doesn't sound as good as it should, Toyota charge too much for it", and GT86 owners being like "Yup. Doesn't matter because fun." Followed by the non converts wetting themselves about the sheer horror of maybe being out-dragged by a 320D?

Really? You havent been reading the thread or are reading it with rose tinted glasses - apparently if you dont like the GT86 then :-

=> Its ludicrous even to dare to suggest it
=> You wk over 0-60 times.
=> You just dont "get it"
=> You're wrong
=> Your cock will fall off
=> You cant drive
=> You dont have taste
=> You cant possibly appreciate classic cars such as a Ferrari 308 or a TVR

[Pete Eroleum]

There is an element of truth in the not getting it argument, which really shouldn't be taken as an insult by anyone.

Lots of people, myself included when I was younger, crave speed and performance above all else. Manufacturers seem more and more to cater
for this craving with their sporty offerings.

Brutal power deliveries, and the mechanical grip of a limpet, can indeed create some very fast lap times. But as you add more power and more
grip, the car tends to react more violently when that grip is exceeded. No problem you say, because that's what the electronic aids are
there to help you with.

The problem for some of us, is that that is exactly the point where you find out what the car actually handles like. A beautifully balanced car
with a low centre of gravity that behaves predictably and controllably once the available grip has been exceeded is a joyous thing indeed.

Sure, as soon as the car starts sliding it loses speed so that if lap times are your thing, then the more grip the better. But in persuing that
at the expense of all else, something is lost.

It seems to me that the GT86 is trying to put that something back for those that miss it. If you don't miss it, then you wont get it. No offence intended.

[DoubleD]

Its got nothing to do with getting it or not getting it. It has everything to do with different people having different things that they look for in a car. If you like the GT86 then thats fine, but it doesnt mean that you are anymore or any less of a petrol head than someone who doesnt like the car.

[Swordman]

OK, well we've discussed at length the attributes of the GT86. Let's just have a quick look at the alternatives:

VW Scirocco
Audi TT
VW Golf GTI
Nissan 370Z
BMW 220i
Mazda MX5

I dunno, I think I'd have the GT86 over all of those, but that's just me.

[daemon]

DoubleD said:

Its got nothing to do with getting it or not getting it. It has everything to do with different people having different things that they look for in a car. If you like the GT86 then thats fine, but it doesnt mean that you are anymore or any less of a petrol head than someone who doesnt like the car.

+1

Wholly agree.

[RBH58]

Swordman said:

OK, well we've discussed at length the attributes of the GT86. Let's just have a quick look at the alternatives:

VW Scirocco
Audi TT
VW Golf GTI
Nissan 370Z
BMW 220i
Mazda MX5

I dunno, I think I'd have the GT86 over all of those, but that's just me.

Well....just went from a BRZ to an MX5 RF and considered a BMW 230i MSport in the process. The others are really good cars but we're never considered for a moment.

[SidewaysSi]

daemon said:

DoubleD said:

Its got nothing to do with getting it or not getting it. It has everything to do with different people having different things that they look for in a car. If you like the GT86 then thats fine, but it doesnt mean that you are anymore or any less of a petrol head than someone who doesnt like the car.

+1

Wholly agree.

What is a petrolhead? Some like driving, others like polishing.

And as for driving, some like huge speed and grip, others like more accessible adjustability. Depends what floats your boat and all that.

Personally I go for low grip, rear drive, brilliant chassis and lots of feel above all else. Others may not place as much emphasis on things like steering, which may be unsurprising as most everyday cars haven't had decent steering for 20+ years so they may never have experienced it.

I love the GT86 and certainly do get it but it doesn't fit into my life at the moment and can't see it doing so any time soon, which is a shame.

[daemon]

Swordman said:

OK, well we've discussed at length the attributes of the GT86. Let's just have a quick look at the alternatives:

VW Scirocco
Audi TT
VW Golf GTI
Nissan 370Z
BMW 220i
Mazda MX5

I dunno, I think I'd have the GT86 over all of those, but that's just me.

Well if you're including the MX5 and a Golf GTI, then why not a M140i? Broker4cars will sell you one for £25,914

Or if it must be a coupe, then they'll sell you a 230i M Sport for £25,827?

Or a Golf R for £25,930?

OR a Fiesta ST and enough change to put a very nice 986 Boxster on your driveway too?

Plus all of those cars will have better manufacturer backed finance deals available.

Again - its purely down to personal choice, but its not just about list price - theres big discounts to be had from other manufacturers AND better finance deals, if thats the route you want to go down.

[daemon]

SidewaysSi said:

What is a petrolhead? Some like driving, others like polishing.

And as for driving, some like huge speed and grip, others like more accessible adjustability. Depends what floats your boat and all that.

Personally I go for low grip, rear drive, brilliant chassis and lots of feel above all else. Others may not place as much emphasis on things like steering, which may be unsurprising as most everyday cars haven't had decent steering for 20+ years so they may never have experienced it.

I love the GT86 and certainly do get it but it doesn't fit into my life at the moment and can't see it doing so any time soon, which is a shame.

Agreed.

[Swordman]

daemon said:

Well if you're including the MX5 and a Golf GTI, then why not a M140i? Broker4cars will sell you one for £25,914

Or if it must be a coupe, then they'll sell you a 230i M Sport for £25,827?

Or a Golf R for £25,930?

OR a Fiesta ST and enough change to put a very nice 986 Boxster on your driveway too?

Plus all of those cars will have better manufacturer backed finance deals available.

Again - its purely down to personal choice, but its not just about list price - theres big discounts to be had from other manufacturers AND better finance deals, if thats the route you want to go down.

Exactly, horses for courses. Personally, I don't look at finance deals, just the final price, but many others do. The point is, we all make a choice. Some want performance, some want rwd handling, but at that price point, everything is a compromise.

[CABC]

Swordman said:

but at that price point, everything is a compromise.

if you judge over a number of criteria then all cars are a compromise at any price point.

[TheDrBrian]

Swordman said:

OK, well we've discussed at length the attributes of the GT86. Let's just have a quick look at the alternatives:

VW Scirocco
Audi TT
VW Golf GTI
Nissan 370Z
BMW 220i
Mazda MX5

I dunno, I think I'd have the GT86 over all of those, but that's just me.

Well the MX5 is faster,looks better,sounds better,has LED headlights and is cheaper. And it comes in Soul Red.

:where did I put that spoon?:

[TameRacingDriver]

Venquessa - excellent post mate, totally agree with what you say.

[daemon]

Swordman said:

Exactly, horses for courses. Personally, I don't look at finance deals, just the final price, but many others do. The point is, we all make a choice. Some want performance, some want rwd handling, but at that price point, everything is a compromise.

CABC said:

if you judge over a number of criteria then all cars are a compromise at any price point.

Exactly to both those quotes. We all have different requirements and perspectives on it. You pays your money...

[Gary C]

But why is getting out dragged by a 320d a problem ?

[RBH58]

Gary C said:

But why is getting out dragged by a 320d a problem ?

Because some people think it makes their willy look smaller.

[e21Mark]

Gary C said:

But why is getting out dragged by a 320d a problem ?

It isn't.

There are a few modern oil burners that will out drag my E30 M3 but they have zero impact on how it feels to me when I'm driving. In fact, performance in relation to any other car just isn't an issue. If it is, then maybe the 86 simply isn't the car for you?

[RBH58]

I went for my first proper drive on the weekend in my new MX5 RF. A car pretty much of a similar ethos to the 86/BRZ pumping out a dizzying 158hp. I went with a bunch of Megane RS265s and RS275 Trophy-Rs. Cars capable of blitzing the Nurburgring in 7:50-something. The roads were tight 2nd/3rd roads with 80-100kph speed limits (pretty rigorously enforced). The little MX5 had no problem with its 158hp on its skinny 205s, hanging onto the big boys and I had just as much fun as them using (maybe) 60% of the fuel, tyres and brakes. Real world driving reality. The car was a joy. It's taken me a long time to come to my senses, but I simply don't need big power and bills for big power. I suspect many 86/BRZ adopters have come to the same conclusion.

[M-SportMatt]

Gary C said:

But why is getting out dragged by a 320d a problem ?

Because the 'sports' car you're enjoying is getting punted out of the way by a 2 litre diesel rep-mobile, takes the edge off for me as a near £30k everyday car

As I say when they are £10k in 5 years time as a used proposition they'd be more interesting


It must have been like driving a 1.6 Capri Laser in 1980 when really you desperately wanted the 2.8 Special.

[MarshPhantom]

This is like the i3 thread. Indignant owners feeling their flopmobiles don't get the respect they deserve and are somehow the best car you can buy at any price point.