Subaru BRZ | Spotted
The lesser spotted GT86 - or Boxer, Rear-wheel drive, Zenith, officially - looks a more appealing sports car than ever
The new Subaru BRZ isn’t available to buy in the UK. Barring some kind of miracle - or paying an inflated used price - there won’t be opportunity to buy a Toyota GR86 soon, either. Which has made people, understandably, quite cross, given the significant improvements made for the new generation. They want to buy one, and can’t, which isn’t often the case for cars that cost £29,995.
Still, there’s also a certain irony that there’s such clamouring for a small, light, rear-drive, driver-focused coupe when production is limited. Because there was one of those two-doors on sale for almost a decade. It even had a similar back-to-basics interior. And although nobody would claim that old BRZ/GT86 are better sports cars than the GR, a lot of what makes the new 86 great is there in the old 86. Or BRZ, for that matter, at less than half the new Toyota’s remarkably low price tag.
The original Toyobaru twins were celebrated for being pure, simple, rewarding sports car at a time when enthusiasts were only being offered front-wheel drive, which is the same situation the GR86 finds itself in. Only with more SUVs now. The old Subaru and Toyota haven’t suddenly become less-than-stellar driver’s cars just because the latest one has shown up that, yes, the 2.0-litre boxer really was as limp as it seemed. They’ve become intriguing once again (if the appeal ever died away) because what came next is virtually unobtainable.
We’ve plumped for a BRZ here as it’s the much rarer car, with fewer than 1,000 in the UK and something like eight times as many GT86s out there, depending on which bit of the internet you read. And rarity is cool. Plus, well, it’s been fitted with Speedline Corse wheels; not only do they really elevate the BRZ look, they must be a nod to old Imprezas of way back when with similar wheels. And that’s also cool. The infamous Michelin Primacy tyres have gone, though whether a Goodyear EfficientGrip is any better remains to be seen.
Otherwise this is a standard, 2014 BRZ SE Lux, with 64,000 miles, two owners and full Subaru service history from new. More than 10 years ago, PH pitched BRZ against GT86 to establish any meaningful differences between the two. They were actually ever so slightly different to drive, but rest assured both came out of the comparison very well indeed. It’s easy to look back on BRZ and 86 now as a tad underpowered and a bit expensive, which they probably were, but as reminders of simple sports car joys they know no equal. It’s a heck of a lot easier to overlook gripes when paying less money and with the aftermarket’s treasure trove available.
Back in those sweet, innocent days of 2019, the £10k GT86 became a reality. Sadly we’re still not back there, but in the current market £13,995 is competitive for a BRZ like this. You’ll probably want to budget for a more modern infotainment system, but not much else - as might be expected for a Toyota-Subaru collaboration, the BRZ and 86 have proved pretty tough. The world is your oyster when it comes to tuning parts, too, from engine and chassis to brakes and body. In fact, you’ll probably have such a great time making this BRZ your own, the disappointment about a new one will become a distant memory…
SPECIFICATION | SUBARU BRZ
Engine: 1,998cc, flat-four
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 200@7,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 151@6,400-6,600rpm
MPG: 36.2 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 181g/km
First registered: 2014
Recorded mileage: 64,000
Price new: £24,995
Yours for: £13,995
The GT86/BRZ are definitely my kind of car. I love a coupe that is front engined/RWD and has a LSD, plus these are a nice size/weight as well. I'd just personally like a bit more punch from them because I've been used to quicker cars in the past though.
I'm sure they would have sold more had they come with less blingy wheels - they were totally out of character on what was a conservatively designed car.
Those look great on that car and really elevate its looks.
no it isn't, I've had my '86 for nearly 10 years and have no complaints, admittedly the Borla exhaust enhances the experience
The first think it's the best thing since sliced bread.
The second think it's the most overhyped thing in the world.
All friends i handed it to so far thinks its great fun (even though we all have faster cars in our stables), but they are also driving enthusiast, not soft touch knobs and traffic light racing Ride is rough on the early cars though, i changed my dampers to 2019 dampers which made a massive difference. Next up might be some slightly more exhaust noise
The first think it's the best thing since sliced bread.
The second think it's the most overhyped thing in the world.
Pretty much every review that I've read has commented on the engine in both good and bad ways. So reading between the lines I do think that the engine is arguably a bit of a weak link in these. Toyota have improved the engine in the GR86 too, so I'd imagine that if the engine was fine in the first place then they would've left it alone perhaps?
I've always loved how small and compact these look when I've stood next to them at car shows, and they definitely make me want to just jump in and drive them.
Add to that the fact that the "leather" interior upgrade was like a nursing home spec, with a cover that zipped up the back of the front seats & the cup holder broke on the test drive, it left a lot to be desired!
Hopped back into the old tank and was a much happier man!
The first think it's the best thing since sliced bread.
The second think it's the most overhyped thing in the world.
most modern cars are supreme dailies but as feelsome as a tank, but that's what most want. It's good that the Japanese offer some choice.
All cars have flaws, but the Toyburu's trigger many people.
Would that have overcome the criticism of the boxer 4 which I understand feels underpowered at lower revs?
Maybe the problem they had is that the GT86 / BRZ was designed and built by Subaru so the Toyota 3 cyl wouldn't fit?
Never let him down over many years.
Had a few goes in it and it was ok without being too lary..
Interior a bit bland and low rent but practical and functional..
For me the looks are quite plain but overall a good package for the money..
Problem is, not that they are that slow, 0-60 is six and a half seconds ?
Its just we have all become accustomed to more power, but more importantly loads of low down torque. I know I have, and always liken getting into something like this as a can of normal strength beer after a can of Special Brew.
We arent used to working the engine and gearbox to deliver power, its just there with a slight flex of the right foot, a Golf TDI will feel way faster even though it isnt on paper.
Its why I didnt buy a Clio 182, it felt flat as a fart after Turbo stuff. Its weird as I still see stuff like Mk1 Golf GTI's as fast and torquey, but I expect it would feel lame now after a 300 ish bhp turbo with 280 lb/ft at 3000 rpm.
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