GT86 - A Sensible Midlfe Crisis?
Discussion
You know that feeling once you get to a certain age, that you've wasted your life and need to buy a sports car in an attempt to convince random strangers that you aren't a complete failure, and a desperate attempt to bring back that youth that is so long ago and you'll never experience again. Or maybe that's just me. Anyway I wanted something a bit more fun with back seats of some description and a low change of ruining your wallet, which in today's market does rather limit your options. Did want a Mustang or 370Z, but am looking to move house in the not too distant future so needed to be fairly sensible. With that in mind, the GT86/BRZ seemed the obvious choice, and when one popped up a few miles away in the second best colour it seemed like a no brainer.
As you can see it is missing a pedal, but to be honest I'm not that bothered as most of my commute is on the motorway. Admittedly not a fan of the red interior, but I wanted one with heated seats as it's something you never want to go without once you've had them. Lack of armrest is annoying, but have seen you can fit one easily.
For anyone with experience, do you find them better on normal or super unleaded? Also first car I've had that's keyless, are they vulnerable to theft like some other makes?
As you can see it is missing a pedal, but to be honest I'm not that bothered as most of my commute is on the motorway. Admittedly not a fan of the red interior, but I wanted one with heated seats as it's something you never want to go without once you've had them. Lack of armrest is annoying, but have seen you can fit one easily.
For anyone with experience, do you find them better on normal or super unleaded? Also first car I've had that's keyless, are they vulnerable to theft like some other makes?
Burnt Metallic Orange being the number one colour right? 
Can’t comment on the fuel as I just use normal unleaded.
Had mine four years now. Only issue I have is it gives me a numb bum after about 30/40mins motorway driving
Here’s mine along with a first year ownership 'review':
Thanks, Harry
Can’t comment on the fuel as I just use normal unleaded.
Had mine four years now. Only issue I have is it gives me a numb bum after about 30/40mins motorway driving
Here’s mine along with a first year ownership 'review':
Thanks, Harry
Edited by HarryD on Friday 17th February 17:06
Mr Tidy said:
If it is sensible it isn't a mid-life crisis. 
More cylinders required for a proper crisis!
Exactly this! Don't bother with some jumped up Toyota, find a real fire-breathing monster with 500+ hp, no traction control, and every ride makes you wonder if you are going to make it home alive.More cylinders required for a proper crisis!
Buy an Ultima GTR, Arial Atom or get a motorcycle.
Middle aged crisis = opportunity to buy some mad metal and you have the excuse
Agreed with the others, you can't really call this a mid life crisis car..
However you have made a first class decision, they are simply brilliant drivers cars. yes they are not fast cars but they are not slow cars either. The chassis is IMO brilliant, very pointy and grippy (if you ditch the dreadful Primacy tyres and fit something more sporty).
very economical on a run and quite comfortable too
Good Luck..
However you have made a first class decision, they are simply brilliant drivers cars. yes they are not fast cars but they are not slow cars either. The chassis is IMO brilliant, very pointy and grippy (if you ditch the dreadful Primacy tyres and fit something more sporty).
very economical on a run and quite comfortable too
Good Luck..
Initial impressions are that is indeed a lot of fun to drive, great steering, supportive seats and a better ride than I was expecting. Performance seems fine to me as well, never going to challenge Golf R's in a straight line but that's not the point. Although the low seating and cabin resonator thingy probably contribute to that. Haven't driven enough to get a idea of the true mpg, but was showing 40 on the motorway.
There are a couple of annoyances though, first one being the lack of an armrest, which seems like a really odd omission given the overall spec is pretty good. Have seen you can get them, even if they're rather expensive, but will have to pick one up on payday. Other is the stereo being absolutely terrible, no controls on the steering wheel and trying to use a touchscreen feels like a disaster waiting to happen, especially when it won't recognise half the songs and plays in a seemingly random order. And just because you want to homage the AE86, doesn't mean you need to fit the speakers from one.
There are a couple of annoyances though, first one being the lack of an armrest, which seems like a really odd omission given the overall spec is pretty good. Have seen you can get them, even if they're rather expensive, but will have to pick one up on payday. Other is the stereo being absolutely terrible, no controls on the steering wheel and trying to use a touchscreen feels like a disaster waiting to happen, especially when it won't recognise half the songs and plays in a seemingly random order. And just because you want to homage the AE86, doesn't mean you need to fit the speakers from one.
CT05 Nose Cone said:
Initial impressions are that is indeed a lot of fun to drive, great steering, supportive seats and a better ride than I was expecting. Performance seems fine to me as well, never going to challenge Golf R's in a straight line but that's not the point. Although the low seating and cabin resonator thingy probably contribute to that. Haven't driven enough to get a idea of the true mpg, but was showing 40 on the motorway.
There are a couple of annoyances though, first one being the lack of an armrest, which seems like a really odd omission given the overall spec is pretty good. Have seen you can get them, even if they're rather expensive, but will have to pick one up on payday. Other is the stereo being absolutely terrible, no controls on the steering wheel and trying to use a touchscreen feels like a disaster waiting to happen, especially when it won't recognise half the songs and plays in a seemingly random order. And just because you want to homage the AE86, doesn't mean you need to fit the speakers from one.
I can advise the Focal speaker upgrade as this gives a small upgrade for not a lot of cash .There are a couple of annoyances though, first one being the lack of an armrest, which seems like a really odd omission given the overall spec is pretty good. Have seen you can get them, even if they're rather expensive, but will have to pick one up on payday. Other is the stereo being absolutely terrible, no controls on the steering wheel and trying to use a touchscreen feels like a disaster waiting to happen, especially when it won't recognise half the songs and plays in a seemingly random order. And just because you want to homage the AE86, doesn't mean you need to fit the speakers from one.
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