Gaston's Tourer - Toyota GT86
Discussion
I've always had an interest in these cars. The first time I got to drive one was in 2022, when a Toyota dealership I was passing happened to have a Club Series Blue Edition in their approved used stock. At that time I was smitten with the pure grunt my 3L Z4 had (the first properly powerful car I'd owned) so during the test drive I found myself missing the point of the GT86.
Fast forward a couple of years, I had bought a cheapy Audi TT to get off a lease deal. I never really gelled with it. The pace was acceptable, but as the steering & handling was so remote it never felt like I was 'piloting' the car, merely driving it- it wasn't satisfying, even compared to the dynamically flawed Z4 I'd had good times in previously.
I decided to get shot of it after it was written off in a non-fault accident earlier this year, ideally hoping to replace it before 2025 rolled around. None of the usual suspects in my budget really appealed, and I didn't want something totally bland again. Mk7 Fiesta STs with and without the Mountune package, Suzuki Swift Sports, BMW M235i, and Mazda MX-5s (unfortunately for me, too claustrophobic for comfort) were all looked at and driven to no avail.
Then last week I spotted this car locally.
I totally fell in love within the first 5 minutes of the test drive...
I drove it home the long way and immediately understood the point of these cars. The Ultramarine Blue paint really pops in the sunlight- at least when it's bright enough!
It's not a perfect example, it does need a couple of minor bits doing to it, and I already have plans to get it on some new alloys next year as I slightly detest the standard diamond cut style, but it's so refreshing to have a car I actually love and want to work on again!
Watch this space
Fast forward a couple of years, I had bought a cheapy Audi TT to get off a lease deal. I never really gelled with it. The pace was acceptable, but as the steering & handling was so remote it never felt like I was 'piloting' the car, merely driving it- it wasn't satisfying, even compared to the dynamically flawed Z4 I'd had good times in previously.
I decided to get shot of it after it was written off in a non-fault accident earlier this year, ideally hoping to replace it before 2025 rolled around. None of the usual suspects in my budget really appealed, and I didn't want something totally bland again. Mk7 Fiesta STs with and without the Mountune package, Suzuki Swift Sports, BMW M235i, and Mazda MX-5s (unfortunately for me, too claustrophobic for comfort) were all looked at and driven to no avail.
Then last week I spotted this car locally.
I totally fell in love within the first 5 minutes of the test drive...
I drove it home the long way and immediately understood the point of these cars. The Ultramarine Blue paint really pops in the sunlight- at least when it's bright enough!
It's not a perfect example, it does need a couple of minor bits doing to it, and I already have plans to get it on some new alloys next year as I slightly detest the standard diamond cut style, but it's so refreshing to have a car I actually love and want to work on again!
Watch this space
Edited by Gastons_Revenge on Wednesday 4th December 15:06
Congratulations! Great cars. I’ve had my facelift for 6 years now! Love it and definitely a worthy successor to the Celica it replaced!
I somewhat agree with you on the wheels and have contemplated a respray to a single paint colour in the gun metal variety but get hung up on keeping things factory. I’ve seen some blue BRZ owners go solid gold which I do quite like - although that’s more of a ‘Impreza WRX style’ thing.
Anyway here’s mine and the outgoing Celica:
I somewhat agree with you on the wheels and have contemplated a respray to a single paint colour in the gun metal variety but get hung up on keeping things factory. I’ve seen some blue BRZ owners go solid gold which I do quite like - although that’s more of a ‘Impreza WRX style’ thing.
Anyway here’s mine and the outgoing Celica:
HarryD said:
Congratulations! Great cars. I’ve had my facelift for 6 years now! Love it and definitely a worthy successor to the Celica it replaced!
I somewhat agree with you on the wheels and have contemplated a respray to a single paint colour in the gun metal variety but get hung up on keeping things factory. I’ve seen some blue BRZ owners go solid gold which I do quite like - although that’s more of a ‘Impreza WRX style’ thing.
Thank you! Refinishing the standard alloys in a uniform gunmetal colour would be a good shout, may give that some consideration. As this is my daily driver and it needs a replacement set of tyres anyway (currently mismatching) it may work best to go for a new set of wheels all around. I had the same thought WRT the bronze/gold alloys, I like the colour match with blue but that's definitely more Subaru.I somewhat agree with you on the wheels and have contemplated a respray to a single paint colour in the gun metal variety but get hung up on keeping things factory. I’ve seen some blue BRZ owners go solid gold which I do quite like - although that’s more of a ‘Impreza WRX style’ thing.
tozerman said:
Looking forward to seeing this thread updated.
May be a little slow to start! Fensport's catalogue is definitely beckoning 
AnhBanhBao said:
That was the blue I wanted before I got my black one; still miss it but the pitter-patter of tiny feet meant it had to go.
Personally I prefer the pre-facelift front/fog lights, hope it treats you well OP.
Ah that is a shame, they do look decent in black as well! I do prefer the early cars to the facelift.Personally I prefer the pre-facelift front/fog lights, hope it treats you well OP.
Mr Tidy said:
I test drove a GT86 on my birthday in 2014 and liked nearly everything about it, apart from hopeless mid-range of the engine.
That's precisely what put me off when I test drove the facelift, however coming back to it after a couple of turbocharged cars with no entertainment at the top end makes me appreciate giving the 86 the beans and working the gearbox to access every shred of power- I find it far more satisfying!Gastons_Revenge said:
Mr Tidy said:
I test drove a GT86 on my birthday in 2014 and liked nearly everything about it, apart from hopeless mid-range of the engine.
That's precisely what put me off when I test drove the facelift, however coming back to it after a couple of turbocharged cars with no entertainment at the top end makes me appreciate giving the 86 the beans and working the gearbox to access every shred of power- I find it far more satisfying!And probably why I now have a Z4M that makes peak power at 7,900 with an 8K red-line!
Although sadly it does have licence losing potential in third.
LordGrover said:
Great cars, I loved mine.
I'd be cautious with respect to mods, unless you get it right there's a good chance you'll lose more than you gain. I spent a few bob and regretted most of it - it may've even precipitated lunching the engine.
No worries, not attempting anything crazy- a general tart up, new alloys & tyres, a sound system upgrade and some little interior tweaks are on the agenda at the moment. Potentially in the more distant future a trip to Fensport for the unequal manifold + remap trick to iron out the flat spot in the torque delivery. I'd be cautious with respect to mods, unless you get it right there's a good chance you'll lose more than you gain. I spent a few bob and regretted most of it - it may've even precipitated lunching the engine.
I'd be interested in trying out one of these with forced induction, although I am a bit of a purist and I think it could kind of remove some of this car's character.
Gastons_Revenge said:
No worries, not attempting anything crazy- a general tart up, new alloys & tyres, a sound system upgrade and some little interior tweaks are on the agenda at the moment. Potentially in the more distant future a trip to Fensport for the unequal manifold + remap trick to iron out the flat spot in the torque delivery.
I'd be interested in trying out one of these with forced induction, although I am a bit of a purist and I think it could kind of remove some of this car's character.
After UEL headersI'd be interested in trying out one of these with forced induction, although I am a bit of a purist and I think it could kind of remove some of this car's character.
Wouldn't bother again.
I also drove davejh's turbo way back when... scroll down a few posts here: click.
Nice one OP, I'm over 4 years into my GT86 ownership, can't see myself replacing it anytime soon!
It does the daily driver stuff just fine, and as a tactile delight on every journey, I love it. Yes the mid range is poor, but you can drive around it easily enough, everything else is sweet.
Mods: I switched to 225/ tyres, and don't regret it, still playful, and much better in winter (my only car apart from a Cerbera). Gear knob, didn't love the standard, changed to a Tomei duracon one, which I love, but that's just a personal thing. Panel filter, bit obvious really, free upgrade with better sound, I went with the Blitz refillable version.
Everything else I'm keeping standard, it's a daily, and I want to keep it long term.
It does the daily driver stuff just fine, and as a tactile delight on every journey, I love it. Yes the mid range is poor, but you can drive around it easily enough, everything else is sweet.
Mods: I switched to 225/ tyres, and don't regret it, still playful, and much better in winter (my only car apart from a Cerbera). Gear knob, didn't love the standard, changed to a Tomei duracon one, which I love, but that's just a personal thing. Panel filter, bit obvious really, free upgrade with better sound, I went with the Blitz refillable version.
Everything else I'm keeping standard, it's a daily, and I want to keep it long term.
LordGrover said:
After UEL headers
(snip)
Wouldn't bother again.
Ah I see, not worth it in your opinion? Cheers for linking your thoughts on davejh's car!(snip)
Wouldn't bother again.
DuncanM said:
Nice one OP, I'm over 4 years into my GT86 ownership, can't see myself replacing it anytime soon!...Mods: I switched to 225/ tyres, and don't regret it, still playful, and much better in winter
Cheers Duncan, yours is looking very good! Did you find you needed to fit spacers or anything for fitting the wider tyres? Had my '86 from new, now over 11 years!
As it's a weekend / summer car (currently SORN), it always feels special after driving my SUV PHEV. Weird thing is the daily is much 'faster' but zero fun.
I've kept mine almost stock as I'm getting on a bit and prefer the standard, non-modded look.
I really like the wheels too but each to their own, and I get it that some want to personalise.
As it's a weekend / summer car (currently SORN), it always feels special after driving my SUV PHEV. Weird thing is the daily is much 'faster' but zero fun.
I've kept mine almost stock as I'm getting on a bit and prefer the standard, non-modded look.
I really like the wheels too but each to their own, and I get it that some want to personalise.
Andy86GT said:
Had my '86 from new, now over 11 years!
As it's a weekend / summer car (currently SORN), it always feels special after driving my SUV PHEV. Weird thing is the daily is much 'faster' but zero fun.
I've kept mine almost stock as I'm getting on a bit and prefer the standard, non-modded look.
I really like the wheels too but each to their own, and I get it that some want to personalise.
Love this, I really like the stock wheels too, always surprised at how many dislike them! As it's a weekend / summer car (currently SORN), it always feels special after driving my SUV PHEV. Weird thing is the daily is much 'faster' but zero fun.
I've kept mine almost stock as I'm getting on a bit and prefer the standard, non-modded look.
I really like the wheels too but each to their own, and I get it that some want to personalise.
An EV went past me like I was standing still the other day, it's a funny thing owning a slow sports car
Mr Tidy said:
I test drove a GT86 on my birthday in 2014 and liked nearly everything about it, apart from hopeless mid-range of the engine. 
There weren't many used ones around then and the new price was a bit off-putting too.
Coincidentally a couple of months later I bought a Z4 Coupe.
You didn't did you? You've never said! There weren't many used ones around then and the new price was a bit off-putting too.
Coincidentally a couple of months later I bought a Z4 Coupe.
You've definitely picked the best colour for one of these OP. Makes me miss my BRZ that little bit more. Speaking of which, if it hasn't had the recall done for sealant bits in the oil pickup, get it booked in to have the sump off and get it checked. It's also worth the upgrade to the Killer B oil pickup pipe at the same time.
Edited by DanielSan on Thursday 5th December 19:23
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