GT86/BRZ Owners reviews?
Discussion
Been looking at GT86s/BRZs recents and wanted to see if anyone on here is willing to give some ownership reviews as may potentially purchase one in the future. I Know that they are kinda renowned for being "under powered" but i feel as though thats something that could be fixed 
Any information provided on them what so ever would be appreciated!
Freddie
Any information provided on them what so ever would be appreciated!
Freddie
Hanslow said:
I've got one Freddie (GT86), what do you want to know?
I've had mine for just over three years now and has only needed consumables so far be that servicing or tyres. I do drive a bit sedately for the most part and I don't find it particularly has a lack of power. There's a torque dip around the MOT holding revs for emissions, which mine still has, but that can be remapped out as some owners do.
I had an issue with the air con, it basically lost all the gas, but seems to be holding it now after a warranty refill.
Niggles, rear window gets condensation inside easily, I'm not alone with this but not sure if they all do.
Modifications on mine are very little. People complain about the standard stereo (I've got nav), and I find it fine. I swapped out the single USB and 3.5mm aux in for a dual USB and I've fitted a (very loud but you get used to it) Invidia catback exhaust. Plenty of other options if you want to mess with such things.
The high level brake light is on the parcel shelf and obstructs the rear view. I removed mine and bought a cheap LED strip bar and mounted it to the roof lining at the back so I have a bit more visibility. That's relatively easy to do if the existing light bugs you.
Other than that, I enjoy driving it, it's comfy, rear seats are generally useless other than for storage, short distances, or you're all a very small family height wise. Boot space is ample, car handles well and with safety aids on is quite protective of lary driving, not a bad thing for someone with little talent like me. As mentioned, I find the power sufficient, it gets away quick enough from standing and I otherwise tend to drive within both speed limits and conditions. It likes cornering, with a well sighted corner being far more fun for me than how fast I can go.
I like the interior, but I like 90s Japanese plastic interiors too which some abhor.
Feel free to ask specifics if you have some
Cheers for Getting back to me Hanslow! I've had mine for just over three years now and has only needed consumables so far be that servicing or tyres. I do drive a bit sedately for the most part and I don't find it particularly has a lack of power. There's a torque dip around the MOT holding revs for emissions, which mine still has, but that can be remapped out as some owners do.
I had an issue with the air con, it basically lost all the gas, but seems to be holding it now after a warranty refill.
Niggles, rear window gets condensation inside easily, I'm not alone with this but not sure if they all do.
Modifications on mine are very little. People complain about the standard stereo (I've got nav), and I find it fine. I swapped out the single USB and 3.5mm aux in for a dual USB and I've fitted a (very loud but you get used to it) Invidia catback exhaust. Plenty of other options if you want to mess with such things.
The high level brake light is on the parcel shelf and obstructs the rear view. I removed mine and bought a cheap LED strip bar and mounted it to the roof lining at the back so I have a bit more visibility. That's relatively easy to do if the existing light bugs you.
Other than that, I enjoy driving it, it's comfy, rear seats are generally useless other than for storage, short distances, or you're all a very small family height wise. Boot space is ample, car handles well and with safety aids on is quite protective of lary driving, not a bad thing for someone with little talent like me. As mentioned, I find the power sufficient, it gets away quick enough from standing and I otherwise tend to drive within both speed limits and conditions. It likes cornering, with a well sighted corner being far more fun for me than how fast I can go.
I like the interior, but I like 90s Japanese plastic interiors too which some abhor.
Feel free to ask specifics if you have some
Do you drive it every day?, the reason i wanted to get to know just some general information about the car is that i was thinking about getting either one of these or a golf gti (mk7.5) as a daily, but i also like to go for a drive quite often, so wanted something which could also be dynamic, but also dailyable (if thats a word). I realise that they are both very different cars however the idea of the 86/brz being a 2 door sports car thats rwd but could also be used daily appeals to me quite a lot. Also just want to know if its good on petrol if your able to provide the information, as thats also kinda important when running it daily!
thanks for the insight into your ownership over the past couple of years though, It is much appreciated!
Hanslow said:
Yeah it's my daily runner. I've got a set of winter wheels for it, some old Subaru Impreza ones with Nokians on but I've not really needed them to be fair. When the snow has been really bad I've stayed at home and I'm fortunate enough that I can work from home if I'm unable to get in to work. I've otherwise been able to get out to the shops when needed.
If it helps, I've had a MkIV Golf Gti and a MkV diesel GTD and whilst both were fun and far more torquey, for me the 86 is a lot more fun to drive. To get the most out of it, you do have to drive it, holding on to revs a bit more and planning gear changes and manoeuvres a bit more than just a point and squirt style of driving.
They are recommended to be run on 98 ron, I run mine on Shell vpower and am getting about 33-35 mpg on a daily commute, around thirteen miles with a mix of about half of that being thirty to forty limits and the rest being seventy. I've just got off my fat arse and checked, I've never reset the counters in the car, so apart from it maybe resetting itself anytime that I may have disconnected the battery, it's showing an average of 35mpg.
With the rear seats down, there's a decent sized boot area, enough for four wheels, which I think was one of the design remits to be able to carry a set to a track, swap them, do the track day, swap them back and drive home. I only know from getting my winter wheels shod with tyres. The only downside slightly to the load area is the boot entry size isn't the full width like some cars, it tapers slightly, so you have to be sure some items are going to fit before taking it for loading up. I've been alright though, I can't think of anything that I couldn't get in, but some things needed to go in at an angle.
It's certainly liveable with as a daily, or has been for me. Have a look at my garage on here, apart from the Caterham and the current Eunos, all have been daily runners so you can (sort of) see what I'm comparing it too. I have to say, out of all the cars bar the Caterham, it's the one I've owned the longest and whilst I've got ideas to change it next year, I'm not actually bored of the car, which is what drove a lot of the other changes.
If you've got any more questions, fire away. If you're anywhere near Matlock in Derbyshire I don't mind meeting up if you want a bit more of a poke around.
Thanks for the offer to meet however you're on the other side of the country to me! I appreciate you giving me the information you have done, i don't want you getting rsi from writing another lengthy post! If i have more questions in the future i know who to turn to, but that'll do for now! Cheers!If it helps, I've had a MkIV Golf Gti and a MkV diesel GTD and whilst both were fun and far more torquey, for me the 86 is a lot more fun to drive. To get the most out of it, you do have to drive it, holding on to revs a bit more and planning gear changes and manoeuvres a bit more than just a point and squirt style of driving.
They are recommended to be run on 98 ron, I run mine on Shell vpower and am getting about 33-35 mpg on a daily commute, around thirteen miles with a mix of about half of that being thirty to forty limits and the rest being seventy. I've just got off my fat arse and checked, I've never reset the counters in the car, so apart from it maybe resetting itself anytime that I may have disconnected the battery, it's showing an average of 35mpg.
With the rear seats down, there's a decent sized boot area, enough for four wheels, which I think was one of the design remits to be able to carry a set to a track, swap them, do the track day, swap them back and drive home. I only know from getting my winter wheels shod with tyres. The only downside slightly to the load area is the boot entry size isn't the full width like some cars, it tapers slightly, so you have to be sure some items are going to fit before taking it for loading up. I've been alright though, I can't think of anything that I couldn't get in, but some things needed to go in at an angle.
It's certainly liveable with as a daily, or has been for me. Have a look at my garage on here, apart from the Caterham and the current Eunos, all have been daily runners so you can (sort of) see what I'm comparing it too. I have to say, out of all the cars bar the Caterham, it's the one I've owned the longest and whilst I've got ideas to change it next year, I'm not actually bored of the car, which is what drove a lot of the other changes.
If you've got any more questions, fire away. If you're anywhere near Matlock in Derbyshire I don't mind meeting up if you want a bit more of a poke around.
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