RE: Driven: Toyota GT 86

RE: Driven: Toyota GT 86

Author
Discussion

Garlick

40,601 posts

241 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
Like the sound of this, I like the price and I like the ethos of it too.

Trouble is.....it doesn't stir emotion or passion inside me, and for that reason....I'm out. Sadly

Whiters

364 posts

240 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
lionrampant said:
I'm really looking forward to a go in one/either of these and don't think the production looks are too bad, but god that concept is soooo much nicer looking.

desmogolf

62 posts

157 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
When I saw the production version of this car I honestly didn't care how different it looks compared to the concept. I guess that's just how much the car appealed to me - as long as the fundamentals of the car remain the same, and it doesn't look like a dumpy Prius, then it's good for me. RWD, LSD, light-weight, short wheelbase, perfect driving position, manual, a fairly unique engine - I cannot ask for more for a sporty coupe that costs that much. Can't wait to drive it and hopefully own one for an awfully long time.

VinceFox

20,566 posts

173 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
There will be a quicker one at some point, they've tooled up for this platform so they'll want to squeeze their moneys worth out of it.

I think a lot of fans could be won by putting more appropriately styled wheels on it. Same size, but just a bit more dish. And not in dark grey/ black.

kambites

67,593 posts

222 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
Who'd have thought that the first company to get a proper driver-focussed electric power steering system working would be Toyota, of all people. hehe

Maybe Porsche can reverse engineer it to find out how they've done it in time for the new Boxster.

s m

23,243 posts

204 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
Garlick said:
Like the sound of this, I like the price and I like the ethos of it too.

Trouble is.....it doesn't stir emotion or passion inside me, and for that reason....I'm out. Sadly
Not new but similar......



23k - check
215bhp - check
rwd - check
LSD - check
Thin tyres - check


And you probably wouldn't lose too much on it perhaps?

jhayward1980

117 posts

215 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
For me (and I'm aware this point has been made a bit already) the real question is why would you buy one of these when for the same approximate sum of money you could buy a used 350Z, or S2000, with manufacturers warranty, or a boxster and Z4 with a 3rd part warranty. The list of options goes on but surely there is so much more fun and value from this approach? And I couldn't give a toss how fast any of those cars go round the ring either. If you really don't give a damn about taking a calculated punt then a 996 carrera 2 would fit the same job description.

Maybe that's me?

MIP1983

210 posts

206 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
Very cool car. There's a chance a supercharged version could tempt me away from my S2000. Quite a slim chance though.

s m

23,243 posts

204 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
s m said:
Garlick said:
Like the sound of this, I like the price and I like the ethos of it too.

Trouble is.....it doesn't stir emotion or passion inside me, and for that reason....I'm out. Sadly
Not new but similar......



23k - check
215bhp - check
rwd - check
LSD - check
Thin tyres - check


And you probably wouldn't lose too much on it perhaps?
Actually this is probably more 'Garlick' ( apart from it's auto and a bit heavier than the Toyota ) - although it's half the price




£12k
200bhp - check
rwd - check
LSD - check
Thin tyres - check

kambites

67,593 posts

222 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
jhayward1980 said:
For me (and I'm aware this point has been made a bit already) the real question is why would you buy one of these when for the same approximate sum of money you could buy a used 350Z, or S2000, with manufacturers warranty, or a boxster and Z4 with a 3rd part warranty. The list of options goes on but surely there is so much more fun and value from this approach? And I couldn't give a toss how fast any of those cars go round the ring either. If you really don't give a damn about taking a calculated punt then a 996 carrera 2 would fit the same job description.

Maybe that's me?
Because, judging by all the reviews I've read so far, this is probably a better drivers car than any of them... I'll reserve judgement until I've driven them all, but from everything I've read I'd be amazed if this isn't more fun for me than any of the cars you mention.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 31st January 22:42

Garlick

40,601 posts

241 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
yes I prefer the Benz.

jhayward1980

117 posts

215 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
kambites said:
Because, judging by all the reviews I've read so far, this is probably a better drivers car than any of them...
Not so sure that's what I've heard from the reviews. The reviews seem to be really playing on the message of "less traction more fun", "let's fly in the face of current bhp and ring time madness", "we're going back to basics". If you bunged a load of pictures of an old MX-5 in there I'm sure no-one would tell the difference between the articles. I'm just saying - not sure that it's a wonderful deal, or a new frontier for "cheap" sports coupes.

seopher

301 posts

183 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
soxboy said:
If your main criteria for the quality of a car is a traffic light grand prix with a diesel A5 then this may not be the car for you. For everyone else who enjoys the fun of driving the car through the twisties then enjoy!
My point was that cars with sporting intentions that pride themselves on being light should at least accelerate quickly. Think it looks super. I guess it's more of a competitor for the Civic DC5 than an Elise.

kambites

67,593 posts

222 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
jhayward1980 said:
kambites said:
Because, judging by all the reviews I've read so far, this is probably a better drivers car than any of them...
Not so sure that's what I've heard from the reviews. The reviews seem to be really playing on the message of "less traction more fun", "let's fly in the face of current bhp and ring time madness", "we're going back to basics". If you bunged a load of pictures of an old MX-5 in there I'm sure no-one would tell the difference between the articles. I'm just saying - not sure that it's a wonderful deal, or a new frontier for "cheap" sports coupes.
Yes, and I'd probably have more fun in an old MX5 than most of the cars you mention too, I certainly would in a baby Elan which takes the idea several steps further, or indeed an MG Midget.

It's certainly not a new idea, it's the rebirth of an old one.

jhayward1980

117 posts

215 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
Makes me re-evaluate my current dilemma: Z4 3.0 into either: 997 turbo (Gen1), GTR, XKR (5.0), or 997 C2S (Gen 2). Seems I'm in the bhp crazy ring time brigade (and that doesn't automatically put me in the GTR - 6 monthly services seem insane). Maybe I'd be better off with a 530d (touring) and a caterham!

kambites

67,593 posts

222 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
Bah, forget the BMW and just get the Caterham. smile

gmh23

252 posts

181 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
mcelliott said:
Oh yes you're absolutely right, when Toyota and Subaru were designing these cars they knew comparisons would be drawn with the Porker, but thanks for your input anyway.
biglaugh

If people are going to compare this car to anything, compare it to something of the same (brand new) price, which a 3.0tdi A5 is not!

I see this car as a RWD hot-hatch. It's not in competition with Audi A5's FFS! In terms of performance, tax and running costs, its closer to cars such as the clio 200, mazda mx-5 etc

jhayward1980

117 posts

215 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
gmh23 said:
biglaugh

If people are going to compare this car to anything, compare it to something of the same (brand new) price, which a 3.0tdi A5 is not!

I see this car as a RWD hot-hatch. It's not in competition with Audi A5's FFS! In terms of performance, tax and running costs, its closer to cars such as the clio 200, mazda mx-5 etc
Why should we compare it to something brand new - it's my 25k?

kambites

67,593 posts

222 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
jhayward1980 said:
Why should we compare it to something brand new - it's my 25k?
Well soon you'll be able to buy one of these for 10k. smile

D200

514 posts

148 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
jhayward1980 said:
Makes me re-evaluate my current dilemma: Z4 3.0 into either: 997 turbo (Gen1), GTR, XKR (5.0), or 997 C2S (Gen 2). Seems I'm in the bhp crazy ring time brigade (and that doesn't automatically put me in the GTR - 6 monthly services seem insane). Maybe I'd be better off with a 530d (touring) and a caterham!
All depends what you can afford to drive day to day, if you could afford the 997's,GTR as a daily driver then go for them. As if you have the Caterham and 530d 95% of your time would be in the 530d - whilst no bad thing being in a GTR or 911 would be much more appealing. Caterhams are amazing, I hired one and it was better fun than anything I previously driven, inc Audi R8, various M3’s and 911's. But it’s completely and utterly uncomfortable and totally impractical. Before driving one it’s obvious to anyone it’s not the most practical car but drive one for a couple of days [def hire one before buying] and see if its something you could live with. Getting in and out of it and putting belt on is a major pain even. And I am normal build 5'11, if you are taller and bigger then average then it would be even more of pain. I love them, great fun and super controllable when getting the tail out etc, but I don’t think I would buy one, they are what they are but a tad extreme. If you live near to a good track and planned to attend lots of track days then get one But if you could afford to run a GTR I would buy it of all the cars you suggest.

Just realized this it nothing what so ever to do with a GT 86 but I have already typed my reply wink