RE: Chris Harris video: Toyota GT 86

[saladdodger]

Car looks dull and unexciting IMO. Maybe it will grow on me in the flesh

[tail slide]

Ticks boxes for me. IMO we do need to see cars' behaviour at the limit in a video review!

So it's a B-road replacement for my winter ride Clio200 cup which has the same weight and power, but with rwd the fun will be rather closer to the T350 that's tucked up hibernating.

Might be tempting to add a little brake upgrade it seems, then add a supercharger kit to add muscle to the mid-range that's apparently already being developed by TRD, but keep the slim tyres

Edited by tail slide on Wednesday 8th February 21:42

[XTR2Turbo]

rajkohli81 said:

He writes well, he drives very well..but as a video journalist...he's painfully dull to listen to...Voiceover please and leave the 'humour' to Clarkson and chums

I agree, he is by most measures, a poor presenter and won't have a TV career ahead of him. Having said that, I think in many ways the amateurish, bloke next door nature of it all probably works better and more convincingly with the slightly 'anorak' specialist audience being targetted.

[davepoth]

Excellent metaphor for track smoothness though.

[365daytonafan]

Great video, actually changed my opinion about the GT86. Always thought I would prefer a used Porsche Cayman or a 370Z for £25K but now I can see the appeal of this (except for disappointing engine note). Assuming same setup and price the Subaru looks better though.

as the for style of video only thing that can be considered dull is Chris' grey jumper (those that follow Chris on twitter may have seen the banter about this) :-)

[Pierscoe1]

where's the 11 on the rating thingy!?!?!?

SO MUCH WANT for this car...

I really hope it's kick-starts a massive competitive trend amongst all the other manufacturers to make equivalent cars...
a smaller sibling to the 370Z
a coupe version of the S2000
etc etc...

[Rich_W]

Good video
Seems like a winner

Not sold on the looks though. Could easily be a Kia/Hyundai rather than from the same manufacturer that brought us Celica and MR2 and Supra

Edited by Rich_W on Wednesday 8th February 21:24

[Dave Hedgehog]

excellent video as always

and i think i finally get the toybota

[gmh23]

Great video, very insightful

[spatch]

Good man Chris! Always an honest reaction to whatever you're driving. I do prefer watching your face as a passenger though. Far more entertaining. I do wonder why you dislike MX-5's? Pretty much an identical ethos to this?

Can't wait to drive one on a wet roundabout!

[Ferosferio]

rajkohli81 said:

but as a video journalist...he's painfully dull to listen to...Voiceover please and leave the 'humour' to Clarkson and chums

Really? I disagree, quite strongly. Personally I think Chris' reviews are, for the most part, pretty inspiring, it's obvious the man bleeds petroleum. As for Clarkson, his "humour" can be so neanderthal-esque at times that it leaves me fuming.

Another top quality video Chris...with the exception of the sound quality during the in-car shots, that needs some work IMO. Sorry

[noclue]

Looks great fun, but cant help thinking, although a little less practical, the MK1 MX5 I picked upf or £900 is likely to give 90-95% as much fun if that all your really focusing on.

[Stuart]

I loved it. Really, really want a go in this now.

The bit about having 20 minutes wasn't just a conceit - and they hardly got any extra time at all in the car. That explains any sound issues - simply no time at all to go back and redo anything afterwards.

[noosh]

Great review. And since it seems a theme, Mr Harris is far more interesting to watch and listen to than Clarkson when it comes to cars in my opinion, the recent Audi and RS2000 video inparticular springs to mind.

The GT86 though, I dislike, purely on the grounds I think it looks awful, seems to have been advertised in anything but a nice colour and that interior. But the smiles on the faces of every reporter you see driving it is very appealing. I like that ear to ear sensation from a car, regardless of what it is or looks like.
Wouldn't buy one new (I'll be fair, I never would with any car bar maybe one or two) but give it a few years when hopefully it will have held its value as well as most run of the mill marques...

[covmutley]

I enjoyed the video, looks like the rear seats are usable for kids. I hope so at least!

[highway]

The naysayers make me laugh. CH could 'slide' into a 21st century Top Gear, especially as the current three are getting on. These videos don't have BBC budget but are far more informative than Clarksons metaphor heavy pause fests. These videos are great, can't believe they are free!

Well done

[filski666]

Lyons said:

Like the video & write up, but i wish he'd stop banging on about sliding a cars. How many people actually do that on the open road, or a track day? Not many!

er...I do - which is why I have been waiting for this car in anticipation for years....just have to wait a few more till I can afford a second hand one

[Turbofun]

Great bit of car journalism, I really enjoyed the video and Chris.... looking forward to plenty more video to come this year …. Keep up the good work

[GTiFrank]

Fantastic review as always, one of his best loving the drive network.

I think the amount of cabin noise is great. Does anyone else think it sounds like a less throaty Catherham Roadsport?

[Bertrum]

[quote=spatch]Good man Chris! Always an honest reaction to whatever you're driving. I do prefer watching your face as a passenger though. Far more entertaining. I do wonder why you dislike MX-5's? Pretty much an identical ethos to this?

Because MX5's are all floppy..I owned one enjoyed it, then drove a teg for a few months got back in the 5 and it felt like it was twisting like one of those twisty marshmallow things.

Want a GT86 though!