RE: Toyota GT86: PH Videoblog
Discussion
Stig said:
Those who criticise the engine output are really missing the point and, contentiously, perhaps using it as a 'torque fill' for their own lack of talent 
Or they really dislike the engine so much that they're prepared to lose its sublime handling/steering and track manners ?I have no issue with its power output although I doubt it was much more than 170hp, but with its delivery, no real top end, bizarre dip in the middle etc.
Actually, it wasn't too bad on track tbh as you're always above 5k rpm, just that I couldn't live with it on the road.
Incidentally, I am quite devoid of talent on the track but that's a coincidence !
(IMO)
Toyoda said:
WCZ said:
out accelerated on straights by £2k clio 172's
Yes this is my main gripe with the car. It may be a joy to drive and joe bloggs may be able to use every last one of the horsepowers, but you still can't pull away from a £1k vvtl-i celica from 17 years ago. Still loving my MY13. Slower than my mqb 360bhp daily but having too much fun to notice, all the controls are on a different level of interaction.
It does have a different mild UEL manifold and a Milltek and runs on E85 with two cats, should equal a full monty FI on gasoline. No torque dip makes a big change to the overall feel. Sounds great too, burbly on tickover, and a nice howl up to redline. Kind of finishes off the car. Not sure the comfy gizmos are needed, depends how you use it I suppose.
It does have a different mild UEL manifold and a Milltek and runs on E85 with two cats, should equal a full monty FI on gasoline. No torque dip makes a big change to the overall feel. Sounds great too, burbly on tickover, and a nice howl up to redline. Kind of finishes off the car. Not sure the comfy gizmos are needed, depends how you use it I suppose.
I find myself warming more and more to the GT86. After an initial period of excitement when they came out first to disappointment at the mixed reviews. But I think the simple fact is this, its not for everyone. To some people driving is about poise balance and control, to some it is about raw animal acceleration and unending power, to some who can afford it and have places to drive such cars it is about both.
I'd have one for the same reason I have my MX5, affordable fun, its not all things to all people, but it is something important to some people and that is a reminder that driving is fun and the ability to have that fun at speeds that don't put your licence at risk is more important than numbers on a page. If my Mazda had 200bhp, it would be faster certainly, would it be any more fun? Some would say yes and thats fine for them but its not what the car is about to me.
I'd have one for the same reason I have my MX5, affordable fun, its not all things to all people, but it is something important to some people and that is a reminder that driving is fun and the ability to have that fun at speeds that don't put your licence at risk is more important than numbers on a page. If my Mazda had 200bhp, it would be faster certainly, would it be any more fun? Some would say yes and thats fine for them but its not what the car is about to me.
Rawwr said:
Why's that such a big deal?
Progress I suppose. Look how far fast Hondas have come in the past 20 years. In fact look how far most things have progressed in the past 20 years. Of course, Toyota should be commended for making a proper lightweight drivers car, low on raw BHP but high on cheap thrills, it's just they could have made the specs a little bit better than the older Celicas, or at least offered a factory supercharged alternative. Although, since I'm so keen on the Celica comparison, I imagine some twonk will soon mention that a £21k Celica in 1999's money would be £33K today, so in reality the GT86 is a steal!
At least the new Yaris Gazoo will be packing a serious performance punch compared to previous Toyota supermini offerings.
Edited by Toyoda on Thursday 6th April 16:17
Toyoda said:
Progress I suppose. Look how far fast Hondas have come in the past 20 years. In fact look how far most things have progressed in the past 20 years. Of course, Toyota should be commended for making a proper lightweight drivers car, low on raw BHP but high on cheap thrills, it's just they could have made the specs a little bit better than the older Celicas, or at least offered a factory supercharged alternative.
Although, since I'm so keen on the Celica comparison, I imagine some twonk will soon mention that a £21k Celica in 1999's money would be £33K today, so in reality the GT86 is a steal!
At least the new Yaris Gazoo will be packing a serious performance punch compared to previous Toyota supermini offerings.
Of course, it could also be that they had held steadfastly to the power output to leave room for an addition to the range that has a bit more 'oomph'....(not Yaris GRMN)Although, since I'm so keen on the Celica comparison, I imagine some twonk will soon mention that a £21k Celica in 1999's money would be £33K today, so in reality the GT86 is a steal!
At least the new Yaris Gazoo will be packing a serious performance punch compared to previous Toyota supermini offerings.
Edited by Toyoda on Thursday 6th April 16:17
Toyoda said:
Rawwr said:
Why's that such a big deal?
Progress I suppose. Look how far fast Hondas have come in the past 20 years. In fact look how far most things have progressed in the past 20 years. Of course, Toyota should be commended for making a proper lightweight drivers car, low on raw BHP but high on cheap thrills, it's just they could have made the specs a little bit better than the older Celicas, or at least offered a factory supercharged alternative. Although, since I'm so keen on the Celica comparison, I imagine some twonk will soon mention that a £21k Celica in 1999's money would be £33K today, so in reality the GT86 is a steal!
At least the new Yaris Gazoo will be packing a serious performance punch compared to previous Toyota supermini offerings.
Edited by Toyoda on Thursday 6th April 16:17
em177 said:
I love mine. Best suited car to UK roads I've ever driven.
That looks lovely indeed.
Unfortunately it also highlights how bad the standard wheels, ride height and rear spoiler are. The standard wheels are simply a horrible design, skinny and with chavvy diamond cut finish. The standard on stilts ride height has arch gaps you could lose a limb in. And the oem rear spoiler is just a horrid piece of design.
The GT86 was going to be my next car. Sweet handling, decent NA engine (one less thing to go wrong in my book), lovely driving position, steering feedback and gearchange. I even quite liked the Toyota attitude to control i.e. no frills, just ergonomics and functionality. It even came in a nice Orange colour! I would even have stretched my budget to a new one as it felt like a keeper!
Then I tried to use the +2 seats in the back for my 4yr old. He didn't fit. At all. Legs bunched up even without the booster seat. And lets face it they only get bigger with time. Shame but now the car I thought ticked every box missed the only one that completely ruled it out.
But then the saleman who saw this said "theres a new model coming out this year, it's supposed to be getting stretched in the middle so the rear seats are usable". Looks like he had been told rubbish. This car may as well be a 2 seater and save the 100kg or whatever.
Maybe I should look at RX-8s or soemthing like that...
Then I tried to use the +2 seats in the back for my 4yr old. He didn't fit. At all. Legs bunched up even without the booster seat. And lets face it they only get bigger with time. Shame but now the car I thought ticked every box missed the only one that completely ruled it out.
But then the saleman who saw this said "theres a new model coming out this year, it's supposed to be getting stretched in the middle so the rear seats are usable". Looks like he had been told rubbish. This car may as well be a 2 seater and save the 100kg or whatever.
Maybe I should look at RX-8s or soemthing like that...
Why did you have to do a video of this...I had a test drive of a GT86 some weeks back and was really disappointed with the engine, everything else was brilliant, now I'am thinking about them again ( I'd have the BRZ it looks nicer ) yes it's expensive for the power on offer a Golf GTi would blow this into the weeds but the drive was simply superb.
Now that the current Swift Sport is no more is the GT86 the last of fun N/A engined cars out there.
Now that the current Swift Sport is no more is the GT86 the last of fun N/A engined cars out there.
Rawwr said:
Why's that such a big deal?
I don't think he said it's such a big deal - but if you're going to use the car as a daily as much as a track car, like I did, it's not always very convenient to have such little acceleration despite redlining every gear - I appreciate it's not a race but there are situations on the road where acceleration can help and actually contribute to safety. I am not saying it's slow but in a world where many cars are getting very quick, the delta is surprisingly big with many cars.
For those that really must have the power, there are plenty of aftermarket solutions out there. You can even shed some weight (eg li-ion battery), so that you'll have a car with a better power to weight ratio, and still retain the rest of the cars positive traits.
All very positive things, should one be so inclined.
All very positive things, should one be so inclined.
I tested one of these when they came out and was massively disappointed at what was on offer for the price. You can swallow and regurgitate any of the launch PR bulls
t you want to (as most owners adenoidally seem to do) but the reality is that this car has very little performance and the engine is devoid of character.
The standard car should be a 2.0 turbo with about 240bhp. They should then offer a range topper with about 300bhp. This current standard configuration NA model should be an entry level car sold ready for customisation like the unpainted bumper version sold in Japan. All would need some magic adding to the way in which the power is delivered and the noise that accompanies it.
t you want to (as most owners adenoidally seem to do) but the reality is that this car has very little performance and the engine is devoid of character.The standard car should be a 2.0 turbo with about 240bhp. They should then offer a range topper with about 300bhp. This current standard configuration NA model should be an entry level car sold ready for customisation like the unpainted bumper version sold in Japan. All would need some magic adding to the way in which the power is delivered and the noise that accompanies it.
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