GT86 - skittish on roads?
Discussion
I've never noticed these before, but have recently seen mention of them, and have now watched a few Youtube reviews. I'm probably not looking to buy right now, but I'll keep an eye open in case my local Toyota dealer gets one in.
Anyway, some aspects of the car (driving position, steering feel and gear change etc.) appeal to me. However, it sounds like the car might be a bit of handful for someone like me who's never driven on a track, and who's tried to avoid sliding on public roads. It sounds like it doesn't take much provocation to end up going sideways (or backwards!), especially with its standard 'Prius' tyres on wet roads.
Has anyone else bought one of these without having some sideways miles under their belt, and if so, how did you fare?
Anyway, some aspects of the car (driving position, steering feel and gear change etc.) appeal to me. However, it sounds like the car might be a bit of handful for someone like me who's never driven on a track, and who's tried to avoid sliding on public roads. It sounds like it doesn't take much provocation to end up going sideways (or backwards!), especially with its standard 'Prius' tyres on wet roads.
Has anyone else bought one of these without having some sideways miles under their belt, and if so, how did you fare?
I test drove one here in Vienna and it was really nice, it was dry so not sure how different it would be in the wet but it was very manageable, it only stepped out when I tried to get it to but it was easily controlled.
My friend has had two and loves them.
As others said the issue seems related to the tires so changing them would improve traction a lot but kind of defeats the point of the car imo.
My friend has had two and loves them.
As others said the issue seems related to the tires so changing them would improve traction a lot but kind of defeats the point of the car imo.
In the interests of presenting the opposing viewpoint, I had one and sold it after a few months because “skittish” was the exact word I used. I enjoy driving, and quickly, I’ve done some track driving; but I take no joy in being near to the limits of grip and with the GT86 those were very low. On the motorway in the rain, accelerating over an expansion joint it lost traction and slewed sideways a few degrees; similarly a little slip when tired on my way home from work one night - on a single carriageway road; I remember thinking if circumstances were a little different I could have hit someone oncoming. And these were both at legal speeds.
I drove it on eggshells after that, and had the suspension geometry confirmed and tried grippier tyres but I just never felt at ease in it. Perhaps I’m just a wuss but it was not enjoyable for me. I prefer cars where the limits are much higher and I can get my kicks well within its performance envelope.
I drove it on eggshells after that, and had the suspension geometry confirmed and tried grippier tyres but I just never felt at ease in it. Perhaps I’m just a wuss but it was not enjoyable for me. I prefer cars where the limits are much higher and I can get my kicks well within its performance envelope.
Venturist said:
In the interests of presenting the opposing viewpoint, I had one and sold it after a few months because “skittish” was the exact word I used. I enjoy driving, and quickly, I’ve done some track driving; but I take no joy in being near to the limits of grip and with the GT86 those were very low. On the motorway in the rain, accelerating over an expansion joint it lost traction and slewed sideways a few degrees; similarly a little slip when tired on my way home from work one night - on a single carriageway road; I remember thinking if circumstances were a little different I could have hit someone oncoming. And these were both at legal speeds.
I drove it on eggshells after that, and had the suspension geometry confirmed and tried grippier tyres but I just never felt at ease in it. Perhaps I’m just a wuss but it was not enjoyable for me. I prefer cars where the limits are much higher and I can get my kicks well within its performance envelope.
What did you replace it with & what did you drive before if you don't mind me asking?I drove it on eggshells after that, and had the suspension geometry confirmed and tried grippier tyres but I just never felt at ease in it. Perhaps I’m just a wuss but it was not enjoyable for me. I prefer cars where the limits are much higher and I can get my kicks well within its performance envelope.
With decent tyres and traction control you won't have many issues. They are not the most powerful of things so you'll need to really be trying in the dry to get it out. The wet is probably different, but probably no worse than other RWD cars, you just need to be aware that it isn't a FWD. If you orient your tyres toward wet performance it will make a huge difference.
ph9 said:
Thanks for that. I suppose it's difficult to know without driving/owning one. I wonder if Venturist had driven other RWD cars before the his GT86.
I'm not sure why he didn't just post it here rather than sending a DM, but his choice, maybe he has reasons.Why don't you go to a dealer with one and get a test drive and decide for yourself? Much better than relying on random people on the internet anyway
Didn’t mean to be elusive I just prefer to retain some anonymity online. I’ve had RWD before and since, and over double the power of the 86, I just didn’t get on with it as I don’t find enjoyment in being near or beyond the limits of grip. Other cars I’ve enjoyed the playful feeling people say they like about the 86, so it is possible, but for me it just felt like it wasn’t stuck down as well as I want a car to be.
Thanks, Venturist. I suspect I might feel the same as you, plus I don't have much recent experience of RWD. I'd have to build up my skill and confidence level, and if the car felt a bit too eager to lose grip (especially if unpredictable) then I think it would take a while for me to feel at ease with it. I'd still like to try one, though, as I might really take a shine to it, so I'll watch out for one.
ph9 said:
Thanks, Venturist. I suspect I might feel the same as you, plus I don't have much recent experience of RWD. I'd have to build up my skill and confidence level, and if the car felt a bit too eager to lose grip (especially if unpredictable) then I think it would take a while for me to feel at ease with it. I'd still like to try one, though, as I might really take a shine to it, so I'll watch out for one.
The thing is, GT86 is not unpredictable. It has perfect balance and good near limits manners. Best first RWD car if you want to improve your driving. I test drove an 86 last week in the rain. I know it’s not like owning one, but i had a decent half an hours drive on my own at generally legal speeds, over a variety of roads and i wouldnt say it felt skittish it is communicative, and it didnt wag it’s tail (i wasnt trying to provoke it). This was the brand new face lifted model, so maybe different to the older version.
I've driven a couple of GT86 and BRZs as they should be exactly the sort of thing I want to buy and I wanted to make sure. I didn't find any of them skittish, like anything if you go too fast around corners they will lose traction. The much talked about torque hole which seems to be exactly where you don't want it to be at all times was the killer for me.
Definitely wouldn't use the word skittish, in fact its the complete opposite, its planted and predictable, grip levels are low and that's about it, not helped by the fact the stock Michelin Primacys turn to wood when the temp drops below 7degC. The traction control is very aggressive, left on it will intervene when you have the slightest amount of slip. The relatively low torque of the engine and the fact its N/A means its nice and linear. My only criticism is the low grip levels are also evident under braking, the ABS will kick when you think it probably shouldn't.
Gassing Station | Japanese Chat | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff