Has anyone driven a Toyota GT86 or Subaru BRZ yet?

[white_goodman]

Sorry if this has already been done but I have obviously missed the relevant threads. I know these cars have been discussed before and some of you have considered them as a potential purchase. I can't afford to buy new but like the look of these and envisage that one of these might be the type of thing that I would like to move on to in a couple of years time. I like the idea that it is a purpose-built sports car/coupe rather than a normal hatch which has been modified to be a sports car (such as a Megane Trophy). I like the fact that it is light and RWD (although I know that FWD can also be very effective - again RS Clios/Meganes and Type-Rs spring to mind. I imagine it as being like a RWD Type-R. Am I anywhere close to the mark?

However, I am a bit confused about what I have read in the press so far. The only magazine I subscribe to and have time to read is Evo. I normally trust their judgement and find their reviews informative but they seem rather underwhelmed by the performance (not helped by the test Subaru being an auto). I thought the benchmarking was spot-on. Another RWDer with a similar lightweight, power isn't everything approach (MX5), a more powerful, less delicate but only slightly more expensive RWDer (370Z) and one of the best FWDers (Megane 265 Trophy). However, I thought that a less powerful FWDer would have been a better comparison (like a Scirocco 2.0TFSI for instance). They have only driven the Toyota on the track and done a short first drive on it but they appeared to say that it wasn't as good as the BRZ but that made it better, which didn't really make a lot of sense to me!

I imagine, if you were looking at the Toyota, then you would try the Subaru as well and see which one you prefer. Is one really better than the other and if so, why? I'm not really interested in how it drives on track or the quality of the interior (I drive a 2004 Impreza WRX at the moment). I am interested in what it offers (if anything) over a similarly priced MX5, 370Z or Scirocco though. Also, would I be underwhelmed after the performance of my Impreza or does it offer rewards that the Impreza can't offer?

[hornetrider]

Just what we need, another GT86 thread. It's not like we don't have multiple 30 page threads on them already

[gaz1234]

basically a 370\380z?

[white_goodman]

hornetrider said:

Just what we need, another GT86 thread. It's not like we don't have multiple 30 page threads on them already

I'm sorry, as I said, I must have missed them (probably working or something) and I expect more people have had a chance to sample both now! I'm more interested in the differences between the two (if anyone has driven both?) and how they compare to their contemporaries (on price and performance) and why you would choose the Toyota/Subaru over these (MX5, 370Z, Scirocco etc). Would I be underwhelmed after the Impreza?

[MC Bodge]

Book a Test Drive

Edited by MC Bodge on Thursday 2nd August 22:42

[hornetrider]

white_goodman said:

and how they compare to their contemporaries (on price and performance)

and why you would choose the Toyota/Subaru over these (MX5, 370Z, Scirocco etc).

Seriously dude. Been absolutely done to death.

Even the crap PH search will turn them up.

[roystinho]

GT86 is a marmite car, you'll either love it or hate it. I love it, but can't compare it to a clio or megane. They're quicker in a straight line and around the dales, but in the GT86 you'll be having a different type of experience/fun.

If you like the devastating power of an impreza, they're probably not your bag. here's the one I was in with my journalist friend last week. His views are the same as mine

http://www.pocket-lint.com/review/5946/toyota-gt86...

[Zed Ed]

UK deliveries only just starting so hopefully we'll see some well informed commentary for the first time .

[white_goodman]

roystinho said:

GT86 is a marmite car, you'll either love it or hate it. I love it, but can't compare it to a clio or megane. They're quicker in a straight line and around the dales, but in the GT86 you'll be having a different type of experience/fun.

If you like the devastating power of an impreza, they're probably not your bag. here's the one I was in with my journalist friend last week. His views are the same as mine

http://www.pocket-lint.com/review/5946/toyota-gt86...

Thanks. A useful response! Do you have one on order? It would be interesting to get some reports from an ownership perspective once people start taking delivery.

[RossP]

Test drove one. Sharp handling. Low rent interior. Fab gear change. Soulless engine. Too slow.

Might be fun on track days though.

HTH!

[CO2000]

Have you read this thread ?

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Chris71]

I've driven the BRZ, but not the GT 86. I really liked it, but it felt like a car that's been designed to take a lot more power: http://www.racingandwaiting.co.uk/2012/05/first-dr...