Bought a GT86 - love it!
Discussion
Hello,
I've just bought a GT86, and it's an absolute gem of a car.
All the positive reviews and threads I've read over the years have been spot on.
With one twist, I love the engine! It's fantastic so far, and although not blisteringly fast, certainly quick enough to have a lot of fun on any given road. I always wonder what roads people are driving on to always want more power!
It's amazing Toyota made this car, the way it looks and drives, a genuine drivers car with added reliability and affordable price.
Pros so far:
Almost everything, I really do love it. In particular the way it turns in, I also really like the engine and gearbox, superb brake pedal feel, excellent driving position and visibility, perfect for driving, which is kinda the point.
Cons so far:
Although not a deal breaker, the Touch Media system is dated compared to my old Peugeot 208, mine has the most basic system it appears.
Tiny back seats, less room behind my driving position than the Cerbera, and I'm only 6 foot.
I read the LordGrover thread with great interest, most interesting to me was the fact he modified the suspension, then put it all back to standard! Toyota got it right in stock form, I won't be doing any modifications, apart from a blitz panel filter, which can be considered maintenance imo.
This car has brought me joy in what has been a disappointing year in many ways
I've just bought a GT86, and it's an absolute gem of a car.
All the positive reviews and threads I've read over the years have been spot on.
With one twist, I love the engine! It's fantastic so far, and although not blisteringly fast, certainly quick enough to have a lot of fun on any given road. I always wonder what roads people are driving on to always want more power!
It's amazing Toyota made this car, the way it looks and drives, a genuine drivers car with added reliability and affordable price.
Pros so far:
Almost everything, I really do love it. In particular the way it turns in, I also really like the engine and gearbox, superb brake pedal feel, excellent driving position and visibility, perfect for driving, which is kinda the point.
Cons so far:
Although not a deal breaker, the Touch Media system is dated compared to my old Peugeot 208, mine has the most basic system it appears.
Tiny back seats, less room behind my driving position than the Cerbera, and I'm only 6 foot.
I read the LordGrover thread with great interest, most interesting to me was the fact he modified the suspension, then put it all back to standard! Toyota got it right in stock form, I won't be doing any modifications, apart from a blitz panel filter, which can be considered maintenance imo.
This car has brought me joy in what has been a disappointing year in many ways
That looks great - congratulations.
If you do decide to mod it, Lots of people change the gear knob to a non-stitched item. They also make / buy an armrest - Google it, loads of threads about it.
The only other thing is wheels. Loads of great brands like Tein and Rays make wheels for it. Some people buy a different offset and it has the effect of adding spacers without adding spacers. Again, Google is your friend.
Otherwise, enjoy. Awesome car.
If you do decide to mod it, Lots of people change the gear knob to a non-stitched item. They also make / buy an armrest - Google it, loads of threads about it.
The only other thing is wheels. Loads of great brands like Tein and Rays make wheels for it. Some people buy a different offset and it has the effect of adding spacers without adding spacers. Again, Google is your friend.
Otherwise, enjoy. Awesome car.
I bought one in black myself 2 weeks ago to replace my BMW Z4. So far so good.
They're great fun to zip around in. I bought the automatic as a lot of my driving is in traffic, but I still have the sequential stick and flappy paddles if I want to go for a drive and have a bit of fun.
Agreed on the stock head unit and speakers/tweeters being crap. I get the feeling that the car was intended to be modified and it was expected that most owners would change it.
For the time being I think I'm going to stick with the stock HU and install the Focal IS165TOY 2 way speakers. They seem pretty well regarded so for the sake of £130 they're worth a try.
Also if you're going to install a dash cam, don't bother taking the interior apart and hard wiring it into the fuse box. There's a secondary ciggy lighter socket in the glovebox. Which I found out right after doing the former.
They're great fun to zip around in. I bought the automatic as a lot of my driving is in traffic, but I still have the sequential stick and flappy paddles if I want to go for a drive and have a bit of fun.
Agreed on the stock head unit and speakers/tweeters being crap. I get the feeling that the car was intended to be modified and it was expected that most owners would change it.
For the time being I think I'm going to stick with the stock HU and install the Focal IS165TOY 2 way speakers. They seem pretty well regarded so for the sake of £130 they're worth a try.
Also if you're going to install a dash cam, don't bother taking the interior apart and hard wiring it into the fuse box. There's a secondary ciggy lighter socket in the glovebox. Which I found out right after doing the former.
Thank you
I don't mind the wheels tbh, red with blackish always works quite nicely, a lot of owners dislike them and I'm not sure why.
Gear knob may get changed, hopefully resolve the buzziness in 2nd when revving out.
It's a very well thought out car from the manufacturer, and although I do understand the desire to modify, I'm going to try and leave it as standard as possible and just enjoy it.
I don't mind the wheels tbh, red with blackish always works quite nicely, a lot of owners dislike them and I'm not sure why.
Gear knob may get changed, hopefully resolve the buzziness in 2nd when revving out
. It's a very well thought out car from the manufacturer, and although I do understand the desire to modify, I'm going to try and leave it as standard as possible and just enjoy it.
Sycamore said:
I bought one in black myself 2 weeks ago to replace my BMW Z4. So far so good.
They're great fun to zip around in. I bought the automatic as a lot of my driving is in traffic, but I still have the sequential stick and flappy paddles if I want to go for a drive and have a bit of fun.
Agreed on the stock head unit and speakers/tweeters being crap. I get the feeling that the car was intended to be modified and it was expected that most owners would change it.
For the time being I think I'm going to stick with the stock HU and install the Focal IS165TOY 2 way speakers. They seem pretty well regarded so for the sake of £130 they're worth a try.
Also if you're going to install a dash cam, don't bother taking the interior apart and hard wiring it into the fuse box. There's a secondary ciggy lighter socket in the glovebox. Which I found out right after doing the former.
Looks nice! Thanks for the heads up, I bought a cheap cam yesterday! The auto has good reviews from owners (most important reviews) a good option when it makes sense. They're great fun to zip around in. I bought the automatic as a lot of my driving is in traffic, but I still have the sequential stick and flappy paddles if I want to go for a drive and have a bit of fun.
Agreed on the stock head unit and speakers/tweeters being crap. I get the feeling that the car was intended to be modified and it was expected that most owners would change it.
For the time being I think I'm going to stick with the stock HU and install the Focal IS165TOY 2 way speakers. They seem pretty well regarded so for the sake of £130 they're worth a try.
Also if you're going to install a dash cam, don't bother taking the interior apart and hard wiring it into the fuse box. There's a secondary ciggy lighter socket in the glovebox. Which I found out right after doing the former.
How are you getting on with the mpg? I think it's pretty decent so far for a sports car.
Only had it two weeks, but I seem to average 27mpg which takes into account me having a blast through some nice lanes here and there, with the majority being my commute from one town to another. More than happy with that.
My Z4 did 18mpg average by comparison on the same route.
I do think I'll be looking to do something with the exhaust though. Going from a silk smooth BMW Straight 6 which sounded great (especially with the roof off!) to the GT86 has left me feeling a little hollow
Considering it's a Subaru Boxer unit, I think most go with unequal length headers which gives the nice Subaru burble.
My Z4 did 18mpg average by comparison on the same route.
I do think I'll be looking to do something with the exhaust though. Going from a silk smooth BMW Straight 6 which sounded great (especially with the roof off!) to the GT86 has left me feeling a little hollow
Considering it's a Subaru Boxer unit, I think most go with unequal length headers which gives the nice Subaru burble.
Mighty car mods have just done a series on the subaru version. Started as this is too slow..wait, it's not that slow and it does skids! Then they added
exhaust and headers which helped it breath a bit and then obviously turboed it but it went well and sounded good after just the exhaust mods
exhaust and headers which helped it breath a bit and then obviously turboed it but it went well and sounded good after just the exhaust mods
When the Toyota was in for a service I had a sit in one and it felt go right, I did feel like I was sitting 'in' the car and had a nice cocooned feel.
If my Alfa had to go then a gt86 would be the way forwards. Had a traffic light GP with one a few years ago, seems plenty fast enough for me. On a track day there will always be something faster but would be nice to have something like this to attack the corners in a more graceful way.
Are there any special service requirements for the boxer engine. Easy enough to self service? Although I find Toyota dealerships very good.
Great looking car OP, may it bring many smiles.
If my Alfa had to go then a gt86 would be the way forwards. Had a traffic light GP with one a few years ago, seems plenty fast enough for me. On a track day there will always be something faster but would be nice to have something like this to attack the corners in a more graceful way.
Are there any special service requirements for the boxer engine. Easy enough to self service? Although I find Toyota dealerships very good.
Great looking car OP, may it bring many smiles.
Nothing special with regards to servicing.
The only slight complexity is a spark plug change due to them being mounted low down due to the flat 4 engine, but it's still an easy enough DIY.
Think of them as a grown up MX5 and you'll not go far wrong with regards to how they feel in terms of power etc. People either seem to think they're tragically underpowered (I don't, coming from a 3.0 Z4) and others think the engine suits the car really well.
The only slight complexity is a spark plug change due to them being mounted low down due to the flat 4 engine, but it's still an easy enough DIY.
Think of them as a grown up MX5 and you'll not go far wrong with regards to how they feel in terms of power etc. People either seem to think they're tragically underpowered (I don't, coming from a 3.0 Z4) and others think the engine suits the car really well.
Agree on the suspension. Put stickier tires and touch wider rims on mine (still 17s). This would've been OK but I also installed Eibach springs. To me they ruined the sublime ride and composure somewhat. The only thing separating it from perfection would'be been (to me) bit shorter gears via a shorter final drive. Otherwise, a very competent and fun car Yours is also in the fastest color. Enjoy!
Yours is also in the fastest color. Enjoy!It is basically a modern 90's car, which is probably why I like them.
I did own one for a bit and have to admit the engine was a let down when compared to similarly powered vtec engines of 20+ years ago but that is mainly because of emission rules. It is not the power as such, but the lack of drama in the power delivery and the fact the redline isn't high enough.
I would have another though, I guess that says it all.
I did own one for a bit and have to admit the engine was a let down when compared to similarly powered vtec engines of 20+ years ago but that is mainly because of emission rules. It is not the power as such, but the lack of drama in the power delivery and the fact the redline isn't high enough.
I would have another though, I guess that says it all.
chillbill said:
Agree on the suspension. Put stickier tires and touch wider rims on mine (still 17s). This would've been OK but I also installed Eibach springs. To me they ruined the sublime ride and composure somewhat. The only thing separating it from perfection would'be been (to me) bit shorter gears via a shorter final drive. Otherwise, a very competent and fun car Yours is also in the fastest color. Enjoy!
Thanks for all the kind comments everyone. Yours is also in the fastest color. Enjoy!I love red so much! Specifically wanted a red one
It's just a brilliant brilliant car as it is, so I don't think mods are on the cards.
The engine is actually one of my favourite things about it, love revvy cars, and the fact it can cruise at decent mpg, superb all rounder.
My first love
Thats a lovely car OP
I couldnt quite stretch to one so went down the MX5 route, but would have loved one, I also reckon they will be highly desired in the coming years and the depreciation on them will be small.
So many people miss the point of them.
Where do I drive? On the road
What speeds can I do? anything between 20 and 70
Can I carry that speed around the corner? Yes Yes Yes!
Do I need hundreds of horsepower? No
Toyota make very good cars, be sure to show your servicing bill to as many other non Toyota sportscar owners as you can.
I couldnt quite stretch to one so went down the MX5 route, but would have loved one, I also reckon they will be highly desired in the coming years and the depreciation on them will be small.
So many people miss the point of them.
Where do I drive? On the road
What speeds can I do? anything between 20 and 70
Can I carry that speed around the corner? Yes Yes Yes!
Do I need hundreds of horsepower? No
Toyota make very good cars, be sure to show your servicing bill to as many other non Toyota sportscar owners as you can.
bristolracer said:
What speeds can I do? anything between 20 and 70
Can I carry that speed around the corner? Yes Yes Yes!
They actually get better the harder you push (one of the few limiting factors being the stock Michelins). As Chris Harris put it "go for those last couple of nuggets... and it comes alive". This is the video that sold it to me and very aptly describes the car: https://youtu.be/JUhLXvxlQR4?t=111.Can I carry that speed around the corner? Yes Yes Yes!
Never should've sold mine : /
LordGrover said:
Congrats OP, they're great cars.
I'll have another one day - probably fairly soon.
I learnt many a lesson modding it.
I won't be doing that again.
Your thread made for great reading, I was so happy for you when they honoured the engine work on warranty for you I'll have another one day - probably fairly soon.
I learnt many a lesson modding it.
I won't be doing that again.
. My car is one owner, full Toyota history, 67k miles for 11k. I think I've done well, although the media system is the most basic, and no Nav.
The GT86 is a gem, an absolute gem and I almost feel like my Cerbera has a lot to live up to once back otr
. I'm happy to debate anyone on how bloody good the engine is, perfectly suited to the car, and does two jobs by giving back good economy too.
Thanks again everyone, it's reminded me why I love driving again, after a 6 year stint in good but dull 208 commuter cars.
Congratulations OP. 
I love them in Red and it is a car that I was excited about even before it first came out.
Personally I prefer a touch more performance generally, but that still hasn't stopped me lusting after these ever since the beginning. I'm always browsing them in the classifieds.
Enjoy it.
I love them in Red and it is a car that I was excited about even before it first came out.
Personally I prefer a touch more performance generally, but that still hasn't stopped me lusting after these ever since the beginning. I'm always browsing them in the classifieds.
Enjoy it.
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