GT86/BRZ discussion

[Disturbedguy]

I'm hoping to buy a new car next year, so spending this year looking at car choices.

The GT86 (or its Subaru equivalent) are on my list of potential cars.

I was wondering what peoples honest opinions are on these, both the good and the bad?

[Lowe]

OK - quick post just to say I've taken this out of the Showroom thread to start a discussion, especially since there's a few owners in here.

I'll post my thoughts in due course too...

[Lowe]

So yeah...

I've had mine for a couple of weeks now, and done about 500 miles or so. Gotta say, I'm really enjoying it, but it's a different drive to what I'm used to (small hatches). The power delivery isn't so much lacking, it's just you have to work the car hard to get the best from it. Low down the revs there's enough to potter about and at the top end it's great. But, there's a slightly unusual dip in the power band that can be frustrating, somewhere around 4-5k RPM nothing happens other than it gets a bit louder. No joke, you put your foot down and err... you kinda sit there waiting for something to happen. It is possible to sort it by means of a manifold/exhaust/remap but obviously that's considerable expense. You soon learn to change down one more gear than you otherwise might, and then things get moving...

Quick list of pros and cons

Pros:

Looks great, turns heads on the petrol forecourt
Very agile chassis
Great steering
Millions of tuning/aftermarket bits
RWD
Relatively cheap
Great online community

Cons:

Can be juicy unless you drive like a saint
2nd gear is a NIGHTMARE to select when the car is cold
Stereo is ok at best, needs a fair bit of EQ to balance up the horrid midrange
Millions of tuning/aftermarket bits (you'll want them all haha!)
Rear seats are a joke
Boot is big but the opening isn't

So in short you buy it because you love to drive, not because it's practical. Exactly what you'd expect from an entry level lightweight sports car.

[Butcher]

Lowe has covered the basics there well.

I've had mine for 14 months now, covered nearly 25,000 miles. The mileage alone is an indicator of how much I like it, given my commute is around 15 miles each way (so maybe 7k a year). I've also taken it on several track days, which are a total hoot even with an unmodified car.
I have fitted a manifold, exhaust, remap, air filter, new suspension and wheels and so don't have the "torque dip" that Lowe mentioned. It definitely helps driveability of the car. Replacing the standard tyres is also a good idea unless you like sliding around.

The 2nd gear thing is not all cars (mine is fine) and if it's particularly bad you should be able to get the dealer to look at it under warranty. A gearbox oil change can help I believe.

Practicality is definitely less than a hatchback, but you can fit surprising things in them. I managed a stack of 8 foot 2x4s in mine last week for instance.

Edit: Obligatory shiny car pic.

[Zak33]

Lowe..the second gear thing... i think it's the syncro's on that box... cant remember what but I'm sure its a cold oil thing

[Zak33]

triple cone syncro... that's it

so long as it's not making a nasty noise.. so long as it's just baulking you I think it's ok.
as it gets warmer it improves, and though Lowe doesn't need telling, it's worth everyone remembering that gearbox oil takes a LOT longer to warm up that engine oil every day

[Lowe]

Yeah going first to second is normally ok, but third to second just doesn't happen. Will keep an eye on it.

[Lowe]

Oh and Butcher - eurgh a Ginger!

#teamgrey

[Butcher]

Oh and Butcher - eurgh a Ginger!

#teamgrey

So wrong. #ginger4life

Lowe, I see you're on the driver's club forums too, maybe we'll bump into each other.

[Disturbedguy]

Thanks for the replies so far all
It's definitely on my list and these replies only further cement it.

I had a look at modding options and such and found a fair few, even a Supercharger conversion

When ive got a few more pennies, I think ill go and test drive one and see what I think

[Butcher]

Thanks for the replies so far all
It's definitely on my list and these replies only further cement it.

I had a look at modding options and such and found a fair few, even a Supercharger conversion

When ive got a few more pennies, I think ill go and test drive one and see what I think

Several supercharger options, and several turbo options. There's a few engine swaps out there too...

[kalniel]

What do insurers/resale values think of such mods? I've always been tempted but never dared on 'sensible' cars, though I guess if a car is sold as a drivers car like this one it might be a bit more tolerated?

[Zak33]

anyone got a GT AE86?

MANS car..not this hair dresser Sub/Toyota modern thing.....

one of these?

[EndlessWaves]

Oh and Butcher - eurgh a Ginger!

#teamgrey

Nah, it's far to fussy and vague a design to work well in muted colours. It's no XJ or CLS to look stately in silver, it just looks nondescript.

The bright yellow ones are the best looking models so far for me.

[Butcher]

What do insurers/resale values think of such mods? I've always been tempted but never dared on 'sensible' cars, though I guess if a car is sold as a drivers car like this one it might be a bit more tolerated?

My mods add about 10% to my policy cost.
Forced induction is a different matter and can add a significant premium. There are various specialist insurers who can cover FI at reasonable rates; most of the usual lot will either refuse to quote or quote astronomical figures (I saw £10k for insurance with a supercharger).

anyone got a GT AE86?

MANS car..not this hair dresser Sub/Toyota modern thing.....

one of these?

I have a friend with a mint JDM AE86 Trueno Sprinter. It's really nice.

[Zak33]

I have a friend with a mint JDM AE86 Trueno Sprinter. It's really nice.

yes they are a true piece of history. More so than the Mk 1 MR2 or even the CRX VTEC's