GT86 Impressions.

RedMist · Post by **RedMist** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 7:00 pm

Went to Auckland yesterday for work and decided to rent a paddle shift GT86. I was pissing down so in all honesty I couldn't utilize the car to any serious potential, however I came away from the day thinking that the car is good, not anywhere near as good as it could be, and wouldn't prise my wallet open.
The seats are absolutely brilliant. Leagues ahead of everything I've placed my arse in.
The paddle shift box, and auto mode are hopeless. The manual paddles were a toy and the auto kept on kicking down at unusual moments.
The engine is a surprise for a 2.0 NA. It does have a little more in the top end than you would expect from an NA boxer and midrange is good. This engine is enough for quite a bit of fun.
On the negative the intake and general engine sounds are like someone blowing bubbles into a large diameter PVC pipe. No traditional Boxer thump and no straight 4 scream.
The suspension is another chart topper. The car is planted and predictable, good spring rates with compression and rebound rates that showed off the car well. Toyota have certainly spent some money developing the handling and it shows. I certainly wanted to find a dry track and push some limits.
It's a more predictable, comfortable, Lotus Elise... unfortunately without the mid engine balance, or the acceleration.

1I1 · Post by **1I1** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 7:02 pm

Yeah they are RWD....

rollaholic · Post by **rollaholic** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 7:02 pm

are you sure you had a GT86? they are RWD... and the BRZ is pretty much identical, just with subaru badges.

Grrrrrrr! · Post by **Grrrrrrr!** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 7:04 pm

RedMist wrote:The front wheel drive is an obvious negative. Although it's probably the best front drive I've played with in terms of torque steer, it still pushes at or beyond the limit. It would simply be soo much more fun RWD.

*facepalm*

iOnic · Post by **iOnic** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 7:21 pm

It'll be just as boring in RWD form. You may even mistake it for a FWD.

:lol:

RedMist · Post by **RedMist** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 7:26 pm

Presumed it was FWD as it pushed one or other of the front wheels under acceleration. Never broke the rear loose, in torrential rail.
Honestly felt front wheel drive....
Which means it's considerably more balanced than I even gave it credit. Needs track time. Or at least a road without several inches of rain on it.

RedMist · Post by **RedMist** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 7:27 pm

rollaholic wrote:are you sure you had a GT86? they are RWD... and the BRZ is pretty much identical, just with subaru badges.

BRZ 0-100 appears to be quicker... on paper.

Mr Ree · Post by **Mr Ree** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 7:37 pm

Are the BRZ and 86 given the same shoes from the factory?

That could help explain different 0-100 times

Snoozin · Post by **Snoozin** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 8:38 pm

You're kidding? I took a BRZ shod in standard Bridgestone Ecopias over Scenic Drive on damp roads, and it was pretty evident there was an LSD in the back doing it's thing under acceleration from 2nd and 3rd gear corners...

But you are right for the most part, on turn in I found it pushed the front end slightly and you did have to give it a bit of an aggressive stab to make it feel RWD.

2jayzgte · Post by **2jayzgte** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 7:54 am

Thats disappointing to hear that the 86 has push in the front for me I like my cars pointy throw the car into the corner and drive it on the loud pedal on turn in.

Can't stand understeer try and avoid it when I set cars up like the plague.

DRFTIN · Post by **DRFTIN** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 8:58 am

sounds like every car out of the factory, understeer is safer for idiot drivers
bit of a alignment tweak should get them going better?

Mr Ree · Post by **Mr Ree** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 9:21 am

Exactly ^

Nearly all cars have understeer built into them, as most people can cope with it better than the other option.

Willdat? · Post by **Willdat?** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 12:26 pm

Traction control defaults to on, so that may have removed some of the hairiness...

RedMist · Post by **RedMist** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 1:01 pm

Willdat? wrote:Traction control defaults to on, so that may have removed some of the hairiness...

It was, and considering the inches of standing water in sodden Auckland I wasn't going to screw with the defaults. Tempted to switch it to "snow" but considering there was no way I was going to attempt to find limits in those conditions it would have made no effective difference.

I must now add another to the list of observations. The rear tyres and geometry are absolutely stunning for wet driving. Never a hint of a squirrel and never felt the traction control kick in (I gather it's a very soft cut?)

Considering the push I really want to get a GT86 to a track. I suspect that with a dry road the wash wide would be greatly reduced.

RomanV · Post by **RomanV** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 1:08 pm

As well as driving a manual one perhaps.

Post by **Mr Revhead** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 2:09 pm

So sounds like a brilliant job done by Toyota on something they can sell to the masses for cheap.

sergei · Post by **sergei** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 2:36 pm

Mr Revhead wrote:So sounds like a brilliant job done by Toyota on something they can sell to the masses for cheap.

Subaru you mean

.

just trolling.

BZG Wagon · Post by **BZG Wagon** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:45 am

So where did you rent one from?

Supercharged Mini is the only 'exciting' car I've managed to get upgraded to. And a Dodge Charger in the states (it was terrible - but looked & sounded cool).

blindnz · Post by **blindnz** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 11:08 am

http://www.avis.co.nz/car-rental/content/display.ac?contentId=avis-toyota-gt86-NZ_en-036228

jondee86 · Post by **jondee86** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 4:24 pm

Maybe this will help with the perceived "lack of power" problem
that some people have with the 86/BZR ??

https://www.box.com/s/4msru8cvrx2flwl05t6r

Cheers... jondee86

Toyspeed

GT86 Impressions.

GT86 Impressions.

Re: GT86 Impressions.

Extra bang for extra bucks....