Right been looking for a fun smaller car for the wife. I have a kia 4X4 which has been great so was looking at the pro Cee'd GT. Turbo mild hot hatch etc.... 4 seats, room for me and kids and a little more fun than a oil burning Civic or Ford Focus 1.6 petrol. Then looking out for a new car for my gran and took her to Toyota and already a huge fan of the old Toyota AE86 and heard many good things about the GT86 that for similar money I can get one. RWD, 200BHP good looks good warranty and a huge step up from the kia in terms of A petrolheads pleasure. So anyone have a GT86? test rode one? know anyone with one. Just hoping for a few good things to convince the wife she needs one if she gets one we won't have a a FWD car in the household YEAAAAAA ( well if I keep the 4 wheel drive button on mine locked)
I had an RX8 for a couple of years which is in the same mould and test drove one of these when they came out. Both of them are great fun and only severely tail happy (unless you want it to be) in the wet. Saying that, the traction control is pretty good at correcting you too. Small car, Lots of fun, Big power...... Merc A45 AMG!! Even just for a test drive, Awesome!!
I was so close to buying one or a Porsche before I decided on the SP for the time being. Think it worked out well.
A mate let me have a blast in his last night and it was more than I expected, launch control is great but not sure how long the clutch would last, really surprised at the traction control (really does look after you) but it is much better with it turned off obviously!! The car its self is a nice smooth drive and can be driven quite easily around town and even better out of town. Do bear in mind it is really a 2+2 though! Same he's just sold it!!
Went for a test ride the other day, but the sales man couldnt be found ??!! so it never happened (strangest dealership ive ever been in ) i have heard that they handle very well, and whats not to like about a rear wheel drive car ? The only thing thats putting me off is thats it got the boxer engine from the subaru ( i know everyone thinks these engines are good, but ive seen so many suffer from piston slap and they burn oil when they get older, it may well be that its suffers this in the more powerful STi form but the engine isnt as reliable as everyone makes out ). its still on my list thou because i wont be keeping the car long and it will still have a manufacturers warranty. The nissan 370z is on the same list, which i believe pounds per performance is a good deal, going for a test drive on friday On another note i hope your kids are young ? coz there aint much room for anyone with legs in the back !!!!
Subaru do there own version of the gt86 too, but can't remember what they call it, I would consider the Subaru one for one reason it's the same car from the same factory with a different badge BUT they are only making a limited number so may hold its value as rare! Just a thought
The GT86 is a nice little motor, as regards engine issues with them, there won't be any. The boxer engine in the 86 is far removed from the one in the Impreza, and is only putting out 200 BHP. As regards the "piston slap" and burning oil scenarios, I have had 6 Imprezas, none have ever burnt oil (3 have done over 100,000), true the STI version can have a bit of piston slap, but the insides in the STI engine have forged pistons, which do run a slightly larger clearance in the bores, mine does slap in winter, but not in spring and summer. Most of the problems you speak of are caused by idiots who think they are a tuning god, and so turn a decent car into a money pit. The issues with engines going bang, are usually the 2.5 version, and usually when someone has been playing again. I have had 2 2.5 Imprezas, but have always come back to a 2.0, none of which have had less then 350 BHP, none of which have ever burnt oil. The GT86 is a nice car, for me though, not enough under the bonnet, the Subaru version is the BRZ. If I am not mistaken both cars come out about £27k with the toys in them, a lot of cash for what you get, however you do get Toyota reliability, my missus has had goodness knows how many Toyotas, other than servicing costs, never needed to spend a dime I didn't have to, great cars.
Martin your on about the BRZ, as for power I would be more than happy with 200BHP as would the wife and it beats buying a early new run of the mill car. As i'm lookin at nearly new a AMG is out of the price range. and good to see there are more positives on here. I have only heard good things about them. I've had a Forester turbo and never had a issue with it and great fun if not too much grip.
The GT86 is a decent motor, not many cars in that sector to choose from so it has its own run really along with the BRZ. Just a word of warning...£27K car with a £27 interior, its a hark back to the worst of Jap interior design, some very nasty cheap plastics in there, I guess that's why most people go and buy a TT or RCZ instead.
Agree with Cliff on this one. My Brother in Law is obsessed with the GT86 and I personally can't see why? Don't get me wrong even the TRD edition is a sexy looking car but it's so over priced for what it actually is which in reality is no better than a Hyundai coupe. If you have 27k knocking around I would recommend a Focus RS 300+ bhp straight out of the box and with some careful tuning and say 2k on Mods you can easily put out closer to 500BHP. Of course if I had 27k to spend on a fun car I would probably go for an R34 GTR Skyline but that's just me.
never knew you can still get newly new RS Focus in warranty? I'm not looking for a car I can get the most out of BHP wise. Just a second family run around for the wife. which is better than a run of the mill car If I want to annoy bikers and fast car drivers I just take out the kit car. Or the bike
Haha fairpoint apologies didn't realize that was the plan. The downside to the RS is the tax band which is where the GT86 has it firmly beaten. I would go for the TRD edition it's a lot more sexy and will deffo hold it's value. Also the brother in law said that it was the best handling car he's ever driven he had to test drive the auto version though but would imagine the manual would be just the same if not a little more exciting.
Thay are an absolute hoot to drive.as for the interior if you drive it they way its meant to be drove you will spend hours looking out the side window.
I looked at these but bought the wife a E350 coupe plenty of grunt and once the Toyota runs out of puff the merc will keep pulling although the Toyota was like a go kart and great fun to drive but very basic inside went for class over fun old mans sports car
