AndyRC
Totally Hooked
I’ve done a bit of “lurking“ around the GT86 forums and the vast majority were not particularly interested or excited by the GR86
GR86 Why did you buy a GR86 / what do you hope to experience from owning it?
- Thread starter OPC100
- Start date
BigB
Devoted member
I echo the sentiments of the OP OPC and doogle - regular daily use of a well sorted and drivable car that is not silly-fast is very pleasing. Cayman and Alpine tested, but just too capable to get regular pleasure from on the road I think.
2+2 format also makes it more usable (golf clubs, dog etc) and not just a weekend car.
Design-wise, I love the front (new grille lovely) and the 3/4 views. I'm neutral on the rear. I think the side profile view is poor-ish, mainly the rear end - the flowing haunch lines that you get from the 3/4 views just don't appear from the side and instead you get a hint of rear end 80's celica where the rear wheel is too small and the bootlip looks odd.
Looking forward to doing an Alps trip, also one down to the SW of France, and maybe a NC500.
2+2 format also makes it more usable (golf clubs, dog etc) and not just a weekend car.
Design-wise, I love the front (new grille lovely) and the 3/4 views. I'm neutral on the rear. I think the side profile view is poor-ish, mainly the rear end - the flowing haunch lines that you get from the 3/4 views just don't appear from the side and instead you get a hint of rear end 80's celica where the rear wheel is too small and the bootlip looks odd.
Looking forward to doing an Alps trip, also one down to the SW of France, and maybe a NC500.
Yeah I've found it a bit odd, there seems to be very little appetite or enthusiasm for a car so closely related.I’ve done a bit of “lurking“ around the GT86 forums and the vast majority were not particularly interested or excited by the GR86
The 2 most important aspects for me is Toyotas cliche of a analogue car in a digital age, the other this is a 2/10ths car and a 10/10ths car, by that I mean its going to be rewarding to drive and genuinely feel a bit special whether you are 'on it' or just cruising around town and residential areas at 30mph.
Was kind of the reason I was hesitant about a GRY, no doubt its an insanely good and fun car when on it, but if I'm pootling around town will it feel special or will it feel just feel like a regular 3 cylinder Yaris supermini.
AndyRC
Totally Hooked
I’m seeing the GR86 as potentially our last pure ICE car, the CEO already has a C-HR Hybrid for business. I‘m not against BEV and will probably go that route when the CEO retires as we won’t be doing long trips. I’m looking on the GR86 as a keeper which will do me for all the fun I want and still be practical for breaks away if we want/need it.
I test drove several cars at this price range and nothing felt as special as GT86 and it's successor I hope will exceed it. GRY felt amazing when one give it the beans but other than that I felt it was nothing special both interior and exterior-wise. After GRY test drive I came back to my GT86 (auto) and the immediate feeling I had was a "welcome home". I then question why I was looking for another car! Then Toyota released the GR86, rest is history (to be written yet ;-). I know part of it is sentiment, having had the car for a decade and having had family memories with the GT86. So it is also relative
luddite
Fascinated Member
I think like many other posters, I am relishing something quite light, RWD and small enough to be chuckable.
I've always loved small cars and, for me, the trend towards ever increasing size, weight and power has correspondingly reduced the 'fun' factor.
I much prefer a car that handles well, and that can be 'played' with at sane speeds without risking others or your license.
Currently I'm debating whether to get rid of one of my existing 'fun' cars to make way, but feel I will need some time with all 3 first to decide.
I was asked in the TGB welcome call if I might take the GR86 on a track day, to which I said I hope so.
But that got me thinking (after the call sadly), does anyone know if TGB have any offers on track days / track instruction for GR86 owners?
I'm guessing not, but don't they have some offer for US owners??
I've always loved small cars and, for me, the trend towards ever increasing size, weight and power has correspondingly reduced the 'fun' factor.
I much prefer a car that handles well, and that can be 'played' with at sane speeds without risking others or your license.
Currently I'm debating whether to get rid of one of my existing 'fun' cars to make way, but feel I will need some time with all 3 first to decide.
I was asked in the TGB welcome call if I might take the GR86 on a track day, to which I said I hope so.
But that got me thinking (after the call sadly), does anyone know if TGB have any offers on track days / track instruction for GR86 owners?
I'm guessing not, but don't they have some offer for US owners??
AndyRC
Totally Hooked
US owners get some sort of freebie for track sessions or something, not sure exactly what It is.
Mick
Totally Hooked
Free NASA* (no not that nasa, lol) membership and 1 free track day. They've been doing it for the supra for a couple of years.
* National Auto Sport Association
Ditto re driving slow car fast, and choosing bet base Cayman vs GR86, and the reasons stated why I went for GR86 - unique, worry-free, desirable and therefore hopefully good resale. Great to find like minded ppl here.
For me there was an added advantage of GR86 - I can use it to have fun with both of my young kids at a time
OPC100
Totally Hooked
- Thread starter
- #30
I’ll see if my 4 will fit, but one might have to go in the bootDitto re driving slow car fast, and choosing bet base Cayman vs GR86, and the reasons stated why I went for GR86 - unique, worry-free, desirable and therefore hopefully good resale. Great to find like minded ppl here.
For me there was an added advantage of GR86 - I can use it to have fun with both of my young kids at a time
Like most I wanted something lighter after trying an M2, it was fun but needed to go very quiet to properly enjoy it.
If I go back doing some trackdays then the consumables are more expensive.
I originally looking at the GT86 and there are some nicely modified GT86 around. But much prefer the looks of the gr and my man maths justified the price
If I go back doing some trackdays then the consumables are more expensive.
I originally looking at the GT86 and there are some nicely modified GT86 around. But much prefer the looks of the gr and my man maths justified the price
Electric Blue
Dedicated member
I've got a 350Z which is great, but quite heavy on track and not massively practical. The GR should fix both of those things, although my main concern is losing the lovely sound (and power/torque) of the V6. The main point for the test drive for me will be working out whether I am happy enough with the sound of the GR (either way, I would definitely want to turn off the stupid active sound ASAP).
For me, the draw is that it's manual, RWD, light, looks fantastic to my eyes, seems to fix everything I didn't like about the GT, relatively affordable, surprisingly practical with the seats down, has all the modern equipment I want with (in manual) none of the "tech assist" crap that drives me mad on new cars, is "new old school" -by which I mean it is a driver focused, unpretentious car for purists- and it should hopefully be reliable.
I've got motorbikes for speed and immersion - I'm after something that goes back to the basics of what I love about driving.
I've never bought a new car before and I reckon this could also be the last.
For me, the draw is that it's manual, RWD, light, looks fantastic to my eyes, seems to fix everything I didn't like about the GT, relatively affordable, surprisingly practical with the seats down, has all the modern equipment I want with (in manual) none of the "tech assist" crap that drives me mad on new cars, is "new old school" -by which I mean it is a driver focused, unpretentious car for purists- and it should hopefully be reliable.
I've got motorbikes for speed and immersion - I'm after something that goes back to the basics of what I love about driving.
I've never bought a new car before and I reckon this could also be the last.
Electric Blue
Dedicated member
It would be interesting to see the ages of the demographic buying a GR - I feel like I am significantly younger than most 
AndyRC
Totally Hooked
Feel free to start a PollI've got a 350Z which is great, but quite heavy on track and not massively practical. The GR should fix both of those things, although my main concern is losing the lovely sound (and power/torque) of the V6. The main point for the test drive for me will be working out whether I am happy enough with the sound of the GR (either way, I would definitely want to turn off the stupid active sound ASAP).
For me, the draw is that it's manual, RWD, light, looks fantastic to my eyes, seems to fix everything I didn't like about the GT, relatively affordable, surprisingly practical with the seats down, has all the modern equipment I want with (in manual) none of the "tech assist" crap that drives me mad on new cars, is "new old school" -by which I mean it is a driver focused, unpretentious car for purists- and it should hopefully be reliable.
I've got motorbikes for speed and immersion - I'm after something that goes back to the basics of what I love about driving.
I've never bought a new car before and I reckon this could also be the last.
It would be interesting to see the ages of the demographic buying a GR - I feel like I am significantly younger than most
Seano1878
Totally Hooked
A poll would be cool, also interested to see the average age.It would be interesting to see the ages of the demographic buying a GR - I feel like I am significantly younger than most
Dal3D
Totally Hooked
The lightweight and fun at slow speeds is also what's lured me in.
My other car is a Mk3 Focus RS - and whilst that's as fast and as capable as you'd ever need on any road, if you're going to need to use all the 375PS, you'll be well beyond the legal speed limits and to be honest, far beyond my skill set! Don't get me wrong, it's great fun when "pushing on" but you do feel the weight a bit.
I started a Puma owners club 15 years ago (the classic coupe, not the lard arse SUV thing now) and that has a similar ethos of the lightweight, fun and chuckable character that the new GR86 does albeit FWD not RWD. That's what I want to get back to.
That was due to the flawed torque curve. Power delivery was fixed with the FA24 engine, which is why GR86 has such a widespread appeal, as it resolved the biggest issue the GT86 had.
No complete opposite, folks tended to agree with that sentiment and the fact it was an antidote in a world of high power, high grip, overly refined cars. My expectation of the GR86 is based on having a GT86 for 7 years. It's a car you can exploit on the road at legal, less dangerous speeds, its also engaging to drive a feels special just driving around town. It's compromised yes, but never boring.
The GR86 is just an evolution of the GT86. Aesthetics aside, they've bored the engine out by 400cc and made it stiffer, that's the crux of it, but thats all they had to do tbh.
KobayashiMaru86
Totally Hooked
The 86 feels special, even if going to shops, probably because it's a complete palette cleanser to everything else. Sure it has flaws but is characterful. The FK8 Type-R felt similar in that it felt special even when daily driving but when you drove it hard it was amazing but only suitable for Mexico driving as that's an easy ban here. The GR Yaris I felt it was like a normal Yaris unless you were going Warp 10 and even then it still felt a bit too easy. Some like that though.
Hoping the GR is the same but the GT forces you to drive properly, which is something I've missed. Had a Z4M before and while nowhere near as fast as that, inputs all had to be spot on to get it to work well. My current vRS when not broken is pretty accomplished but far too easy and you can get away with murder. Another reason I want RWD again. Been biking everyday since February and love the engagement and the tactile feel of the whole process. It's something the Golf R crowd will never understand. I don't want easy performance. I want to be the part in the process that makes a difference.
Hoping the GR is the same but the GT forces you to drive properly, which is something I've missed. Had a Z4M before and while nowhere near as fast as that, inputs all had to be spot on to get it to work well. My current vRS when not broken is pretty accomplished but far too easy and you can get away with murder. Another reason I want RWD again. Been biking everyday since February and love the engagement and the tactile feel of the whole process. It's something the Golf R crowd will never understand. I don't want easy performance. I want to be the part in the process that makes a difference.
Don't know mate, haven't driven one
In all seriousness, if there are aspects of the GT86 that you didn't like which haven't been addressed directly in the new car then you may be left underwhelmed. You have an ND2, a very closely related competitor in recipe, the GR86 is no better, just different.
