One of the most common questions I've had since my move from the 3.0 GR Supra to the GR86, has been "do you regret it?", and multiple times I've been asked for my opinions on the differences between the two. A message via this forum today asking the same thing, has suggested that perhaps I should formalise my thoughts on the topic. Hopefully this helps those of you who are considering the two cars, or perhaps considering the Supra as a future "upgrade" post GR86 ownership.
So, where to start. Firstly, I think I need to clarify one main point which summarises my overall thoughts quite well. The two cars are VERY different.
The Supra is a sporty GT car. Its design language is quite clearly sports car, but the driving experience certainly toes the line between sports and GT. Think more Jaguar F Type than Porsche Cayman.
Without a shadow of doubt, the standout feature of the Supra is its drivetrain. The engine is mighty, even in stock form. With a mild tune, even more so. With some more serious tuning and 500hp+, it's genuine supercar performance.
Controversially, I actually think it suits the ZF auto gearbox brilliantly. The manual, while clearly the enthusiasts choice, would not be my choice. The engine is not one that lends itself to a manual. There's no real need to row through the gears, when you have an engine that, whether in 3rd or 6th, you get a pretty similar level of performance anyway.
The car is very much at home on an A road, or a motorway. As "sports cars" go, there's not many I've driven (and I've driven hundreds of cars) that compete for a mix of 2 seat practicality, comfort and performance in this scenario.
On a B road, that's where the car ultimately disappoints me, and I think the major reason I never quite fell in love with it. It's certainly fast and capable enough, but the slight disconnect between driver and car is a little frustrating. I find this to be consistent across most post 2010s BMWs, even the M cars, and that's the main disadvantage, for me, of that BMW partnership.
My particular car was adorned with Eibach springs, spacers, grippier tyres and a fairly thorough fast road setup. It was A LOT better than stock, but still ultimately left me a little cold on my favourite stretches of road.
On the contrary, this is where the GR86 is at its very best. A fast, uneven B road is where the car absolutely shines. The lack of mass (compared to rivals, and the Supra) is so obviously present. Turn in, and the wheel remains a method of changing the direction of the vehicle, not becoming a grab handle as you attempt to stop yourself from being thrown from the seat (this is a constant feeling in the Supra on a fast road).
I imagine that, on a standard British B road, the Supra, and even the GR Yaris, would make minced meat of the 86. But as corny and "journalism bingo" as this will sound, the 86 driver will be having the most fun and that's not up for debate.
As a daily driver or long distance commuter, obviously the GR86 is a fraction of the car that the Supra is. It's louder, much slower, harder work, stiffer, worse sound system and tech, just so much worse. Do I care? Not even slightly. For me, if you buy a GR86 and commute using the "fastest" or "most efficient" route on your sat nav, you're missing the point of the car. Set that thing to "avoid all motorways", find some nice scenic routes or back roads, leave an hour earlier and use the car for its intended purpose.
With that being said, one of the standout traits of the GR86 is its refinement. For those of you yet to drive one, but with experience of the previous GT86 and/or GR Supra, for me, it almost perfectly plugs the gap between the two. Nowhere near as dreary or hard work as the GT86, but nowhere near as effortless as the Supra. A perfect compromise of the two.
And on the subject of the GT86, that's where I can most easily draw my conclusion on the GR. As a former GT86 owner myself, the most adequate description of the GR86 is that its, quite simply, a GT86 with every single element of the car improved somewhere between 1% and 50%. Some things are minor, some, like the engine, are enormous improvements. And although the cars are still quite similar, the GR, to me, performs like a car worth 50% more than the GT86, not £3,000 less (allowing for inflation).
So, a conclusion of the comparison then.
As I responded to the message I received earlier today, I cannot possibly suggest a winner. It's 100% down to preference. If you want a car to commute in, a fast, effortless, comfortable and modern car that's also quite fun in the right scenario, the Supra is a no brainer. For me, under £50,000 there's almost nothing else that does so many things so well. It is I think the best compromise of a sports car in that price bracket. If, however, your vehicle needs are a little more specialised: you want a weekend car; track car; or simply you're happy to sacrifice some daily refinement for the sake of weekend/B road fun, then the GR86 is a no brainer. Like the Supra, for under £50,000 I don't think there's a better all round sports car, all things considered, for the money. Sure, Alpine and Porsche offer some fantastic cars, better than the 86 in some circumstances, but at a much higher price point and with caveats (practicality, weird engine choices, reliability etc.).
Quite clearly based on my muttering, I do not regret my decision. The Supra is an awesome car, but the areas where it shines are not highly valuable to me. Although in many ways the Supra is the better car, for me, the GR86 is just so much better suited to my desires. Even if the two cars were the same price, I'd still make the same choice. The fact that the 86 is so much cheaper is little more than a bonus.
Believe it or not, I have tried to limit my output of rambling as much as possible. There are no doubt loads of well thought out and heavily considered opinions and points I've missed. If there are any specific questions comparing the two, I'm happy to answer. Also, if others have anything to add, or you agree/disagree, let's discuss! I'm keen to hear other opinions too!
So, where to start. Firstly, I think I need to clarify one main point which summarises my overall thoughts quite well. The two cars are VERY different.
The Supra is a sporty GT car. Its design language is quite clearly sports car, but the driving experience certainly toes the line between sports and GT. Think more Jaguar F Type than Porsche Cayman.
Without a shadow of doubt, the standout feature of the Supra is its drivetrain. The engine is mighty, even in stock form. With a mild tune, even more so. With some more serious tuning and 500hp+, it's genuine supercar performance.
Controversially, I actually think it suits the ZF auto gearbox brilliantly. The manual, while clearly the enthusiasts choice, would not be my choice. The engine is not one that lends itself to a manual. There's no real need to row through the gears, when you have an engine that, whether in 3rd or 6th, you get a pretty similar level of performance anyway.
The car is very much at home on an A road, or a motorway. As "sports cars" go, there's not many I've driven (and I've driven hundreds of cars) that compete for a mix of 2 seat practicality, comfort and performance in this scenario.
On a B road, that's where the car ultimately disappoints me, and I think the major reason I never quite fell in love with it. It's certainly fast and capable enough, but the slight disconnect between driver and car is a little frustrating. I find this to be consistent across most post 2010s BMWs, even the M cars, and that's the main disadvantage, for me, of that BMW partnership.
My particular car was adorned with Eibach springs, spacers, grippier tyres and a fairly thorough fast road setup. It was A LOT better than stock, but still ultimately left me a little cold on my favourite stretches of road.
On the contrary, this is where the GR86 is at its very best. A fast, uneven B road is where the car absolutely shines. The lack of mass (compared to rivals, and the Supra) is so obviously present. Turn in, and the wheel remains a method of changing the direction of the vehicle, not becoming a grab handle as you attempt to stop yourself from being thrown from the seat (this is a constant feeling in the Supra on a fast road).
I imagine that, on a standard British B road, the Supra, and even the GR Yaris, would make minced meat of the 86. But as corny and "journalism bingo" as this will sound, the 86 driver will be having the most fun and that's not up for debate.
As a daily driver or long distance commuter, obviously the GR86 is a fraction of the car that the Supra is. It's louder, much slower, harder work, stiffer, worse sound system and tech, just so much worse. Do I care? Not even slightly. For me, if you buy a GR86 and commute using the "fastest" or "most efficient" route on your sat nav, you're missing the point of the car. Set that thing to "avoid all motorways", find some nice scenic routes or back roads, leave an hour earlier and use the car for its intended purpose.
With that being said, one of the standout traits of the GR86 is its refinement. For those of you yet to drive one, but with experience of the previous GT86 and/or GR Supra, for me, it almost perfectly plugs the gap between the two. Nowhere near as dreary or hard work as the GT86, but nowhere near as effortless as the Supra. A perfect compromise of the two.
And on the subject of the GT86, that's where I can most easily draw my conclusion on the GR. As a former GT86 owner myself, the most adequate description of the GR86 is that its, quite simply, a GT86 with every single element of the car improved somewhere between 1% and 50%. Some things are minor, some, like the engine, are enormous improvements. And although the cars are still quite similar, the GR, to me, performs like a car worth 50% more than the GT86, not £3,000 less (allowing for inflation).
So, a conclusion of the comparison then.
As I responded to the message I received earlier today, I cannot possibly suggest a winner. It's 100% down to preference. If you want a car to commute in, a fast, effortless, comfortable and modern car that's also quite fun in the right scenario, the Supra is a no brainer. For me, under £50,000 there's almost nothing else that does so many things so well. It is I think the best compromise of a sports car in that price bracket. If, however, your vehicle needs are a little more specialised: you want a weekend car; track car; or simply you're happy to sacrifice some daily refinement for the sake of weekend/B road fun, then the GR86 is a no brainer. Like the Supra, for under £50,000 I don't think there's a better all round sports car, all things considered, for the money. Sure, Alpine and Porsche offer some fantastic cars, better than the 86 in some circumstances, but at a much higher price point and with caveats (practicality, weird engine choices, reliability etc.).
Quite clearly based on my muttering, I do not regret my decision. The Supra is an awesome car, but the areas where it shines are not highly valuable to me. Although in many ways the Supra is the better car, for me, the GR86 is just so much better suited to my desires. Even if the two cars were the same price, I'd still make the same choice. The fact that the 86 is so much cheaper is little more than a bonus.
Believe it or not, I have tried to limit my output of rambling as much as possible. There are no doubt loads of well thought out and heavily considered opinions and points I've missed. If there are any specific questions comparing the two, I'm happy to answer. Also, if others have anything to add, or you agree/disagree, let's discuss! I'm keen to hear other opinions too!
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