GR86 Question For Those with Auto Gearboxes

[paulR]

Hi,
I’ve not long joined this site as I’ve only just ordered a GR86 having been on the waiting list.
I‘ve gone for a manual as that’s the recommended driver’s choice, however I’m now considering an auto instead and I’d be interested to hear from those who have an auto.
I broke my left arm at the end of May and whilst it’s still early days I have restricted movement at the moment, I’m not sure if that’s going to be permanent as I’m not as young as I was!
I had a test drive in a manual and I could change gear ok but I’ve read that the clutch can be problematic. I also quite like some of the extras you get with the auto, parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, auto high beam…what else do you get?
Thoughts please!
Thanks, Paul

 

[Ersakus]

I had the auto gt86 for almost 10 years and now luckily to have the auto gr86.
I have some issues with my left foot (nerve impingement) but to be honest with you even if I was perfectly healthy, I’d still choose the auto. It is lovely!
Many more safety features and the biggest addition is the adaptive cruise control that is game changing in 86 world.
We have fun in sport+track mode where the car stays in auto but allows you to clearly see your rpm and gear and amazing fun. The car compared to gt86 is a true pocket rocket. I highly recommend the auto version. It is a calm and civilised cruiser with amenities in style day to day but a naughty boy when you want to push it without breaking speed limits.
Good luck!

 

[paulR]

I had the auto gt86 for almost 10 years and now luckily to have the auto gr86.
I have some issues with my left foot (nerve impingement) but to be honest with you even if I was perfectly healthy, I’d still choose the auto. It is lovely!
Many more safety features and the biggest addition is the adaptive cruise control that is game changing in 86 world.
We have fun in sport+track mode where the car stays in auto but allows you to clearly see your rpm and gear and amazing fun. The car compared to gt86 is a true pocket rocket. I highly recommend the auto version. It is a calm and civilised cruiser with amenities in style day to day but a naughty boy when you want to push it without breaking speed limits.
Good luck!

Thanks for that detailed reply, it sounds tempting I must say! Apart from the adaptive cruise, what other extras over the manual do you find useful? Is the lane departure easy to disable? My other half’s Peugeot 208 has that and it’s awful, but luckily she can permanently disable it via a switch on the dash. What average mpg are you getting?

 

[Ersakus]

Yes you can disable it. It doesn’t bother me. It applies the breaks in emergencies
I have that on as well
You get extra cup holder which is super useful
Auto high beam headlights are also extra and useful
You get (from my understanding) better integration of rear sensors factory fitted, both visually and also in operation. There was discussion about that here. Manuals get them fitted at dealer free of charge
The auto box is from Lexus I believe and it works well. You can put it into manual mode and in that state you don’t lose power to torque converter. This is a very reliable gearbox. It has not skipped a beat and changes consistently. As I said I used it for a decade
Manuals always had second gear issue until full warm up. Not the case with the auto. Works nicely in our heavy Reading traffic.
I test drove the manual and as I said I made the right choice as I live in stop and go traffic area.

 

[Ersakus]

Also manuals has less room for rear passenger. To be able to use the clutch I had to push my seat back a lot hence no space for someone behind me
With the auto I have space for my little ones

 

[paulR]

Yes you can disable it. It doesn’t bother me. It applies the breaks in emergencies
I have that on as well
You get extra cup holder which is super useful
Auto high beam headlights are also extra and useful
You get (from my understanding) better integration of rear sensors factory fitted, both visually and also in operation. There was discussion about that here. Manuals get them fitted at dealer free of charge
The auto box is from Lexus I believe and it works well. You can put it into manual mode and in that state you don’t lose power to torque converter. This is a very reliable gearbox. It has not skipped a beat and changes consistently. As I said I used it for a decade
Manuals always had second gear issue until full warm up. Not the case with the auto. Works nicely in our heavy Reading traffic.
I test drove the manual and as I said I made the right choice as I live in stop and go traffic area.

Great, thanks for that info, the auto high beam is definitely worth having. I think Toyota are now charging to fit the rear parking sensors to manual cars, that’s according to their website.

 

[Ersakus]

Forgot to say 6th gear is longer so 50mpg and above on the motorway is possible for me.
In fact “factory testing” conditions 60mph returns 55mpg for me now in summer
Eyesight can follow traffic consistently so I think due to consistent drafting effect I get crazy good mpg
With the manual cars 6th gear is shorter and you are sitting in higher rpms. Higher fuel consumption after 40mph speeds when 6th can be used

 

[paulR]

Wow that’s impressive fuel consumption, the demo manual car I drove was showing 26!
I don’t do a huge amount of motorway driving so the adaptive cruise may not make as much difference for me.

 

[PaulT]

I owned a manual GT86, Elise and GRMN before my GR86, and I really enjoyed driving them all when I wanted some fun. But for me the auto GR86 beats them for all-round capability. Just as good when you want fun, but massively better when you just want to potter in traffic.