I’m curious now, what was your experience of the manual?
GR86 Car's for sale
- Thread starter Jaytango
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I'm only a recent convert to an Auto gearbox in the last 2 years, having had manuals for 45 years+. With painful Plantar Fasciitis in my left foot I find working a clutch too much effort on long journeys, so being able to just rest it with an Auto is bliss
Two's Company
Dedicated member
Once you’ve had a decent auto you wonder why you would have a manual. The ZF8 being a great one.I'm only a recent convert to an Auto gearbox in the last 2 years, having had manuals for 45 years+. With painful Plantar Fasciitis in my left foot I find working a clutch too much effort on long journeys, so being able to just rest it with an Auto is bliss
Two's Company
Dedicated member
It’s not great. Wooly and notchy.
To be fair, you could apply that to the car as a whole. Objectively a modern auto box/clutch is better than a manual, no doubt. But we don't buy cars solely for objective reasons. If we did, I doubt any of us would have chosen a not particularly fast, comfortable or practical car like a GR86 in the first place.
I've driven decent autos, but I would still choose a manual in a car like this.
I agree it’s the best shift out there, it’s pretty good though I think, but only once warmed up. I thought the MX-5 was much better feeling. The GR would be a close 2nd I think. It does struggle to find the gear sometimes if you’re pushing it hard. At least in my hands
Nick
Totally Hooked
Sorry, but I have to slightly disagree. I’ve owned a a couple of cars with the ZF8, and for an auto it really was impressive, but 10 months into manual GR86 ownership and I’m not regretting it. I completely understand why people buy autos, but for some of us the extra engagement of driving a manual make up for the loss of convenience.
Two's Company
Dedicated member
I agree that manuals can be better than autos in some cars. I’m not saying an auto is better every time. My point is that the manual in the GR isn’t a great gearbox.
I have other auto cars that are great in certain situations and manual cars that suit that use case.
I have other auto cars that are great in certain situations and manual cars that suit that use case.
Silver Fox
Totally Hooked
- May 7, 2022
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Perhaps the GR86 gearboxes feel different on individual cars. I'm very happy with mine, it's one of the best manuals of cars I've owned.
It did feel a touch notchy for the first few hundred miles but has improved markedly.
I'm with @Nick on the engagement factor too. I'd maybe feel different if I was doing 30k miles a year in appalling traffic, but don't cos I'm not!
It did feel a touch notchy for the first few hundred miles but has improved markedly.
I'm with @Nick on the engagement factor too. I'd maybe feel different if I was doing 30k miles a year in appalling traffic, but don't cos I'm not!
Bluemanc100
Totally Hooked
- Jul 4, 2023
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I’d be amazed if they aren’t already sold.. the two I came across were sold months ago
Two's Company
Dedicated member
I hope so. The one on the car I test drove felt great. Had about 1200 miles on that one. And I suspect hadn’t been run in.
Nick
Totally Hooked
Mine has definitely got better over time, I’ve done over 7000 miles in mine now.
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Could not agree more but I will swap out the transmission oil for a better spec, when I do the oil change at 2000 miles. It will help a little bit after 500 miles it's really nice. The demo we tried did not have a 'nice' 1st gear with 2k on the clock - needs the lollipop adjustment!
Bluemanc100
Totally Hooked
- Jul 4, 2023
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One of my first jobs (with the clutch spring).. I've got a lolly stick in the kitchen waiting ;-)Could not agree more but I will swap out the transmission oil for a better spec, when I do the oil change at 2000 miles. It will help a little bit after 500 miles it's really nice. The demo we tried did not have a 'nice' 1st gear with 2k on the clock - needs the lollipop adjustment!
Im intrigued- do you know the detail to this shifter fix?
I’m assuming it’s something to do with slightly adjusting the shift plate at the base of the gearstick?
Bluemanc100
Totally Hooked
- Jul 4, 2023
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This is the video I saw posted... It's just making sure that the gear selector is in the right place... Not a huge job
Thanks. Yeh, suspected it would be this. Fine something similar on my GT86 which helped a little.
Salko_GR
Obsessed member
- Apr 25, 2022
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As others have mentioned, give it a little time for gearbox to loosen up before doing any changes. I am now at over 5K miles, clutch and gearbox have gotten better and better. I added a weighted TRD knob other day which made gear shift even more enjoyable.
Likewise I'm at 5k and it feels better than new, my GT86 was the same.
Can I point out that people are actually allowed to like both manual and auto, its not a crime
you don't have to choose one or the other, If I had a manual and a auto GR86 both would get used.
Can I point out that people are actually allowed to like both manual and auto, its not a crime
you don't have to choose one or the other, If I had a manual and a auto GR86 both would get used.
TheRealMyodo
Devoted member
I feel the same. My NB MX-5 had the best shift I have experiencedI agree it’s the best shift out there, it’s pretty good though I think, but only once warmed up. I thought the MX-5 was much better feeling. The GR would be a close 2nd I think. It does struggle to find the gear sometimes if you’re pushing it hard. At least in my hands
just so beautifully wrist-flicky and snicky 
The GR86 is number 2 on my list. A slightly shorter throw would be better. I like the notchy mechanical feel.
I totally get why some prefer a decent auto box. For me, rowing up and down in a rewarding box is half the fun of driving
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