GR86 GR86 durability/robustness/build quality (etc.)

[Hachi-roku]

I'd love to change the seats in mine. Get a bit lower. I'm also convinced it's not helping with back pain so I'll need to make some tweaks

The seating position isn’t too bad with the stock seats and for factory seats that aren’t compromised for day to day use they’re relatively supportive. My biggest issue with the cabin is the poor range of column adjustment. I can’t get it close enough for my seating position. I can see a boss extension or dished Nardi being another thing on the shopping list.

 

[paulR]

The seating position isn’t too bad with the stock seats and for factory seats that aren’t compromised for day to day use they’re relatively supportive. My biggest issue with the cabin is the poor range of column adjustment. I can’t get it close enough for my seating position. I can see a boss extended or dished Nardi being another thing on the shopping list.

I agree about the lack of steering column reach adjustment. I have the seat all the way back as I’m 6’2 with long legs, but can’t adjust the steering wheel to be close enough. It feels worse as my other car is spot on so I notice the difference more.

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

I'd love to change the seats in mine. Get a bit lower. I'm also convinced it's not helping with back pain so I'll need to make some tweaks

I've found these seats trigger lower back pain on a long drive too.
Every time I get in the Hilux with Recaros I just sit for a moment and enjoy the support. (they aren't racey ones, just OEM ones quite rare!)
I saw these posted, I think these would be ace, more rear legroom too. Don't think they can with heaters though.

As for entering and exiting I favor the "Right hand on sill" approach, and try to miss the seat bolster and kick panels when the feet follow. needs the door to be very open though, I always try to park selectively for better access and fewer door dings, as our paint is a flimsy as our interior.

 

[Chris Mc]

Other thing to do is to put your hand on the sill when getting in/out to support yourself, to avoid scuffing against the bolsters. I use this technique for all of the cars I own, and touch wood none have bolster wear

Fudge that, my back is sh1te

I’m a bit of a ninja midget at 1.65m, slid seat back as you get out for more room, and remember you did that- when you get back in.

 

[KobayashiMaru86]

I've found these seats trigger lower back pain on a long drive too.
Every time I get in the Hilux with Recaros I just sit for a moment and enjoy the support. (they aren't racey ones, just OEM ones quite rare!)
I saw these posted, I think these would be ace, more rear legroom too. Don't think they can with heaters though.

As for entering and exiting I favor the "Right hand on sill" approach, and try to miss the seat bolster and kick panels when the feet follow. needs the door to be very open though, I always try to park selectively for better access and fewer door dings, as our paint is a flimsy as our interior.

They are Recaro Sportster CS's and they did do versions with heaters and the airbags like those ones.

 

[rsh1972]

I think some people miss the point of the GR86, It's meant to be a lightweight, relatively affordable sports car, not a luxury coupe.
If you want high quality plastics, plush carpets and less road noise, buy an Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus coupe.
Remember in Japan, they just strip the interior out and fit racing seats, and take part in autocross.
Those luxury coupes are £40-50k+

 

[GRpirate]

I think some people miss the point of the GR86, It's meant to be a lightweight, relatively affordable sports car, not a luxury coupe.
If you want high quality plastics, plush carpets and less road noise, buy an Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus coupe.
Remember in Japan, they just strip the interior out and fit racing seats, and take part in autocross.
Those luxury coupes are £40-50k+

I agree with. I do wonder if half the people on the forums have bought the wrong car all this striping out the interior and adding sound insulation fitting much bigger wheels etc. would you not be better off starting with 240 BMW or similar

 

[Conscript]

On the flip side, the GR86 being a cheap sports cars means it's accessible fun for those of us who can't afford to run two cars easily and so need to use it daily. Taking the time to make some minor modifications to make the daily commute a little more bearable doesn't mean we don't appreciate the "point" of the car.

 

[kalniel]

On the flip side, the GR86 being a cheap sports cars means it's accessible fun for those of us who can't afford to run two cars easily and so need to use it daily. Taking the time to make some minor modifications to make the daily commute a little more bearable doesn't mean we don't appreciate the "point" of the car.

Agreed - if it was meant to be a pure sports car it'd have a tiny boot, no cruise control, no heated seats etc. There are concessions to comfort in there, but only up to a (budget limited) point. For me, they've nailed it - but I can see the attraction of making it even nicer, whether in performance or comfort.

 

[Silver Fox]

I don't want less road noise, plush carpets or fancy interiors thanks.

I just want my car not to be so easy to chip, scuff, or show marks from very careful use.

Much like my previously owned GT86, MR2, MX-5, 124 Spider...

None of which are particularly renowned for their plushness!

Certainly agree that none of this impacts on the car's wonderful driving dynamics, but a bit more durability wouldn't hurt.

 

[Cubone]

I agree with. I do wonder if half the people on the forums have bought the wrong car all this striping out the interior and adding sound insulation fitting much bigger wheels etc. would you not be better off starting with 240 BMW or similar

People customising their cars? How dare they!

If somebody wanted to give me the extra £15,000 then I might have considered a 240i, but I'll stick with the £50 I spent on sound dampening to make it nicer as a daily.

 

[La3195]

Anybody a solution to the a pillar trim drivers side rattling. The passenger side has the cable for the dashcam behind it which is probably helping

 

[Cubone]

Anybody a solution to the a pillar trim drivers side rattling. The passenger side has the cable for the dashcam behind it which is probably helping

I put some suede vinyl on mine which wraps around the sides and the back, plus some felt tape on the slots for the plastic tethers and that seems to have helped. You could wrap the dashcam cable with some wiring loom tape/felt tape as well to stop that from rattling.

This video has some solutions you could try.

 

[KobayashiMaru86]

Only creak I still have is drivers vent. Need to strip it again as I think I know why.

 

[Conscript]

Only creak I still have is drivers vent. Need to strip it again as I think I know why.

If you find out please let us know - mine also creaks (or at least something in that area does), but only when the car is cold. Goes away once it warms up, but in the meantime it's quite loud and noticeable. Is it easy to disassemble the vent?

 

[KobayashiMaru86]

If you find out please let us know - mine also creaks (or at least something in that area does), but only when the car is cold. Goes away once it warms up, but in the meantime it's quite loud and noticeable. Is it easy to disassemble the vent?

I did take it out once to see and even had one replaced under warranty but it still does it. It's only side panel off and 2 screws I think from memory. It creaks against the dash at the top.

 

[Conscript]

I did take it out once to see and even had one replaced under warranty but it still does it. It's only side panel off and 2 screws I think from memory. It creaks against the dash at the top.

I might take a look if I get some time. I have a roll of felt trim tape in the garage somewhere, I did stick some around the edges of speaker grille thinking that's where it came from, but no joy.

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

I think some people miss the point of the GR86, It's meant to be a lightweight, relatively affordable sports car, not a luxury coupe.
If you want high quality plastics, plush carpets and less road noise, buy an Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus coupe.
Remember in Japan, they just strip the interior out and fit racing seats, and take part in autocross.
Those luxury coupes are £40-50k+

I don't think people are missing the point, you can be lightweight without being borderline shoddy, plenty of ex MX5 and MR2 owners on here (myself included) that didn't have these issues previosly. No sound deadening is fine, likewise I don't expect an amazing stereo, or even a spare wheel.

However its also fair to say I don't expect the floor mats to be heavily worn after 1,200 miles, and plastics that scratch if you sneeze at them, and such fragile paint.

I'd happily swap the expensive swivelling headlights for a step up in paint and plastics quality.

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

If you find out please let us know - mine also creaks (or at least something in that area does), but only when the car is cold. Goes away once it warms up, but in the meantime it's quite loud and noticeable. Is it easy to disassemble the vent?

I have the "somewhere near the vent" creak too, let us know what you find!
I also have the A pillar rattles, glove box rattle, and the passenger seat back rattles if no one is sitting in it.

Oxforshire country roads don't help

 

[Itcaptainslow]

I touch wood don't have any creaks or rattles, but I think not using mine everyday helps. My Up! makes up for it... (as do a couple of 90's era Rovers )