GR86 Having a bit of an ownership wobble - talk some sense into me perhaps?

Well, reflecting back on my original post I thought I'd add an update.

I've spent the last few days on the east coast and have had the opportunity to do 400 miles or so on some very quiet roads. This has helped to remind me why I bought the car in the first place.

I had some excellent drives and reconnected with the car. I was not bothered or irritated by other road users. Ms Fox was not critical of any spirited driving.

The car is now absolutely filthy and I've managed to join the growing number of the 'kerbed one of the wheels' crew, but I do not mind.

Ownership wobble well and truly over, for now at least.

If I start wittering on about selling again, I invite you to slap some sense into me at Japfest. Make Japfest into Slapfest, if you will.
 
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Conscript said:
To be fair though, Toyota's servicing cost is extortionate in the first place.
Abbey Motorsport charged me £220 inc. VAT - expensive, but still £95 cheaper than Toyota. And they also gave me a loan car with no hassle - always costs me extra from Toyota, and usually adds a delay to the booking. Oh, and they had an oil filter :p

They would have to raise their prices hugely in order to no longer be competitive, even accounting for the inclusion of the MOT - and that would only come into the equation after 3 years anyway.

I may return to Toyota after 3 years to maintain the 10 year warranty, but I'm going to do so with gritted teeth. Ever visit to the dealer has been a poor experience so far, and I baulk at being charged a fixed price which has obviously been set with the requirements of the 3-litre 6-cyclinder Supra in mind. Imagine how Yaris owners must feel!
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The power of choice.
 
Silver Fox said:
Well, reflecting back on my original post I thought I'd add an update.

I've spent the last few days on the east coast and have had the opportunity to do 400 miles or so on some very quiet roads. This has helped to remind me why I bought the car in the first place.

I had some excellent drives and reconnected with the car. I was not bothered or irritated by other road users. Ms Fox was not critical of any spirited driving.

The car is now absolutely filthy and I've managed to join the growing number of the 'kerbed one of the wheels' crew, but I do not mind.

Ownership wobble well and truly over, for now at least.

If I start wittering on about selling again, I invite you to slap some sense into me at Japfest. Make Japfest into Slapfest, if you will.
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The Christmas port has started to wear off, normal service resumed 😁
 
Triggaaar said:
The Elise is twice the price, and the Caterham (good fun) is barely a car. Both good choices, but not really comparable. My brother had an early Elise which I borrowed. The price now is a bit much though. If you can afford one, plus another car, I think that's a pretty nice alternative to the GR, but we're talking whole other levels of money.
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I've had 2 Caterhams and sold my 190 BHP Roadsport along with my Mk3 Mx5 sport to fund the GR86. I'm sure come the sunshine I will miss not having a convertible but time will tell. Caterham are great but with the state of our roads these days they can sometimes do their best try and put you in a ditch!
On a hot day with the heat from the engine and box, you fry and on cooler days you freeze (I never had heaters). My wife only went in them a handleful of times (She really didnt like them especially getting in and out) and then I always drove like a Vicar!
Great for tinkering and track but even as a weekend toy they ended up staying in the garage most of the time.
The Mx5 was brilliant and huge fun even at sensible speeds.
With Christmas and the weather I haven't driven the 86 yet apart from collecting from the dealer so I can't compare with the Caterham but one reviewer did compare it to a Caterham with a roof!
 
Smutly said:
I've had 2 Caterhams and sold my 190 BHP Roadsport along with my Mk3 Mx5 sport to fund the GR86. I'm sure come the sunshine I will miss not having a convertible but time will tell. Caterham are great but with the state of our roads these days they can sometimes do their best try and put you in a ditch!
On a hot day with the heat from the engine and box, you fry and on cooler days you freeze (I never had heaters). My wife only went in them a handleful of times (She really didnt like them especially getting in and out) and then I always drove like a Vicar!
Great for tinkering and track but even as a weekend toy they ended up staying in the garage most of the time.
The Mx5 was brilliant and huge fun even at sensible speeds.
With Christmas and the weather I haven't driven the 86 yet apart from collecting from the dealer so I can't compare with the Caterham but one reviewer did compare it to a Caterham with a roof!
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Funny you should say that, I've compared it to an MX-5 with back seats and a roof. It's mechanical, a bit noisy, the back end skips around.
 
Silver Fox said:
The move into a new year often initiates and encourages reflection.

I've come to the end of a full year with my GR86 and I'm pondering whether I'll see another full year with it.

This isn't a reflection on the car which is of course generally excellent (but we all know that).

The following concerns are generally personal to me and my own situation, and are all fairly minor in isolation. When combined, they have prompted consideration of what to do next.

Factors

Lack of use: My car has done less than 3k miles in 12 months. A recent job change means I'll be using it even less, as I'll be working from home and getting the train for office and site visits. Seems daft having such a relatively high value car sat around doing nothing for most of the time.

Capability: The GR86 is so accomplished it is very tempting and easy to explore the capabilities which can result in driving at let's say higher speeds. I sometimes miss how the GT86 was, in that the driver needed to work much harder (which was more rewarding) with resulting lower velocities. Is the GR86 just too 'good'? Do I really want something slower, and, well, objectively a bit more crap?

Me: Linked to the point above, I have found myself enjoying the car in a manner which has at times edged towards lightly-nobbish driving (when there's no one else about). This is not commensurate with the UK's modern road, traffic and enforcement context, and has already resulted in some domestic strife and an imminent speed awareness course. Often i find I want to or should just waft about. The GR86 isn't really a waft about kind of car.

Other people: I'm getting tailgated and raced and cut up a fair bit in this car, often by SUVs and other jacked up stuff. This doesn't happen when driving our other car. It's tiresome.

Toyota: I'm a bit irritated with how challenging it has been to for example arrange a service. The whole missing equipment list thing does rankle. The "gone in 90 minutes" thing was ridiculous. I miss the personalised, high quality customer service I had recently with Italian brands.

Money: If I had a cheaper car the money could be used for other things.

Alternative: Get something older, less capable, slower, and interesting for a third to a half of the GR86's value and find a good independent specialist to look after it.

Thanks for reading. Thoughts as always welcome. It's been useful to type all that out even if no one reads it! Might just keep the car anyway.
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Just into a New Year it's easy to fall into the Why Do I? What if? I should conversation. Totally normal. And perhaps you even have several valid reasons having read your post.

BUT

Cars for us enthusiasts are emotional not rational. Sleep on it and definitely don't do anything rash. See how you feel when we get into better weather and more daylight and the year is in full swing. Odds on your outlook will be different.

Just my two cents. The GR is awesome. Personally I wouldn't get rid of it unless financially I just couldn't keep it. Which thankfully and gratefully for me is not a worry.

Let's organise some Member events and remind ourselves Why we own these fabulous cars 😎

Every weekend I go out with my Crew. I love it. Fun fun fun. Limitless smiles per gallon 💯🥰
 
Silver Fox!!! Haven't been on here for a few months..... most surprised to hear you're having a 'wobble '.... hope its temporary !!

Picked mine up last day of June '23 and I have to say that the 'bond' between me and the car is still getting stronger by the day!!

Best thing I have ever driven and I have had many cars over the years. The 86 is a car that wraps up everything that was good with all of them....love it. Oh! and that little bit of magic that sticks it all together...quirks and all!! 😆

Yes, she's called Betty Boop....(long story!) 😆

I really hope the magic still works for you!!
Take care and enjoy 👍

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RedHotPasty said:
Silver Fox!!! Haven't been on here for a few months..... most surprised to hear you're having a 'wobble '.... hope its temporary !!

Picked mine up last day of June '23 and I have to say that the 'bond' between me and the car is still getting stronger by the day!!

Best thing I have ever driven and I have had many cars over the years. The 86 is a car that wraps up everything that was good with all of them....love it. Oh! and that little bit of magic that sticks it all together...quirks and all!! 😆

Yes, she's called Betty Boop....(long story!) 😆

I really hope the magic still works for you!!
Take care and enjoy 👍
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Thanks @RedHotPasty , I've since seen the error of my wobble and have committed myself to making more of an effort to enjoy the car. Wobble caused by a combination of crappy weather/winter blues/post Christmas slump/absinthe-induced delirium I think!

I took the car away to Norfolk kast week and re-bonded.

I watched this video today lunchtime and marvelled at my own idiocy for even considering moving on. Glad you are enjoying your car!
 
Silver Fox said:
Thanks @RedHotPasty , I've since seen the error of my wobble and have committed myself to making more of an effort to enjoy the car. Wobble caused by a combination of crappy weather/winter blues/post Christmas slump/absinthe-induced delirium I think!

I took the car away to Norfolk kast week and re-bonded.

I watched this video today lunchtime and marvelled at my own idiocy for even considering moving on. Glad you are enjoying your car!
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The absinthe can do that, I remember it being a cool drink in a bar in Aberdeen around 1999/2000. I've never had such bad hangovers in my life. Never removed an ear though!! 😁👍 It's an amazing vehicle, I love it and cannot wait to use it heavily for trips and giggles this year. Snow forecast next week here, I'll be having some sideways fun on quiet country roads with those CC2s 😅
 
I'll be heading to Bangor (North Wales) for a work thing in a couple of weeks. Oh no what a shame, the train isn't really an option with a five-hour/three changes journey. Damn I'll have to do the 170-odd mile journey by car, driving through North Wales and close to that pesky EVO triangle. I suppose I'll have to claim for my mileage too. *Sigh*
 
The memory of my Absinthe fuelled all-night-Medal-of-Honour gaming days sends shivers down my spine... Mixed with Black Vodka and 3/4 pint of energy drink I once woke up at 4am naked under my gaming chair, getting spawn killed for being AFK. :sleep:
 
Silver Fox said:
I'll be heading to Bangor (North Wales) for a work thing in a couple of weeks. Oh no what a shame, the train isn't really an option with a five-hour/three changes journey. Damn I'll have to do the 170-odd mile journey by car, driving through North Wales and close to that pesky EVO triangle. I suppose I'll have to claim for my mileage too. *Sigh*
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Watch those speed cameras
 
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