GR86 Is it a bit of a Widow Maker?

Said it before but it's a car that trains it's driver. Forces you to up your game. Others may mock in cars with more power, but they are normally well protected by safety systems. ESP's in the VAG cars let you get away with murder as seen by drivers in Bradford.
 
Alignment, tyres, road conditions and temperature. Get to know it well and it rewards. Stab at the controls and it can bite. Makes for interesting driving now and then. With my 225 width CC2s on 19,000 miles now, they may not just be as sharp as when new, but the car was like a limpit over that damp cold A708 this morning 😁
 
My GR86 I rejected due to door dents on delivery, but the dealer was certain I would fall in love with it anyhow, so insisted I take it home for the weekend. It was the base model running 17" and Primacy eco tyres. That is a true window maker. In the 40 km I had it the back stepped out under completely normal driving three times! Once I could not follow an ancient Toyota Aygo round a simple left turn.

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World of difference to current BRZ with same 18" setup you all got as standard in UK.
 
I agree with the sentiment, its no TVR but you can't chuck it around carefree in winter, well with PS4s anyway, I think that's the issue, those who have switched to winters or allseasons would be in a better position to say how it is on better suited rubber during winter.

Just yesterday I see a young lad in a Golf R absolutely pin it around some roads near me at 8am, foot to the floor around bends, farting as the auto box upshifts, pure point and shoot. The road surface must have still been around freezing, whilst it appears he was rushing to the scene of his own accident, it took it all in its stride, couldn't do that in an 86, you'd be in a ditch.
 
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I think one of the things that makes the rear so loose is that the LSD seems quite aggressive in locking up.

Pulling out of corners on dry roads with a reasonably small amount of throttle has the inside wheel over-rotating.

It’s a torque sensing diff, so on a wet roundabout, just applying small throttle opening locks the diff which can push the rear out.

Anyone know the tech specs of the diff that’s fitted?
 
Vimes said:
I think one of the things that makes the rear so loose is that the LSD seems quite aggressive in locking up.

Pulling out of corners on dry roads with a reasonably small amount of throttle has the inside wheel over-rotating.

It’s a torque sensing diff, so on a wet roundabout, just applying small throttle opening locks the diff which can push the rear out.

Anyone know the tech specs of the diff that’s fitted?
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Hmm, that's got me thinking about it.
Yes, the diff locking at low speed is likely to cause both wheels to spin and slide. At low speed it is usually controllable, the car is set up to drift.

What would happen at higher speeds if the same happened? Is the breakaway less predictable?
The speed will make it harder to catch and correct. Wet conditions will again make it more likely to slide and harder to correct.

I've had the back end step out a few times, usually on hairpin bends, roundabouts and junctions at less than 40mph and survived.
I've not had it happen at 60mph mid corner, and don't relish the thought of finding out.:rolleyes:
 
Road_trip said:
Hmm, that's got me thinking about it.
Yes, the diff locking at low speed is likely to cause both wheels to spin and slide. At low speed it is usually controllable, the car is set up to drift.

What would happen at higher speeds if the same happened? Is the breakaway less predictable?
The speed will make it harder to catch and correct. Wet conditions will again make it more likely to slide and harder to correct.

I've had the back end step out a few times, usually on hairpin bends, roundabouts and junctions at less than 40mph and survived.
I've not had it happen at 60mph mid corner, and don't relish the thought of finding out.:rolleyes:
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With respect it comes down to the level of experience you have with an honest rwd car. This is not a 380/400 hp GT4 but it will bite just the same and as hard if not more so. I know as owned and driven both in the way they are designed for.
The GR will bite or kiss you on the neck depending how you drive it in the conditions you find yourself in, it would certainly be an awaking for anyone who has driven only AWD or FWD to date before the GR. Actual it will give some RWD owners a reminder/lesson.
If you have any concerns, suggest some advanced driving or track time to help get to know the GR.
 
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Gibbo78 said:
With respect it comes down to the level of experience you have with an honest rwd car. This is not a 380/400 hp GT4 but it will bite just the same and as hard if not more so. I know as owned and driven both in the way they are designed for.
The GR will bite or kiss you on the neck depending how you drive it in the conditions you find yourself in, it would certainly be an awaking for anyone who has driven only AWD or FWD to date before the GR. Actual it will give some RWD owners a reminder/lesson.
If you have any concerns, suggest some advanced driving or track time to help get to know the GR.
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Absolutely agree with this. There are environments where folks can explore the limits (with stability control off).

For most people on the road, it's rarely going to get out of shape with all the controls on so I wouldn't worry about it. A little wiggle is generally the most you'll get. Enough to flip the stomach for some which is fair enough.

I must admit, I prefer a car that has an edge and deserves respect such as this, makes for a much more satisfying driving experience.
 
I find faster is easier, just the repercussions of getting it wrong are much higher. It's not so much the diff but the inertia. I think you are more likely to spin out at low speed, it's much easier to over cook it if the car isn't carrying much forward momentum, striking the balance between side ways and forwards is more challenging.
 
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Road_trip said:
Hmm, that's got me thinking about it.
Yes, the diff locking at low speed is likely to cause both wheels to spin and slide. At low speed it is usually controllable, the car is set up to drift.

What would happen at higher speeds if the same happened? Is the breakaway less predictable?
The speed will make it harder to catch and correct. Wet conditions will again make it more likely to slide and harder to correct.

I've had the back end step out a few times, usually on hairpin bends, roundabouts and junctions at less than 40mph and survived.
I've not had it happen at 60mph mid corner, and don't relish the thought of finding out.:rolleyes:
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You won't have nearly the steering angle at 60mph.. unless you're on a track. Also by dint of being in a higher gear there's less torque at the wheels, so traction loss is less likely. I've had diff-related wiggles up to about 40mph which was enough to catch your attention.

I did a rally driving course in a GT86 in mud, snow and ice - the diff actually helps it be more predictable in ultra-slippy conditions, but you're right, it's real road conditions that you need to be mindful of.
 
Was passenger with my partner driving, was 4 degrees, wet road and summer tyres. She forgot which car she was driving (other one is a VAG FWD diesel) and applied full power in 2nd with some steering input at 20mph. She’s had her lesson now!
 
My first car was a 1973 Triumph GT6 a few decades ago - less than half the power but twice as likely (at least) to put you in a hedge or a pirouette.

My second was a Mini and I was invincible.

We’ve all been spoiled for a while I think.
 
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