GR86 Straightforward poll: Your GR86, and your pre-existing expectations thereof

[Silver Fox]

For those of us fortunate enough to have taken delivery of our long-awaited GR86s, I'm interested to collate your thoughts on expectation vs. reality.

To that end, a nice straightforward poll follows.

It would be nice to explore your rationale for your response too.

For me, the GR86 has absolutely exceeded my expectations. I expected it to be a little bit better than my old (standard) GT86 across a range of key areas, and I would have been very happy indeed with this (cos I loved my GT86). However, I was not prepared for how much better the new car is: Power, torque, engine flexibility, refinement, seats, cabin, steering, grip, looks, seats; everything except the ability to hang up one's suit jacket.

For context I've had the car for two and a half weeks and done just over 500 miles, including some long journeys over the festive period.

I'd love to hear your thoughts, and those collecting over the coming days/weeks feel free to update when ready!

 

[Conscript]

Interesting thread. But for now, I'm going to hold off voting. Still breaking the car in, and I'm in that honeymoon period, so of course everything's totes amazeballs as the kids say. I'll come back in a few weeks once I've been able to go over 4K RPM

 

[mutix]

I'll come back in a few weeks once I've been able to go over 4K RPM

That's when the honeymoon period starts.

 

[Silver Fox]

That's when the honeymoon period starts.

So the breaking in period is like the wedding night - take it slowly and carefully so you don't damage anything?

 

[ZN8]

It's what I expected but I did have high expectations in the first place. It is great, really is, however I still drive my GT86 and to be honest there are some attributes I prefer on my old car.

 

[RDMsport]

In terms of the driving experience it has exceeded my expectations, its just so capable and effortless. I am struggling with the road noise on longer journeys. Its possible I just have a bad tyre or something weird going on but the howling noise on rough concrete above 40mph is annoying as it's not consistent. I'll have to add some sound deadening before the 3000 mile road trip that is currently planned for July.

 

[OPC100]

It aligns with my expectations, but like ZN8 says, my expectations were also high. But my gut feel tells me that after running it in, getting used to it and experiencing it on more roads and different weather conditions, it could exceed my expectations. So far, what a lovely car.

 

[WpR]

Love it more and more. Especially with the exhaust fitted, now it sounds as it looks and drives.
In the past I couldn't forgive any car I owned of its small quirks, the GR I forgive everything. Don't care about the tougher ride or interior quality or the fact that it isn't that fast, it's simply the most fun car I've ever owned (only 1 car I'd rather own (GT4), and I've driven some exotics as well).

 

[LukeC22]

In the 20 miles that I’ve driven, I love it!
Obviously I’ll hold off the voting until I’ve done more driving but so far everything just seems right.

One thing I have noticed is the amount of sound that comes through the floor, rubble and debris from the road really seem to bang and echo through the floor like I’ve never heard before. MyX-5 had basically no soundproofing but this is next level.

 

[WpR]

In the 20 miles that I’ve driven, I love it!
Obviously I’ll hold off the voting until I’ve done more driving but so far everything just seems right.

One thing I have noticed is the amount of sound that comes through the floor, rubble and debris from the road really seem to bang and echo through the floor like I’ve never heard before. MyX-5 had basically no soundproofing but this is next level.

The first week I shivered each time I drove on a road with small stones lying around, making ticking noises in the wheel wells. Only 1 other car I drove made similarly pronounced sounds and that was a borrowed Porsche GT car. I don't mind but it does sound like your car is being targeted by 5 kids with BB guns

 

[FRAJ]

I am up to 1200 miles now, and had 6 years in a GT86 beforehand. Overall, it is what I expected, so I like it.
Obvious improvements that I'm enjoying are better ride and damping over every surface, less rattle, easy revving, more torque lower down, good seats, radio etc. It also keeps the acronyms that made the GT86 great: RWD, NA, LSD
I feel there is generally more grip in the wet (it has only been wet), but it loses and gains traction in a slightly more snappy way. Could that just be tyres?
Traction control is a bit more intrusive (holds the power back for longer), no bad thing in the wet, but lets see once we have a dry day.
The thing I miss the most is the noise. The GT86 did not make a great sound, but at least you could hear what was going on and felt engaged. The GR86 is really quiet at low revs and then artificial higher up which is not working for me. I get that the GR86 has to be more refined, and no one wants a droning car on the motorway.

 

[PVGR]

In the 20 miles that I’ve driven, I love it!
Obviously I’ll hold off the voting until I’ve done more driving but so far everything just seems right.

One thing I have noticed is the amount of sound that comes through the floor, rubble and debris from the road really seem to bang and echo through the floor like I’ve never heard before. MyX-5 had basically no soundproofing but this is next level.

I've noticed that alot as well, surprisingly noisy and concerning as I've never even noted it in other cars.

Do you know where specifically it comes from? I've been concerned it's down the side of the car but maybe it's underneath?

Bit worried I'm pebble dashing my new car

 

[OPC100]

A couple of observations from today. The main one being that I was hoping for a car that could act as a sportscar and a junior GT car and I really think the GR86 is just that.

It feels very responsive to your inputs and is such a joy to drive, so a big tick for being a sportscar. And more to come after the 1000 mile mark, I'm sure.

And for me, it has a brilliant driving position, very comfortable seats (6 hours sat in them today), is refined enough, has enough boot space, good place for my drinks and phone (see below), so a big tick for being a GT car that I can pound on the miles in.

This works brilliantly for me, I must have a decent 'reach'.
1. Phone in the central arm rest and plugged in for Android auto. The arm rest closed and used as an arm rest. This is a crap place to put drinks, but is comfortable for my arm.
2. I have a trigger action hot drinks cup that I keep next to me in the drivers side door bottle storage that is close to hand and filled with strong coffee for staying awake.
3. And then my large water bottle is in the passenger side door bottle storage that I can reach for staying hydrated.
Perfect.

 

[OPC100]

I've noticed that alot as well, surprisingly noisy and concerning as I've never even noted it in other cars.

Do you know where specifically it comes from? I've been concerned it's down the side of the car but maybe it's underneath?

Bit worried I'm pebble dashing my new car

I might have an answer? I noticed this noise on roads that had been subjected to heavy rain / flooding and therefore stones / pebbles being washed onto the roads. Not a usual thing, during a 'normal' shower, we've had it really bad lately. But later today, on dry roads, no stones / pebbles = no noise.

 

[Tushki]

I might have an answer? I noticed this noise on roads that had been subjected to heavy rain / flooding and therefore stones / pebbles being washed onto the roads. Not a usual thing, during a 'normal' shower, we've had it really bad lately. But later today, on dry roads, no stones / pebbles = no noise.

Wonder if theres noise on cars with mud flaps fitted as well?

 

[ZN8]

I've noticed that alot as well, surprisingly noisy and concerning as I've never even noted it in other cars.

Do you know where specifically it comes from? I've been concerned it's down the side of the car but maybe it's underneath?

Bit worried I'm pebble dashing my new car

It comes from the wheel wells. There will be next to no sound deadening matting on the metal work as well as a big void between plastic interior panel and the wheel well itself.

 

[Silver Fox]

We have a poll response outlier ladies and gentlemen; if you get a moment or two @drz252 it would be interesting to hear more in relation to your choice...

 

[--Rage--]

I might have an answer? I noticed this noise on roads that had been subjected to heavy rain / flooding and therefore stones / pebbles being washed onto the roads. Not a usual thing, during a 'normal' shower, we've had it really bad lately. But later today, on dry roads, no stones / pebbles = no noise.

Good thing it hardly rains here in the UK then

 

[Someday]

Wonder if theres noise on cars with mud flaps fitted as well?

Yes there is

 

[leosayer]

Prior to owning the GR86 I had sat in a GT86 but never driven one so my expectations were based on YouTube videos and written reviews.

Ride - better than expected, but then I'm used to a fairly stiff 993

Refinement - better than expected. The road noise is noticeable but it's at a fairly high frequency that is less annoying than other cars I've driven

Handling - feels great so far but I'm taking it easy as the weather is wet and I'm not exceeding 4000rpm
Infotainment - pleasantly surprise. Never used Android Auto before and that's great. The stereo sound is better than I expected and I much prefer the sound my previous F-Type that had a Meridian surround system

Driving position - still getting used to it. I'd like the seat to go lower as I'm 6'3" but I've got plenty of room. Considering the steering wheel spacer.