GR86 Test Drives Email!

[GR-Admin]

Not a test drive, but Toyota GB will have a GR86 on display at the Javelin track day at Oulton Park 30/11 - so for those in the North West it will be a good opportunity to take a good look at the car in a couple of weeks time.

 

[RedGR86]

My dealer is showing as Toyota Online and as I'm not due to get a car until the end of the run, will I be able to get a drive or not I wonder?

 

[Hicko]

I also got the email but I’m a little confused. The email itself says to only get in touch if you don’t want a test drive, but the pdf says specifically to get in touch. So I’m wanting to test drive first but obviously also want to confirm my car so I don’t know what to do

 

[KobayashiMaru86]

No email for me. I'm feeling left out

 

[GRpirate]

No email for me. I'm feeling left out

I also got the email but I’m a little confused. The email itself says to only get in touch if you don’t want a test drive, but the pdf says specifically to get in touch. So I’m wanting to test drive first but obviously also want to confirm my car so I don’t know what to do

Hi I don’t think it’s confusing. If you want a test drive contact one of the dealers on the list they attached. If you do not need a test drive use the link to confirm your order and they will be touch to process payment and deliveries begin from 1/12. I have sent my confirmation stating it is not subject to a test drive.
Then the comedy started contact dealer to book a test drive as email says available from the 18th dealer does not know when they are getting a car so canT book test drives but has confirmed he is on a training day for the GR at goodwood on the 16 (I think) so might have some info after. Why ask people to contact the dealers listed before they have given the a date for the demo cars being delivered .
I reckon any one in the first batch who has had the email will get a firm date within a couple of days of the training day being completed . And if you have not had the your car is in the first batch email it’s most likely next year. Thinking cars at dealer from 1/12 collection around 7 to 14 days later. Takes the first cars close to Christmas.

 

[Lauren]

My dealer is showing as Toyota Online and as I'm not due to get a car until the end of the run, will I be able to get a drive or not I wonder?

I am sure you will, but you could understand if they put those first who have a car arriving imminently.

 

[KobayashiMaru86]

I'm not fussed on a test drive and did say on my call start of the week I'm having it regardless of test drive so perhaps that's why I haven't. Did ring the dealer and I spoke to their GR specialist who's off for that training next week. Have said to him once it's in to let me know as I'd still like to see it at the very least. I'm warming to the idea of trying to build rapport, even though I have been bitten by other dealers before. They can also value my part ex the same time.

 

[LukeC22]

Yay I got the email!!!
Hopefully we’ll actually get the cars before Christmas or it’s going to be a grim season for me, walking around everywhere!

 

[KobayashiMaru86]

Me too just now. Emailed them back faster than I have anyone to confirm I'll have it without test drive.

 

[garybee]

Had my email at about 1030. Just emailed back (busy day) to say I still want it and don't require a test drive. I quite fancy a test drive anyway, might call tomorrow. My nominated dealer isn't going to get an '86 but another from the same chain nearby is.

 

[drz252]

Not a sausage (or an email) from the good folks at Toyota Online, but I have booked a test drive at my handover dealership for 18/XI, so shall report back if that goes well. Or badly. Or not at all.

Spent the week bouncing around in this eager little puppy, before the delayed departure (pictured yesterday, moments from home):

Since we were bashing on under-appreciated Japanese manufacturers in another thread yesterday, I thought it was worth reminding myself of how much fun you can have for not much money at legal speeds. Putting preconceptions aside for a moment, the Swift Sport is really rather good fun: ride is very much on the acceptable side of firm; less body roll than you would expect through corners; decent shifts through the gears. You soon realise that there is nothing to fear from the hybrid system (by learning to 'lift and coast' and downshifting, rather than actually braking). The biggest downside - which is also an upside - is the indicated 'range'. I started the drive yesterday with 34 miles remaining, drove enthusiastically for 45 miles, and returned home with 32 miles remaining. It's a bit like that girl you liked at school, who would tell you one thing and then do another - thrilling and slightly terrifying, at the same time. But in a good way.

I shall miss the Swift, which impressed nobody but was quietly enjoyable by always exceeding expectations.

Hopefully as enjoyable but perhaps not so quiet is the latest folly, which arrived yesterday - box fresh from Poland - at 6:45am! Bit of a challenge to back a car down the ramps from a covered transporter before dawn has properly broken. At least it got here before the snows (your GR86 will arrive in 2022 if you can guess the exact car from this picture):

Should help to pass the three weeks before being joined by the ever-elusive GR86. Seven miles on the clock, and no more until heading for the full detailing and ceramic coating on Tuesday.

They're never going to find a cure for this car thing, are they?

Have a good weekend, folks.

 

[Nick]

Not a sausage (or an email) from the good folks at Toyota Online, but I have booked a test drive at my handover dealership for 18/XI, so shall report back if that goes well. Or badly. Or not at all.

Spent the week bouncing around in this eager little puppy, before the delayed departure (pictured yesterday, moments from home):

View attachment 9532

Since we were bashing on under-appreciated Japanese manufacturers in another thread yesterday, I thought it was worth reminding myself of how much fun you can have for not much money at legal speeds. Putting preconceptions aside from a moment, the Swift Sport is really rather good fun: ride is very much on the acceptable side of firm; less body roll than you would expect through corners; decent shifts through the gears. You soon realise that there is nothing to fear from the hybrid system (by learning to 'lift and coast' and downshifting, rather than actually braking). The biggest downside - which is also an upside - is the indicated 'range'. I started the drive yesterday with 34 miles remaining, drove enthusiastically for 45 miles, and returned home with 32 miles remaining. It's a bit like that girl you liked at school, who would tell you one thing and then do another - thrilling and slightly terrifying, at the same time. But in a good way.

I shall miss the Swift, which impressed nobody but was quietly enjoyable by always exceeding expectations.

Hopefully as enjoyable but perhaps not so quiet is the latest folly, which arrived yesterday - box fresh from Poland - at 6:45am! Bit of a challenge to back a car down the ramps from a covered transporter before dawn has properly broken. At least it got here before the snows (your GR86 will arrive in 2022 if you can guess the exact car from this picture):

View attachment 9533

Should help to pass the three weeks before being joined by the ever-elusive GR86. Seven miles on the clock, and no more until heading for the full detailing and ceramic coating on Tuesday.

They're never going to find a cure for this car thing, are they?

Have a good weekend, folks.

I’ve always thought the Swift would be fun to drive, glad to hear you’ve enjoyed it. The scorpion logo is a bit of a clue, so it must be an Abarth 595? I had an Abarth 124 Spider for a couple of years, and every drive put a smile on my face, it was just a shame the build quality wasn’t good enough for a daily, would be great as just a weekend toy though.

 

[drz252]

The scorpion logo is a bit of a clue, so it must be an Abarth 595?

Bingo! Give that man a GR86!

Yes, a 595 Turismo. Preferred the seats (in leather, probably squirrel or rat) and wheels over the Comp, although there are plenty of OEM kits to upgrade the suspension or exhausts later, if necessary - I can't see myself resisting the allure of those lovely wooden boxes for very long! In solidarity with @AndyRC and the Auto Posse, I've gone for the robotised MTA automatic because all the reviews tell you not to, and I like new things (or in this case, not very good old things). Plus my father had a 131 back when, and insists that this will be just like a modern-day WRC-spec sequential 'box (or another way to prove that he really doesn't like me).

Since we're on this forum, I should also say that Abarth themselves have been incredible throughout the, er... 'journey' from enquiry to delivery. They pro-actively call you on a regular basis, offering updates and asking if they can help in any way. The lovely Italian ladies who call always seem so happy that you are interested in their cars and want to join their family! I mean, they might be girls in Wolverhampton putting on accents (please don't shatter my illusions), but it's been a refreshing change from, well... you know... 'continual patience'.

 

[GRavel Trap]

Great posts DRZ - I really enjoyed reading about these cars

 

[RedGR86]

I am sure you will, but you could understand if they put those first who have a car arriving imminently.

Yeah. Totally understand that will be the case. There will no doubt be used cars on the market long before I see mine.

 

[Seano1878]

Had a couple of Abarth’s including a Comp with carbon backed Sabelt seats which I loved. Pretty poor chassis compared to more modern hot hatches if I’m honest and it was a bit skittish along broken road surfaces but it had so much character, felt like an old school hot hatchback. It was a pre GPF so startup was a bit ridiculous, people would hear it and look around for another car as such a noise couldn’t come from a little Fiat!

I also had a great experience with the dealership in Chesterfield and only ever took it there for service over Arnold Clark in Manchester. My salesman at Hyundai has given me a call at the start of every month or whenever the delivery status changes, very happy with the customer experience so far.

 

[vinny85]

Just called the contact number on the test drive email for Preston.. and of course it was the wrong number . I asked about the test drive and he just said there was only myself in Preston so i would get priority. I just can't see how they are going to manage to fit all these test drives in such a short space of time before buying the car tbh. I guess if they have 5 demo cars.. could have one for each region potentially, with each dealer having a couple of days each but there are still around 65 dealers on that list..

Also he said looks like many are at goodwood tomorrow? so it will be the first time they get to see/drive the car so should be plenty of more review articles/vids from Wednesday.

 

[AndyRC]

The Toyota Online script has changed from their previous of “only 5 demo cars touring the country , we sold the others to online customers“ to “Not all GR centres will get a demo car, but a lot will” . What will happen to those cars is still unclear

As we thought the people who received the “Test drive email” are those who have a car in the country or at least on its way as they want to offer those folk test drives first (at least that makes sense).

As I understand it the rest of us will be get the email in a few weeks, inviting us to sort a test drive. My local dealer JRT in Hull has a demo car inbound but still no definitive delivery date.

Apparently they can now see my car on their system with a provisional delivery date of February 2023 but I’m not holding my breath on that one.

 

[cc3]

I had the email but have heard nothing from my dealer which is not a GR centre. The Group’s GR centre is about 60 miles away. So I phoned a GR centre about 20 miles away. Spoke to sales manager he said they are doing test drives but only for people who are getting a car delivered to their Group. Asked if he had seen email to customers he said no. Told me to get my dealer to get a car delivered to them. Fair enough l said would have been nice of Toyota online to have told me not to bother a centre that is not in the nominated group but don’t worry I will do all the keg work. I’m only the customer ! Asked him if he thought it more or less likely I might contact his dealership again he was a bit lost for words. Still I guess he thinks nothing in it for him and therefore can’t be arsed to ask one of his sales staff to sit in on a test drive. Guess they are swamped with business these days.

 

[LukeC22]

I had the email but have heard nothing from my dealer which is not a GR centre. The Group’s GR centre is about 60 miles away. So I phoned a GR centre about 20 miles away. Spoke to sales manager he said they are doing test drives but only for people who are getting a car delivered to their Group. Asked if he had seen email to customers he said no. Told me to get my dealer to get a car delivered to them. Fair enough l said would have been nice of Toyota online to have told me not to bother a centre that is not in the nominated group but don’t worry I will do all the keg work. I’m only the customer ! Asked him if he thought it more or less likely I might contact his dealership again he was a bit lost for words. Still I guess he thinks nothing in it for him and therefore can’t be arsed to ask one of his sales staff to sit in on a test drive. Guess they are swamped with business these days.

This is something I worry about. A sales team will not want to take people out for a test drive who have orders with other dealerships/groups because there’s nothing in it for them. I can sympathise because the sales guys get paid very little for their time and earn mostly through commission so they’re effectively taking people out for free.

If Toyota had stuck to the original plan of sending a team round with a few GR86s, the representatives would be paid and the sales team would be left alone.

I’ll give Leeds a call later today and hope that they allow me to drive theirs.