GR86 Test Drives Email!

Fox on sabbatical said:
OK: Sensible question alert.

I may have missed this in the reflections and photos above, so apologies if I have.

Does the GR86 have those little hooks in the rear for hanging apparel?

I do wear suits and formal jackets for work and sometimes socialising, and it would be terrible for one's Boglioli or Corneliani to get creased and all scrunched up on the back seat.
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Has nobody checked for suit hook(s) in the rear yet?!

All this feedback about how amazing the car is to drive, and what it sounds like, and likely fuel costs, and whether you can get your loved ones in comfortably - priorities please! ;)
 
Dal3D said:
Sounded like a cold boxer engine (a bit like shaking a bucket of spanners) in startup but soon smoothed out.
I did notice that when it's cold, the rev limit was 4k odds with red markings but as it warmed up it went round to it's normal position which I liked
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My old M3 rev counter did that!
 
Dal3D said:
Sounded like a cold boxer engine (a bit like shaking a bucket of spanners) in startup but soon smoothed out.
I did notice that when it's cold, the rev limit was 4k odds with red markings but as it warmed up it went round to it's normal position which I liked
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Where was that one at @Dal3D 🤔

Edit , just seen earlier post , 10 demonstrators on the list 50+ to go 🤔
 
GRavel Trap said:
... can't help wondering whether "ain't no body fitting back there" was a typo, or not? 🤔
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I'm really surprised that so far even in rubbish UK weather all the colours look awesome!
 
OK, now I'm home and not posting on here from the passenger seat of the OH car I can say more what I though of my non-test drive experience with the new GR86.
When we eventually found it on the car park I realised just how small / low it is compared to all the other Toyotas in the car park. Having only had a test drive of a GT86 when they first arrived back in 2012ish or whenever it was, it's been a while since I have sat in a small Toyota.
The roofline is about stomach height so cleaning the roof won't be an issue. Think when the bonnet was opened I'll need to kneel down to do any engine stuff compared to my other cars lol
Sitting inside it was a nice snug feel with everything to hand as you'd expect. The wheel is small and not too fat but the star of the "sit down and not moving test drive" was the feel of the gearbox. A short accurate throw that falls perfectly to my arm length and position. That coupled with the natural feel of the clutch pedal should make for a very nice gear changing experience.
Could reach the glovebox from the drivers seat OK, but when in the passenger seat you'd need to move your knees wide to get it fully open.
Sitting in the correct position for me (6ft) there wasn't any room for back seat passengers legs as has already been confirmed. I'm not sure we could get either of our big dogs in the back either what with the reduced access and buckety type seats. But then it's not a car for that so doesn't matter.
The boot seemed reasonable for the size of the car and definitely plenty for a (dirty) weekend away or a trip to Le Mans ;)
The GR86 mats looked nice.

There's a thick protective film over the rear bumper lip to the boot - looks a bit ugly. That'll be coming off for my PPF anyway.
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The 215/40/18 tyres looked a bit stretched on the alloys to me - I think 225/40/18 will look and potentially feel better. All depending on how stiff it feels and how stiff / lose I want to get it:
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Whilst waiting for the salesman we pottered around the showroom as you do. It soon became apparent how much of a bloomin' bargain the GR86 is when everything else except the Aygo and Yaris are dearer!

I was wondering whether to go and see another GR86 before collecting mine but I'm glad I did. It confirmed that the car I've paid for already has all the ingredients to be a real hoot. Small, tight, light, comfy and enough oomph (at least from the seat - not tried dynamically yet of course)- and that's before I've even driven one.
 
Just test driven the GR86, back to back with my S660 and a GT86 with PS4 tyres. My honest opinion here, it's what I expected and met my expectations without blowing me away completely.


Suspension not as good as the Modulo S660, won't be sad to see it go. Rolls naturally, stiff but doesn't feel completely sucked down into the tarmac.

GT86 back end is more playful even on the same tyres, both have understeer push before back end goes. Both cars could do with more front camber.

GT86 have better steering feel, and more linear throttle, closer to my cable throttle on my K20 engine. GR86 throttle a bit too aggressive on tip in but can get used to it.

Other than that, major step up compared to the old GT86, much better low end torque and power overall. Chassis feels way stiffer, more overall grip too.
 
Dal3D said:
Sounded like a cold boxer engine (a bit like shaking a bucket of spanners) in startup but soon smoothed out.
I did notice that when it's cold, the rev limit was 4k odds with red markings but as it warmed up it went round to it's normal position which I liked
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Fantastic, love the sound of a bucket of spammers 😂
 
My two penneth now that I've had a test drive.

The Good:
First impressions - definitely still worth the wait!
Great handling, can easily drift the back in a controlled way.
Easy to place.
Perfect gearbox, throttle response.
Rear camera included in the manual car.
Blind spot indicator a bonus.
Looks great in the flesh, you don't realise some of the detail that's gone into it.
Definitely enough power for me, when I drove the GT86, I did feel it needed just that bit more and I think it's just about right now.
Super comfortable seats and driving position.
Try the car with full TC on, then try drift mode with everything off - it will bring a smile to your face.
The artificial engine noise sounds good.
The stereo is decent.
I think I could daily in this quite easily.

The not so good:
Some engine rattle at start - but may just need running in.
No rear parking sensors or front but don't think you need them.
No satnav but you can carplay/android it.
Funny indicators which I'd have to get used to.
You can't fit 2 friends in the back, you may get one person in the back if they lie sideways to fit in - but less weight more drifting.

Overall the reviews are spot on, the car is fantastic and should make a great fun track day car and daily. I can't wait for mine to arrive, still worth the wait....

Hope you guys get a test drive too. Don't worry I left some tyre tread for you guys ;)
Cheers.
 
Fox on sabbatical said:
Enjoy your respective test drives in 'our' car today @Nick and @SmokingPancakes .

(I don't want a phone call from JS later telling me that one or both of you said "watch this!!" and consequently my subsequent test drive is no longer able to go ahead... ;) )
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Don’t worry the car is still in one piece! Really nice to get a drive at last, didn’t disappoint. Not sure I have anything extra to add that others haven’t said already. The indicators are annoying, but I’d soon get used to them. The clutch bite point seemed a bit different to what I’m used to (I use a Mini when not in the Supra), but again I’d get used to it. Felt like a real sports car rather than a long distance cruiser, so it’s what I wanted out of it. Road noise wasn’t anywhere near as bad as some reviewers make out, and I didn’t have an issue with the piped in sound. Driving it straight after getting out of my Supra I wondered if it’d feel under powered, but it felt fine, it has plenty of power to have fun in.
Annoyingly the expected date of it getting to the dealer has slipped from 2nd Dec to 19th. I’ll be getting in touch with Toyota Online to find out what’s happening, as if it’s falling back to a couple of days before Christmas I’m tempted to ask for it to be held until January to get a full months tax and for it to be registered in 2023.

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Just had my test drive at Steven Eagell St Albans. The most important aspect: I actually fit and didn‘t even need the seat all the way back. Really happy with the overall feel and it feels like it’s got plenty of grunt even in the context stepping back into a B58 powered BMW. Better secondary ride than the BMW too although that’s on 20” run flats so not that surprising.
Looks great in the flesh:

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