GR86 Real World Road Tests & Reviews

[Kona61]

Originally Posted by Lantanafrs2

I'm still surprised that Toyota even did a 2nd gen when disposable hybrid crossovers are money printers. Getting ready to blow out the candles on the internal combustion cake

Well, it's because of them they can do this.

Toyota already makes: Rav4 Hybrid, Rav4 Prime, Venza, Highlander Hybrid, Sienna Hybrid, NX hybrid, RX hybrid, and I think the new Corolla Cross will eventually come hybrid as well. Literally no segment of CUV has been left open lol.

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by chaoskaze

I mean I like him & his reviews, but ppl are molded by their environment, so is his review. It would be cool if he lives by some cool driving roads instead of flat plains.


You can tell what kind review ppl are gonna give to different cars just base on the kind roads they gonna drive it on. They easily falls into a pattern.

He never used the same pattern for the Miata. His reviews on our cars were biased. At some point he was even blaming them being rust buckets.

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114757

[Jeonsa]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

He never used the same pattern for the Miata. His reviews on our cars were biased. At some point he was even blaming them being rust buckets.

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114757

I mean he replied to you. Lol. Ask him why he’s so critical of the old car, it’s most likely because he owned one and experienced it first hand maybe.

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by Jeonsa

I mean he replied to you. Lol. Ask him why he’s so critical of the old car, it’s most likely because he owned one and experienced it first hand maybe.

I drove mine through the winter, daily drove it and got to work on most every corner of it. Plus seeing the evolution of the car over the years and getting to drive everything else. Now coming full circle to the new cars...


I think just seeing the focus of the new cars upgrades and how much of a difference it made is just proof no one on this forum will drive a 1st gen and 2nd gen back to back and say the original car is better. There is basically no arguement to be made.

[Dirty Harry]

Originally Posted by Dezoris

I can promise you we have the 3 cars on every road and we are one of the first on the planet outside of Toyota employees to have had all on track and street to make this kind of judgement. The new car is great it's just pushing closer to what you get from a 718/Cayman, while the Miata is just that fun quick car that you go out for on a weekend and are happy to put it away to drive the 86 during the week.

Geez that’s a big statement, is it really that good? Sorry I’m a tight arse , when does the review arrive on your YouTube channel? Looking forward to it.

[Lantanafrs2]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

I owned 2 cars ('15 BRZ, '20 BRZ) and saw the evolution of them over the years too. First year models were more raw with a need of more involvement and they started to refine them afterwards. Saying that 1st gen is better or worse to 2nd generation is subjective. It depends on driver needs and priorities. Same can be said on other models like the S2000 AP1 and AP2. Both of them have the same importance in their model history and kind of evolution.

I guess if slow and cobby make for a great driving experience, the first gen gets the nod.

[nikitopo]

I owned 2 cars ('15 BRZ, '20 BRZ) and saw the evolution of them over the years too. First year models were more raw with a need of more driver involvement and they started to refine them afterwards. Saying that 1st gen is better or worse to 2nd generation is subjective. It depends on customer needs and priorities. Same can be said on other models like the S2000 AP1 and AP2. Both of them have the same importance in their model history and kind of evolution.

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by Lantanafrs2

I guess if slow and cobby make for a great driving experience, the first gen gets the nod.

If you want to go fast, then you need to choose something else.

[trippinbillies40]

Having owned a '13 FRS since a few months after they came out that evolved over 3 years into a track and autocross car, then a '17 PP BRZ, then another '13 BRZ autocross car...

I can say I totally agree with Savagegeese. I can't think of a single thing that would make me say the early cars were better than the '22. Handling on the new BRZ for street driving was absolutely perfect. Plenty of room for playfulness if that's your thing, but will end up being very solid out on track. It was the interior appointments that really impressed me though. When I got rid of the '17 and went back to a '13, I really missed the slightly updated interior. I'm not sure I agree that the facelift interior was "less raw"... It's just nicer to touch and feel but doesn't disconnect me from having fun. And the '22 is even better. So, way more fun to drive in town and mountain roads, and much nicer to sit in.

The ONLY reasons I could think of someone choosing a gen 1 over gen 2 is if they're buying based on looks alone and they prefer the gen 1, or if they're buying it ONLY to commute in because long highway commutes in a sports car is your thing, ya might miss the couple MPG. Other than those, gen 2 for me F5'ing my order every day waiting for it to get built.

[nikitopo]

Someone could still buy a first gen, because it has a tested well known engine and could find some good deals on used ones too. It is still a great platform for someone to learn in a classic FR layout, gain driving experiences, grow the driver skills and have plenty of fun. Personally, I wouldn't buy a new generation the first 2-3 years to avoid any kind of smaller or bigger issues that might arise. Especially with the engine which is entirely new, but as I said people can have different needs and priorities.

[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by trippinbillies40

F5'ing my order every day waiting for it to get built.

Wait you can track the order without a VIN?

[weederr33]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

If you want to go fast, then you need to choose something else.

I would disagree with this. This platform is so amazing when it's supercharged. You know my build journey for both of my cars. I love the car NA with only headers and E85 but I'd supercharge the car again if I knew the rods could handle it pretty good. That's why I'm curious how the more beefed up rods will handle FI.

[Blighty]

Originally Posted by trippinbillies40

Having owned a '13 FRS since a few months after they came out that evolved over 3 years into a track and autocross car, then a '17 PP BRZ, then another '13 BRZ autocross car...

I can say I totally agree with Savagegeese. I can't think of a single thing that would make me say the early cars were better than the '22. Handling on the new BRZ for street driving was absolutely perfect. Plenty of room for playfulness if that's your thing, but will end up being very solid out on track. It was the interior appointments that really impressed me though. When I got rid of the '17 and went back to a '13, I really missed the slightly updated interior. I'm not sure I agree that the facelift interior was "less raw"... It's just nicer to touch and feel but doesn't disconnect me from having fun. And the '22 is even better. So, way more fun to drive in town and mountain roads, and much nicer to sit in.

The ONLY reasons I could think of someone choosing a gen 1 over gen 2 is if they're buying based on looks alone and they prefer the gen 1, or if they're buying it ONLY to commute in because long highway commutes in a sports car is your thing, ya might miss the couple MPG. Other than those, gen 2 for me F5'ing my order every day waiting for it to get built.

I'm not sure I agree with anything until I get to drive it, but I have no reason to doubt any of the reviews that have came out, in particular savagegeese. I mean he has just as much cred as anyone in the 86 forums, he was an early adopter - surely we can understand why he got pissed off at the og. Its not like this is Raiti's Rides or something... bahaha.

I think a few people have called out a slight reduction in the cars steering feel, but that its still top draw... might even put that down to the tires?

Raw is an interesting word, its not like there is bare metal furnishings and exposed running gear. 'Shit' more so comes to my mind when I remember seeing the US version of the FR-S with what looked like early 90s head unit lol. But it was driver focussed. And perhaps had the best steering wheel out of any of the cars ('22 included) just owing to its lack of buttons.

Man I loved that steering wheel, I wish they still did one where they kept all the buttons on the headunit. Pretty sure you can do anything and everything still on the headunits, but might be wrong in the new one.

[Thefalls]

Havent been a forced induced Twin yet but for normal driving its more than enough and in the twisties its nicely balanced.

The only thing where it is lacking is straight line acceleration but I didn't buy this car for that and really happy with how it is with some basic mods.

The fact that the new twin could potentially handle boost more reliably ( I am assuming since the rods look beefy enough ) then it makes is even more of an interesting prospect.