In praise of the FT86 rear seats, your vote?

[rennlistuser3]

I seem to be a huge minority here and actually everywhere in the auto industry but I just love those mini-seats of the FT86.

I previously had vehicles that were strictly 2-seaters and while those +2 at the back are regularly dinged by every car journalist and practically almost all users ever, in my own experience, having those rear seats are night and day difference.

I cannot count how many times I've actually given rides in those small rear seats. They worked. Not great, but they did do the job.

They also make the car overall feel way less claustrophobic. I know this is just a personal feeling but that's a feeling I personally prefer.

I also prefer to use them to dump things back there. Often I throw my backpack back there. The best part is that the car externally looks so small, no one would ever think there were back seats there and no thief would ever bother to look back there to see if there was a bag to steal. It wouldn't be easily visible anyway.

Cargo space is greatly improved as well when the seats are folded.

Overall the advantage is huge.

I've ridden in the Mazda ND MX-5 Miata (closest competitor) shotgun in autocross and while the shorter chassis does make a significant difference in autocross, I'm happy to give up this edge for the dramatic increase of daily practicality. After all, this is my daily car.

I sure wish journalists would stop hatting on this 2+2 car designs. They offer so much but I feel journalists might ultimately kill this design concept.

Do you like those rear seats?

[Will BRZ]

I've been wanting to delete them for a while now. However, they have been called into action a few times (for rides etc.) Anything I need to carry just goes in the passenger seat. It was not a big purchase factor in terms of practicality, but I know they make insurance cheaper.

You're right in that these cars are a lot more practical than they look. I have my back seats down for now, but I think I'll end up keeping them in the long term.

[JD001]

I wish they weren't there. I rather have a large parcel shelf area.. having the token seats I feel obliged to carry passengers even though 'normal' folk don't fit... and if I don't offer the seats I get strange looks.. Thankfully, the seats have only been pressed into use once in the 5yrs I've had the car.

[soundman98]

They're storage/emergency seats.

I hate them, but am happy they exist. Without them, I wouldn't be able to position the front seats comfortably for my gargantuan dutch torso.

[Yoshoobaroo]

My kids are in the back seat at least 5 times a week. The back seats are awesome and the reason I can daily this car.

[p1l0t]

I tell people they are there to keep the insurance affordable. Not sure if that's true.

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[NCtoBRZ]

Having owned many 2 seater sports cars, I can appreciate the added utility of the small rear seats. A majority of the time they are just used to carry stuff, but it is nice to have the option to transport an extra passenger or two on the rare occasion that I want to. I would never “feel obliged” to carry more passengers if I didn’t want to. As mentioned, it also gives more room to adjust your front seats as desired.

[NCtoBRZ]

Originally Posted by p1l0t

I tell people they are there to keep the insurance affordable. Not sure if that's true.

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It’s not true, having back seats does not impact insurance rates. The reason that some 2 seaters have higher rates is because 2 seater vehicles are often performance cars and a higher perceived risk to the insurer... just adding a small rear seat to a sports car does not lower its perceived risk. In fact, insurance for my BRZ is higher than any of the 2 seater cars that I’ve owned.

[DarkPira7e]

I'd rather have a storage compartment like in the SA/FB RX-7. Hate them

[86MLR]

Great for the kids, handy for small friends, excellent storage.

If you don't like them pull them out, "becauseracecar?".

As the twins are a poor mans sports car, I believe, if it was a 2 seater, they would not have sold enough to be financially viable, all the flat cap kids want to jam their mates in. And all the girls neef their support groups when they go out.

The majority (80% at least using my guessatron 5001).. of owners around here are young flat capers and young girls, yes the other 20% of owners are light RWD manual car lovers.

I'm happy for the tiny compromised rear seats.

If you are not happy and cannot touch your nose with your finger > http://shraderperformance.com/shop/p...r-seat-delete/

[soundman98]

Yay! I'm a 20%er!

[Tcoat]

I would not be driving one if they didn't have them. Don't need a back seat often but when I do need one I actually need it. I have two teenage grandsons and there would be blood shed if I had to leave one behind to go do something.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I would not be driving one if they didn't have them. Don't need a back seat often but when I do need one I actually need it. I have two teenage grandsons and there would be blood shed if I had to leave one behind to go do something.

Same here. I wouldn't have bought it without the back seats, as I do use them for passengers and cargo. Not sure I understand the "I'd rather have a cargo shelf" argument. That's basically what they are as is. Worse case, flip the seat down and leave it that way, then it's like the seats don't exist.

[NCtoBRZ]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

...Not sure I understand the "I'd rather have a cargo shelf" argument. That's basically what they are as is. Worse case, flip the seat down and leave it that way, then it's like the seats don't exist.

My thoughts exactly... if you only want to use them for storage and “hate” that they exist as seats, just don’t use them as seats