Grand Touring: What would you do to the Twins?

[soundman98]

This is not a great touring car. Or a great highway car. But i still use it that way. I do a yearly trip that is around 1500 miles over 3-5 days in stock form. To really soak up the miles, a softer suspension and larger sidewall tires would do wonders.

[finch1750]

Originally Posted by new2subaru

Supercharge, soundproofing and high profile tires.

/Thread

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by soundman98

This is not a great touring car. Or a great highway car.

It is for me. I drive a minimum of 20,000 miles per year, up to 30,000. My longest trip in it was 1100 miles (700 in one day). This car is great on the highway. The minimal effort necessary to drive it plus the higher engagement level makes it a lot easier to stay focused without being nearly as tiring as a soft car.

I think a lot of the "negatives" people associate with this car are psychological. Small, light cars used to beat the shit out of you and had a reputation for being impractical. Modern ones no longer have to fit that description, but stereotypes are sticky.

[finch1750]

Oh, the only other thing I would do is delete the rear seats. Make it level with the trunk with storage underneath.

[Cole]

Originally Posted by finch1750

Oh, the only other thing I would do is delete the rear seats. Make it level with the trunk with storage underneath.

This is somewhat on my to-do list. But at the same time, it's just so convenient to toss things into the back seat...

[bcj]

The Ferrari GT250 and Jag E-type are considered GT cars since forever.
The 86 isn't all that different today.

I want a Forrester wagon back strapped on.

[Feistyfrog]

By definition a GT has to have some carateristic that elevates them from "regular" sports cars. Things like comfort, high speed capacity and some sort of luxury are mandatory for a real GT is you ask me. Having a sporty look is somehow relevant, but this one might be more of personal preferences.

So to answer OP, I don't see how a twin can match that unless you totally transform the car. It would become something else and I don't see the point of taking that route with a sub 30K car.

That doesn't mean the 86/BRZ aren't capable of long distance travel without being adequate. I've done two trips of 10 hours straight in 2019 and I was very surprise how good it felt. No disconfort or road noise annoyance what so ever. Again this must be a matter of personal tolerance because my mother in law couldn't stand being in my 86 (mostly stock), after about 10 minutes she was done with it.

Adding some soundproof materials and the quietest tires available are the only things I would do to make it more of a "GT"...but I won't.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by finch1750

Oh, the only other thing I would do is delete the rear seats. Make it level with the trunk with storage underneath.

Originally Posted by Cole

This is somewhat on my to-do list. But at the same time, it's just so convenient to toss things into the back seat...

Hey, whatever works for you, but I just don't get this. The additional storage would be almost nothing, and the additional road noise caused by the loss of the seat back is a nonstarter for me.

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by Feistyfrog

e my mother in law couldn't stand being in my 86 (mostly stock), after about 10 minutes she was done with it.

Mission: Successful

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by finch1750

Oh, the only other thing I would do is delete the rear seats. Make it level with the trunk with storage underneath.

The rear seats provide significant sound deadening, having made exactly what you just described myself.



Also, +1 for taller 6th. Plus them flush-ish hood pins to keep the hood from fluttering at high speed. That shit drives me crazy.

[Westen86]

Head unit with Apple Carplay
Alcantara
Speedfactory Catted header
TRD exhaust
Sound deadening and aero underpanels
949 Racing "Touring" coilovers
Superpro bushings
16x8 wheels and 225/50 tires.
3.9 IS300 rear diff with Giken LSD

[Stephen W.]

Originally Posted by finch1750

Oh, the only other thing I would do is delete the rear seats. Make it level with the trunk with storage underneath.

That's simple enough. Remove the rear seat cushions and fold the back down.

[Stephen W.]

Originally Posted by Feistyfrog

By definition a GT has to have some carateristic that elevates them from "regular" sports cars. Things like comfort, high speed capacity and some sort of luxury are mandatory for a real GT... < snip >

Maybe by some modern day definitions but that may not be relevant to the OP's question or what the majority of us think a true GT is. I beleave the Ferrari GT, GTO and Jag E coupes (both 6 and 12 cylinder models) are fine, proper examples.
One of the best ones from back in the GT heyday IMHO, that is directly comparable to the our modern day twins, would be the MGC GT. Take a much loved four cylinder sports roadster, (the MGB) and make it into a fastback 2+2 coupe with a more powerful 6 cylinder.
(Yes I know they made a MGB GT as well as a MGC roadster but that's beside the point.)

[Jordanwolf]

Originally Posted by Stephen W.

Maybe by some modern day definitions but that may not be relevant to the OP's question or what the majority of us think a true GT is. I beleave the Ferrari GT, GTO and Jag E coupes (both 6 and 12 cylinder models) are fine, proper examples.
One of the best ones from back in the GT heyday IMHO, that is directly comparable to the our modern day twins, would be the MGC GT. Take a much loved four cylinder sports roadster, (the MGB) and make it into a fastback 2+2 coupe with a more powerful 6 cylinder.
(Yes I know they made a MGB GT as well as a MGC roadster but that's beside the point.)

In order for cars to evolve, definition requirements must evolve along with them. Could you imagine if all luxury brands building GT cars were still building them like those of the 80's/90's.

I think modern day definitions are important. More so than the definitions of old.