Chris Harris Drive: GT86 / FR-S vs 370z vs Cayman S

[Scion1181]

FT86CLUB Homepage Featured Story



Chris Harris reviews the GT86 again, this time putting it against the 370Z and Cayman S.

Here's his prior track review of the GT86 @ http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3639

We know it works on track, but is 200hp enough on the road? You can get a 370Z for similar money. Or a used Cayman S. If the GT 86 can do the business here, it has to be one of the great cars of 2012.

Toyota GT86 / Scion FR-S v Nissan 370Z v Used Porsche Cayman S - CHRIS HARRIS ON CARS - YouTube

[Hanzo]

He didn't say which one he would choose.

[Sargy]

Im in Love

[Hachiroku]

Originally Posted by Hanzo

He didn't say which one he would choose.

To me, it sounds like the 86/FR-S/BRZ occupies the soft spot in his heart out of this group, despite also loving the Cayman S.

[Mari0]

"Fact is, I love this car! It's Brilliant"

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by Hanzo

He didn't say which one he would choose.

From what I got out of the vid Chris is stating
Cayman > GT86 > 370Z

[jadewbj]

I think he inferred it by the ending. He talked about the Z, not so great, talked about the Cayman, great but it can get expensive to maintain and ended with super high praise for the GT86.

On a related note, what was the last car that so many automotive reviewers gushed about like this? I have seen so much praise for the car that it makes me wonder if Toyota is sending out checks.

I can't even think of one.

[ZetaVI]

Gotta love Chris Harris. Best thing about Drive.

[Hachiroku]

Originally Posted by jadewbj

I think he inferred it by the ending. He talked about the Z, not so great, talked about the Cayman, great but it can get expensive to maintain and ended with super high praise for the GT86.

On a related note, what was the last car that so many automotive reviewers gushed about like this? I have seen so much praise for the car that it makes me wonder if Toyota is sending out checks.

I can't even think of one.

Me neither! Seriously impressive.

[Spaceywilly]

Originally Posted by jadewbj

I think he inferred it by the ending. He talked about the Z, not so great, talked about the Cayman, great but it can get expensive to maintain and ended with super high praise for the GT86.

On a related note, what was the last car that so many automotive reviewers gushed about like this? I have seen so much praise for the car that it makes me wonder if Toyota is sending out checks.

I can't even think of one.

I definitely don't think they are giving out checks, and Chris Harris is one of the last people I would ever suspect of that. But, I do think they might be heaping praise on the car in hopes that other auto makers will build more like it. A lot of the reviews where they chose the BRZ/FRS/86 over the other cars is not because it's a great car on its own necessarily, but because it is a direction they want other auto makers to take and they are rewarding toyota/subaru for taking the first steps.

[jadewbj]

Originally Posted by Spaceywilly

I definitely don't think they are giving out checks, and Chris Harris is one of the last people I would ever suspect of that. But, I do think they might be heaping praise on the car in hopes that other auto makers will build more like it. A lot of the reviews where they chose the BRZ/FRS/86 over the other cars is not because it's a great car on its own necessarily, but because it is a direction they want other auto makers to take and they are rewarding toyota/subaru for taking the first steps.

BTW, I am not accusing anyone of taking a bribe. Just making a joke.

[Unleashed]

Getting air!

[Spaceywilly]

Originally Posted by jadewbj

BTW, I am not accusing anyone of taking a bribe. Just making a joke.

Yeah I got that, unfortunately there are a lot of YouTube commenters who are saying it seriously

[Rampage]

I would like to know where he finds a Cayman S for 16K. I looked at Autotrader and the cheapest one I saw listed within 200 miles of me cost 29K. 29K upfront, no warranty, expensive German parts and German reliability versus Japanese reliability. FR-S/BRZ is a no brainer considering those points.

[Mari0]

He is a brit. He is not talking about American $. But I still agree with you on that point (and he does, too, at the end of the video)

Originally Posted by Google Search

1 British pound sterling = 1.5685 US dollars

That's still ~25k (not 29k like you pointed out)

Also, the 370z in the US as far as I know is like 34k+ (about 10k above the FR-S)

[Scion1181]

Originally Posted by Rampage

I would like to know where he finds a Cayman S for 16K. I looked at Autotrader and the cheapest one I saw listed within 200 miles of me cost 29K. 29K upfront, no warranty, expensive German parts and German reliability versus Japanese reliability. FR-S/BRZ is a no brainer considering those points.

Yea he must have been lucky. Here are the price ranges and next to it the numbers of cayman S found in that price range.

$20,001-$25,000 (1)
$25,001-$30,000 (14)
$30,001-$35,000 (29)
$35,001-$40,000 (75)
$40,001-$45,000 (34)
$45,001-$50,000 (23)
$50,001-$55,000 (11)
$55,001-$60,000 (11)
$60,001-$65,000 (3)
$65,001-$70,000 (2)

[tylerhasaphone]

SUCH a good review, probably the best one ive seen yet.

I WANT A FR-S!

[blu_]

When I hear Chris Harris echoing my thoughts on a car, more so my car, it just makes me feel a bit smug tbh.. like maybe I'm not full of shit.

[jadewbj]

Also where is the 370Z $28,000? Every time I watch Top Gear UK the prices for the cars are more than US. In US the 370Z starts at $33,120.

I had a 911 Targa and the parts for that thing were CRAZY expensive. Even oil changes required a credit check.

[blu_]

Originally Posted by jadewbj

Also where is the 370Z $28,000? Every time I watch Top Gear UK the prices for the cars are more than US. In US the 370Z starts at $33,120.

I had a 911 Targa and the parts for that thing were CRAZY expensive. Even oil changes required a credit check.

http://www.nissan.co.uk/#vehicles/sp...gures/discover

Every market is different, so its hard to generalize about car prices relative to the US.

I assume the 28k number is saying that you could get one for that price.... not that it MSRP's for that.


Also hes talking pounds not $'s.

[Texas FR-S]

Thanks for sharing, OP. Very exciting video review. I could relate to the opinions shared within the review.

I have much respect for the 350 / 370Z, but I've never connected with the drive and never had that feel & connection with it... Therefore, I never had the courage to opt for one...

Putting in a used Cayman S reminded me of when I really wanted to pull the trigger on a new Cayman R... Though the price tag (especially with even some options) and the lack of back seats helped me in choosing a great value and sports car within the FR-S... And it came out for sale at the right time for myself, fortunately.

[russv]

The 370 Z a "right lard ass"