Fifth Gear Review - Toyota GT86/BRZ
 

UPDATE:

REVIEW VIDEO HERE @ http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18715

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJIvge7c5G4"]fifth gear GT86 - YouTube[/ame]



Not sure if this was already posted but I just saw the review by the Fifth Gear team.

For those of you who don't know, Fifth Gear is like Top Gear without the super funny bits.

It has funny bits, just not as hilarious as Top Gear. Anways, it was Jason Plato who test drove the car.

He was overly impressed by everything except the power and torque delivery. It was sad to hear it but at least everything was top notch. The 86 twins really are a good way to get started in being an enthusiast.

In the end, he says "....it really is a good driver's car".

Now time for some wishfull thinking: I'm positive the STI version will blow everyone's expectations away :thumbsup:

There's no question about the lack of mid-range. That's primarily due to the famous torque dip of course. I consider my car as having two drivable ranges in the tachometer: 1800rpm - 3200rpm (around town) and 5k - fuel cut (for fun). In between those two feels like a dead zone. Since I'm a former Honda guy I actually like this because my B16 CRX (of 10 years past) and my AP1 had a dead-zone from 0rpm to 5500rpm which, to me, was much worse for every day driving.

Plato is spot on.

I'm with rice_classic on this one. The 20v blacktop engine in my MR2 is notorious for having part-throttle midrange RPM bogging that no one can seem to figure out. I've just learned to drive around it.

Well compared to my daily driver Civic HX, the BRZ feels quite quick all over LOL. But yes, the dead spot mid RPM is not ideal, but I love how the engine feels like it just wants you to beat on it, almost like it is egging you on. More More MORE!! :)

Thanks,
Rick

Well, compared to my modified WRX... Oh. Yeah, the BRZ is a bit slow. Had to kick it down to third to pass some traffic on the highway. I went 6th to 4th... but that wasn't doing it so I slammed it in 3rd and made my way back up to 75mph. In my WRX, breathing on the gas pedal puts me at 100mph without blinking. It's quite a difference.

word..im coming from a 335 with full boltons and this car feels completely different to drive..you actually have to basically floor it to pass someone who is going at regular speed

You guys above me basically posted all the points I hate about owning a 4 cylinder engine at 2L and under.

N/A 4 cylinder = weak and typically underTORQUED
F/I 4 cylinder/V6/I6 = terrific power and torque!
N/A V8 = typically overpowered

I love the medium option every time.