I've seen the GT86 in the metal and...
 

It more than lived up to my expectations!

Toyota GB have one in the UK for their annual dealer event and I was invited to see it by What Car magazine as part of their "Reader Test Team" feature. All I can say is wow! It exceeded my expectations, it felt sporty and you could tell it was built by engineers, rather than accountants.

My initial thought when they pulled the cover off was that it was a bit small, kind of like a 95% scale model, but up close & certainly inside it was more spacious than I was expecting. I sat in the back for a good 10 minutes and it was OK, getting in and out the back was no different to my girlfriends Fiat 500 (not difficult, but not dignified either).

The attention to detail on things like the diameter of the exhaust pipes being 86mm and the AC controls shaped like nuts (although they did feel a bit plasticky on this preproduction model). The driving position felt sporty, not too different to my MX-5.

If you have any questions ask away, I have some pictures, but need to upload them tomorrow evening. We didn't get to drive it, but it did get fired up and I can confirm that it has a very nice exhaust note!

Lucky!!

How far forward were the front seats when you sat in the back? How much leg room?

Pictures of you in the back seat would be great. No one has shown that yet.

There was someone sat in the front seat, they were able to open the glovebox so not crammed right into the dash. They could have moved the seat back a notch and tilted it back a bit too as my knees weren't even touching the seat (I'm 5'8). One of the journalists was sat in the back and he is 6'2. So much better than I expected and certainly no worse than any other 2+2 I've been in.

THIS!! NOW!!!!

If you set the drivers seat to a driving position was it okay to sit in the back? or would the drive have to move forward a little?

I'll check my camera tomorrow, but don't think I got any.

What I forgot to mention was that there are ISOFIX fittings in the back, which in my book makes this a family car!

Awesome to hear!!

I've got short legs & I'd probably have to move the seat forward a notch or two for an adult to sit behind me. I don't think you would be travelling very far with 4 adults in the car.

Well as long as it can be done...!

From the pictures I had seen no one could've sat behind the drive.

Aren't ISOFIX fittings a requirement for all new cars with a rear seat?

I really don't give a crap about the back seats...makes insurance cheaper, and gives you a place for stuff..

You must be single with no family? Just because you don't care doesn't mean there are others who don't care about this aspect.

+1. Even if the four seats can fit everyone fairly comfortably, that only represents half of my personal clan, so yea for some of us, a 4 seater, that only seats two will not do... If it wasn't important, I would already have a 370z in my driveway.

Thank you, I just need to make sure my 2 kids can fit in the back seat is all. Sounds like the will fit with no issues.

This. Many of us wish we could have a 370z/MX5/S2000, however the "impracticality" of a 2 seater just wouldn't make that possible. One of the reason many of us are interested in the GT86/BRZ is because of the 2+2 setup. Makes it somewhat possible for hauling kids to daycare/school on the way to work. I doubt there are any looking at getting this to take family road trips to grandma and grandpa 1200 miles away.

If I didn't care about fitting other people in my car, I would probably have a 370z or a used Corvette right now.

Back seat room = not drivers problem. If they want a ride they will squeeze ;)
Why make the driver uncomfortable? Sitting too close the the steering wheel is dangerous (As is sitting too far away). Also a great reason for you not to drive if there is drinking involved! ;)
But hey this is the rule in my cars... I know some ppl will hate this comment but I have another car for carting passengers! :)
The 86 will be MY weekend car.

What you say is true...

Def no carting drinking people in the back... no window for them to vomit out!!

That's true and I feel the same way (except I don't bother with a vehicle for carting people around). But once you have kids (thankfully I'm not there.. that I know of) then the back seat questions become very valid and important.

This is correct!!!

Main reason this car will be such a success over the MX-5 is cause it has the 4 seats.

I would def have a used 370z if I only needed a 2 seater but i am always(at least 5 - 6 times a week I have 3 or more people in the car (never 5))

Or even if you don't have kids-the back seat of 2+2's are generally fantastically sized for musical instruments-which should NEVER go in a trunk.

Well, I suppose it's okay for drums and brass. But for the rest of us...

This back seat news is truly excellent. You're renewing my interest which I lost when I saw the screen shots with the 1 inch of rear legroom.

+1. I've used this excuse many times haha

one question i would appreciate an answer:

would the front seat goes back to its original position after letting people in and out of the back???? i hate having to keep adjusting the driver's seat.

thanks for your information on the rear seats. this is also very important for me as i have 2 gals.

thanks heaps.

+1 for FR Daddy thread!!!! :clap:

i have a 98 camaro and its just barely enough room for my super-expando 3 y/o twins. i fear any less room and they will pull a harry and the hendersons on my roof. seriously with all the stuff they put in food nowadays, they are growing almost too fast!

i was considering something 4door like (another) GS300, G8, is300... something decent with RWD and 4 doors but none have a 4 cyl for decent milage.

so the FR-S is like a god-send if i can fit my kids in thier seats back there.

camaro is just too old, too heavy, and too crummy on MPG. power is rad though! lol

I don't think it does, certainly the back of the seat comes back to a very upright position!

that sucks!!! thanks for your answer tho.

Boo - you have to manually reset both the back position and the forward-backward seat position on the passenger side front seat of my current car when you take anything out of the back seat and its a total PITA.

has there been any mention on price floating around craikeybaby?

They didn't mention price, but did say that they expect to sell 2000 in the UK next year, I guess that will include demonstrators and press fleet.

Gay I was parting for that feature

I guess you can use a WRX there. Personally, I have a new Corolla. Wife, kids, and fat people can go in it. I'll take my sports car for myself, wife, small kids. Anyone too fat to get in the back seats can get their own rides. :burnrubber:

Well thata simple fix. dont have fat friends :P

he's from america, they can't avoid that! :P

did you see the FR-S seats - less of a bucket seat... more of a spade

I kid ofc <3

I don't have kids but I would much rather tote kids around than adults since they weigh above 100 lbs per person. This car doesn't need heavy people in the back seats.

Do you weigh like 275lbs dude? Serious question.

You need to watch more Initial D to appreciate some weights in backseats (see battle with Kenta in the First Stage).:bellyroll:

What Car have now released the video from the evening: http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/toyo...-review/260443

That's an awesome grin you have. That's a good thing. I'd imagine I'd be grinning for quite some time sat in that. :0