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OnkelC's Odd Couple (one GT 86 and a Hybrid)

Hello all,
Thought I'd share my double pick up story here for a change.
As of last friday, I picked up not one, but two new cars from the local Toyota dealership:
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...d69da53083.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...65fe8e9f4e.jpg
The other one is a 2013 Auris Hybrid. Yeah, I know.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...ae057b522e.jpg

Back Story of my double dip was the following:

Had a Mk6 GTI as my company car for private use for the last three years, and most of the over 100.000 kilometers on it were done while on job or for commute.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...DxO800x600.jpg

Since the GTI was a company car, I didn't do any racing or stuff, the Autobahn and the A-/B-Roads were the sole areas of operations.

My field of operations is quite large and covers a lot of curvy mountaineous roads as well as several of Autobahn, most of which is speed limited, though.

In everyday traffic, the GTI felt (don't laugh) overmotorized, even when I was able to floor it, the rush only lasted for a few kilometers because of the density of the traffic over here.

On A and B roads, the GTI felt a tad front-heavy, the ESP and stuff kicked in quite early for my tastes. Never felt insecure or out of control with the GTI, though.

Since most of the Autobahns I use to get to business appointments are speed-limited anyway, the GTI was kind of overkill and left me with quite a dent in the salary.

The main factor for abandoning the GTI, though, was the ETA display on the Navigation system: for most of my drives, the difference between flooring it and driving civilized was between 2 and 5 minutes, time which would be lost on inner city traffic lights, construction sites, railroad crossings and the like anyway.

It was the DSG model, which was great to drive but caused some kind of "detachment" from the car for a lack of a better word. It shifts perfectly, way better than you would do by manual, so after a few hundred miles, I didn't even touch the paddles anymore and let the DSG work its magic. Downside of that: Interaction with the car while swimming with the trafic was about none, made it boring. Step in, start engine, set NAV, travel from point A to B, repeat for the way back. That can be had with a smaller engine as well.

No need for a "fast" car on a job basis for me. So I went with a Toyota Auris Hybrid for the work-related mileage and got the GT 86 as the pleasure vehicle.

All work, no fun!:
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...6/image-13.jpg
The concept of the Auris is the essence of every recent Toyota, aka "Zee car without sex appeal". Dunno about the USA, but Toyota in Germany stands for "the reasonable choice", a brand purely bought out of the head, not with the heart and/or groin. Adding and marketing an "environmentally friendly" motor/drivetrain to that image just fortifies it.

And yes, the Prius hybrid drivetrain is kinda lame; the Auris I picked up friday has basically the same one. Sole reason I got it because it was cheap as dirt (around 16.000EUR with about every extra) and I didn't want to have to set up my phone with two different MM systems ;)

But to be honest, achieving a high mpg can be similar fun as hooning around.

All fun and Serious Business!
The decision for getting a GT 86 was more or less love at first sight when I saw one at an Auto show last summer:
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...ps8413afce.jpg
As you can see, the car is the total opposite of me: low, skinny and naturally aspirated!

Posting pictures of "zee" GT 86 is kind of moot in here, most of you know it already, but still
:attention_whore::attention_whore::attention_whore ::attention_whore::attention_whore:
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...T86/null-3.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...40F1A28CC5.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...4109C01FD0.jpg

Current status on zee odd couple:
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...7c96e19c00.jpg
passed the 400 kilometer mark with both of them today.
Auris Hybrid: 40 liter tank still 3/4 full. Driving feels like a FWD Toyota with a CVT gearbox, a bit nervous and light on the steering, just as the one I test drove a couple months ago. ;) steering reminds me of my old 1994 1.4 XLi Corolla.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...C/12100002.jpg

GT 86: 50 liter tank at going to reserve :D
What a difference. car feels planted and really low, heavy steering, GREAT gearbox, plain fun. Can't wait to kick it up to max RPM in a couple 100 kilometers.

Already got a few overnight parts from Japan:
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...86/image-6.jpg
Next delivery contains the TRD carbon strut bar, the TRD/Momo steering wheel and a TRD carbon battery clamp. pics to follow once the stuff is released from customs.

vanity shots (or not)
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...T86/null-1.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2.../GT86/null.jpg
Thanks for reading! I'm looking forward to the next couple years with them (and you all, of course) :)

Looks great, and best of both worlds! I've been eyeing the TRD steering wheel, you will have to let us know what you think.

I loved this picture too. :)
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...ae057b522e.jpg

Thanks,
Rick

Quote:

Originally Posted by RallySport Direct (Post 939733)

I love that picture too!!

[IMG]http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i216/OnkelC/GT86/c43b7dc***f9f920d2374b586371f792.jpg[/IMG]
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...f675d7c16b.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...2df5eb6bb1.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnkelC (Post 959553)

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...ef6a5a9404.jpg

***** magnet

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnkelC (Post 960713)

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...15f1c28519.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...8e2f165841.jpg

Now the fun begins...:D

Soooo.... the ambulance, fire department and police came by to look at the Auris?

A few minor mods pending:
K&N or TRD air filter
TRD Front strut tower bar
TRD steering wheel
TRD Battery clamp
TRD oil, water and fuel caps
TRD sound changer tube (red)

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnkelC (Post 945166)

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...0e1190f2d4.jpg

Great car and nice Sinn. I've been wanting one of those.

Did you get your TRD Steering Wheel in yet? I've had my eye on that for awhile and would love to see more pictures and a review of course :)

Thanks,
Rick

Quote:

Originally Posted by RallySport Direct (Post 1006851)

Did you get your TRD Steering Wheel in yet? I've had my eye on that for awhile and would love to see more pictures and a review of course :)

Thanks,
Rick

Hi Rick, yes, it has arrived recently. Unfortunately, I don't have the proper tools nor the time to change the wheel just yet.

Did a bit of pedal to the metal yesterday:
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...6114980cbe.jpg

obligatory "2222"-shot
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...6190c8c471.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnkelC (Post 1014350)

Very cool, would love to see some pictures when you get it installed! :)

I also took my 1111 shot on my personal BRZ a few days ago, and celebrated with a redline pull. Also I just converted to KPH to MPH and you were really moving when you snapped those pics haha :)

Thanks,
Rick

Machine wash.. /slap ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aydhayeth (Post 1018691)

Machine wash.. /slap ;)

that you?
[ame]http://youtu.be/hcCkQS8l4J4[/ame]

First "real" performance upgrade: I installed the TRD JDM Sports Air Filter this morning. while I was at it, I removed the foam plug from the default Sound changer as well.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...76825fc9e6.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...1383a0b5b3.jpg

The motor feels a bit free breathing, a teensy bit more elastic and a bit more bassy. Very subtle changes though, no game changer.

DId you notice any real difference in air filters except for the color?

Update:
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...6b4a9d14d4.jpg

The engine bay is now completely TRDfied (drop in air filter, oil filter, radiator cap, oil filler cap and front strut tower bar) :
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...760c15caa1.jpg

TRD steering wheel and shift knob:
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...9990e9a022.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...5fcfe9252f.jpg

and the door latch reinforcements, haven't taken pics of them yet ;) :)

Next Stops (in this particular order):
Winter wheels
Air intake duct
Chiptuning
Exhaust...

What's the nubbin on the steering column? I'd guess microphone for something, but I figured I'd ask.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedLeader (Post 1351272)

What's the nubbin on the steering column? I'd guess microphone for something, but I figured I'd ask.

Good guess, its a microphone for the handsfree phone kit every GT86 gets over here from factory

Thank you onkelc for your built thread. Was looking around to see some of the "visual only" TRD parts and your thread was very helpfull. However I decided not to get them, still like how they look

Quote:

Originally Posted by Killerbee (Post 1421023)

Thank you onkelc for your built thread. Was looking around to see some of the "visual only" TRD parts and your thread was very helpfull. However I decided not to get them, still like how they look

Thanks for the kind words!:thumbup:
I try to keep the changes to the exterior of the car at a minimum as to not attract the heat more than necessary.
Plans for 2014 include a new exhaust and some OFT treatment, will keep you all updated.

i think the Auris is a EU only model line, it replaced the Corolla line over here a few years ago.
http://www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars/auris
it's basically the Prius drivetrain sans the Prius looks.

Next Stop: OFT, btw. :)

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...F96B13F809.jpg

New toy:
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...18fb0909d6.jpg

Currently I am torn between upgrading the exhaust and upgrading the clutch/flywheel. What would be your next step(s)?

Drivers Training yesterday including Kick Plate fun:
[ame]http://youtu.be/cwdtCrNwkaI[/ame]
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...51171F02CC.jpg