Finally....
 

Picked up the new GT86 this morning and put 270 miles on it, 60 on the motorway the rest on twisty coastal roads along one of arguably the best roads in the world, Northern Ireland's A2 Antrim Coast scenic route. If you ever come here on holiday you HAVE to take this drive in a rental.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z...o/IMAG0654.jpg

Downside, my right arm is sore, just not used to the driving position, totally different from my previous car, not helped by first drive nerves. Wheel a bit too far from the door armrest to relax my arm on it. I'm sure I'll get used to it in a day or two.

Boy is it playful. I was keeping everything sensible and sedate, but it still wanted to play every time there was a roundabout and there are a LOT of roundabouts in this country.

Gorgeous. Enjoy it!

Looks great man! Enjoy it, although break it in properly ;)
Don't be going WOT just yet :p

Grtz

Beautiful photo.

I've been gentle with it 95% of the time the other 5% I've given the odd few seconds of full throttle but kept the revs under 5k.

The only frown it gave me through out the first 6 hours of driving was the smell of the exhaust sealants etc. was quite strong at times. This seemed to fade away later on.

CONGRATULATIONS .....paulca!

An center armrest may help you feel more comfortable.

Beautiful car ..... pretty countryside!


humfrz

I feel like I'm in a minority with this car. The seating position seems perfect for me. I can rest my arm on the door without issue, and I can even put my other arm on the center console comfortably. I have no need for the center armrest. Either way, enjoy the car, I know I've enjoyed mine. I've found it wants to escape the most when turning uphill, especially if there is gravel/salt/sand on the road, definitely have to take off careful on those.

Also, your picture got you my 700th thanks. Not that that's very relevant, but yeah.

Remember mine is right hand drive, it's my door side arm that is sore, especially the wrist.

I think I need to play around with the seat position a little. I had to move the seat forward a few inches as the clutch bite is only a few inches off the floor and it was tricky with a near straight leg. I was used to a bite very high up on the clutch (stalled the GT first time in the dealers forecourt!)

This and the closer steering wheel means when I turn right in a bend my right hand comes down and the wrist bends back (at the point of strongest feedback too), if you can imagine that.

I think I'll try reclining the seat a notch or two give myself a little more arm room see how that feels.

I suppose I could ask the dealer to adjust the clutch bite to be higher, but I gather the clutch will change over time as it beds in more anyway.

When I cum can I rent yours?

Actually that raises an interesting point. Most people are right handed. In a car my right hand is "door side", I shift and poke buttons with my left and do most of the steering with my right.

Of course for you guys, you are shifting with your right (primary hand) and ... do you steer mostly with your left or do you always favour getting your hand back on the wheel ASAP between shifts so you can steer with your right (as well)?

Here's a thread on how to adjust the engagement point of the clutch. You can probably do this on your own.