GT Spec - Speedometer issue
 

Good day folks,

I test drove GT spec 86 on the weekend and found what I consider a serious issue with the instrument cluster. As you might know, on the GT spec there is no digital speedo as part of the tachometer, but only the analogue speedo that sits to the left of the tacho. The speedo is quite small, the writing on it is also quite small, it does not have the conventional design and I found it quite hard to read while driving the car.

I think this is a safety/legal concern, especially with the draconian speeding laws we have in some states (Looking at you Victoria). I really think the digital speedo should be a part of both model specs as its not a cosmetic item, but something you require to be able to drive the car safely.

I have written to Toyota Aus expressing my opinion and would encourage others to do the same if they share my concern.

Cheers

I didn't drive the gt but did drive the gts and noticed this too. I purely relied on the digital speedo while driving then gave a quick glance to the normal speedo and spent far too long trying to see where i was.

If Toyota doesnt add a digital cluster or modify the speedo to make it clearer, I hope the gts cluster isn't a hard swap.

eventually i will learn what rpm in what gear equals what speed... though i agree that less time spent looking at your dials and more time looking at the road is a good thing

did you have a picture of the dash?

Agreed, if you are driving the GT version checking what speed your going is a safety issue/pita since its so small.

But yeah as JiB was saying you'll know what speed your going based on your revs and gear eventually :)


Government propaganda lol - trying to make it harder to know how fast your going so they can fine you like theres no tomorrow for speeding lol and increase their revenue haha

I had same issue too. I did testdrive on GTS model, I didn't realized digital speedo was in center of RPM.(because my previous cars don't have digital speedometer). my eye went to analogue speedo and it was hard to read.

to be honest, in my test drive i didnt look at the speedo once, i only looked to see how high i went in the rpm.

It would be cool to have the digital speedo like the old s13 silvia's where it reflects off the windshield

hmmm i guess trying to look out the dront could get a little hard to see...

Good thing I got the GTS then :D

wonder if a retro fit would be difficult , wonder if the connectors are already in place.

I had no trouble in the GT I test drove. It's very similar to my dad's BMW in terms of location and size.

If you are concerned about that, you should try driving a porsche, the increments are so small (50-100kph is like 15mm!), that you HAVE to use the digital readout to have any clue what's going on!

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._1674195_n.jpg


I can't say I look at my speedo particularly often, unless going through speed zone changes or something like camera/cops catches my eye anyway.

M5 has the heads up display, which is handy, and also displays your nav instructions, revs, what gear you are in, and any faults/warnings etc..

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...02557592_n.jpg

I am sure defi makes a heads up displlay that connects with your ecu, or at least they used to, cos I had one in an old car. That could be an option.

Mark

The writing on the Porsche speedo is actually bigger, plus black on white is easier to read. But yeah the increments are ridiculous!

I seriously would suggest people write to Toyota Aus about this. They should be able to install the plan black speedo but with the digital display into the GT.

If anyone can find a picture of the speedometer from the drivers point of view and can post it into this thread, that would be appreciated. The picture above is deceptive, as its a close up.

I have tested three 86s, not problem for my reading at all.....

Trying to judge 50km/h in the GT is pretty damn hard. The digital readout should be a nice-to-have not a necessity.