Driving a normal car again - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Mike Hoxbig · 02-28-2013, 02:32 PM

Hey guys, what are your experiences when driving another car after driving your 86?

After 3 straight weeks of cruising around with my 86, I drove the Polo again for the first time today. Now the Polo is not a bad car to drive at all, but it felt almost undriveable to me.
- the steering wheel felt too light
- it seemed to float around quite a bit
- the location of the gears felt too low, felt as though I had to reach towards the floor to reach the gears
- the throw action of the gears felt too long. Sometimes I'd change gears and put it into neutral because I've grown so used to the short throw action of the 86
- the seating position is too high, felt like I was driving a taxi

So what are yours?

Alang · 02-28-2013, 02:50 PM

Had to drive a quantam down to Pietermaritzburg. Talk about feeling like a taxi driver

Absolutely no feel whatsoever, driving out of Joburg was struggling to keep it in the lane because it felt like it was wandering.
Was great to get back into the 86!

Vic_RSA · 02-28-2013, 02:58 PM

I actually enjoy driving my girlfriend's Hyundai i20 1.6 on the weekend... It's vague and thus relaxing as you aren't urged to push it harder or really drive it... It's a commuter's car, not a driver's car. I'm stuck with the Mini for a few weeks from Monday while they (finally!!!) repair the rear of my 86... At least the Mini also has great steering...

whaap · 02-28-2013, 03:01 PM

Yeah, driving my wife's CRV is certainly a different experience but in all fairness the CR-V and the FR-S both have different purposes.

KapteinBos · 03-01-2013, 02:22 AM

Still drive the jetta weekends. Feels like youre sitting on a plank. The steeringwheel is too far and the steering light... Ride is very smooth though...

sav · 03-01-2013, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Hoxbig

Hey guys, what are your experiences when driving another car after driving your 86?

After 3 straight weeks of cruising around with my 86, I drove the Polo again for the first time today. Now the Polo is not a bad car to drive at all, but it felt almost undriveable to me.
- the steering wheel felt too light
- it seemed to float around quite a bit
- the location of the gears felt too low, felt as though I had to reach towards the floor to reach the gears
- the throw action of the gears felt too long. Sometimes I'd change gears and put it into neutral because I've grown so used to the short throw action of the 86
- the seating position is too high, felt like I was driving a taxi

So what are yours?

Had a Corolla rental last week - same as above and it was completely gutless in any gear.

Vladror · 03-01-2013, 07:27 AM

compared to my megane gt:
con
steering is way too light, feedback insufficient, and so prone to oversteer
it's too quiet
seating too high
pro:
very smooth ride, less bouncy than 86
handling is actually very good, as soon as you get used to the steering wheel
much more practical in town, small turning circle, lots of visibility surrounding the car

i'm in two minds if it makes sense to keep it or not, b/c a third car (in addition to wife's) is a bit much and i don't have garage space to keep it in, but it is a different type of fun to drive. I've had a few days of really bad traffic in the 86 and it is a bit tiring to drive

Vic_RSA · 03-01-2013, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vladror

compared to my megane gt:
con
steering is way too light, feedback insufficient, and so prone to oversteer
it's too quiet
seating too high
pro:
very smooth ride, less bouncy than 86
handling is actually very good, as soon as you get used to the steering wheel
much more practical in town, small turning circle, lots of visibility surrounding the car

i'm in two minds if it makes sense to keep it or not, b/c a third car (in addition to wife's) is a bit much and i don't have garage space to keep it in, but it is a different type of fun to drive. I've had a few days of really bad traffic in the 86 and it is a bit tiring to drive

In traffic they are a bit heavy to drive I will agree. I get out tired. But it's a rewarding car to drive I guess so part of the territory.

Also I must say that the 86 seems to be quite maneuverable in a tight environment. More so than my old FWD Corolla. Maybe it's the quick steering that helps. Parking is still a bitch due to visibility though.

I wonder if this car will be the greatest mistake we all ever make...?

Mike Hoxbig · 03-05-2013, 01:04 PM

Back to driving the Polo during the week to keep my mileage down on the 86. Feels like torture, can't wait until Friday!

Gp1666 · 03-05-2013, 02:23 PM

Just drove my mums fiat 500 for last 2 days. I felt like mr bean when he drove with a couch on top of his mini :P fun little car tho ~

mact · 03-05-2013, 02:33 PM

Going from my BRZ to my 96 Acura RL felt like going from a Jet ski to a Pontoon.

kchkwan · 03-05-2013, 03:10 PM

I struggle to drive any car but my brz... My 08 Honda accord feels wayyy too roomy... The steering wherl way too light... Brakes way too soft... N fml with body role... Almost fishtailed...

02-28-2013, 02:32 PM	#1
Mike Hoxbig Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Drives: Toyota 86 High 6MT Location: Johannesburg Posts: 91 Thanks: 5 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Driving a normal car again Hey guys, what are your experiences when driving another car after driving your 86? After 3 straight weeks of cruising around with my 86, I drove the Polo again for the first time today. Now the Polo is not a bad car to drive at all, but it felt almost undriveable to me. - the steering wheel felt too light - it seemed to float around quite a bit - the location of the gears felt too low, felt as though I had to reach towards the floor to reach the gears - the throw action of the gears felt too long. Sometimes I'd change gears and put it into neutral because I've grown so used to the short throw action of the 86 - the seating position is too high, felt like I was driving a taxi So what are yours?

03-05-2013, 02:33 PM	#11
mact Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: 13 GTI Location: WI Posts: 416 Thanks: 119 Thanked 204 Times in 97 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Going from my BRZ to my 96 Acura RL felt like going from a Jet ski to a Pontoon. __________________

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02-28-2013, 02:58 PM	#3
Vic_RSA The voice of reason... Join Date: Nov 2012 Drives: 2012 Toyota 86 6MT Standard Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 740 Thanks: 335 Thanked 99 Times in 63 Posts Mentioned: 6 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I actually enjoy driving my girlfriend's Hyundai i20 1.6 on the weekend... It's vague and thus relaxing as you aren't urged to push it harder or really drive it... It's a commuter's car, not a driver's car. I'm stuck with the Mini for a few weeks from Monday while they (finally!!!) repair the rear of my 86... At least the Mini also has great steering...

02-28-2013, 03:01 PM	#4
whaap Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Drives: '13 FR-S firestorm, 6 mt - '11 CR-V Location: Tucson Posts: 2,133 Thanks: 243 Thanked 1,387 Times in 657 Posts Mentioned: 36 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Yeah, driving my wife's CRV is certainly a different experience but in all fairness the CR-V and the FR-S both have different purposes.

03-01-2013, 02:22 AM	#5
KapteinBos Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Drives: Toyota 86, Pearl White, Manual Location: Johannesburg Posts: 175 Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Still drive the jetta weekends. Feels like youre sitting on a plank. The steeringwheel is too far and the steering light... Ride is very smooth though...

03-01-2013, 07:27 AM	#7
Vladror Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Drives: Toyota 86 M High - Dark Grey Location: Cape Town, South Africa Posts: 498 Thanks: 66 Thanked 109 Times in 52 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	compared to my megane gt: con steering is way too light, feedback insufficient, and so prone to oversteer it's too quiet seating too high pro: very smooth ride, less bouncy than 86 handling is actually very good, as soon as you get used to the steering wheel much more practical in town, small turning circle, lots of visibility surrounding the car i'm in two minds if it makes sense to keep it or not, b/c a third car (in addition to wife's) is a bit much and i don't have garage space to keep it in, but it is a different type of fun to drive. I've had a few days of really bad traffic in the 86 and it is a bit tiring to drive

03-05-2013, 01:04 PM	#9
Mike Hoxbig Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Drives: Toyota 86 High 6MT Location: Johannesburg Posts: 91 Thanks: 5 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Back to driving the Polo during the week to keep my mileage down on the 86. Feels like torture, can't wait until Friday!

03-05-2013, 02:23 PM	#10
Gp1666 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Drives: Toyota 86 std Dark Grey metallic Location: Gauteng Posts: 158 Thanks: 47 Thanked 18 Times in 12 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Just drove my mums fiat 500 for last 2 days. I felt like mr bean when he drove with a couch on top of his mini :P fun little car tho ~

03-05-2013, 03:10 PM	#12
kchkwan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Drives: Subaru BRZ Location: Toronto Posts: 118 Thanks: 4 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I struggle to drive any car but my brz... My 08 Honda accord feels wayyy too roomy... The steering wherl way too light... Brakes way too soft... N fml with body role... Almost fishtailed...

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