Hey guys I recently test drove the 86 straight after test driving the Megane RS.

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by Obsessionz

Hey please don't compare it to a hyundai lol
http://www.drive.com.au/new-car-revi...617-zsaq8.html

That article lost me at "front wheel drive."

And no, we don't have Renault in the US. Renault had abysmal sales here and fled. They seem to have turned things around elsewhere, but all Americans remember is this:

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

That article lost me at "front wheel drive."

And no, we don't have Renault in the US. Renault had abysmal sales here and fled. They seem to have turned things around elsewhere, but all Americans remember is this:

Don't remember them like that in Canada. WAAAAY to much non rusted out body left in that pic!

[Deep Six]

A GT3 is much faster than 7:54

[Default]

There is a reason why engaging 2nd gear is sometimes stiff.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31929

[strat61caster]

The transmission breaks in from my experience, others agree, a fluid swap makes it more palatable as well.

But mostly it's made to feel good when the whole car is up to temperature and ready for a flogging running through the gears up in the powerband 5k-7k rpm. If the second gear is the only thing holding you back from buying this over the Renault then I would say buy the Toyobaru in a hearbeat, the 2nd gear will bother you for 5 minutes in the morning or late at night, the FWD heavy hatchback will bother you every minute you're in it.

The power I don't have an answer to, I'm really happy with it. My caution with the turbo is that you'll sacrifice reliability and trackability (many are worried about overheating, it's warm in stock trim), look at the classified section here and pay attention to how many have turbo kits added and yet they still 'weren't enough' or 'finances didn't work out' or whatever excuse. Forced induction is not a cure-all, there's more to owning a car than a torque curve and I am firmly of the opinion that if you would not be happy owning a stock Miata then I think eventually you'll get bored of the Toyobaru.

[Obsessionz]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

The transmission breaks in from my experience, others agree, a fluid swap makes it more palatable as well.

But mostly it's made to feel good when the whole car is up to temperature and ready for a flogging running through the gears up in the powerband 5k-7k rpm. If the second gear is the only thing holding you back from buying this over the Renault then I would say buy the Toyobaru in a hearbeat, the 2nd gear will bother you for 5 minutes in the morning or late at night, the FWD heavy hatchback will bother you every minute you're in it.

The power I don't have an answer to, I'm really happy with it. My caution with the turbo is that you'll sacrifice reliability and trackability (many are worried about overheating, it's warm in stock trim), look at the classified section here and pay attention to how many have turbo kits added and yet they still 'weren't enough' or 'finances didn't work out' or whatever excuse. Forced induction is not a cure-all, there's more to owning a car than a torque curve and I am firmly of the opinion that if you would not be happy owning a stock Miata then I think eventually you'll get bored of the Toyobaru.

Best answer so far!

Yes the 2nd gear will drive me insane most likely as I have had this problem before with a DC5R (Integra Type R) It drove me crazy every morning on the way to work, by the time I got to work it would be ready to go in smoothly and it wrecked the whole driving experience for me.

If your saying that turbo will have heating issues than for sure this car isn't for me. because the power I know ill get bored of easily.

Thank you for your time.

Mmmm maybe 92 Model NSX? Light weight rear wheel drive, just so hard to find one.

[trustyler]

Originally Posted by Obsessionz

Hey guys I recently test drove the 86 straight after test driving the Renault Megane RS.

Straight away as soon as I got in I loved the seating position better as I felt like i was in a sports car low to the ground. How all sports cars should feel.
The Megane RS didn't give me the low seating feeling.

The other thing I noticed I had trouble engaging into 2nd gear. It was very hard to select which kind of turned me off as Ive had previous bad experience in the past with 2nd gear when the car is cold it won't engage after a while the gears start to grind and the syncros start to give way.

I thought the 86 was a lot more fun to drive over the megane as it felt lighter and more easy to throw into the corners. Although the lack of power I think I would get bored of quite quickly. I put my foot down it started to pull and then nothing just a straight power curve to nothing? I was waiting for some kinda surge of power to kick in.
It is just missing that sort of punch (vtec, turbo, something.) Where the Megane has the power but just feels like your driving a high positioned hatchback you don't get that race car feeling if that makes sense.

Has anyone else had issues with 2nd gear? is it a problem that getters better after time?

I just can't seem to find a car under 45k that I love. If i was to buy the 86 it would definitely be getting a turbo kit added.

Let me know your thoughts guys.

I had problems with the 2nd gear grinding when it was new. At the first change oil I changed tranny and differential fluid and saw a lot of metal shavings in the gunk. But after that, the car shifted better and I have no problems with the gears anymore.

If you're looking for a great driving experience STOCK on canyons get this car. I have no complaints and don't even feel the lack of power on winding roads. Just pure fun. If you like a car with more torque STOCK, this car has a torque dip from around 3-4.5k rpm, so get the Genesis 2.0 turbo, Nissan 370Z or an American muscle car. If you're from Australia, most probably the Z and other muscle cars would probably be more expensive and out of your price range. What kind of power are you looking for? 300hp and 240 tq or something like that?

[djmm]

I'm from Australia as well, and like you, I couldn't find anything new for around $45k that has all the thing I want in a car.
- naturally low
- handles great
- good looking
- reliable Japanese brand

It's an iconic car which will be remembered many years from now. I think in terms of looks, I literally can't find anything that looks better than 86 (subjective) unless I go towards $100k+ range (read: Maserati Granturismo)

Also considered Audi A5 coupe but then again it's too expensive in Australia.

But recently I am intrigued by Mini Cooper John Copper Works - but then again I think it's overpriced and I'm not sure on the reliability either.

[Tcoat]

I live in Canada so cold trannys (talking about in cars, not the ones in downtown Toronto) are a fact of life. When starting out, 2nd can be sort of notchy but not impossible. I just take the shifts to 2nd very easy for the first few minutes. Like Strat said above in only about 5 minutes of driving it is as smooth as butter.
As far as the power thing goes just throw away all the numbers and comparisons as what looks bad on paper does not always reflect in real life. If you plan to race or track then a yes some more power would be nice but many guys track fully stock with no complaints. For street driving there is usually enough (at times I would like a little more) if you drive it right. Like said many times before on this forum a modest tune, better air flow (intake and exhaust) and some other minor tweeks can increase the power to the point that you can have loads of fun but not end up wrapped around a tree or in jail. Is it a stop light warrior? NO! Are there cars with faster straight line take off? YES (most actually)! If pedal mashing to go really fast, really quick is your thing then Trustyler gave you a nice list to work on. Again, with what you would pay more for those cars (not to mention the Elise you spoke about) you could have a an 86 that would blow them all away.
Not really sure exactly what your motives were in posting here as you certainly seem to have come in with a bias and no matter what we say you will not agree.
All of us would like a Ferrari or Lamborghini on an 86's budget but it is but a dream!

[DarkSunrise]

Agree with Strat61 about 2nd gear breaking in over time.

Recommend you go to a GT86 meet and see if you can get a ride in a supercharged car. Might be what you're looking for, and more reliable (but less powerful) than a turbo setup.

If that's not enough, you'll probably need to bite the bullet and go with something even more powerful, like a Cayman S or Exige.

[Scenic Driver]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

That article lost me at "front wheel drive."

And no, we don't have Renault in the US. Renault had abysmal sales here and fled. They seem to have turned things around elsewhere, but all Americans remember is this:

Some of us remember this piece of crap too, it was my first car, got it for free from friend of the family.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Scenic Driver

Some of us remember this piece of crap too, it was my first car, got it for free from friend of the family.

Are you sure they were a "friend"?

[Scenic Driver]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Are you sure they were a "friend"?

I didn't say they were a good friend :-).

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Scenic Driver

I didn't say they were a good friend :-).

I drove a pile of AMC products through the late 80s cuz I was dirt broke and they were CHEAP. The last one I had was a beat up (was only 4 years old and looked and drove like it was 15) 84 "Encore". These were really just an Alliance sold as an AMC. The car actually carried BOTH badges (all interior was Renault all exterior was AMC) so it shares something in common with the Twins!