Any good reason to stick with 1st Gen?

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by dsc_pat

I should quit the internet.

this isn't even an oil discussion!

[fredzy]

[alone1i]

keiichi tsuchiya Loves 2nd gen too much :/

[Ernest72]

Originally Posted by alone1i

keiichi tsuchiya Loves 2nd gen too much :/

He is sort of an ambassador so he needs to drive the new one. Not that there is a reason not to drive it. Secretly I still think he likes his first Gen, just like he loves his AE.

[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by Ernest72

He is sort of an ambassador so he needs to drive the new one. Not that there is a reason not to drive it. Secretly I still think he likes his first Gen, just like he loves his AE.

I don’t see why it had to be a secret. There’s nothing stopping him from liking both the ZN6/ZC6 and the ZN8/ZD8 as well as his AE86.

[PBR]

This guy is as about as sponsored as sponsored content gets. Rental car commerical hiding as a review lol. He can drive but I don't listen to a word about any aftermarket parts. "Why do you use KW, DK?"

"Because I am wise, loved, they are the best and oh yeah, KW gave them to me." Lol

[VittorioS]

The 2nd Gen GR86 felt so good to me that I felt like I wasted money modifying my 1st FRS (Supercharged) and my 2nd TRD 86 (FBO).

It's been almost half a year since I got rid of my 86 and I never missed it, but I do crave driving the GR86.

Something about it just felt so good.

[Samba86]

Test drove the '22 BRZ yesterday back to back with my 86. Was given an hour to play on coarse windy roads. Drove the same way in my car on the way there and on the way back. My car is a 2013 86 GTS manual with 25k kms/15k miles on it. Only mods are fresh Pilot Sport 4 tyres, a catless header and a stage 2 tune.

First impression was that it looked handsome, tho still a little anonymous in the flesh. It can sometimes appear like a decked crossover (puma comes to mind) in pics, but it felt squat and sporty in person. Still much prefer the original FT86 design - not a fan of large black plastic vents or racer side skirts. A matter of taste.

Interior felt similar to my GTS - infotainment the obvious step up. Things I miss: frameless rearview mirror, leather that covers the entire seat bolsters, and the full panel leather knee rests (they're uncomfortable plastic protrusions in the new car for the inner man-spreaders in all of us.) Also not a fan of how the infotainment sticks out of the dash. The digital gauges are tasteful (nice fonts layout and colours), but I will always prefer a real tach in comparison to looking at a screen.

Ok the driving. Extra oomph down low - you can feel it. There's still a dip (this is still a small capacity four cylinder that needs revs and the right gear) but it feels like a solid step up despite my mods. Unfortunately my Aussie dealer only has an auto demo model prior to launch, so I wasn't feeling the full impact of the new engine due to the added weight and taller gearing.

Road noise overall is reduced slightly in the new car, but there's a distinctive coarse sound coming from over the front tyres that might get tedious. I'm guessing the aluminium front fenders allow these frequencies into the cabin.

Speaking of frequencies, the digital engine enhancement speaker is tolerable until you start hitting 5K revs regularly; it then becomes shrill and artificial sounding. Glad that it can be disconnected, but much prefer the LFA style induction tube in the 86.

As I got to the bends, I noticed that steering feel was significantly different to the 86 on the same tyres. The '22 is predictable and controlled, but the steering is notably lighter and less communicative. Over the bumps and crests, I couldn't feel what the tyres were doing in the same way that I could with the 86. Back to back it felt like electric vs hydraulic steering. "Steering feel" is one of those eye-rolling intangible things for some, but for me it's central to what the 86 platform is all about. I daily a lightly modded GTI, and the 86 is reserved for playtime, so it's all about the feel I can get through a corner. The new car doesn't deliver the same tactile feedback.

Final thoughts - better looking in the flesh, and a nice step up in a lot of ways. Still if you have a fresh, premium trimmed 86 or BRZ with some mods, the new car is very similar. You may however miss that connected, more analogue experience that's present in the first gen. Looking forward to seeing how the '23 Z pans out, but at this stage I'll be sticking with my current two car setup.

[Dirty Harry]

Originally Posted by Samba86

As I got to the bends, I noticed that steering feel was significantly different to the 86 on the same tyres. The '22 is predictable and controlled, but the steering is notably lighter and less communicative. Over the bumps and crests, I couldn't feel what the tyres were doing in the same way that I could with the 86. Back to back it felt like electric vs hydraulic steering. "Steering feel" is one of those eye-rolling intangible things for some, but for me it's central to what the 86 platform is all about. I daily a lightly modded GTI, and the 86 is reserved for playtime, so it's all about the feel I can get through a corner. The new car doesn't deliver the same tactile feedback.

This is exactly what I encountered. You do start to second guess yourself and I’m tempted to go back for another test drive. But I think you summed it up quite nicely as to what I experienced too. Also this is not to crap on the new car, it’s still great and has a lot of positives, but there are some negatives.

[Samba86]

Originally Posted by Dirty Harry

This is exactly what I encountered. You do start to second guess yourself and I’m tempted to go back for another test drive. But I think you summed it up quite nicely as to what I experienced too. Also this not to crap on the new car it’s still great and has a lot of positives, but there are some negatives.

Just reading your thoughts now. Wish I knew to ask about the swag bag you got! :'(

Looks like we have the same cars, live in the same area and have similar thoughts about the '22. Went into the demo knowing that if it ticked all the boxes I would order a GR86 (prefer the front end) as soon as that's possible here. Instead my mind immediately turned to assessing other options (old Caymans, S2000s, new Z etc) as I drove home. Was settled on how I felt about the '22 because my overall impression was been there done that and there are things I definitely prefer about the FT86.

I posted my feedback in this thread (rather than as a seperate review) because I don't want to shite on the new model - this is the final generation of affordable ICE sports cars, they're great value and miles more fun than any of the hot hatches. The demo just didn't spark any desire to get my wallet out - plenty of respect, but not lust. I'll test the GR when demos come in a manual to see if the steering feels different, but the '22 twins are on the back burner for me.

[CincyJohn]

In response to Samba86, looks are always going to be subjective so there is no “right” answer, and even between two different Gen 1 cars, depending on year, color, mods, wheels, suspension, etc. there can be significant variations between what I think looks good/bad. Having said that, I finally saw a 2022 Premium Trueno GR86 right next to my 2020 Rally Blue BRZ and if I ever had any doubts whatsoever about making the switch, they were immediately gone. I feel bad - I love my 2020- but now I just find myself counting the days until get my 2022.

I will say one thing since you mentioned “the big plastic vents” and “racer side skirts” - I think you couldn’t be more wrong. I think the one distinction I would make between the two cars side by side is that one looks like the polished big brother and the other looks like the racer “want to be” little brother. As I said, looks are subjective- but that’s my subjective opinion.

[Samba86]

Originally Posted by CincyJohn

In response to Samba86, looks are always going to be subjective so there is no “right” answer, and even between two different Gen 1 cars, depending on year, color, mods, wheels, suspension, etc. there can be significant variations between what I think looks good/bad. Having said that, I finally saw a 2022 Premium Trueno GR86 right next to my 2020 Rally Blue BRZ and if I ever had any doubts whatsoever about making the switch, they were immediately gone. I feel bad - I love my 2020- but now I just find myself I counting the days until get my 2022.

I will say one thing since you mentioned “the big plastic vents” and
“racer side skirts” - I think you couldn’t be more wrong. I think the one distinction I would make between the two cars side by side is that one looks like the polished big brother ans the other looks like the racer “want to be” little brother. As I said, looks are subjective- but that’s my subjective opinion.

Yep completely subjective, and I'm genuinely happy for you. There's been a lot of tribalism on Reddit/Insta (I'm guessing here too) since the new models appeared - sledging and personal attacks on both sides. Kinda sad when we should be enjoying these cars for how they enrich our lives.

In regard to aesthetics, it's difficult to divorce the inferred racer boy image from the first gen because they've been abused and riced for a decade. The overall design is actually very simple, clean (in the true sense of the word) and fuss free.

[Dirty Harry]

Originally Posted by Samba86

Just reading your thoughts now. Wish I knew to ask about the swag bag you got! :'(

Looks like we have the same cars, live in the same area and have similar thoughts about the '22. Went into the demo knowing that if it ticked all the boxes I would order a GR86 (prefer the front end) as soon as that's possible here. Instead my mind immediately turned to assessing other options (old Caymans, S2000s, new Z etc) as I drove home. Was settled on how I felt about the '22 because my overall impression was been there done that and there are things I definitely prefer about the FT86.

I posted my feedback in this thread (rather than as a seperate review) because I don't want to shite on the new model - this is the final generation of affordable ICE sports cars, they're great value and miles more fun than any of the hot hatches. The demo just didn't spark any desire to get my wallet out - plenty of respect, but not lust. I'll test the GR when demos come in a manual to see if the steering feels different, but the '22 twins are on the back burner for me.

There was only the crayons in the bag lol, you didn’t miss out on much.

Yeah I came away from the test drive appreciating my car more for what it is. Be careful of the vs section here, they can be good reads, but I guess you can think the grass is always greener etc. good choice of cars though, Caymans and S2000s. Plenty of comparison reviews around.

Different cars but this is good for a laugh, explains the vs section well: https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67100

BTW how’d you find the power difference as your car has a catless header and tune?

[man.]

Hello buddy


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