Porsche GT4RS owner’s view of GR86

[HogtownBRZ]

Frickin’ love it!

Edit: Meant to include BRZ in heading.

I had a chance to test drive a 2023 BRZ last weekend. I used to own a 2016 BRZ which I bought new and loved that one too but the new one really takes care of the details. Soooo glad that torque dip is mostly taken care of. I didn’t want to rev the nuts off of it with the sales lady sitting next to me but could def feel a difference in thrust from what I remember (traded the BRZ for a 2014 Cayman). Brakes felt great, nice feedback. Can always tell what the front end is doing.

I track my cars, mostly at Sebring, but plan on hitting Road Atlanta this Fall. Now I’m seriously considering getting a BRZ/GR86 as a dedicated track car to keep the miles/abuse off of the GT4RS (and the consumables expense, which is really high, especially track insurance and ceramic brakes). There’s so much aftermarket parts available that it’d fun to build a GT4RS-styled BRZ with carbon hood, wing, etc. I’ll still track the GT4RS but I’d travel more to farther tracks like Barber or COTA if I didn’t have to leave a crazy expensive car in a hotel parking lot overnight.

The GR86/BRZ is a truly amazing drivers car, great platform to either keep stock and enjoy or build to your heart’s content. Plus it’s nice to not have businesses/services jack up their prices because you show up in a Porsche, lol.

[mr.whiskers]

I guess you haven't heard of all the BRZ/GR86 blowing up their engines on track?
If you are serious about tracking the car I wouldn't buy it to be honest. Even I am starting to get anxiety about it even thought I don't track it, just autocross once in a while.

Shame really because the chassis is set up so well

[vindiesel]

Originally Posted by mr.whiskers

I guess you haven't heard of all the BRZ/GR86 blowing up their engines on track?
If you are serious about tracking the car I wouldn't buy it to be honest. Even I am starting to get anxiety about it even thought I don't track it, just autocross once in a while.

Shame really because the chassis is set up so well

He can afford a gt4rs he can afford a 7000$ used engine.

You don’t have a warranty? You going to sell yours?

[murdoc]

Originally Posted by vindiesel

He can afford a gt4rs he can afford a 7000$ used engine.

You don’t have a warranty? You going to sell yours?

There are way too many dead reliable track cars available to buy one with a flaw there isn't a fix for yet though.

[gnarjunkie]

Originally Posted by mr.whiskers

I guess you haven't heard of all the BRZ/GR86 blowing up their engines on track?
If you are serious about tracking the car I wouldn't buy it to be honest. Even I am starting to get anxiety about it even thought I don't track it, just autocross once in a while.

Shame really because the chassis is set up so well

Funny how things escalate over the internet

The folks currently doing a deep dive on data on the oil pressure loss issue literally have dozens of track days on their cars. They've probably run my whole season's worth of track days just diagnosing and gathering data since they've realized something is happening. And if you look around on these forums or in FB groups, there are many many folks with 20,30+ track days on their 86... and some of them are doing that many days in a single year.

I like to think I make it out to the track a lot... but if I'm honest, that's probably about as many track days as I've made it to in my entire life haha.

Not saying there isn't a known issue... but right now no one really knows how big of an issue it is. And in the meantime, there's a crazy amount of these cars on track every single weekend happily turning lap after lap.

[Vertigyn]

Glad you liked it! It is a fun and affordable track toy. I really enjoyed mine and it has done over 15 days without issue. It's always fun to be hit up in the pits with folks amazed at the cornering speeds the car can carry. Plus, you can drive the piss out of it without concern of a massive bill if something does happen. Some good coil overs, BBK, and alignment pieces and the car is pretty damn fun. But - just be ready to do the point by thing on all the straights

I really enjoyed mine - but its for sale and will hopefully be gone soon!

[diga]

Originally Posted by mr.whiskers

I guess you haven't heard of all the BRZ/GR86 blowing up their engines on track?
If you are serious about tracking the car I wouldn't buy it to be honest. Even I am starting to get anxiety about it even thought I don't track it, just autocross once in a while.

Shame really because the chassis is set up so well

there's probably going to be a range of aftermarket solutions to mitigate the oil pressure problems - check out the video on flatirons tuning for an in depth discussion with 900BRZ

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by murdoc

There are way too many dead reliable track cars available to buy one with a flaw there isn't a fix for yet though.

Such as? I can't really think of any at anything close to a BRZ/GR86's price point.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by HogtownBRZ

Frickin’ love it!

Edit: Meant to include BRZ in heading.

I had a chance to test drive a 2023 BRZ last weekend. I used to own a 2016 BRZ which I bought new and loved that one too but the new one really takes care of the details. Soooo glad that torque dip is mostly taken care of. I didn’t want to rev the nuts off of it with the sales lady sitting next to me but could def feel a difference in thrust from what I remember (traded the BRZ for a 2014 Cayman). Brakes felt great, nice feedback. Can always tell what the front end is doing.

I track my cars, mostly at Sebring, but plan on hitting Road Atlanta this Fall. Now I’m seriously considering getting a BRZ/GR86 as a dedicated track car to keep the miles/abuse off of the GT4RS (and the consumables expense, which is really high, especially track insurance and ceramic brakes). There’s so much aftermarket parts available that it’d fun to build a GT4RS-styled BRZ with carbon hood, wing, etc. I’ll still track the GT4RS but I’d travel more to farther tracks like Barber or COTA if I didn’t have to leave a crazy expensive car in a hotel parking lot overnight.

The GR86/BRZ is a truly amazing drivers car, great platform to either keep stock and enjoy or build to your heart’s content. Plus it’s nice to not have businesses/services jack up their prices because you show up in a Porsche, lol.

Just a FYI, peak torque is at 3700 rpm, quite the opposite of having to wait till nearly 5000 rpm just to have the engine wake up in the 4RS!

The factory stock compound for the brakes is different on the 22+ from the 13-20. It isn't however, track worthy.

Keep in mind that wheel/tire fitment is a bit different on the 22+. Front is identical to 1st gen, but rears will need higher offset. You can run high offset all around and space the front to taste.

Have you seen the price of the Porsche rotor carbon content testing tool?

[HogtownBRZ]

Originally Posted by diga

there's probably going to be a range of aftermarket solutions to mitigate the oil pressure problems - check out the video on flatirons tuning for an in depth discussion with 900BRZ

Awesome video. This reminds me a little bit of the IMS bearing issue with Porsche from around 2000-2005. Different mechanical issue but similar end result. Eventually, the aftermarket came up with a solution and I'm sure it'll happen here as well.

[HogtownBRZ]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Just a FYI, peak torque is at 3700 rpm, quite the opposite of having to wait till nearly 5000 rpm just to have the engine wake up in the 4RS! I will say, the wait is worth it, especially when you hear (and feel) the earsplitting banshee wail at 9K!

The factory stock compound for the brakes is different on the 22+ from the 13-20. I'm a huge fan of Carbotech pads, def will be swapping pads and brake fluid as #1 change.

Keep in mind that wheel/tire fitment is a bit different on the 22+. Front is identical to 1st gen, but rears will need higher offset. You can run high offset all around and space the front to taste. Great info, thanks.

Have you seen the price of the Porsche rotor carbon content testing tool?

Mannn, I wouldn't even want to know, bet you could buy a decent car with the $$$.

Putting together a model car collection of cars I've owned, mine was white but always admired the blues.

https://ibb.co/8DPqYYj

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by HogtownBRZ

Mannn, I wouldn't even want to know, bet you could buy a decent car with the $$$.

Pretty much lol.

I exclusively drive 4RS's with earplugs on. Interestingly, the 4RS sounds virtually identical to the 991 3/3RS's, rather than the 992 with the symposer. I prefer the 4RS note.

[Ernest72]

Love my 14 Cayman, but still love my 16 BRZ daily. So many smiles per mile. Probably would like the Gen 2 the same or more, need to drive one.

[subaruslow]

Hey can you provide more details on the cars driving vs the 2016? its really hard to get a test drive or impossible and I don't care about mulling around. I want to know how it feels at the limit. I still can't see adding the weight being worth it but I have no idea as I can't drive a new gen. Thank you. Im mainly interested in at limit handling on bumpy type canyon roads. Is it really better? Convince me!