GR86 Real World Road Tests & Reviews

[Red-86]

Originally Posted by beltax90

first gen brz owner and really knew how to have fun with it

Yeah, but what about the only really important question, does the speedo have a fast enough refresh rate???!!!

[timurrrr]

Originally Posted by Red-86

Yeah, but what about the only really important question, does the speedo have a fast enough refresh rate???!!!

I asked Jason Cammisa what he thinks about it, and it's not unlikely that we'll soon get a "Know it all" on that topic

[Red-86]

Originally Posted by Blighty

We have the same laws in Australia regarding modification... adding superchargers and turbos are illegal

It's not illegal to add superchargers or turbos. They just have to be engineered and certified (including a modification plate) to be legal, that's all. It's only backyard/'do-it-yourself' ones that are not certified by an engineer that are illegal. But of course, doing it properly and getting it engineered costs a fortune, which is why so many people do it on the cheap (i.e. illegal).

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Red-86

Indeed, it seems like virtually every new car that is reviewed by people who depend upon the goodwill of manufacturers to get early access to cars and exclusive test drives gets a positive review.

It's mostly older cars/superseded models that come in for real criticism and get bagged for being 'outdated' (typically based on tech rather than driving experience). Gotta keep selling those new cars after all.

The whole auto-journalism field is full of conflicts of interest and sweetheart deals. That's not to say there aren't some reasonably honest reviewers around - there are a few - but for the most part the majority seem to praise the new, bag the old, and do what it takes to keep the manufacturers happy.

That's why when I do see a criticism in an initial review (like Throttle House mentioning 4 wheel drifting almost off the track), I believe it.

I think we will see much more critical reviews in a few months or even a year when the pressure is off.

That said, I still think the new car looks pretty damn good. Unless some horrible flaw comes to light I am pretty sure I am going to buy one at some point.

So! On the topic of buying one, my local Subaru dealer has been in touch with me a few times. Last time we spoke, I told him that I needed to take a look at/test drive one before I would commit to ordering one. I expected this to be November at the earliest. Then he said that he was going to let me know if "someone from corporate" brought a BRZ to the lot that I could test drive. I never asked him about that, he brought it up, so I guess that must be something that happens sometimes. Sounds fun to me!

I am still torn about the looks/color/differences between the GR86 and the BRZ though. I'd really like orange, but out of the existing announced colors I like Neptune, which only comes on the GR86.

Guess I'll just have to wait for the BRZ reviews to see if there are real handling differences. If not I'll go with the GR86.

[Red-86]

Originally Posted by timurrrr

Check out the Savage Geese video.
For some reason, some of the 1st gen automatics they had at the presentation didn't have paddle shifters. Perhaps pre-production prototypes?

In Japan and Australia the base ATs did not get paddle shifters, that was reserved for the higher spec. In addition, the interiors of the base JDM/AU cars missed on on silver trim bits and just had hard scratchy black plastic everywhere in the interior. I thought the North American AT's got paddle shifters etc, but maybe they didn't?

[Lantanafrs2]

Originally Posted by Spuds

Weren't you excited to talk about gen 2 instead of covid, and now it sounds like you are trying to shut down gen2 discussion in favor of covid? I'm confused bud...

Oops you caught me. I was being facetious. Comparing this car to the s2000 is about as fruitful as discussing covid. I just want the miata forums to haunt mazda for more power for a couple years. Their turn lol

[Lantanafrs2]

Originally Posted by Red-86

In Japan and Australia the base ATs did not get paddle shifters, that was reserved for the higher spec. In addition, the interiors of the base JDM/AU cars missed on on silver trim bits and just had hard scratchy black plastic everywhere in the interior. I thought the North American AT's got paddle shifters etc, but maybe they didn't?

I think they took the worst spec previous gen to highlight the 22 a little more.

[fitcious]

Originally Posted by Red-86

In Japan and Australia the base ATs did not get paddle shifters, that was reserved for the higher spec. In addition, the interiors of the base JDM/AU cars missed on on silver trim bits and just had hard scratchy black plastic everywhere in the interior. I thought the North American AT's got paddle shifters etc, but maybe they didn't?

North American market got paddles on all AT

[Red-86]

Originally Posted by fitcious

North American market got paddles on all AT

That's what I thought, I was just pointing out that there was a JDM spec AT without paddles. Really, it should be standard these days, ridiculous thing to cheap out on, especially given ATs always cost more.

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by Red-86

In Japan and Australia the base ATs did not get paddle shifters, that was reserved for the higher spec. In addition, the interiors of the base JDM/AU cars missed on on silver trim bits and just had hard scratchy black plastic everywhere in the interior. I thought the North American AT's got paddle shifters etc, but maybe they didn't?

I love the black plastic. Converted all my pieces to it. Silver doesn't make sense unless it's a silver car!

[NARFALICIOUS]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

All of the reviewers (at least the handful I watched) are going out of their way to say the MK1 was "slow" and that the torque curve is fixed, mostly, but none have said the car actually IS faster. I'm assuming it must be given the extra horsepower, but is it enough to care, assuming you know how to drive the MK1?

The only 2 I've watched so far, SavageGeese and That dude in Blue did say the new car is faster and "fixed" the first gen's issues. They quoted 6 and 6.1 seconds 0-60.
However, after some googling, the 2013 FR-S runs 0-60 in 6.2 according to many tests.
Has anyone tested the 1/4 mile?

Btw, please don't start a MK1 MK2 trend.
I think it should either be ZN6 vs ZN8,
or FT86 (FR-S/BRZ/GT86/86) vs GR86 (GR86/BRZ) Edit... Wait that doesn't work.

[Kiske]

Originally Posted by NARFALICIOUS

The only 2 I've watched so far, SavageGeese and That dude in Blue did say the new car is faster and "fixed" the first gen's issues.
.

Yeah but Mark also explicitly stated to take his video with a grain of salt as it was more of a first impression, and the event carried a big wow factor for him.


I will look forward to his full on review so see if the car is really fixed or more of a first 'wow' that would wear off within a week after it begins to feel normal much like how we feel after doing a mod that is a minimal improvement.

[kaputt]

Matt Farah got his camera equipment back so we should get a one take review soon.

I’m looking forward to his review because he’s probably one of the best drivers amongst the group that reviewed the car.

[RZNT4R]

Originally Posted by Blighty

The (old) top gear stig.

Interesting that in that video, the rear suspension shot shows the brz style body-mounted sway bar, not the subframe-mounted variation we've seen from Japanese presentations.