GR86 Real World Road Tests & Reviews

[trippinbillies40]

Originally Posted by Blighty

I'm not sure I agree with anything until I get to drive it, but I have no reason to doubt any of the reviews that have came out, in particular savagegeese. I mean he has just as much cred as anyone in the 86 forums, he was an early adopter - surely we can understand why he got pissed off at the og. Its not like this is Raiti's Rides or something... bahaha.

I think a few people have called out a slight reduction in the cars steering feel, but that its still top draw... might even put that down to the tires?

Raw is an interesting word, its not like there is bare metal furnishings and exposed running gear. 'Shit' more so comes to my mind when I remember seeing the US version of the FR-S with what looked like early 90s head unit lol. But it was driver focussed. And perhaps had the best steering wheel out of any of the cars ('22 included) just owing to its lack of buttons.

Man I loved that steering wheel, I wish they still did one where they kept all the buttons on the headunit. Pretty sure you can do anything and everything still on the headunits, but might be wrong in the new one.

Yeah steering wheel just comes down to preference. Personally I like having buttons on the wheel because they're super nice for driving around town and don't get in my way when I'm driving on track. But I know more than a few people who want a buttonless wheel so I totally get it if that's your preference.

As for steering feel, it think it's still plenty good on the new car. Very sharp and quick, and communicates in a very solid manner.

[weederr33]

Originally Posted by Dezoris

The reason the ND2 is better on street than new GR is its quicker off the line (200+ lbs lighter ) Its softer, rotates easier and has that spritely feel, top down experience and limits are lower. Its just more fun, but much worse to use daily.

Goose of Savage, do you guys plan to do a driving/review segment for the new BRZ as well??

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

I owned 2 cars ('15 BRZ, '20 BRZ) and saw the evolution of them over the years too. First year models were more raw with a need of more driver involvement and they started to refine them afterwards. Saying that 1st gen is better or worse to 2nd generation is subjective. It depends on customer needs and priorities. Same can be said on other models like the S2000 AP1 and AP2. Both of them have the same importance in their model history and kind of evolution.

The AP1 vs AP2 didn't have a 40HP and 40lbTQ difference either.(WHP) Subaru and Toyota basically did similar things with body, transmission and made a major revision to the transmission/engine while also improving interior, keeping the space the same and basically leaving everything else alone. Aside from looks, or if you had a ton of money invested on first gen car, most would buy the new vs old 10/10 times.

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by Blighty

I'm not sure I agree with anything until I get to drive it, but I have no reason to doubt any of the reviews that have came out, in particular savagegeese. I mean he has just as much cred as anyone in the 86 forums, he was an early adopter - surely we can understand why he got pissed off at the og. Its not like this is Raiti's Rides or something... bahaha.

I think a few people have called out a slight reduction in the cars steering feel, but that its still top draw... might even put that down to the tires?

Raw is an interesting word, its not like there is bare metal furnishings and exposed running gear. 'Shit' more so comes to my mind when I remember seeing the US version of the FR-S with what looked like early 90s head unit lol. But it was driver focussed. And perhaps had the best steering wheel out of any of the cars ('22 included) just owing to its lack of buttons.

Man I loved that steering wheel, I wish they still did one where they kept all the buttons on the headunit. Pretty sure you can do anything and everything still on the headunits, but might be wrong in the new one.

Yes steering feels lighter but, the car has almost no camber up front and the tires are soft. Once you get into fixing alignment and put real tires on some of that will come back. The EPS unit has more power now as well so you don't get weird drops under heavy load.

Originally Posted by weederr33

Goose of Savage, do you guys plan to do a driving/review segment for the new BRZ as well??

Monday 9/20
Yes we have BRZ second week of October 2021

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by trippinbillies40

... It's just nicer to touch and feel but doesn't disconnect me from having fun. And the '22 is even better. So, way more fun to drive in town and mountain roads, and much nicer to sit in.

I have no doubt the '22 is a better overall car than the '13 I have owned and loved since new, even though I haven't seen one yet. I mean how could it not be? Subaru would have really had to mess things up to make a worse car 10 years later.

I also can appreciate a well appointed interior, but sometimes I think I must be the only person that doesn't touch every surface of my car every day. I'll be honest, I don't know that I've ever touched the top of the dash in my car, except to clean it which means I didn't touch it. Door handles, driving controls, radio, hvac controls, and the seats are about it.

[ayau]

@Dezoris, do you get the impression the GR86/BRZ is going to be the last affordable RWD sports car? By the time the 2nd gen is due for a refresh, it'll be 2029 or so. Not sure if any car company will be able to sell any ICE only cars anymore. Mazda already confirmed the next Miata will be electrified for what it's worth.

[alan7467]

I definitely agree that a big component of the ND Miatas fun factor is actually its softness coupled with its lightness. In fact I found my 2017 much less fun at sane speeds after I put the FM springs and konis package on it. However, I also didn’t like how soft the OEM setup was when pushed hard on my favorite canyon roads. There’s probably a good middle ground to be found there. I’m pretty curious to experience firsthand whether a stock GR86 slots into that space for me.

The comparison to a 718 is a little concerning to me though. My test drive of a base 718 Cayman w/ PDK was one of the most underwhelming sports car experiences I’ve ever had. I’ll never forget how much more fun my GTI at the time felt (at legal speeds) when I hopped back into it after that drive. Mind you I didn’t get to drive the Cayman on my favorite roads. I have no doubt that it would have been a better experience there. Though perhaps only when pushed harder than I’d feel comfortable with on the street.

[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by ayau

@Dezoris, do you get the impression the GR86/BRZ is going to be the last affordable RWD sports car? By the time the 2nd gen is due for a refresh, it'll be 2029 or so. Not sure if any car company will be able to sell any ICE only cars anymore. Mazda already confirmed the next Miata will be electrified for what it's worth.

You mean 2026 or 2027? (2022+4/5)
That would make the cadence like this:
2013>2017>2022>2026/7,
4 -5 years between refreshes.

I personally think that if we see a refresh of the ZD8, it’ll be a hybrid. That may not be a bad thing either. Stick a 25hp motor in the diff with a small ~0.5-0.7kWh battery in the trunk, or even a supercap like Mazda’s mild hybrids.

[ayau]

Originally Posted by Yoshoobaroo

You mean 2026 or 2027? (2022+4/5)
That would make the cadence like this:
2013>2017>2022>2026/7,
4 -5 years between refreshes.

I personally think that if we see a refresh of the ZD8, it’ll be a hybrid. That may not be a bad thing either. Stick a 25hp motor in the diff with a small ~0.5-0.7kWh battery in the trunk

My bad. I was combining the 2017 refresh, so a total of 7/8 years. 2013-2020.

Easier said than done to stick a small electric motor into this platform. My guess is that the decision hasn't been made to continue to make an affordable RWD sports car after this current generation.

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by weederr33

I would disagree with this. This platform is so amazing when it's supercharged. You know my build journey for both of my cars. I love the car NA with only headers and E85 but I'd supercharge the car again if I knew the rods could handle it pretty good. That's why I'm curious how the more beefed up rods will handle FI.

Not sure how much you could achieve with a S/C on the new car and stay on the safe side. Especially nowadays where hot-hatches come by factory with 300hp or more, competition in the performance and the numbers area is tough. If I wanted to build a serious performance car, then I would start with an FI factory car for simplicity and peace of mind and an AWD drivetrain to put as much power on the road as possible.

[CincyJohn]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

Not sure how much you could achieve with a S/C on the new car and stay on the safe side.

This is a pretty odd statement. There are 100s of rear wheel drive cars which have higher power to weight ratios than a new super charged twin will have. Feel free to mod or not mod if you like. But safety is about the driver, not the car.

[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by ayau

My bad. I was combining the 2017 refresh, so a total of 7/8 years. 2013-2020.

Easier said than done to stick a small electric motor into this platform. My guess is that the decision hasn't been made to continue to make an affordable RWD sports car after this current generation.

Yea easier said than done, but if the Miata is doing it, that would be another reason to compete with it. I’m sure it’s doable, question is, can it be cost effective in 4-5 years?

[weederr33]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

Not sure how much you could achieve with a S/C on the new car and stay on the safe side. Especially nowadays where hot-hatches come by factory with 300hp or more, competition in the performance and the numbers area is tough. If I wanted to build a serious performance car, then I would start with an FI factory car for simplicity and peace of mind and an AWD drivetrain to put as much power on the road as possible.

That's the thing though. People have been doing it for decades. It's a form of fun and excitement. I don't get nor agree with the logic of, 'if you want something faster, you should buy a whole new car' as I find that asinine. It's a similar logic to building a computer or adding onto your house; get a bigger house from the start or get a better computer from the start.

As for the car not achieving more, no one can speculate on that yet. But giving up before even trying is a silly thing to do.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Yoshoobaroo

Yea easier said than done, but if the Miata is doing it, that would be another reason to compete with it. I’m sure it’s doable, question is, can it be cost effective in 4-5 years?

I think an EV version of the 86 would be a great DD. You think they'd build a torque dip into it, just because?