Justin Dieter my man. Just don’t give up, keep fighting until you reach yr destination. Live only once, make it count mate. I’ve been there but not worst. I pray for you Justin. ❤️
I've watched a number of 86 reviews and this one is particularly well done. I have a 2017 model and I'm pretty much in agreement with you on all points. "Grainy" is a particularly good term for the engine, myself it sounds like a coffee grinder so it's no Alfa noise wise. The odd torque curve which so divides people is something I've actually grown to quite like since it forces you to drive cleanly and efficiently. If you mess up a corner entry by overcooking it or braking too hard, or you're not in the right gear once you hit the apex it punishes you, not by sticking you into a tree but by making you slow. Some people would call that a fault, but I like the fact that it demands I bring my best game to the equation. If you want to improve your driving this is a great car to do it in, and I say this as a 55 year old with heaps of experience and a reasonable skill set. People always talk about modding this car, but the truth is that the first thing to upgrade is the driver. If you have an overinflated sense of your abilities that's not something you want to hear so you blame the car, but unless you're a pro race driver it's true.
Yeah I think thats the point of this car; it’s supposed to keep you on-it. No point in more power if you can’t drive it as it is, unless you want to lose your licence faster.
@@WildBillMojo Even as is it's hard to behave, after all it will do about 130 kmh in third, and 110 is tops where I live, so you go looking for roads that will let you work in the 2nd-3rd-4th range. I have some good forest roads within about an hour's drive that will give me that with little traffic and just the odd 'roo to dodge. Funny thing is that the car it reminds me of is the original Mini Cooper S, not handling wise of course but in the overall driving style. Exceptional chassis and not a great deal of grunt so it's all about conserving momentum.
I thought the same thing about this car. There is a good explanation for the infamous torque dip. The engine has 2 identities to make the car marketable and get the most out of its unique dual fuel injection system. These are production road cars that have to meet ever more restrictive standards to be efficient and reliable without getting too weak. You're typically driving in the sub 3500 RPM range most of the time for an efficient and cleaner commuter car you can afford to drive everyday that would last years. 5th and 6th are longer gears than other sports cars I have driven but I think it's for a sweet highway MPG and quieter ride. It's technically a 4 seater for regulation reasons and they can use the chassis in almost any race league the car would be good for to develop and promote it. They really wanted to make a classic naturally aspirated high revving RWD car with just enough power to have fun on a stable chassis as cheap as they could. Stock the car has everything you need for a great drive and if you really want more of anything you can do tons of aftermarket things which was in the plan. When race driving you are living in the 4500-6500 range on the other side of the dip. If you fall into the dip or try to power through it you are driving it wrong. The stock powertrain/suspension can take ~4-500HP and mild boost twin screw superchargers are the best match IMHO for this engine. Better tires are the smartest first if only upgrade for this car. It is in spirit the successor to the AE86 Corolla that can carve corners or drift with ease. Like you said you have to learn how to stay in the power band and if you screw up you just go slower and less likely to kill yourself or the car. Have you removed the resonator tube that pipes engine noise into the cabin? It sounds better to me and a little quieter in the cabin.
@@WildBillMojo Agreed. It's a car that teaches the driver. The NA engine was made to race high rev and you have to pay attention to stay in the power band and out of that torque dip. Those stock tires are fun to drift but you learn how to control the balance of the car to get the most traction out of them eventually without the computers help. Mastering this car makes you more skilled at driving in general IMHO. It reminds me of my old NA Supra which was more fun to daily drive/drift than the 600+HP Supras my friends used to build.
@@eltreum1 No, I haven't disconnected the piped in noise yet. To be honest where I live the roads have quite a rough surface so the tyre noise is huge, which doesn't bother me much since mostly when I take this for a drive that's exactly what I'm doing, driving it in a spirited manner. I have a sensible car for other stuff, but I've also heard it suggested that the standard Michelin Primacy tyres are really noisy and a change to Pilot Sport 4 tyres will help a bit both grip and noise wise so that's up soon, as soon as I can justify ditching a perfectly good set of tyres I guess. Until I start taking it to track days probably, the Primacys are OK for what you can reasonably get up to on a public road anyway. I really agree on the dual nature of the power plant, when you're putting around trying not to attract any undue attention it's quiet and unobtrusive, and when you're giving it a bit of stick you spend all your time above the torque dip if you have any clue what you're doing anyway. I reckon it's a modern classic, and the people who don't like this car don't know what they're missing out on.
I got my baby last Sunday, under 26K miles, in this color, with TRD exhaust, rims, lowered, sway bar, and I'm only 5'4 so I fit in like it's made for me. Every girl has her dream car 🥰
Looks like Toyota is getting back to the basic sports car!! That is really encouraging! 6 speed, noisy interior and go kart handling!! To be that good in stock form is a really good starting point for a track car!! Looks like you had a great time driving it! Loving the music too by the way!
Very good and honest review, thank you! I drove my cousin's 2019 GT86 last week and loved the car, the steering feel is so nice with a very direct response, amazing grip and turn-in capabilities even with the stock Primacy tyres. Stock suspension is on the stiff side but in a good way (nothing like my '99 GC8 WRX on coilovers for sure), car feels planted but I still found it to be more than acceptable for everyday duty. Brake pedal feel with the Brembos was very stiff with 0 dead travel, which I loved. Overall very surprised with the car behavior, liked it a lot. I've been looking forward to drive one of these since they came out... as a former AE86 and GC8 owner for some years now, I followed the development of this car since it was just rumors on the internet and before the first FT-86 concept even appeared, but even though I sat in the car a couple of times or so, never got the chance to actually drive one until now (they're really scarce in my country, I know it may sound weird to you americans but people in Europe doesn't seem to care anymore about small fun cars :) It's a bless that we have cars like the GT86/BRZ and the ND Miata... I still couldn't decide which of these should I get, lol.
Get the 86. I have one in automatic but still as much fun. I have carpule tunnel syndrome on my right wrist and no longer interest in manual. I test drove the miata and 86 back to back . I ened up purchasing the 86....no regrets just FUN times in this car .
@@vision1707 damn, sry about tunnel, that condition really sucks. so how much do u like the 86 as auto? my parents wont let me learn stick... so i kinda wanna get paddle shifters for the future lol
@@OrderedFiber43 Once you rev it past 5000 rpm you feel a little push :) it's not the classic Subaru turbo kick in the midrange (I own a first gen Impreza turbo), but the thing wants to be revved. I personally liked the engine, was expecting something worse after years reading divided opinions on the net...
Good review, I own a 2013 FR-S Front engine, Rear wheel, Standard with $75K miles. It's just a fun car to drive. You find yourself always looking for the twisty roads. It's a good base that you can modify anyway you want.
Very good honest video and glad that you really took advantage of the car. As an owner of an original '13, I wouldn't think of getting anything else (I picked it up with 150 miles off the lot for 23K in 2013). Anyways, I still find it ridiculous how many people continue to bash the 86 due to it's lack of whp. Obviously, most of them probably have never driven a 86, nonetheless a true sports car. Relating this issue back to the GR Supra, I find it amusing how many self-proclaimed engineers and entitled Supra fanboys there are. Once again, chances are they've probably never driven a MIV Supra or a BMW. Toyota & BMW knows what they're doing and i'm sure they know who their target audience is. Good video though! I would say the car feels even better when you slap on some good rubber and coils!
With the automotive world going electric, this type of car is going to be sought after when they stop making them. Even today, it's unique in the sense that it's the only FR boxer available.
My 86 brings me so much joy !! Just FUN to drive and it is gorgeous! I have to disagree with the host, I daily drive this car and it doesn't beat you up . It just takes a few days to get used to the car. I have had it two years and thinks it is really better than the mushy, soft, excessive body roll mazda miata. Sorry, miatas fans.
I say it is worth it. Other cars I drive are not fun compared to this one. There are two types of drivers. Drivers who drive for fun and drivers who drive for comfort. What ever floats your boat but for me. GT86/BRZ no one can beat its fun at an affordable rate.
That1Dude 44 that’s true but then again this car is already expensive say put a turbo or supercharger thats actually reliable brand, it’ll be another 10k, on the other you could buy a 16 gem coupe 2.0t r-spec lower price than this and it’s actually faster and interior better than most cars
As I'm listening to this video I am driving my 2013 Scion FR-S. I have a 150 Mi round trip commute everyday and this car has 162000 miles on it. Everything you say is correct and, most importantly, it's every bit as fun as you say it is. My commute is on the twisties of rural Kentucky and I've been through eight sets of tires. My favorite by far are Michelin PSS and it's like it it's on Rails. By the way, for what it's worth I did my first break job at 142000 Miles and there was still pad left and the rotors needed no replacement. 6 speed
i have a 2018 86 GT but in black and total comes out to 34k with options, although it’s not worth it because only 205 hp but honestly fun as hell and when you start adding parts to it, you break necks and it feels good to drive one of these. i love mine without a second thought!
You can plug the sound tube coming into the cabin in the passenger side foot well to nurf the noise a fair amount. As for ride a set of street focused Tein Flex-z coilovers will fix a fair amount of that. Lowered mine 1' and set all four corners to neg 2deg camber all round. Still on stock wheels and rubber after 5 years and still wildly entertained.
I wanted one of these so bad, but by the time they came out my wife was pregnant with our second kid and funds had to be reallocated. I'd still buy for a fun commuter car, because that is what it has become as it aged without any real power increases. Edit: I'd only buy one of these used.
@@skvltdmedia it most definitely is, a 1983 sprinter cost $11738 brand new, now lets just say 11k for arguments sack, with inflation to 2018 that brings the price to $27,732.68. this legit took 5mins of research, might i suggest u do the same before commenting
The people who say this have not owned an 86 for more than a yr. I would have been fine with the power if the block was strong enough tol hold big boost kits if we wanted them
the way they updated the taillights, headlight and wheels you can tell they really paid attention to aftermarket products. Subaru and Toyota did really great with this gen.
They went with an older reference, both because it's about heritage, and because the Cellica was a forgettable slushbox. The Sprinter Trueno / Corolla Levin basically single handedly started the japanese drift scene. Read up on the OG: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Corolla_Levin_and_Toyota_Sprinter_Trueno
I heard they're bringing back the Celica. Honda needs to bring back the Prelude and S2000 as well. That was the best era for compact Japanese sports cars.
a rwd n/a coupe like the 86 would be an insult to the turbo, awd celica gt-four... it is definitely closer to the old rwd corollas than the celica platform
As I'm listening to this video I am driving my 2013 Scion FR-S. I have a 150 Mi round trip commute everyday and this car has 162000 miles on it. Everything you say is correct and, most importantly, it's every bit as fun as you say it is. My commute is on the twisties of rural Kentucky and I've been through eight sets of tires. My favorite by far are Michelin PSS and it's like it it's on Rails.
My Brain says the 86 and the Supra in their out of the factory settings says they're a great cars, but because they're not genuine Toyota products, my Heart says otherwise.
I have a '14 BRZ as my daily driver. Not all of us drive at 5-7 thousand rpm just motoring down the street. I certainly don't. Even in "normal" driving, however, it's still fun. The car is responsive to your every twitch. It's just a big go-kart. I drive 108 miles round-trip every work day, almost all on I-75 between Cincinnati and Dayton. That could be stressful, but I set the cruise control at 60, listen to the news on the radio, sip my coffee, and let the weavers and 18-wheelers just blow on by. At a steady 60, the car gets 40 mpg, and I have the log book to prove it. It is noisy, it's not fast if that's what you want. The back seat is there for insurance purposes. But it's an amazing little car. I think it was a New York Times review that said something like "...eighty percent of the entertainment of a Porsche 911 at twenty percent of the price." Before you buy, read and watch all you can. Understand the minuses as well as the pluses. I'll take the minuses for the pluses.
I have a 2017 BRZ series yellow. The boxer engine is so smooth I'm amazed, especially at high rpm. I used it to replace a 2007 Corvette and that LS2 engine was rough at 3000 rpm and beyond .
I have a 2017 BRZ as well. While this review is overall pretty good, I was surprised to hear some of the negative commentary on the sound of the engine. I personally think it sounds angry as hell, regardless of revs.
@@slimjim77M Naah man, hes right. Stock exhaust is terrible and muffle all sounds, literally nothing comes out oh the exhaust in terms of sound, and engine noise is not very good either. But you put nice cat back, cut rear cat and its different story ;)
I LOVE the intro music!! Tell me where you got it haha! This car is awesome. It's definitely better this year than ever before. I was watching you on my TV and my whole family was watching too, which was a first. You make food videos! Keep it up!
Generally love you review but I would like you to focus a little more on differences from earlier models, I mean everyone interested in gt86 already knows everything about it.
The active shutters had to be replaced, the heater is messed up, the Ecu had to be replaced, which caused an electrical issue that is still an issue, the dealership broke my bumper which had to be replaced and the front end had to be repainted, the traction control doesn't work, the seat restraint system had a problem, the driveline and transmission have an issue. It's been to the dealerships 7 times since I bought it in August and been undrivable for a at least 3 months. I haven't driven the car yet this year. It's currently at the dealership right now.
I had a BRZ for 3 years and traded it on an MX5 RF. The BRZ may have been slightly more focussed (and the better track car...and a lot more practical) but the RF is nicer to “daily” in and is a much more fun “road car”. I enjoyed the BRZ but definitely prefer the MX5.
South Paw Yep. Which is what the Miata is known as everywhere in the world except the USA....and even in the USA the word Miata appears nowhere on the car...but MX5 does.
i just bought a 2018 gti and i think that is a much better option. i have put a tune on it and is running 300 whp. i have put apr lowering springs on it an apr short shifter and a carbon fiber cold air intake. the handling and performance now is very good.
Max Phythian manuals “taking skill” isn’t really a skill. They’re harder to learn but they take just as much skill as any car does really. They’re funner but dual clutch is safer and always wins. Everybody in Europe drives a manual lol, I’m sure that doesn’t mean they are all more skilled drivers than people in America. I’d prefer this car to be a manual when I get one but if we’re talking M class or anything more sports than that, you must get a dual clutch or you’re holding it back with the slow shifting. Also automatic prevents ways to stall the car and damaging when shifting at the wrong time as well; it’s really just the more advanced choice.
STILLl WORTH IT, if I buy it today and take good care of it, in 15 year or so, I'm still going to be able to give it to my grand son when he enters high-school 👊🏼
My car is 34 years old, and i will be able to give that to my kid by the time he enters high school. By then it will be over 50 years old. 15 years is a joke. Cars today don't work like that. They purposely are built poorly, so that you can't do that.
@@mattevans1643 exactly. I have a 2001 acura integra gs built motor and 5 speed trans. Gonna k swap it once my b series set up dies. My son will definitely get a lot of puss in a beautiful teggy. In 15 years
This is the car i want -Small -Has space for 4 -A good engine (you can even go crazy with it because boxer) -Sleek design -Has a sick aftermarket straight pipe exhaust that you can put on
the port injection will force your valves to stay cleaner over the thousands and thousands of miles you drive. I have a 2015 wrx which is just direct injected, so my valves are going to need to be cleaned 4 times as often since there's no fuel passing by them and cleaning them.
Test drove a 2017 one of these. Wasn't all that impressed tbh. It's fun when you're on it, but a pain to drive in traffic. The thing had NO TORQUE WHATSOEVER. Didn't sound very good at all either. Recently bought a 2019 mx5 RF. Much better car, but it does need a set of coilovers, which i've ordered.
Was car shopping recently in northern Canada; debated between this, the miata, civic si, wrx, and golf gti. Took some time to make a decision but for anyone else in heavy wintry areas, I'd definitely advise against both the miata and the BRZ/86 cause even with solid winter tires, they're just agonizing to control in the winter (fun at first, tedious later).
I really love the 86. Im going to buy one some day, but, man does the sound the engine makes sound like crap on stock headers. Really could use some UEL headers.
