Doctor, doctor, help me, I'm falling in love with a...

[mdt]

Toyota GT86.

An article in Car magazine describes it as the coupe equivalent of a MX-5: rwd, light-weight (~1200kg), under-powered but in the context of the car, somewhat irrelevant: "Low-slung engine and driving position contribute towards a centre of gravity that bests (sic) a Cayman"

Redlines at 7,500rpm and has a six speed manual box.

The only thing that's missing is mechanical LSD and a less-intrusive stability control. Yet a mechanical LSD version may be coming (or retro-fitted) and they're working on the stability control.

All designed by an engineer that has a fundamental dislike of turbos.

[auR32]

Toyota GT86.

Hipster Car.

Just take an Aspro and have a lie down Matt, you'll come to your senses soon enough.

[mdt]

The MX-5 was a hairdresser's car too, they tell me. But it was far and away the best car I ever owned. I used to get home and be disappointed to have arrived. If they can replicate that in a four seater car that I can afford, I'll put up with the jokes from my sister and my Dad, and you too.

[J-Tim]

Best affordable Japanese car since MX-5.

I think I'd go for a Subaru version for the sound alone, as Toyota uses different headers, which make the engine sound just like well.... every other 4cyl Japanese car.

[The Pork Hunt]

the aus spec sheet that was floating about seemed to suggest it'll have an LSD here btw matt

dont listen to the euro douche, it'll be a good car despite the unfortunate fanboyism

I kinda like it but not gonna be in a rush to compete with aforementioned fanboys for a slot, the TRD/STI versions will be interesting, and they share the same engien mounting points as the standurt subaru cars so a 2.5t WRX engines have already been slotted in so it cant be long before they decide to do that themselves

[WAY]

I back you on this one Matty. In fact, I am very tempted to buy the Subaru version (looks better to me) as my trash around track car. The brakes looks VERY small though.

[auR32]

The MX-5 was a hairdresser's car too, they tell me. But it was far and away the best car I ever owned. I used to get home and be disappointed to have arrived. If they can replicate that in a four seater car that I can afford, I'll put up with the jokes from my sister and my Dad, and you too.

How tall is Chris Harris? I did try to test drive a MX5 when they came out, but never even started it, the windscreen was too low...

[mdt]

How much are they predicted to sell for locally?

[mdt]

I back you on this one Matty. In fact, I am very tempted to buy the Subaru version (looks better to me) as my trash around track car. The brakes looks VERY small though.

DIBS! Tho I hope to be able to afford one under my own steam this time.

[The Pork Hunt]

How much are they predicted to sell for locally?

1500 the first year 1800 the next apparently from memory, released in June with 2 spec grades i think, Lima do your job and link it

[J-Tim]

I predict it's going to be a big hit amongst Azif crowd, which is going to drive insurance rates through the roof.

[The Pork Hunt]

I predict it's going to be a big hit amongst Azif crowd, which is going to drive insurance rates through the roof.

no turbro bruuu, but the Azn love will also cause the same to happen so meh we're old now it doesnt matter too much.

[Lima]

1500 the first year 1800 the next apparently from memory, released in June with 2 spec grades i think, Lima do your job and link it

sweaty sent me a tip, but I enjoyed the long weekend.

I think they will be a good car too.

[mdt]

1500 the first year 1800 the next apparently from memory, released in June with 2 spec grades i think, Lima do your job and link it

I hate it when he gets side-tracked with graphic design. Focus Liam, focus!

[Lima]

I hate it when he gets side-tracked with graphic design. Focus Liam, focus!

It's not a Ford Matty, but a Toyota!

[mdt]

So, what are the major differences between the Subaru and the Toyota? And which one is the Oracle's car of choice?

[mdt]

the aus spec sheet that was floating about seemed to suggest it'll have an LSD here btw matt

Torsion or mechanical? The author of the Car article suggested that it makes a difference in terms of responsiveness.

[Timbo_S3]

It'll be a great car, this one. What the RX-8 might have been if they'd wisely thrown away the rotary

[Lima]

So, what are the major differences between the Subaru and the Toyota? And which one is the Oracle's car of choice?

For bare bones entry-level models I think it's pretty much the body panels and the badges that differ.

But I haven't been following the spec sheets that closely. May I suggest...

http://aus86.com/

A bit puzzled about some of Car's comments given Autocar's review. Different specs for different markets maybe...

http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/...-Coupe/260227/

“…the key facets of an 1180kg kerb weight, rear-wheel drive, ESP that can be fully turned off, quick steering and a limited-slip differential make it a riot in the twisty stuff.”

Also...

“…at its best, the driving experience is a match for the likes of a Porsche Cayman, and accolades don’t come much higher than that. That it can’t reach those heights across as broad a range of conditions as the German-built car shouldn’t detract from its overall success, because the fact that it can even get close is a minor miracle.”

[mdt]

For bare bones entry-level models I think it's pretty much the body panels and the badges that differ.

But I haven't been following the spec sheets that closely. May I suggest...

http://aus86.com/

A bit puzzled about some of Car's comments given Autocar's review. Different specs for different markets maybe...

http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/...-Coupe/260227/

“…the key facets of an 1180kg kerb weight, rear-wheel drive, ESP that can be fully turned off, quick steering and a limited-slip differential make it a riot in the twisty stuff.”

Also...

“…at its best, the driving experience is a match for the likes of a Porsche Cayman, and accolades don’t come much higher than that. That it can’t reach those heights across as broad a range of conditions as the German-built car shouldn’t detract from its overall success, because the fact that it can even get close is a minor miracle.”

Nice, you can go and do some graphic design for a few minutes. Thanks.

[IML337]

mdt, get your mother to buy one, then perhaps she can give it to you a few years later

[Lima]

[WAY]

mdt, get your mother to buy one, then perhaps she can give it to you a few years later

Been awhile since we used this one.

[auR32]

How much are they predicted to sell for locally?

http://www.caradvice.com.au/153103/2...ru-brz-review/

The Subaru:

Pricing hasn’t been confirmed, and could still depend on what the Yen/Dollar exchange rate looks like when the car goes on sale in May/June. It’s likely to exceed $40,000 for the well equipped ‘high-line’ version, which gets climate control and leather seats, with the more basic ‘low-line’ car stripping some of the toys and likely to cost a couple of thousand dollars less.

[The Pork Hunt]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/153103/2...ru-brz-review/

The Subaru:

the comments are sublime.

[sweatyworker]

I signed up to the FT86 forums about a month ago Lima do you still want that sheet?

Yeah 1500 predicted sold the first year which isn't many. The Aussie section of the forums has a least 20+ people with deposits taken.

I think the Subaru will be a little upmarket with one higher spec model whereas the Toyota has two trim lines with a basic spec and then a higher line spec with HID's sat nav etc.

Subaru will presumably have some STI dress up and Performance parts and Toyota has TRD performance parts as well. One of the big Jap wheel makers just released their wheels for this car.

What I absolutely love about this car is how much it burns the chip war crowd It's like their brains can't handle the concept of a car that can't get 100hp extra from a dump pipe and a chip The subaru guys are particularly sore. This car challenges their whole reason for existing...

[KGB]

Celica.

[MACCAA]

When I was up at Eastern Creek at the Burrows Drive Day about three weeks ago,I went for a walk down near turn one.
Subaru have a building there a lo and behold in the garage was a BRZ[Subaru's version of the FT86]
Nice man let me have a look at it [unfortunately it was an auto]
Looks pretty interesting up close,quite nice inside.
Don't be fooled by the 4 seats though......VERY tight in the back-couldn't see humans fitting in there.
Comes with a LSD but I think you can get a mechanical one as an option OS.
Price-wise he said it had to be under the WRX at the very least,as that's their big performance model at $40k.
Said they should be out around June.
Worth a look if the price is right.
Cheers
Len

[mdt]

Don't be fooled by the 4 seats though......VERY tight in the back-couldn't see humans fitting in there.

My thinking is that my dear wife will never want to set foot in it, so I really only need three seats. One kid in the front with the seat pushed forward and one in the back behind him/her.

If that doesn't work, I'll have to pass.

[sweatyworker]

Stupid iOS doesn't have copy image address but here goes

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2645

[mdt]

Reminds me of one of the only times I have felt close to panicking from claustrophobia. Stuck in the rear of a 944. Really depends on how far that passenger seat goes forward.

[J-Tim]

Reminds me of one of the only times I have felt close to panicking from claustrophobia. Stuck in the rear of a 944. Really depends on how far that passenger seat goes forward.

There is absolutely not a chance in hell you or your growing kids will fit in a back of that car.

[auR32]

Dunno about that, I dragged my sufferin tribe about in the back of the 968 way after they fitted with any comfort. They are both boys though, by the time comfort was an issue they had started taking note of other things that offset the preposterous lack of room in the back.

If it's anything like a 944/968 for room Matty, and short trips, I reckon you're good till at least middle school. It's not going to be the only car in the family is it?

[mdt]

mdt, get your mother to buy one, then perhaps she can give it to you a few years later

I'll have the last laugh.

[mdt]

Dunno about that, I dragged my sufferin tribe about in the back of the 968 way after they fitted with any comfort. They are both boys though, by the time comfort was an issue they had started taking note of other things that offset the preposterous lack of room in the back.

If it's anything like a 944/968 for room Matty, and short trips, I reckon you're good till at least middle school. It's not going to be the only car in the family is it?

No, I think I'll keep the E91. Hasn't missed a beat.