GT86
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,149
Likes: 281
From: In the land of pies and pasties
Even though my bessie mate has one of these '86's, I've tried so hard to like it. Plus - he's had some issues with the brakes too (scraping noises) which turned out to be inferior pads fitted at the factory. He still has an issue with the bonnet bouncing at speed(faulty latch) and a squeak from the rear which remains a mystery and cannot be found. These though are mere teething issues of a new model, and expected.
The fact the interior is flimsy and a bit mis-matched, it raises a grimace for me. And that rear end just isn't right.
The fact the interior is flimsy and a bit mis-matched, it raises a grimace for me. And that rear end just isn't right.
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,149
Likes: 281
From: In the land of pies and pasties
When I introduced my said friend to my S2000 (2000MY) in 2003, he was gobsmacked at the induction noise, acceleration and snickety 'box. I was certain one day he'd buy one and trade in his Navy, 4 year old (at the time) 200SX.
I suppose the '86 is as near as you get with a tin top but only 75% of the excitement. Keeping the S on the road was always part of the challenge, especially if you had one of the early ones wearing SO-2's that were half worn.
Toyota rushed the interior on these, no question about it. At least they got the seating position right!
If I was choosing this car or the new MX5 (horrid front lights), the Mazda would get my vote.
I suppose the '86 is as near as you get with a tin top but only 75% of the excitement. Keeping the S on the road was always part of the challenge, especially if you had one of the early ones wearing SO-2's that were half worn.
Toyota rushed the interior on these, no question about it. At least they got the seating position right!
If I was choosing this car or the new MX5 (horrid front lights), the Mazda would get my vote.
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,181
Likes: 58
From: Hertford
Originally Posted by Nick Graves' timestamp='1430941843' post='23603823
Also needs better tyres; the McP jacking/jouncing is never gonna feel as precise as the double-wishbones, but I think the soggy-froggy sidewalls on the Michelins do rob it of some precision. Actual grip is fantastic, though.
McPhearson struts is the only slightly disappointing thing from an engineering nerd point of view. With the engine so low, surely there would have been plenty of room for an upper wishbone.
DWs might impinge on the engine bay width; the engine is pretty tight in there and needs to come out to change the plugs.
But the real reason is the entire front end is an old Impreza with the lower-arms reversed and the rack mounted forward. The rear end is an old Impreza too. Stick a Toyota body on top and it's as expedient a way of creating an affordable sports car as its antecedent, the Porsche 924: VW 1303 suspension/transaxle and an LT engine...
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,112
Likes: 2
From: Banbury, Oxfordshire
I thought mine was on Primacys all round, but obviously I didn't look close enough as the rears are Excelon something or other. 
Fronts are quite well worn Primacys so I'll probably chuck the whole lot away at some point and buy something decent.
I'm struggling to like the rumbly unresponsive engine, though when you get it going it does feel quite a lot faster than the S. The biggest problem is I want to stare at it all day, and then I don't get any work done.
Fronts are quite well worn Primacys so I'll probably chuck the whole lot away at some point and buy something decent.I'm struggling to like the rumbly unresponsive engine, though when you get it going it does feel quite a lot faster than the S. The biggest problem is I want to stare at it all day, and then I don't get any work done.
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,181
Likes: 58
From: Hertford
I think the slow throttle response is the inevitable result of the very long induction tracts on a boxer four. The only one I've driven that was sharp was an Alfasud Ti.
Maybe someone ought to do a throttle body kit?
Maybe someone ought to do a throttle body kit?
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by s2k4tony
Even though my bessie mate has one of these '86's, I've tried so hard to like it. Plus - he's had some issues with the brakes too (scraping noises) which turned out to be inferior pads fitted at the factory. He still has an issue with the bonnet bouncing at speed(faulty latch) and a squeak from the rear which remains a mystery and cannot be found. These though are mere teething issues of a new model, and expected. The fact the interior is flimsy and a bit mis-matched, it raises a grimace for me. And that rear end just isn't right.
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,181
Likes: 58
From: Hertford
In 'normal' mode, the throttle response is deliberately made Diesel-intolerable and I cannot stand it at all like that.
And the traction control panics on every curve in 'normal'
Definitely set up for tyros coming from a FWD cancer-box...