Jump to content

Test Drives Unlimited

Members
  • Content Count

    1182
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    10

Reputation Activity

  1. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited reacted to Subota Boy in Recall issued on cars to have valve springs replaced 2012-2013   
    All done!  The Tech spent 26 hours in total, although they can do a standard car now in around 14 hours. Car feels great so far and a little smoother. That may be the plugs. Very pleased so far.
  2. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited reacted to Batty in Buy now or wait?   
    Fantastic, thank you all for the advice! Guess I'll stop umming and ahhing and get on with getting myself an 86! Many thanks!
  3. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited got a reaction from Lauren in Looking to Buy Soon   
    I have so far driven 125k in my 2013 remapped Automatic and had no major issues touch wood
  4. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited reacted to Lauren in Looking to Buy Soon   
    The torque dip isn't really a massive issue. Keep the revs up and it is fine. A lot of us have sorted this with a manifold and remap. Makes a big difference to mid-range torque. 
    The car never had a reversing camera. You can fit an aftermarket unit to do this to the stock head unit. 
    Plugs are only changed every 60K. Yes a pain to do and a more expensive service, but you don't have to change them often. 
    Auto gearbox is reliable. It only really has limitations if you go turbo, but this can be managed.
    As for important parts of the service history, spark plugs at 60K, fuel filter at 80K and also that the diff oil has been changed every 20K. Some dealers seem to skip this. 
    2012-2013 cars that the valve spring recall has been done, also steering harness recall in 2016. 
    There are no real issues with rust yet. 
  5. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited reacted to NJay in Buy now or wait?   
    The my15 I bought has rear sensors fitted. I am glad it did as for some reason I think I am a lot nearer to things when reversing and turning e.g. out of a car parking space than I actually am as the sensors are not even bleeping at the point I think I have gone far enough back. There have been times when I have thought they have broken only to go back another in few centimetres and they start to bleep lol.
    Never have this issue with the  gen7 celica which has no reverse sensors but I can judge that to within by a couple of centimeters in exactly the same situation lol. I can only assume that Celica is a hatchback so bottom of rear window is pretty much the back of the car whereas the gt86 has a high boot lid so feels like when I can't see the bonnet/bumper of the car behind me I am too close. However must be at least 50cm otherwise the rear sensors would have started bleeping
    Anyway that's my excuse and I am sticking to it lol
  6. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited reacted to Portalfl0w in Test driving a GT86 on Tuesday - Looking for some advice   
    Got the car! Mechanically it's pretty sound, has a few visual issues that can be sorted out. Very happy to finally own an 86, it drives like a dream! 
    Thanks everyone for your advice!
  7. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited reacted to JohnM in Wanted - Gauges and/or Gauge Pods   
    I made my own.
    MDF base with the universal holders that came with the gauges, fitted and bonded into the base. Housing then protected and flocked in black. Unit then mounted from underneath using the heater vent and clipped back into place. Wiring routed through the lower dash up through the speaker grille. Cost just shy of £35 with the flocking being the most expensive part. 60mm Oil temp and water temp gauges as staying N/A. 
     


  8. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited reacted to SimonG68 in Takona @ Fuel Coffee House 08/03/2020   
    Can’t you save it to your calendar?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
  9. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited got a reaction from BRZ-123 in GT86 Tyre choice   
    Here's the 8th set of Tyres waiting to be fitted to the GT86 in time for the first trackday of the year on Saturday 29th February at Three Sisters
     
    I gone for Kumho PS71's which are a direct replacement to the KU39's....
     
    4 tyres including delivery were £280.00 from MOT Motorsport Ltd
     
    Will still have 2 spare KU39 Tyres though, as there is a Full Size Spare Wheel in the Boot and have one Spare Tyre kept at home
     
    The idea is if ever get a puncture, then one of the New Tyres would end up in the Boot as the Spare !!
     

     
     
  10. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited reacted to Leeky in Test drove GT86 - not inspired, what have I missed?   
    I was exactly the same. I drove a manual Dark Grey 86 back in 2012 when the dealers first got their demo’s and I thought it was alright but didn't blow me away. Sure it was very light and nimble but I wouldn’t have traded in my Celica GT4 at the time for it.
    Then 5 years later I drove my wife to Toyota in my Monaro VXR to take delivery of her new Aygo she ordered. Whilst there I sat in their showroom 86 (just for something to do) and before I knew it I was talked into having a go in an Orange Auto PreFacelift car - No strings attached. I drove it very hard (as I scoffed at the little 200bhp 2.0 next to my 500bhp 6.0 LS2) but was blown away with how much faster overall I could drive it compared to the Monaro. The flappy paddle auto just blew my mind. I was able to keep the engine right on the boil through the gears without backing off. I could see that the 86 was clearly a better track car than the Monaro and just needed slightly stickier tyres to turn it into maniac. I loved it so much, I bought that Orange 86 there and then.
    You can exploit 100% of the 86’s power 100% of the time if you wish. If I tried to do the same in the Monaro I would die very quickly.
    The 86 is a bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing if you ask me. Its greater than the sum of its parts and the figures would have you believe.
    I find at all the track days I go to the stock 86’s are matching the stock E46 M3’s and 231PS RX8’s and in some cases showing them up. The figures on paper dont suggest this is possible. But its just such a great chassis and weighs so little.
    Also if fuel economy is important for you on long journeys then this is a great car for you. On long motorway journeys cruising at legal speed I reset the trip and am always averaging over 50mpg.
  11. Haha
    Test Drives Unlimited got a reaction from Lauren in Differences between BRZ SE and BRZ SE Lux?   
    ...........of course if people bothered reading the Manual Lauren, then it's all explained in there what the buttons do
  12. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited reacted to Lauren in Differences between BRZ SE and BRZ SE Lux?   
    Not really. If you have it all the way back it heats up still, albeit slowly. As I've said many times before, RTFM. 👍
  13. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited reacted to Lauren in Differences between BRZ SE and BRZ SE Lux?   
    As someone who knows how to operate the heated seats (a lot of owners don't), I can confirm that they are better with the half leather/alcantara option. You have to push the button forward to initially heat them, then push the button bcack once warm. Mine are hot within a minute. I don't wear any extra clothes when driving in the winter as I'd rather feel the benefit of them. They are well worth it IMO and far nicer than the no option cloth seats. Full leather heated seats don't work as well as I've found. 
    I wouldn't buy one without heated seats. Glad I specified it as an option. 
  14. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited reacted to Leevsfortyone in Essex Crew Monthly Meet February   
    Event Title: Essex Crew Monthly Meet February
    Event Author: Leevsfortyone
    Event Date: 21.02.2020

    Hi all.
    Had a few requests now so who’s up for a Friday night get together. Bit food and a drink with some good chit chat about the issues of the day. Hope to see you there.
    Venue will be : The Halfway House - (A127) Southend Arterial Road Brentwood CM133LL    Essex Crew Monthly Meet February
  15. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited reacted to Lauren in Recall issued on cars to have valve springs replaced 2012-2013   
    It would be incredibly tight of the dealer to charge you for an oil filter when they are invoicing Toyota for over a grand for the recall work. Mine was obviously included. 
  16. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited reacted to gavin_t in Recall issued on cars to have valve springs replaced 2012-2013   
    Managed to cover 100 miles so far since getting the 86 back from its recall with new cams etc.
    Seems to drive nice enough as it did before and the new clutch feels alot nice rthen the old one so a benefit there 😊 also no more noisey release bearing!
    Only niggle I have which I need to contact them with is the Aircon seems very noisey. I am sure before there was no difference in sound on a low fan speed with the Aircon on or off. Now when you switch it on there is a fairly noticeable sound with it on. Anyone able to comment on what theirs is like?
    Also invoice states I was charged £10 for an oil filter which is no big problem in the scheme of things but the invoice lists 5w-40 oil. Hopefully just a misprint but need to question this and the Aircon with them tomorrow.  Other then that seems tip top and it's nice to be back in a car you feel connected to the road in unlike the lexus 😂
    Thanks @Lauren and anyone else along the way that helped with the issues I had
     

  17. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited reacted to Angelina in Drivers Side Window Switch Issue   
    Use it on mine and hubby’s, never had a problem. That reminded me to do it tomorrow.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
  18. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited got a reaction from Angelina in Drivers Side Window Switch Issue   
    This is the stuff I use on my car


  19. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited reacted to 3card in Drivers Side Window Switch Issue   
    I had the same problem for the 1st time yesterday.
    With mine it was the passenger switch that was flashing so after googling it i found that i opened the window and when closing it i held the button in the up position for another 10 seconds after the window shut and it was back to normal
  20. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited reacted to Deacon in Drivers Side Window Switch Issue   
    The protection mechanism has tripped out (usually due to the window freezing). It's a really common issue - if you search on the forum you will find the reset procedure which involves holding the window switches down for 10 seconds if I remember correctly
  21. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited reacted to Lauren in Drivers Side Window Switch Issue   
    Really common when it's icy. With doors closed, hold down both window switches for ten seconds and then the same on the way up. 
  22. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited reacted to Subota Boy in Recall issued on cars to have valve springs replaced 2012-2013   
    Dealer will refer me to Toyota UK who will arrange for a "specialist" to carry out the work, rather than main dealer.
  23. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited reacted to Subota Boy in Recall issued on cars to have valve springs replaced 2012-2013   
    Very useful Nigel!  Thank you!!
  24. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited reacted to BRZ-123 in Recall issued on cars to have valve springs replaced 2012-2013   
    Like Nigel says below, the difference comes in labour costs. To get any aftermarket parts fitter the labour cost is between 80 to 100 £/ hr here Vs 60 to 80 £ up north. I had this argument with my subaru dealer that up north servicing is cheaper and he said think about our cost of the garage and the labour rates we have to pay. So be fair to us and dont ask us to price match like toyota can do via their fixed price servicing.

    Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk

  25. Like
    Test Drives Unlimited reacted to NJay in Recall issued on cars to have valve springs replaced 2012-2013   
    There shouldn't be but I find there is
    Its when it comes to work that's by the hour (damage repair) you tend to notice the difference in hourly rates here in the south ☹️ To use your example no we aren't buying a house but the dealership are paying out for rent etc which is higher. So surely the dealerships would have to charge more to do exactly the same work which with the fixed priced servicing set by Toyota they can't do but I guess anything else they will.
    E.g I got a quote for supply and fitting of gen7 Toyota Celica sports springs from dealership in skipton. My local dealership couldn't match it as the hourly labour cost quoted was significantly lower and that was before taking into account the local dealership reckoned it would take longer to fit them than quoted. Ended up driving up north which even after fuel was still cheaper lol.
×