Keethos

I'm sorry Lauren but I too don't see any banter at all when you are constantly saying (and not just in this post) that people can't compete if you don't have the right tyres, we discussed this at Blyton and I strongly believe you are putting people off by saying that people can't compete without the right tyres etc. as you are making them think they can't take part at all, this shouldn't be the way to advertise the TSS. It should be a simple come along and see what it's all about first, then if they want to really compete, then give them the tyre spiel like we did with Tim who just rocked up on semi's, but since he enjoyed his first round, went and got some listed tyres to continue the season with.

 

 
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Sorry for jumping on this so late, not been on for a long while but looking forward to seeing what you get dude!
Going to go off topic slightly but for all those wanting to give TSS a try please do, don't take what Lauren said too seriously, just because your tyres might not be on the list, does not mean you can't take part in the TSS, it just means you might not be competing directly against Lauren and the others in N1....but who cares, if you've not got much experience, I still think the TSS is a great place to gain experience and personal development.  Don't worry about what others are doing, just see what you can do and if you can improve.  Get a feel of track driving without the worry of others i.e. on proper trackdays.  Yes they can be more value for money but again as you can get more track time but you could be surrounded by a lot more experienced drivers going a million miles per hour which might put you off from trying so I strongly suggest giving TSS a go.  Then if you get into it and you actually want to start competing then you can consider your tyre choices and other supporting mods to help compete with, but until then, please don't be shy and do join in!

Update 2 
I've not done much driving since, or nothing significant to warrant an update but the weather forecast was so good this weekend just gone that I felt the need to give the car a much needed wash and took a drive out to portsdown hill, squeezing in a few B roads of course as the A3 is dull as hell . Portsdown hill was busy given the weather and the fact it was mothers day contributing. I was deprived of awesome photography opportunity but made do with the space I had. 
Perhaps if the Mrs got her arse out of bed earlier the day would have worked out better on that front and the sun would have been facing the right way!! 


Safe to say that the brakes are great, they saved my bacon on the way down after hitting standstill traffic from xxx mph the car came to a perfect halt in what seemed like mere seconds  Clearly a bit of warmer weather and dry tarmac is what was required to make them shine! Despite me not really being able to afford it, having driven the hybrid for a couple of weeks and going back to this yesterday for a drive it's got me all excited and i'm becoming increasingly vulnerable to the IABTSS (I Accidentally Booked TSS). Though I will only be going 
But over the course of the day braking was great, a lot more progressive than my previous brakes which is nicer for road driving but they still stop when putting your foot down that little bit harder.
Think i'll also be taking the car out for a trip to wales at some point in the coming months, I also wouldn't mind getting more pictures of the car without the stripe, it's growing on me! I think I prefer it?
Obligatory edit below to show off the brakes  Though the spokes get in the way, when I get the rays on they will show better.

.........ummm.....I think I need to check

Before and after cheapo light mod. Happy with that - looks great from ten paces anyway. Will do nicely for now anyway and loses the far too chromey rear end...
 


 
 
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Sorted it, thanks billdingo.
Only minor moment of panic was when I came to test it. Screen switched over to camera as expected but all I got was this! Couldn't figure out how I'd managed to mount the camera so incredibly wrongly...

...yeah, you should always shut the boot before checking your reverse camera
 

Glad you got her back finally!

So I got her back a couple of a weeks ago, finally had a free day to give it a good wash, fit the Toms tail lights, diffuser and debadge the boot in preparation for the TRD spoiler which is painted and ready to fit soon.
All in all a productive and very pleasing day :-)
There's also a pic of the fender garnish with the horrible chrome painted gun metal to match the wheels, its subtle but I'm really glad I decided to do it.

Took it out, paperwork being sorted, hopefully mine from next Wednesday 22nd.....
Awesome vehicle to drive, used to have an RX8, but this beats that......
Happy Days...

Hi, I'm Ben and im 22 years young from Leicestershire. Glad to meet you all and look forward to getting to know you
Ill start from the very beginning! a few months ago I decided I deserved a shiny newish car and was going from an audi a1 that I absolutely adored. I was considering an Audi TTS, Nissan 370z or a Gt86. I was all ready to pull the trigger on a GT86 when all my mates chimed in and dissuaded me towards the Audi. Admittedly its a great car but you spend more time braking than accelerating. Had the TTS for about 4 months and grew tired of the rigged scaletrix disconnected feel to the car, the neck breaking acceleration is nice for about 2-4 seconds before you have to brake. Then one faithful day I saw a gleaming white GT86 parked next to me in a car park and I new. I was going to own a gt86 (tts is for sale if anyone fancies it haha)
 
So begun my hunt! Had a sale fall through and left it a while and just test drove a GT86 every weekend for a couple weeks and eventually decided it was time to have another look, Right as all the ex demo aero models came onto the scene as the 17 model year was released! After ringing round hunting for the best deal. I settled on a Black Aero that I thought was a bargain. Its an automatic, still not sure if I should have gone for the manual but its easier to find a manual aero than an auto if I decide I want to change my mind ill bloody tell you that! On my drive back I found the automatic box very pleasing and don't really have any gripes with it and it doesn't really feel any worse than the audi auto gearbox that people seem to praise and the car definitely feels 100x more car like than my TTS did.
I'm not sure if its considered vulgar to say how much I paid but I'm sure people are curious and I don't mind saying and want to know if i really did get a bargain or not so feedback would be appreciated. Its a 15 plate black aero (auto) with 8800 miles and has the JBL sound system, rear sensors, half leather interior with heated seats and the sat nav which i believe is all the extras! I paid 19350 for the car and it came with a spare wheel same as the ones on the car. I traveled to Toyota all the way down in Torquay! Luckily one of my mums friends was headed that way so i nabbed a lift down today at 10am for the 4.5 hour journey, was worth it as I got to drive it all the way back! After i put the deposit down on the vehicle a week or so ago I started to plan my mods! A few YouTube videos and forum posts later I'd envisioned the path for my new pride and joy.
Exhaust - Wasn't too bothered what exhaust and being thrifty and indecisive I thought id just get whatever second hand one i could get my grubby hands on! Met a chap from the forum at 9pm in a dark halfords car park and chatted about GT86's in his passenger seat for the best part of an hour or two and left with a Tomei Type -80!  First car I am modding, I've got a friend who will be able to help me fit it but if anyone's in the Leicester-shire area and fancies a free lunch and some GT-86 chat is willing to help I would be grateful! Also ordered a blanking plate for a clean look the other side!
Interior - Found a few people who had refinished their interior by either painting or wrapping and decided it was the way forward, an hour of photo-shopping every colour under the sun I decided on Orange! but not just any orange the hot lava Toyota orange was the colour of choice. Wanting to preserve my cars factory finish I rang about a crashed 2015 giallo edition and off I went to sheffield armed with a fisttfull of notes and a couple of squeegee's to pluck the interior trim bits from its mangled remains. I think it was number 57 but i cant remember as I gave the heated seat sticker along with all the other bits to a good friend who owns a body shop to refinish! finding out tomorrow when i can get a hold of the bits and the number he has written on his blank cheque : p. So to whoever you are who crashed the yellow beast one mans under steer is another mans fancy replacement interior - No blood so I'm sure hes fine! I also have the speaker trims and pedals getting done!
Have included pictures for reference to everything! After spending 5 hours driving back today I feel like all the mx-5, TT, BRZ trio videos are clearly sponsored buy audi or maybe the Americans swoon at European cars. Every button (except the head unit buttons, except the head unit is 10x better than any other standard unit so buttons forgiven, plus lego wheels for 3.99 on ebay will hopefully fix it) all buttons are placed in a much more ergonomic position and feel nicer to touch. Although the dash and doors are clearly made of lightweight material to save weight. It feels high quality and overall I think its a much nicer cabin to sit in than my TTS. I have no idea why the interior gets such a bad write up, I really like it : P
 Would love to hear thoughts on wrapping the roof orange or any other orange accents I could include. Also managed to get some orange aluminium dial covers from a forum post from 2 years ago (the last set the guy said he had so sorry guys :p)  was a good page to stumble onto!
Exterior - Messaged a yank on ebay and promptly had a set of gloss black badges shipped out. Really looking forward to this!
Also planning to get tinted up if anyone has had their GT86 done at somewhere not too far from Leicester please do let me know the price and how the work came out easier than ringing round i suppose : )
Mishimoto gear knob was the right colour for the job so that was an easy choice!
Saw a chap make a post about his square number plate and harris number plate tape so both were swiftly ordered
Also ordered a panel filter and the dealerships ordering me in an armrest and shipping it to me on the cheap!
Considering replacing the under diffuser for a fancier curvier one but had alot of trouble finding one for a reasonable price so would appreciate some opinions on this
Definitely want to do something with all the lights so would love some recommendations on what lights to get. I will probably just wait for some second hand ones as I don't want to do everything at once and apparently I get a kick out of being as cheap as possible when it comes to my car (probably because I have only just got it (or didn't even have it when i ordered all the parts) and don't want to make any regretful expensive decisions) going for the stealth look so anything applicable to that! yes this is also an advert to buy your unwanted lights!
Also want to get a map after ive got used to the car so i can feel the difference so thoughts on the best map and place for a remap would be great
 Sorry for the dark pictures but i only got the car back tonight and it was... well... dark! Also whats the difference between the premium fuels and whats best? : )
Appreciate and and all advice and recommendation and definitely want to come to meetups ASAP! Sorry for making a long winded story out of my post but I wanted to be all encompassing and obviously love talking about my new car as I'm sure all you guys love talking about your eighty sixes/ brzeeees. Ill also throw in a mugshot from last time I was drunk enough to think taking a selfie was a good idea.

.........ummm.....I think I need to check

Always been a fan. A nice chap, and an amazing achievement to become world champion in both cars and bikes.
 
Doubt we'll ever see anyone do that again...
 
 
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Latest mods now installed - HKS Frontpipe and the suspension legs swapped over to the ones with the Eibach's on.All done by Rich's team @ RRG whilst it was in for service and the recall work.
Looks like a nice drop on it now and the exhaust a little throatier whilst still not annoying on the motorway. Seems to rev a bit more freely now and felt faster on acceleration.
Also had the call from Fensport that my kit is being delivered on monday - but sadly my bodyshop can't fit me in until mid-April now to spray and help fit it. bugger!

I brought cloud insurance with mine!
 

 
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If you spotted my post in the noobs section you'll know I'm fresh to the Toybaru platform, accordingly I thought I'd go for it a bit here by way of an introduction. Naturally I spent the first few days getting familiar with her from behind the wheel, but I've now gotten familiar from behind the mitt. I've been getting into detailing over the last couple of years, trying a variety of goodies from trade products to boutique, but it's always been on the grey of my Zed, so working on the gorgeous mica paint is a bit of a treat. The dealer value was decent, clean but not protected, but with a few hundred miles this weekend she was pretty filthy and ready for me to get stuck in. That first wash can often be revealing. I hope you don't mind me posting up some pics, sharing a few products I like and maybe asking some questions too.
 
I've broken out my favourite goodies for the maiden wash, ready to do battle. In the bucket is a Microfibre Madness Incredimitt, excellent - get one.
 

 
 
I haven't found a better shampoo than AMMO Paint Cleanser (Bathe+ is a close second favourite) it gives excellent lubrication on the paint and maintains good level of soapiness throughout the wash. The downside is it is expensive as it comes only from Larry in the US, worth it though if you fancy a treat. To keep the same theme going I also broke out the AMMO Brute Wheel Soap and AMMO Plum Wheel Cleaner, these aren't as special as the shampoo but are still excellent products. 
 
First up, I've used a fair few snow foams, some shaving foam thick (Magifoam) and others quite watery (Avalanche, BH), I'm not too fussed about dwell time and thickness, it's more about shifting as much debris as possible before touching the paint. The best cleaning one I've found is Bilt Hamber Autofoam, but I am a bit of a tart, so I am currently dabbling with Car Chem's offering and another one I like i Envy's Bubbly Jubbly (best smelling foam by miles)
 

 
 
Not quite made my mind up on this yet, I think BH probably edges it.
 
Plum liberally spritzed on the wheels, but normally I'd be using Sonax Extreme Wheel Cleaner or Car Chem Revolt for a decon.
 

 
 
As you can see, AMMO Plum is indeed another fallout remover which turns purple, like many other offerings. However, the plum element stops AMMO smelling like the end of the world. It's more of a plum scented murder scene, in a warm country.
 
Most of the purple on there is the result of me trying to bed in the previous owner's new pads and discs. They must have been the last thing they did as they're as clean as they came out the packaging, with copper slip still on one rim from a lingering fingering. I managed to find a bit more bite, but I might have to try some new pads if these don't sharpen up, I got back in the Zed today and nearly went through the windscreen at the first set of lights.
 
Anyway, back on topic. Generally the wheels are in excellent nick, three of four are spotless, with just some light kerbing on the front driver's side. However, they are a PITA to clean compared to my previous RAYS. Intricate and narrow, I can barely get woolies in there. But I persisted and they came up pretty nice.
 

 
 
After foam and rinse there wasn't anything stubborn I could see, so it was on to the more intricate spots.
 

 
 
I did get to find some nasty surprises along the way in the wash, I don't even know how some of these popped up, not the normal random deep scratches. Actual boot lid graffiti here.
 

 
 
Similar on the nearside front wing too. I had a bit of a go at them by hand with some Meg's Ultimate but I only softened them, they need mowing down my machine. There's a few stone chips that I need to touch up too.
 

 
 
After stripping the paint back and towelling off, got on with giving the glass some love. For me, Stoner's Invisible Glass is just brilliant. I picked this up two years ago in Walmart across the pond when our rental Camaro had a weird stain on the windscreen. Been using it (this exact can!) ever since, the flash time is perfect and it is a doddle to use. No streaks or smears. The aerosol does like to overspray onto panels in any kind of breeze, so mist your MF towel away from the car and apply towel to glass. The outline of the wiper's is still on the glass after I finished but this isn't too bad as I need to break out my Gtechniq glass polish prior to adding a hydrophobic coating, not RainX. 
 

 
Leaves a very nice clean finish for not much input
 

 
I don't quite know how I missed this (probably a bit too excited at the test drive) until now but something gritty has got trapped in the weatherstrip on the window/door seal and it's made a serious impression on the window. Not easy to focus on with a phone, but you can see the three distinct vertical lines (between the red ones) where the damage has been done. Sadly, they feel far too deep to polish out. 
 

 
 
Not used to having to clamber in the back to clean the rear glass, usually it's a hop in the boot, so if anyone know a good technique for clearing the bottom third of the inside of the rear window which doesn't involve being a contortionist with Trump size hands, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
 
As expected on a new sale, the interior is clean apart from some "fluids" under the cup holder, either old tea or a brown, human discharge. Hard to say and tasting proved indeterminate So just gave the plastics a once over with Gtecniq Matte Dash. I can't tell if this does anything on already clean plastics, but it doesn't do any harm.
 

 
 
Having had a quick pass round the inside, it was back out to inspect and finish off. I was certain a clay bar would be needed given it appeared the paint hadn't been protected at all, but it feels fairly glassy, with no major rough areas, just a few tar spots I'll get next time. Finished the job off with a layer of AMMO Skin Defense [sic] which is my go to sealant. I'm just on ploymer, not graduated to the modern hard coatings yet as I have to detail outside and can't chance screwing up a hard coating with contaminants.
 
I'm not really a wax lover, I might break it out for special occasions but despite it's extreme grabiness Sonax Brilliant Shine Detailer always leaves a strong and pleasing finish to my eyes. I skipped it this time as the Skin was so freshly applied, but I'll be using i on the next quiz wash as part of the drying stage (a bit of water reduces said grabiness).
 

 

 
Looking pretty decent if I do say so myself
 
 
Tomorrow's job is to get rid of the filth under the bonnet. Looks like it's not been touched from new. It looks like it should come up with just a bit of elbow grease, a brush and some APC. I'm hoping I can keep the carb cleaner safely in the shed.
 

 
 
Did a little mod too, popped on some Bosch Aeros to eliminate a bit of smearing and reduce drag (good for an extra second to 60 they say  
 

 
 
You just don't see enough glamour shot of wiper blades these days...
 

 
Quick question before I go, am I missing a nipple on top of the dash?
 

 
Or are they all like that?
 
 
 
Thanks! I hope this hasn't been too tedious for you, I got a bit carried away

So after a few weeks with the stock exhaust and the JDL catted manifold on I've decided it's a bit too quiet so a new exhaust has been ordered and should be here in the next day or two.
I've also had my winter wheels refurbished as 1. I didn't like the chrome and 2. As I'd expected the chrome didn't like the salt on the roads. I haven't actually picked them up yet and so obviously they're not on the car yet but here's a teaser:-

Just a touch different to the chrome 😁

@Keethos. Shame you can't make it
 

Really minor change today, wheels were a state so had them refurb'd and re-finished in matte black (apologies for the godawful photo, not my forte).
 

Only solution for us Keith is to start strapping turbos and superchargers on left right and centre.

ha jebus, Lauren's guna love you at JAE 

An update from my post:
As I mentioned previously, a couple of days after having a John Ashley custom silencer installed, the volume went from really quiet to really loud again (not as loud as it was before the silencer) and I was worried that either there was a weld issue or maybe the wadding inside the silencer had been burnt out.  Not only that but the rattling/raspy sound was worse than ever.
So about a week later, I booked my car in again to see what the issue is while changing the back box completely from a Cobra system to a custom made Y shape system which would hopefully improve flow and hopefully remove any raspiness.  Found out that the silencer was perfectly fine, what had happened was one of the bolts holding the mid pipe to the back box had fallen out and the exhaust was blowing the gasket out so I kept the silencer as is.
After several hours of work, the lads at John Ashley Exhausts finished my custom Y shape back box so now I'm essentially running a custom John Ashley catback exhaust system and I've got to say, the volume is about spot on.  It's louder than when the silencer was fitted and still quieter than it was before....even had a sound meter to test it while I was there and was getting about 88dbs but the proof of the pudding was on track a couple of Fridays ago at Oulton Park where as you can hear from the video, I only got 83dbs....then again I was only doing 5000rpm rather than the usual 5500rpm but there or there abouts anyways so very happy with the result.  Even managed to re-use the black outverted tips which I like.
The only slight gripe at the moment is the original gripe of that raspy sound, the car, when cold, would sound a bit raspy/rattly around 4000rpm part load but once it's hot, it doesn't rasp or rattle as much or at all sometimes so I'm just hoping that once they get carboned up that they'll reduce or even stop completely but again, still pretty happy with how they've turned out!
So now I'm running the Tuning Developments Unequal Length Decat Manifold with their Overpipe, Berk High Flow Cat followed by John Ashley's Custom Silenced Y Shape Catback Exhaust System with Cobra's Black Outverted Exhaust Tips

The 2.0 Sport solves the running out of puff problem. 
I drove that and chased down a spiritedly driven GT86 easily on the UK launch event last summer (or the summer before perhaps). 200kg less helps minimise the effect of 40 less bhp. 
It didn't minimise my swearing when it turned down the side road in front of me though. Brilliant little impromptu test. I always find it interesting to see how a car reacts on the road from the car behind. It showed how well tied down the GT86 is.
Great fun car though and it even got attention from the driver of a GT3 with a brilliant plate!

I'm a fan of the titanium rolled tips myself. 

I test drove the 1.5l version with Will and didn't think it was all that, definitely not as pin point as the 86 (more roll, less feel through the steering wheel, ran out of steam quickly and etc.) but it was fun to drive around with the top down

Glad you're happier with it now Keith! Those tips really aren't my thing but if you're happy, I'm happy.