BristolLee

The first review I did of the new car back in February was in near freezing conditions and in wet and greasy conditions. Richard of RRG Toyota Macclesfield, asked if I'd like to try the car now temperatures and weather is becoming more spring like. 
Unsuprisingly I opted for the same usual test route, the 'Lauren Triangle' which covers the A534 out of Macclesfield, a left up onto the twisty A54 at Boseley and when I get to the top I take the infamous A537 Cat & Fiddle on the downhill back to Macc'. 
First impressions again are the car feels good. The ride is good and well resolved. Though the spring rate is reduced, the anti-roll bar thickness has been increased to compensate this. What you end up with is a more compliant ride, whilst the roll is as well controlled as before in the corners. The balance of the car stays the same. This is a good thing. Yes, you can provoke some understeer, but for me, I'm so used to trailing my braking into corners and my familiarity with the car, means that I just don't encounter understeer. This is almost the problem of knowing the GT86 so well, I've adapted my driving to get the most out of it, so it is a non-issue to me. As I remember in the last test drive, the track mode does it's stuff, allowing a bit more slip in the old sport mode which is a good thing too. I absolutely admit, that if I'm pushing on in my car, I will simply turn all the aids off, but I wonder if that extra bit of slip means track mode is simply enough on the public road not to warrant turning everything off. 
Review 2 MY2017 GT86 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr
There's a part of me that realises that driving the car in slippery conditions almost elicited more information in terms of reviewing as it was far easier to break the limits of adhesion, though what is clear that in the dry the Primacy tyre offers plenty of grip. The car feels taught, responsive and the response from the throttle is clean and crisp. With the newer model car, oil temperature can be clearly seen. It was notable that with some brisk driving keep the revs high on the uphill A54, oil temperatures were around 110C. They do seem to increase quite quickly, but also come down fairly quickly too. 
Review 2 MY2017 GT86 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr
Overall, this second drive, merely confirms my first thoughts, I had back in February. This is a great car out of the box, handling wise it's more compliant than the older car, but just as much fun, nothing has been lost. It's a nicer place to be also thanks to the upgrades in the interior. The track mode allows a bit more fun without it getting too lairy and this is great news for the driver that wants to have fun, but may need to have their enthusiasm curbed by the stability control should they get carried away. I commented to Richard that in my mind, it is no issue that Toyota didn't increase the power, because if you can really drive it, you really don't need anymore and the reponsiveness of an NA engine is impossible to beat, it gives that sharpness to the response that is exactly what you need when balancing what is a great chassis mid-corner. I also take the viewpoint, that less is more, in that it encourages you to carry your momentum into the corners rather than simply rely on the skill deficit of point and squirt down the straights that so many do when the car is dominated by how much power it has. So working for it, is really what it's all about and this really, is what a great driver's car is all about.

I got a good deal from bris in 14 for our 86. Only reason I would not use them or recommend them myself is that I did my homework on PCP which I took as they would pay 1k towards the car. I said I was new to PCP which I was but they did not know I did my home work and so lied 3 times to my face and when I told them such the finance guy quickly changed his words. I informed the manager and toyota about this and won't use them myself 

Nope. Toyota now fit all of their parking sensors etc at the point of entry to the UK.  Have done for a number of years, along with sunroofs, stereos and.....armrests
As other threads have alluded to, Subaru fit them at the dealer.
It's one of those things, it happens. At the moment, as I said, it's still the closest I've been to owning one and it's only getting closer.  Should the delay go on too much longer, i'll obviously have to consider my options again.

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!

Got a poke around the RRG demonstrator this morning...
 
I'm not a change my car every couple of years kind of person, but anyone who is will find enough improvements to be glad of the swap.
 
The interior is the big thing. Really much much better in terms of perceived quality.
 
As for the rest, the wheels look better than the old ones when you see them in the metal, the back end is tidied up a treat, and the front is probably marginally better too in real life. The bumper is fine, and the headlights are neater.
 
A successful facelift.
 
 
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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 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

Avonmouth is Portbury Docks, just me being a local boy calling it by its place name rather than the dock name. 
Update 4: The ship arrived on Thursday afternoon, 1600 at high tide and sailed out again 12 hours later. 
So I can't stalk it anymore, just have to wait impatiently until either Fish Bros call me to choose a reg number and arrange collection OR I get bored and call them to see how it's going. 

I'm still here, though me ginger jap went last Wednesday.
Just popped in to say I took an MX-5 RF (2.0l) for a test drive on Saturday. I'd recommend you try it - if you like the GT86 there's a good chance you'll love the RF.

So worth the wait ... 

Avonmouth is Portbury Docks, just me being a local boy calling it by its place name rather than the dock name. 
Update 4: The ship arrived on Thursday afternoon, 1600 at high tide and sailed out again 12 hours later. 
So I can't stalk it anymore, just have to wait impatiently until either Fish Bros call me to choose a reg number and arrange collection OR I get bored and call them to see how it's going. 

Swapped anti-roll bars with S10 RSG courtesy of FCM Motorsport. Very happy.
I can feel even the stock suspension working as it should now and it's a joy to corner with pace again. Once the B14s are fitted I may explore alternative ARBs again, but this time thinner - may even try deleting. So much feel and grip is lost when the dampers are not allowed to work properly.
Expecting the Bilsteins to be properly set up for use with stock ARBs though so will hopefully leave OE for the foreseeable.

Chipping Sodbury. 
Not my first choice, black. I'd wanted red or blue but nothing with the right spec. This one's loaded so hope to be a happy chappy when I go to collect it tomorrow.
You'll love the gt86, they're great fun. Enjoy! 

Insurance sorted ...
Payments completed ...
Registration plates made up at dealers ...
DVLA stuff first thing Weds ...
Just 5 more nights sleep (or lack off) ...
:-)
 

Yes it is absolutely stock. RRG did not put it in. Richard was just as surprised to find it. Just thought I'd check and there it was. 

Update 3: It draws nearer!
Full steam ahead!
Following a brief stop in Valencia (wish I could have one of those!), the car is now full steam ahead, crossing the Bay of Biscay today, on it's way to Avonmouth docks in Bristol.....
At which point i'll be leaving face prints on my office window (J16 M5), to watch out for it going past on the transporter to Swindon.
Two other bits of news. 
1. I've managed to get a private sale agreed for my Celica.  Almost double what Toyota offered as P/X! AND the guy is happy to wait for me to get my delivery date before he takes it off my hand. 
and 2.  I received some random "GT86 DC" stickers from @rob275 in the post.  What's the bhp for each of those nowadays? 5? 10?
 
 

The new kouki GT86 is out. Kouki? Let me explain, the GT86, just like it's spiritual daddy, the AE86 now has an early and late model with the arrival of the revised car. These have always been called 'Zenki' (Japanese for early) and 'Kouki', which means late). I own a kouki AE86 and a zenki GT86. Got it? 
We've all seen pictures of the new model and I know that a number of us have seen it in the flesh and the feedback has been somewhat mixed. The changes to the revised model are numerous and more than skin deep. There are the obvious changes styling wise of which more later, but there are also a number of points in the chassis that have been reinforced as well as strengthening to the engine block. The main mechanicals for the European market in respect of engine power and final drive have not been changed. 
I always felt that the old car was stiff in it's chassis rigidity, but Toyota have focused on reinforcing the front suspension towers, a thicker reinforcement to the transmision mounting bracket, additional spot welds in the rear wheel arches and a thicker rear panel. The rear anti-roll bar has also seen an increase in diameter. 
Toyota along with friend of the club and chief engineer Tetsuya Tada talk of increased aerodynamic performance too. The often divisive opinions in regard to the new shark like front end of the kouki GT86 are there to increase air flow. This is also evident with the rear diffuser set at a 45 degree angle to aid airflow with the new rear spoiler creating a downforce 'effect' to help stability at speed. Tada San was very keen on the changes only being there to optimise handling and stability. 
2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr
Here we can see the new rear lights and spoiler, I know that the zenki rear lights have been the subject of much debate, but I think most are liking the new style of lights, even though it's lost it's nod to the 2000GT: 
2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr
2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr
Here you can see the new diffuser: 
2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr
The kouki GT86 now gets some new wheels too, though they are quite similar in theme to the older style wheels I think and I do wonder if Toyota could have been a bit more exciting, with their wheel options here. 
2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr
Much has been said about the interior differences with a new dash layout and a perceived improvement in quality of the feel of being in the car. This is important I think, because if there is one thing that I have always found to be a dissappointment, it's the relative cheap feel to a lot of the plastics used. I may indeed be something of a weirdo, but tactile feel and the perceived quality of such things are important to me. Yes, I do like to touch car interiors and test the finish and fit! Whilst padded plastics on the door panels and centre console would improve the ambience for me, these are still omitted. However, the change to suede for the door and dash coverings does lift the interior a bit. The seats also look a bit nicer with their perforated alcantara and nice clean stitching, add a lift and go someway into giving the car a more premium feel. 
2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr
I must admit, I really like the new dash with it's new configurable screen that gives us a number of options to look at. The rev counter is repositioned too with peak power being at the top, it has been rotated slightly anti-clockwise which allows the multi-function display screen on the dash to fit. 
Here is what I call the default display which people will use. The best thing about it, is it finally has oil temperature which is a brilliant and essential addition at least in my eyes, note it has hill start assist and that I have set it in track mode: 
2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr
It's at this point that I realise that I didn't take a picture of the new steering wheel with it's multifunction buttons that control the display which can let you select a variety of options from lap timing to G-force and also a display that shows the power output as the revs rise. Here's the power output one:
2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr
In all honesty, I found these to be more of a distraction than helpful whilst driving, so I tended to use the display with the temperatures. I should add the new steering wheel is a little thinner and also slightly smaller than the old one. It has a nice feel and is more comfortable. The steering wheel buttons don't get in the way, so I can't see a downside to that. 
But, I hear you ask, what is it like to drive? Initial impressions on a 6C morning in Macclesfield heading up on my usual test route (the 'Lauren Triangle') takes a nice easy drive out of Macclesfield on the A534, warming the fluids, before heading up the A54 at Boseley and then down the infamous A537 Cat and Fiddle. The first thing that struck me was how the car feels in terms of build quality. It's that little bit quieter and I wonder if the chassis reinforcements have helped a bit with this. The spring rates have now been softened a little, though the car still rides much like the old stock car did before. There is still that perceptible 'bobbling' of the dampers not feeling settled at 20-30mph, though things improve after that and the ride feels well resolved. The immediate impression was that the new car was a little more refined with a bit less road noise and being able to give the kind of ride that a non-enthusiast would be quite happy with. So the car will have a broader appeal here and as a daily driver proposition it will be just a little easier to live with. Small changes, but they all count. 
Richard at RRG Toyota Macclesfield, likes to play with his demonstrators a little, so no GT86 demonstrator would be complete without an aftermarket exhaust and an induction kit. Richard likes to try different options on all his demonstrators. This one has a secondary decat with a Cobra unresonated exhaust and a rather nice Takeda carbon fibre induction kit. Not a cheap option at around £600, but it does look rather good! 
2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr
As we edge out of Macclesfield and the car warms up, I find myself in familiar terrritory. The new car doesn't feel that different to the old when you go round a corner, I was worried that it would understeer with the reduction in spring rates, though perhaps the thicker rear anti-roll bar evens this out. The balance of the car does not feel much different. We take the familiar left turn up the A54 at Boseley, which will see us head up a nice winding road right up the the top at the Cat and Fiddle. This is my first opportunity to open the car up. I should add it's cold and the conditions are wet and greasy. I keep reminding myself I am on the Primacy tyre! 
I opted to drive in simply 'Track' mode as I drive my car in VSC Sport mode in these conditions and I really wanted to see if it allowed more slip with the revisions to the stability control system. Out of the first little left right sequence of bends, I get on the power early in second gear. A quick correction is needed, but it's easy and familiar territory, no surprises there then. No intervention from the stability control either. As we head up into the Peak District a Golf GTI ahead wants to play, but I'm trying to review a car here, so I do my best to hold back, I already know he doesn't provide much of a challenge, so I keep to the task in hand. This car seems to ride bumps better than my car dropped on it's coilovers and pot holes become less of a concern. The lower spring rates though and damping, don't quite keep the new car as tied down as mine. But it's good and as we head into the fog much to my frustration, I think about how it feels at cruising speeds. You know the scenario, no opportunity to go fast, but just cruising along with the plodders. It feels good, it's quieter, though that induction kit sounds good and particularly so at 7000rpm and above. Nice. Exhaust is a personal preference of course, but I didn't quite get on with the tone of the Cobra. It's loud. Richard loves it though! 
As we near the top of the A54, I feel like traffic has got in the way, so we hope for a clearer run down the Cat and Fiddle. It's worth noting that driving this road is always better on the downhill. It always reminds me of Initial D in that respect! 
On the Cat and Fiddle: 
2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr
2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr
And so it begins, passing the still boarded up pub at the top and straight into 'Moisties' and into the banked right of 'Balcony' (yes all the bends are named). The fog has gone, but the roads are greasy and I'm still on Primacy tyres. I opt to take the soft option of playing in the lower gears as I don't want to fully test the lateral grip of Primacy tyres in these conditions. As I exit the first few hairpins, with a clear road, I can begin to get into something of a rhythm, I push the car wide on the exit and grab a good quarter turn of opposite lock, just to nudge where the stability control will intervene. Sure enough the dash lights are flashing, but it seems to allow a bit more slip and doesn't cut in as harshly as VSC Sport mode. In my older car, in these conditions, I would probably opt to turn everthing off to allow some more slip, though losing the safety net of stability control. This doesn't seem necessary in the new car though as it allows a bit more angle. The car is easy to control with power oversteer and the diff hooks up just like it always does. Reassuring and I feel like I'm beginning to find some grip in the Primacy tyres. 
My confidence improves, I'm not feeling any understeer though, but I'm not pushing into the corners as it's just not worth it given the tricky conditions. The new car plays just like the old car does, as I focus on getting feel out of steering and chassis. I've always felt that the Primacy tyre is a bit 'glassy' in feel and that they don't offer much bite on turn in, but the chassis of this car is good enough that you can still delve into the layers of feel. Typically for me, it takes me to get a third of the way down the 'Cat and then I get into the zone, I can put the car where I want, I know every minutae of detail of every corner of this road and I know where I can take liberties and where it's best avoided. I approach my favourite corner, a downhill right hander that goes up on the exit, the road is clear and I can use it all. Brilliant, I admit I would charge it harder in my car, but this car feels so good, my confidence is there immediately. Whilst I can feel the familiar hole in the torque curve of a stock car (a remap makes a big difference here), it's a not an issue where engine speeds are kept high. 
As we pull over for some pics, I note that the oil temperature is around 115C. I do think an oil cooler is a good idea if I can achieve these kind of temperatures on the public road in such slippery conditions. I like the feel of the new steering wheel, it is an obvious improvement over the previous car, the buttons on the wheel not interfering at all. I try at this point to look at the g-force meter and the power readings on the display, but I honestly think they become more of a distraction when driving and I didn't want to try and find 1G on the reading today! 
2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr
So, it's all good. I can't see a downside to the new model. Some will talk about the styling not being to their taste, but such things grow on you in my experience. The car overall is a little bit nicer inside and I love the new dash with it's oil temperature display. A bit more refinement is no bad thing. The chassis does not feel markedly different. I couldn't really tell today and maybe a dry road in better temperatures would reveal more, what the chassis reinforcements mean, but the car felt stiff and accurate, placing it where I wanted it was no issue. 
Here's the bonus, a spare wheel! 
2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr
When I got back to RRG Macclesfield, Miles had kindly put my name on the white one in the showroom! It's very tempting, I admit!  
As I get into my car, a modified 2013 GT86, I note that the steering feels heavier and the car feels glued to the tarmac, with a greater precision and even more feel.  More hardcore yes, but that's why I like it and that's why I modify my cars. I reckon the new one would be just to my liking with the same kind of mods. There's a white one in the showroom, but it's got my name on it.
 

Just to confirm that the price is as expected ... so if it drops £1k just gor driving off the forecourt I could still make a profit .... lol! No f'ing chance of that ... 
And one more surprise up my sleeve ... all will be revealed on the 1st.
 

Z4. 
After more than four years in the 'edgy' Toyota, a somewhat more relaxed and refined waft-mobile is in order. The Zed's no drivers car, but it's fun and I've missed having a droptop. It's the 3 litre twin turbo with 7-speed DCT (sDrive 35i).

Update 2:  The car is in EUROPE! 
 
Bobbing across The Med as I type.  
 
It's getting closer!

Update 2:  The car is in EUROPE! 
 
Bobbing across The Med as I type.  
 
It's getting closer!

I have a small update.
The car is built!  The car has a VIN number, which very geekily   I have been able to use to stalk my GT86 on its maiden voyage from Gunma to Bristol!
As of 10am this morning (Friday 3rd Feb) it was just of the west coast of Sri Lanka and should arrive at Avonmouth on 22nd Feb.  That's the frustrating bit as it will have to drive past my office window alongside the M5 in Bristol as it makes its way to Swindon.
I should get my hands on it sometime after the 13th March!

Love the fact they've kept the fa20 too

I have a small update.
The car is built!  The car has a VIN number, which very geekily   I have been able to use to stalk my GT86 on its maiden voyage from Gunma to Bristol!
As of 10am this morning (Friday 3rd Feb) it was just of the west coast of Sri Lanka and should arrive at Avonmouth on 22nd Feb.  That's the frustrating bit as it will have to drive past my office window alongside the M5 in Bristol as it makes its way to Swindon.
I should get my hands on it sometime after the 13th March!