Is Toyota back on high with the GT-86?

[Kiadaw]

Now this is how to make a hot compact sports car.

 

Such a pity the Japanese still clueless on making a sexy car. Imagine the ALfa 4C, with Japanese sport compare price & reliability.

[Kiadaw]

Supra was in my mind that no doubt it can take on certain Porsche models.

but how about its build quality and luxury found in Porsche?

not even close to Porsche imo.

If you need to make long trips to work, or long road trips, or constantly in slow traffic. You will appreciate refinement & comfort more.

 

My evo that I had (which I sold when I moved now to Germany) was fast, fast enough for me at least (to the point do not crave more power), but in a jam, or slow traffic, its a bitch. I does bring a smile to my face when I can overtake or pull out from stop from junction fast, & every time I am commited to the throttle.

 

At time, I think of trading a more luxury, more refine ride, even if slightly slower. The best is obviously similar or more power, & more refinement. But cars in this bracket cost a bomb, especially in Sunny Singapore. But since I obviously cannot afford such ride (not in Singapore at least), I am happy with my cheap rent but fast japan ride.

 

At the end of the day, different cars for different folks with different budgets & requirements. If the GT-86 fits to ones criteria, why not. More choices is always good.

[Zze121]

In sg a 2L NA is not popular further more it's a 2 door. Here ppl buy 2L more for comfort, safety n status.

[1fast1]

But the standard 2.9 L Cayman is 263hp with a kerb weight of 1330kg = P/W ratio of 197 hp/metric tonne, not much better than the 167hp/tonne of the GT86. So a GT86 won't lose much to a standard Cayman in straight line speed. And that's not even taking into account that the standard Cayman will probably be at least $100,000 more expensive than the GT86.

 

Um...hello? You mentioned the Cayman R, here: "This new GT86 was developed using the Cayman R as a benchmark..."

 

So I was addressing that. But if you want to talk about the Cayman, well, OK, 197 is still a lot higher than 167, 18% higher in fact. That's a world of difference already.

 

Besides which, the uncomfortable truth is that Conti marques can afford to take it easy because their cars will sell anyway. Whereas the Jap marques have to perform superlatively in this segment (performance cars) *and* be competitively priced before buyers consider them. This applies especially to Singaporeans, who will buy an overpriced car from a Conti marque, even if they've been putting out some real turds of late. Ask Performance Motors, they're the experts.

 

I don't condone this line of reasoning (I look at every car on its own merits). But the fact is that Japanese cars have to be something really special if they want to have a hope of carving out a niche here. And the N/A version of this car doesn't measure up, IMO.

 

At the end of the day, it's quite clear that at least some at both Toyota and Subaru agree with my POV, since there are FI versions (s/c and t/c respectively) coming out from both manufacturers (why would they make them if they felt the car was already ideal in N/A in-car-nation?). Since I've already said that those cars would satisfy me, let's just leave it at that. This argument is completely pointless anyway.

[KARTer]

It will be strange if toyota/subaru really hope to steal sales from Porsche etc with the GT86.... i havent read much on this yet, have they stated it?

 

Personally, i feel this model will offer buyers another choice in the market based on their budget and what they are looking for in terms of driving pleasures etc etc.

 

Best is to wait for a direct side-by-side shoot out comparision between GT86 and a suitable Cayman model on the track and let the result speak for itself. Of course a non-track day to day use of the two must also be compared.

 

As for prices, we can treat them separately if we assume some buyers dont really care about driving pleasure per $ sort of things. The same goes for 'image/brandname' and the likes.

[KARTer]

If you need to make long trips to work, or long road trips, or constantly in slow traffic. You will appreciate refinement & comfort more.

My evo that I had (which I sold when I moved now to Germany) was fast, fast enough for me at least (to the point do not crave more power), but in a jam, or slow traffic, its a bitch. I does bring a smile to my face when I can overtake or pull out from stop from junction fast, & every time I am commited to the throttle.

 

At time, I think of trading a more luxury, more refine ride, even if slightly slower. The best is obviously similar or more power, & more refinement. But cars in this bracket cost a bomb, especially in Sunny Singapore. But since I obviously cannot afford such ride (not in Singapore at least), I am happy with my cheap rent but fast japan ride.

 

At the end of the day, different cars for different folks with different budgets & requirements. If the GT-86 fits to ones criteria, why not. More choices is always good.

Interesting points you made:-

 

Maybe my body does not really require 'comfort' etc:- i have made trips between SGP and Penang and still find the 'cheap rent' comfort of my evo good enough ie body didnt feel the 'strains' of the distance covered. Of course the 'available n usuable' power is always there. I call this cheap&good motoring...

 

Of course, a highend conti seat / ride comfort are surely more comfortable the the cheapo seat / ride the evo gives me, i guess as an individual, what the cheapo seat/suspensions offer is more than enough to make these 7000km/7hrs trips refreshing even at the end of the trips.

 

But mine is not as highly tuned as yours, thought still good enough to keep pace with some porsches etc.

Edited December 18, 2011 by KARTer

[KARTer]

Now this is how to make a hot compact sports car.

 

 

Such a pity the Japanese still clueless on making a sexy car. Imagine the ALfa 4C, with Japanese sport compare price & reliability.

how you think the 4C will compare with the elise? .....

[Duckduck]

ayah just buy the car lah... anyway most here cannot even afford to buy it when it arrives here next yr. If u can buy the car, then cum back here & criticize it, if not tok so much no winner one lah.

[KARTer]

Obviously, the GT-86 is target for young people with a budget but still wanted a proper RWD sports car. The price point will be the deciding factor for its success I guess.

 

The styling & especially the interior is a big letdown to me. For all their engineering expertise, the styling in Japan still lack appeals (unless you like the Japanese type of styling), at least for me. For me only the LFA & 350Z are styling success from the land of the rising sun.

 

They could have made an irresistible design to match its ability. Exterior styling doesn't really add much to additional cost, unlike interior.

As the material/texture used for touch&feel interior design greatly alter the feel (both visual and physical) of car interior, and of course the layout/design of the dashboard, seats, door panels/handles etc play a major part in this regard, to suit different tastes and budgets, shouldnt the car maker/designer offer at least two themes/versions in the interiror design of the car (to suit luxury-minded / hardcore-no-frills buyers?.... just like home interiror designs.

 

 

[Mockngbrd]

Supra was in my mind that no doubt it can take on certain Porsche models.

but how about its build quality and luxury found in Porsche?

not even close to Porsche imo.

build quality not up to porsche standard? you sure? the 2JZ's are so strong and bulletproof.

interior-wise compare a 92 Supra and a 92 Porsche 911. Which wld be a 964. Porsche's interior is definately better but Supra isn't that baD either.

 

but now that you mentioned it. how about the NSX? World beater with day to day reliablity. Great build quality and as lux as the porsches.

[Mockngbrd]

I don't condone this line of reasoning (I look at every car on its own merits). But the fact is that Japanese cars have to be something really special if they want to have a hope of carving out a niche here. And the N/A version of this car doesn't measure up, IMO.

i think this part really need to reserve comment until we've driven it. ALL the press writeups on this car have been nothing but praise. paper specs can only reveal so much. but again, price in SG gonna suxxxx cos of cOE

[KARTer]

i used to see one NSX near my place, but now no more. how many are left in sgp, any idea? hopefully one day it will be 'cheap' enough to own one

[Mockngbrd]

i used to see one NSX near my place, but now no more. how many are left in sgp, any idea? hopefully one day it will be 'cheap' enough to own one

er.. dunno le... 2? i anyhow say one..

[KARTer]

er.. dunno le... 2? i anyhow say one..

Honda said no more NSX all along, but i read recently they may do it again (new version, but likely hybrid or elect etc)

[Mockngbrd]

Honda said no more NSX all along, but i read recently they may do it again (new version, but likely hybrid or elect etc)

Tony Stark's new car

 

[Kiadaw]

how you think the 4C will compare with the elise? .....

I do not know, but I like what I see. I guess we shall find out soon. Its good to live in a place where cars doesn't cost an arm an a leg.

[Kiadaw]

Interesting points you made:-

 

Maybe my body does not really require 'comfort' etc:- i have made trips between SGP and Penang and still find the 'cheap rent' comfort of my evo good enough ie body didnt feel the 'strains' of the distance covered. Of course the 'available n usuable' power is always there. I call this cheap&good motoring...

 

Of course, a highend conti seat / ride comfort are surely more comfortable the the cheapo seat / ride the evo gives me, i guess as an individual, what the cheapo seat/suspensions offer is more than enough to make these 7000km/7hrs trips refreshing even at the end of the trips.

 

But mine is not as highly tuned as yours, thought still good enough to keep pace with some porsches etc.

 

I keep getting abrasion from the rough padding they put on the side. Maybe its cause I am a little on the heavy side.

 

My suspension is too hard, its aftermarket and more track focus. But the roll when corning is almost flat, shiok.

 

Anyway, the evo is distant memories now. After almost 2 months riding on 'school' bus (literally, as half the bus is fill with school boys) to work everyday, I finally get my own car, an Audi A3 1.8 TFSI yesterday. (oh, the other half is by school girls).

 

The build quality of the Audi is really fantastic, I have to say, & its not just surface deep, gears, brakes, & power delivery from the TFSI engines are really good. For now, the A3 is s sensible car. Not too big, & good comfort & decent power.

 

I do missed the massive pull from the evo, but I can see cars like RS3, S4-5 comparable in terms of power delivery. I have a feeling I will be a long time Audi owner, but who knows.

 

 

[KARTer]

I keep getting abrasion from the rough padding they put on the side. Maybe its cause I am a little on the heavy side.

 

My suspension is too hard, its aftermarket and more track focus. But the roll when corning is almost flat, shiok.

 

Anyway, the evo is distant memories now. After almost 2 months riding on 'school' bus (literally, as half the bus is fill with school boys) to work everyday, I finally get my own car, an Audi A3 1.8 TFSI yesterday. (oh, the other half is by school girls).

 

The build quality of the Audi is really fantastic, I have to say, & its not just surface deep, gears, brakes, & power delivery from the TFSI engines are really good. For now, the A3 is s sensible car. Not too big, & good comfort & decent power.

 

I do missed the massive pull from the evo, but I can see cars like RS3, S4-5 comparable in terms of power delivery. I have a feeling I will be a long time Audi owner, but who knows.

I think cars like the A3 TFSI are more than good enough for daily use. Wait till your itch for trackdays starts again?

 

Ya, that's why my track suspensions are stored in the workshop after the last overhaul... now using stock suspension, ok and backseat passengers no more complaining (everyone kbkb-ed when i was using the track suspensions )