The Toyota GT 86 is just as awesome as you think it is
Auto Tech
When Toyota exed both the MR2 and the Celica, some people wondered whether its sporty arm would ever return, especially when on web forums, people post the question "which sports car should I buy?" And the answer came back-- MX-5.
It was kind of like a kid reciting Justin Bieber [unk].
A little bit annoying, and little bit seamy.
But then, rumors started
creeping out that Toyota was teaming up with Subaru to create a new kind of hybrid-- a mix of Toyota's rear-wheel drive prowess and Subaru's boxer engine.
Innovative genotype has dubbed the predicted Toyobaru.
They-- and I got very excited by it.
They're really excited, indeed.
It turns out the rumors were true and the two Japanese giants have indeed joined forces.
In 2009, Toyota released a concept, the FT-86.
And now, in 2012, after years of sobbing, begging,
crying, and wailing for all the press and every car enthusiast, they've launched it.
Toyota calls it the GT 86.
And I call it damn good fun.
Power-wise, it's not spectacular.
It's got a 197 brake horsepower and 151 pound of its torque and back all comes from the 2-liter boxer engine from Subaru.
The rear-wheel drive now, however, comes from Toyota 'cause it used to be their thing.
Still, as a car, it's absolutely great.
You can just pop it into a bend,
and off you go.
It's awesome fun even if it is making Cameron feel a little ill.
The GT 86 is a car that's supposed to bring the fun back to driving.
You're supposed to want to get in no matter how you're feeling and just drive the thing.
Or if you're so inclined you should want to push it on a track and drive the ass of it-- which is precisely what I'm doing.
This is the type of car that any [unk] like me can buy and ret around the
track and not look like to be much of an ass.
So, that's good.
Noise, this is brilliant.
It's just brilliant, the way it makes you feel.
It just-- it makes you feel happy.
This is fantastic fun.
So, fun is all well and good.
A Ferrari is fun, but this has to be fun you can afford.
Can you?
Well, yes, actually.
In all of the GT 86's markets, it's going to be actually sensibly priced.
In the U.K., it will set you back
around £25,000.
Admittedly a fair heft over an MX5.
But think of it this way.
Not only do you get a proper roof inclusion of price, you also don't get mocked for being a hairdresser.
Though the hairdresser dollar is just as valid as, say, the builder's dollar.
So, that was and is the Toyota GT 86.
And it is a fantastic little car.
Should you buy one?
Well, yes.
Or at least take them out for test drive, it doesn't really market for because really, it creams the little Mazda MX-5.
But does it mean that Toyota has returned to its previous rear-wheel drive form?
Oh, yes.
