Car enthusiasts complain that new cars have lost their spirit & soul. We say, “They don’t make them like they used to.” And most times – we’re right. But every once in a while… the right car company, with the right energy, makes the right car. The stars align. And you get a Toyota GR86.
They don’t make ‘em like they used to…
Actually… they do. And as someone who chronically makes that excuse… even I’m getting tired of hearing that excuse. Why? Because it’s not helping. You wanna know the real problem with 21st-century car culture? When they make it… we don’t buy it. Car culture has lost the backbone to truly think for themselves anymore. It’s been crippled by the internet. The same car culture (sort of) that once defied conformity… now takes the comments-section for gospel. We’ve become weak-minded approval-seekers. And thus… we get what we deserve.
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Instead of following that fire inside us…
We buckle to the trends of the internet… and listen to the comments of people who at least 50/50 don’t know what TF they’re talking about. And even if they do have good advice/expertise, it may not be the best advice/expertise for you. That means even on a good day, by my calculations, roughly 75% of what enters your brain from the internet is horsesh¡t (maybe this included lol).
The perfect car doesn’t exist…
And if that’s what you’re after, I’m already bored. Perfection isn’t interesting… thrill is. Connection > perfection. In fact, a lot of the greatest & most iconic vehicles of all time had flaws. That’s what made ’em great. Are we gonna nitpick a Shelby Cobra for being too squirrelly? Hell no that’s why we love it. The point is: STOP letting 0-60 data & horsepower-comparisons have a chokehold on you.
The GR86 is…
An awesome collaboration between 2 carmakers to make 1 affordable, captivating, driver’s car. It exists because in a weird twist of fate, gear-heads (instead of bean-counters) within both companies got a win. The GR86 & BRZ don’t ride on the back of some already-existing economy car like an ST, GTI… or even the GR Corolla for that matter. Nah – the GR86 (and BRZ) is uniquely its own dedicated platform. There’s no question that it was fought for within both companies. And that it was a gamble. A gamble on us… the remaining true sports car enthusiasts.
Yet – some people can’t get past the Subaru engine in a Toyota…
And while that’s understandable, my best advice would be – drive it. You can listen to the internet know-it-alls… or you can drive it. Because as a package, the GR86 is special. And admittedly, it’s hard for me to swallow too, but the Subaru boxer engine is nearly the perfect-pairing for the GR86 chassis. It’s fun, darty, and has a low center of gravity. And – it has a good/addictive power-band for an NA engine (keep premium in it). The critics claim it’s underpowered at 228hp/184tq – but those guys frankly don’t have a grasp on what the GR86 is supposed to be. Not every car needs 400 turnkey horsepower.
The engine in the GR86…
Allows you to enjoy all of the car virtually all of the time. I cannot overstate how enjoyable this car is to drive. This’ll ruffle some feathers, but I’ve driven the Supra, and I’ve driven the GR Corolla (as well as GTs, Type-Rs, etc). And for many intangible reasons, the GR86 just seems more fun more of the time. A car that you truly connect with… beyond its stats & specs.
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GR86 steering & suspension…
The GR86 absolutely defines engaging. New cars (even sports cars) have become so numb, it’s hard to even know where the baseline for engaging is anymore. The GR86 (and Miata) is my modern baseline. From the second you leave the driveway, the GR86 is a dog pulling on the leash… trying to chase a scent. It’s fun at 40mph. Can’t say that about a GT500. I think 90% of people on the road sadly have no clue a car can be this therapeutic and/or energy-lifting.
People gotta start realizing…
In the modern age, there’s become a drastic split between a performance car… and a true sports car. Cars today boast big stats/performance… but often fall short on genuine fun-factor. True sports cars died because tech & performance overshadowed purity & connection. And – because the mainstream lost an understanding of the difference. The GR86 is not built to flex, it’s built to drive. It doesn’t chase stats… rather, it chases the kind of intangible emotions & excitement that the internet-age largely doesn’t have the vocabulary for.
The interior of the GR86…
I’m comparing the interior of the GR86 to the Miata… strictly because those two cars are almost impossible not to compare. The GR86 has a little more livable space. It’s a bit more comfortable, and probably fits a little more naturally for most. Maybe not as svelte of an interior as the current ND Miata. But the interior of the GR86 picks-up right where fun carmakers would’ve left off… had screens not hypnotized the entire industry. It’s is the kind of sports car that begs you throw a couple bags in the back, take your favorite person, and go on road-trip/adventure. One where the car becomes engrained with the memories.
This GR86 was an automatic…
These new media cars tend to be autos because most ‘automotive journalists & influencers’ can’t drive stick anymore. Which is like, a glaring part of the problem… but I’ll shelve that for another day. Back on point though: This GR86 was an automatic. I don’t like automatics, especially not in sports cars. Matter of fact, I’ll make a blanket statement that if a sports car has two pedals… it’s not a sports car. But this GR86 changed my perspective a little bit. I would not buy the automatic version of the GR86. BUT… at the same time… it did not disappoint. The automatic in the GR86 is punchy, deliberate, and responsive. Dare I say… it’s fun in its own right. Again, I would buy & recommend the manual transmission all day. But if the automatic allows more people the opportunity to experience the GR86, it’s worth it. Seriously, all macho aside, the GR86 is even fun with just two pedals.
Ladies & gentlemen, the GR86 is the best car…
And I’m not saying that to compare it against anything else. I’m not saying it based on its 0-60 times. Just in its own right… based strictly on energy & intangibles… it’s the best. The GR86 is freedom behind the wheel. Freedom to be in the moment. And freedom from forgettable, sensible, mundane, disconnected, soulless, generic, uninteresting mediocrity. It’s as affordable as affordable gets these days. And it’s as fun as fun has ever been. Dismissing its notable lack of pop-up headlights & t-tops lol… the spirit & connection of an 80s/90s sports car exists today in the GR86. Like I said at the beginning, the problem is not the car… it’s the mainstream mindset.
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