Is the GT86/FRS/BRZ justified as being called a sports car?
We need your help in solving an ongoing debate that is currently causing friction in the Car Throttle office. The cause of this debate? It’s the GT86/FRS/BRZ variant.
A member of the team has expressed an interest in buying one, and with that, the debate begun…
Some are arguing that it is just not special enough, that it’s too slow and a little too expensive to make it worth purchasing, "It’s a sports car with no power, in the same league as an MX-5".
Others, however, are saying "anyone that says the GT86 needs more power has completely missed the point of the car. The GT86 isn’t supposed to be a bonkers quick car, just like the MX-5 and all their predecessors. It’s a quick (enough) and cheap (enough) car for people that can’t afford 911s, Z4Ms and other more expensive German options"
So what do you think, would you buy one? It would be interesting to hear your collective thoughts, it may well shape a decision to buy one! Give us your feedback in the comments below.
Comments
The car is suppose to be like the old 86. it wasn’t fast but is fun as hell around the turns. The light chassis is suppose to compensate for the low hp. To me its a perfect example of a sports car.A small lightweight track usable, agile,spunky car. that you can build n tune to your hearts satisfaction. you might now be able to push 700hp yet, but you have tuning companies that already has it pushing 500ish hp with its 2.0 Liter engine. And you can drift it stock. What is wrong with it? i don’t see anything wrong
i think people forget how the old 86 was.
I’d rather buy a used c5 corvette over a frs/brz/gt86, the corvette would have the power and still handle great through the turns.
Or maybe a c6 2005-2006
I think they’re good cars with big potential but personally they don’t make sense to buy new. Linking to the video ‘7 reasons why petrolhead will never buy a new car’ You could buy a nice 997 Carerra S, TT RS, E9x M3, V8 Vantage and there’s even a 6.2 camaro for sale on autotrader for £26k.
If I was buying a small sports car and the used prices dropped below £10k I’d definitely consider them although I’d be more inclined to go for a facelift RX8 R3
I love my FR-S, anyone that says it’s too slow isn’t throwing it into a corner fast enough. I run a pair of lighter, wider, and stickier wheels and tires and this thing can corner carve like no other. Like killy said, it’s a platform car to build your own way. I found mine used just a year old with 17,000km on it and $10,000 cheaper than new. I say buy it, build it, enjoy it.
It’s the son of an AE86 it’s not going to be the fastest car on the planet just a fun cheap sports car that can be fast if you know how to drive it, and a few cheap mods don’t hurt.
Well considering the fact that I’m saving up for one, yea if most definitely buy one 😁
I think that what makes a car special is the owner’s spirit!
I’ll leave my example. I have a ‘07 Honda Civic SI (sedan). No big deal. About 210 whp (after some mods), FWD, nice interior and seats.
But every single time i drive it, it makes me feel special. The seat is great, the pedals have a perfect combination of weight and distance between each other, the steering ratio is superb and the steering wheel is the best i’ve ever used. There are a lot of other good qualities (8500rpm vtec, gear ratios, LSD, etc.) that makes me smile too.
Here, in Brazil, this car is (and was) ridiculously overpriced, but all my regret fades when i’m driving it!
What’s the point? The car has to be special FOR YOU! Take one for a test drive. Or better, lend one from Toyota or Subaru (and write a review after that)! Quickly you’ll discover if the car makes you feel that way or not. If you are not satisfied with the power or handling, you have A LOT of ways to improve that.
I hope people realize half or more of what makes a true sport car is light weight chasis and handling, which was the true early definition of a "sport car" since like 1930. Power is more towards a "muscle car etc." or more of a secondary characteristic of a true "sport car". What’s the point if it can’t handle with power, renders it useless. Who drives straight lines anyways? (But to each to his own style) Track and Touge is what this is for.
Not to be too semi-cliche about it but it’s the smiles that matter, not the miles.
I live in the states and as my first car I want the FR-S I’ll be easy starter to learn manual
Actually since they have no torque it is kinda hard to learn manual in these. I suggest learning in something diesel. When I bought my BRZ last year I stalled a bunch of times the first few months and I was already driving stick for years.
Don’t listen to mr. no-torque, my first car was a 90’s Saturn with a stick (115 ft pounds) and I did fine with it. Besides, learning to drive stick only really takes a little bit of time, once you got it, you got it.