Is the GT86/FRS/BRZ justified as being called a sports car?

I’m probably going to get slapped for this, but it’s plain looking, slow, and overall boring when stock. If it came with forced induction and maybe some more aggressive looks, I would like it more. I really don’t know if justifiable to call it a sports car to be perfectly honest.

Of course it’s a proper sports car, it’s a 2 door 2 seater (I think) with a rather stiff suspension, it is quite light and it is not a GT you take for long drives. It’s an entry level sports car, just as the MX5 is one.

For that money though I would get a 996 911 and modify it to track spec or maybe even an early 997. Or a Supra. But if it is important to have a new car I would go for the GT86 or maybe an Impreza.

The GT86 in my case, wasn’t meant to be extremely quick….toyota and subaru developed it as a blank canvas…..for people who wanted to make it their own or tune it to their liking. The GT86 was also based on the concept of man and machine - just you, the car and the road - its by no means a basic car but it is supposed to give you that raw feeling when driving it. As for the power side of things, most people who drive it complain of its lack of power but never seem to use the entire rev range, using the cars whole potential shows that it is a relatively fast car - no turbo, no supercharger - just all motor. and thats what this car is about. and yes it more than deserves the title of a sportscar

If a front wheel drive hatchback VW Golf and mute electric Teslas are considered sports cars then so is a 2 door, rear wheel drive GT86/BRZ/FRS. PERIOD.

I like to think of them as art. The Porsche 911 is a masterpiece whereas the Toyobaion FT-Z 86 is a blank canvas for you to paint on to make your own piece of art. Much like the Miata it’s often compared to.
But to answer your question: Sports car? Let’s see: 2 doors, rear wheel drive, coupe or convertible body…
Yes.

I have an r35 gtr with bolt ons making 600whp, and an FRS for a daily.

They are the complete opposites of eachother and I love each car in its own way. The GTR is amazing but to make your heart pound you literally have to be doing double the posted speed limit around turns. And once you reach those speeds you are either going to die or get your license revoked. You can try to speed around town but you will catch up to traffic in a second. Even when I take people for rides and scare the crap outta them I know the car is just yawning at me saying ’ oh thats all you got?’.

The FRS lets you savor the moment. You can stay in the throttle for a looong time.. balance the car thru the corner. When the back does decide to play its doing 40mph on prius tires rather than 80mph on 335 section pilot super sports. You can beat on it around town, heel toe every downshift, kick the back out thru certain turns, and not worry. The steering, shifter, clutch are all on point. Super low seating position as well.

I could care less how someone classifies a car. Whats fun to me is fun to me…

This car will be an icon in a few years having won top gears car of the year 2012, it’s a driver focused car! Meaning it’s fun not nessesarily fast, however it obtaines enough power to put the yobos in their modified civics in their place as well as superb handling and a near perfect driving position and great looks an affordable gem!

Nope, this is a sports car

Sports are about pushing your own limits. The 86 makes you push the limits(both yours and your car’s) and allows you to do so thanks to its low power however "sports cars" which have 400 horse power more often than not are not driven hard and therefore are not pushed to their limits and most, the driving doesn’t say anything about the driver and his skills as they are driven relatively slowly. (I’m talking on the road performance, not everyone can afford going to the track)

I am buying one as soon as i get the cash there beautiful and everyone says there really fun to drive. shame people don’t look past 0-60 Times these days.