I sold my GR Supra and picked up one of these and have had no regrets. The gr86 is the most enjoyable car i've ever owned. Everything just feels so right. The power is just enough to be satisfying and the engine revs up to redline so smoothly. It loves being high up in the rev range. The car is stiff but not harsh, it feels like its already on nice coilovers, although it isn't and I just ordered some to put on the car. Gas mileage isn't horrible, averaging around 30 but I mainly drive highway. This car is my daily and I'm driving about 5k miles a month for work, and it's been completely livable. There is no other car in the price range i'd rather have.
Thanks. would you mind sharing your driving impressions of the Supra vs the 86? I'm considering one of them in manual (Supra Manual coming soon). I came from a modified Mustang GT, was amazing but hard to push on the street safely and the steering was numb as hell.
@@sunnyvalentino the Supra is faster, cooler, more comfortable, sounds better, and is just nicer overall. But it’s definitely more numb and feels more like a GT car in comparison to the 86. The Supra is ideally for someone who wants a cool street car but doesn’t care as much about raw driving experience. I prefer the 86 over the Supra, it’s lighter, a lot more agile and is just a very satisfying car to drive. It’s addicting and it doesn’t really get old. It’s definitely meant for someone who really enjoys to drive. So it just comes down to what you prefer in a car. If you want power and to have presence on the road then go Supra. If you want to feel connected and just really enjoy driving the hell out of your car then go 86. Id also say 86 over Supra any day of the week if you want to track your car. That being said, I had an auto Supra. Not sure how the manual Supra will change the way the car drives.
@@hi7man5 thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts. A cool fast street car with lots of presence and sound/character was my Mustang GT in yellow and unlike the Supra it also had loads of room for my kids stuff and was a great GT car. The numbness of the steering and the front heavy feel (which I don't think the Supra should have with its 50 50 wt distribution) and snap oversteer killed it for me. I'll try both out but I am leaning towards the GR86 based on what you and Matt are saying. The fact that the GR 86 is tempting Matt to trade his Bullit in for the same reasons I sold my Mustang is interesting. I also have a place in the line for the GR Corolla and Bronco, I'm a bit of a Yota and Ford fanboi. 😆
i love how you pointed out the smaller things most channels have missed, like the lack of a 12v plug for radar detector or dashcam, cords pinching in the armrest, etc.. still an incredible car for the money though, damn.
Bought a base model ‘22 with the Primacy tires, and can confirm they make the car a “handful” in the rain. Swapped them out for UHP A/S Conti tires within the month.
I drove this car with the Primacy tires on track, it's definitely playful if you push it but I definitely wouldn't consider it dangerous. It's still only 228 hp and they still grip fine if you're not driving aggressively. If I was ordering one of these I'd definitely go for a base trim.
A good medium for not wanting Michelin ps4s is the Firestone Indy 500s. I have them on both s2000 and Civic Si. Primacy are absolutely terrible tired I’ve had them on a 8th and 9th gen Si. Poor traction in wet and dry. Indy’s are very cheap and last a decent amount. They definitely slide but predictable. Street use I wouldn’t recommend for track.
Also compared to my old FRS in the GR86 everything is just way more refined, it's basically how it should've been from the start, way more tech and practical too
I subscribed after your Z video and I've been waiting for this video in particular since you mentioned the GR86 in your Z video. Really hard to want to extend myself for a Z when this beauty exists for significantly less.
I heard the mpg is relatively bad because the manufacturers gave us the aggressive and short gearing that we want in a sports car rather than lengthen the gear ratios to get better ratings. Which is something that deserves applause!
I agree! I just don’t understand why the gearing hurts the EPA test procedure if the real world fuel economy is still so strong even with the short gears.
@@bubbleman2002 it has something to do with automatics being able to accelerate without downshifting whereas the manuals have to start at a lower gear and go much higher in the rev range. there were articles about the new z and its automatic being louder than the manual for this reason regarding the testing techniques
@@username8644 For Porsche the reason is actually noise regulations because the test stupidly requires manual cars to be in 2nd gear at 30mph (or some speed I can’t remember exactly) with the accelerator pedal floored. Of course in reality, if you wanted to be quieter, at the same speed, you would just use a higher gear. hence why PDK has shorter gearing because there is no “car must be in 2nd gear” requirement, instead the automatic car is allowed to be in whatever gear the computer chooses. Jason Cammisa (as well as Matt Farah, to a lesser extent) talks extensively about this misconception of long gears in Porsche manuals being due to fuel regulations, when it’s actually about noise. If it was about fuel consumption, then it would be about having a taller 6th/7th gear or final drive ratio. Instead, the problem with Porsche manuals is a 2nd gear that goes to 130km/h because they need to keep the engine rpm in 2nd gear low at the required speed for the noise test.
That Neptune blue paint on this gr86 is stunning. I'm considering getting one, but don't know if the Neptune blue might be a bit too loud after a while. But wow the car looks so good. Way better than the BRZ
I think the new 86/BRZ's look incredible 🔥🔥 I'd love to flog one on The Tail of the Dragon but certainly with "adult tires" though. These cars have had their issues addressed and the skies the limit with mods, whether it's mild or wild👍👍 Great review Matt and be careful listening to that little voice inside your head telling you to trade in, trade up🤔
im ordering this exact car as soon as the dealership gets back to me and oh my god im so excited. 6-9 month wait but plenty of time for me to save a ton for mods and to put a fat down payment on it. those matte black wheels on the neptune look WAY better than I thought they would.
In Canada at least the RF with the BBS and Brembo package is like 8k more expensive that the premium gr86. I found it very hard to justify that. Also I found the driving dynamics of the GR a bit more serious which is how I like it. The RF is more of a toy and way more easy going in my experience, which has its own charm for some.
I did an autocross on Primacy tires and it was FUN. It wasn't fast but I realized why the tires are attractive. Very progressive and predictable when driven 10/10ths.
Thank you for the details. Small things like storage, power outlets etc. these are hardly talked about on most videos. I’m waiting for my Toyota dealer to bring one of these in so I can buy it!
I love the Neptune Blue GR86 Premium. Dealerships told me it's a 6 month wait unfortunately. I agree with the Porsche Cayman reference or maybe a more apt comparison would be a modern 944.
@@OrionInception unless you live in Canada, you cannot order. Toyota does not offer an order process of any kind in the US. It is dealer allocation only.
@@OrionInception No, he or she did not. They may have told you they did, but they didn't understand what they were doing &/or their dealer was being dishonest with them. I work for Toyota & can assure you they absolute do not offer an order process for consumers.
Ahhh this is such an beautiful car! I have a 2019 GTI Rabbit in cornflower blue, and it’s outstanding! But I would still also love to have this exact GR86 Premium you’re driving here. Funny enough, my GTI is visually the same as this GR86. I had a 2015 FRS for a few years and it was such a blast to own. So yeah, I do miss the experience of this platform at times (RWD coupe vs. FWD hatch), but there’s no substitute for the practicality of a GTI, with a more premium interior as well. I’d love to have them both in my garage😜 As always, I enjoy watching your videos Matt👍🏼
@@kc510 both are fantastic cars. If you don’t need an actual backseat, 4 door, all-around perfect “daily” driver, and you’ve never owned a lightweight RWD sports car, I’d say why not?! Go for it. The thing I miss most is how tail happy the FRS was and how I could easily get sideways when I wanted. Plus there’s something special to be said about this newly updated NA engine vs a turbo charged engine. But every time I look at my GTI and I get into it, I immediately remember how much I love and appreciate it. You can’t go wrong either way.
I've taken over 100 autocross runs in the BRZ and never felt snap over steer. But I have the factory camber bolts and am running 245/40R17 RT660 tires. The mirrors DO block visibility. I fold them in for autocross but with I could remove them when on course. The price is outstanding. My BRZ "Premium" was under $29k and that is great in 2022 when a used Miata will cost you more. I do have some buyer's remorse at not buying a Miata though since it is so whimsical.
Thanks for another nice review! Toyota dealers in my area make it a no-brainer to pick BRZ over the GR86 with crazy markups, so I am probably going that route. Was the suspension settings differences between the BRZ and the GR86 pretty noticeable? Curious as it was one of the main points that Subaru emphasized (their suspension settings being different from Toyota's, making it a more comfy daily).
Matt's impression that the 86 is easier to slide matches what other reviewers have said. I think this comes down to different spring rates front and back between the twins. I think it's also worth noting that I have heard that in colder weather the shocks don't work as well, which might have contributed to Matt's impression that the BRZ wasn't as progressive a handler.
@@MattMaranMotoring I THINK we can all thank Savage Geese for raising this point in one or more of their videos. Co-presenter Jack I think was specifically complaining about this point in his recently purchased 86.
Spring rates, damper settings, and even slight differences in alignment geometry can contribute towards the differences described. If you think you would ever do coil overs, wheels/tires and an alignment...then you could make either of those cars feel however you want. As a track guy who would be changing that stuff anyway, I wouldn't consider the small differences in driving dynamics of the OEM setups as part of my decision about which car to get.
that removable holder thing was fantastic. i like the closed thing more though, but it was super smart. I also always used the front tiny slot for the key, or some other readily useable object. I would always put my E-Z pass thing there. i never attach it to windows, i keep my interiors pristine and just toss it on the dashboard if near a toll. I am considering one again. BRZ top model. I will have to put in a brake system though. I had a Performance Package. Sadly, none exist now. Needs it bad. 2017 with PP was king.
This or a 370z? I sold my 16 gt86 because I wanted something more practical but now I miss it. Would probably get another sport car soon but torn between the GR86 (which will be more expensive than the 370 because of dealer markups here) and a slightly used low mileage 370z.
This is a perfect video. I have an FR-S and have been back and forth between the GR86 and BRZ, AND wondering if it is even worth the upgrade. Thank you.
The GR86 would be my choice as well. I like the look of the car better and the Neptune Blue is calling my name. I think I will buy on after I finish paying off my 2022 WRX off!
The old 86 FRS was a true homage to the toyota sports cars. The body lines resemble then 2000gt. Even the interior was designed to look similar to the 2000gt. Nobody appreciates that about the details of the FRS 86.
After 4 months of ownership of a '22 BRZ my only real complaint is still the stereo. I really wish they wouldn't have put in bargain bin audio components
Note re the hill holder clutch. You said the FRS didn't have this, but it was added to some of the first gen models at some point. I have a '17 BRZ Limited and it does have the hill holder as a setting that you can turn off. (Granted, it is like a video game cheat code to do it, requiring a sequence of steps rather than a simple "on/off" toggle.)
I had a squeaky seatbelt receiver also on my legacy when I first got the car the dealer claimed it was the lower seat track and they replaced it under warranty however a month later it started doing the same thing so I tore into it and found out it was just the seatbelt receiver sprayed some lithium grease on it and from that point on for eight years it’s been quiet lol
To the value point: I haven't had any luck buying one of these for MSRP. Dealers are refusing to sell them without a 5k to 7k markup! It's infuriating!
@@MattMaranMotoring Nice! Yes I'm in Florida, but was hoping for the top trim level (Is it Premium or Limited for Toyota?). Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Is that MPG actually 18? That sounds super low for a 4 cylinder. I drive a 2014 charger rt and I’m getting 14-15 which is low but I’m doing city driving
im a type r owner and rented a 22 GR86 for a day and I want one now. Couple gripes I had are that the turn signal handle system kinda sucks and the sound system is pretty bad. Huge improvement from the prior generation though. Overall I will probably try to get one within the next year or two when the demand goes down once the hype jumps over to the Nissan Z/GR Corolla/Supra manual
Exactly the same for me - I test drive the BRZ and the stereo is bad and turn signal indicator arm is bad. Every other thing about the car was genuinely incredible. I had a blast.
@@MKu64 the Toyotas I’ve owned have been reliable. On Subis; Bad cv joints, water pumps, excessive rust, engine noise and vibration to name a few. All before 60,000 miles. If people drive this car around at redline constantly, they’ll be adding oil once a week in no time. This is not a high performance engine. Simple boxer.
For someone who has driven manuals all through my teens and 20s, I never even knew about rev matching. Anyway, am I to understand that the manual BRZ has rev matching, while the gr86 does not?
This is high on my list of next cars to buy. The comments about dailying this makes me second guess that. Yes it's a driver's car and would be fun but simple things like no arm rest if you have a drink with you (which I almost always do) and nowhere to put your phone? I always have it plugged in for Apple CarPlay but I'm not going to keep it in my pocket when plugged in lol. Would love to hear people's thoughts...
The GR86 is fun but the chances of you actually sliding around is rare. The BRZ is better for actual canyon driving and track driving BUT the differences is so small, the majority of ppl who buy them will not notice the bc they can't drive 9/10.
Hey Matt! Great review like always. I heard there are issues with the GR86/BRZ involving silicone that may seep into the oil pan. What are your thoughts about it? I really want to buy it as a 2nd car. Is it a big big problem?
Thanks! I honestly haven't even heard about this issue, but if you buy one you could always get an extended warranty if you're worried about it happening after the standard powertrain warranty is up. The last generation was pretty reliable from what I've seen so I wouldn't expect this version to be much different.
Multiple dealers told me this car has a market adjustment cost of $9800.00 over MSRP and people are buying them faster than ants to sugar.WTH..............?
Great video Matt! I'm sold. Just building a garage for it now as that car deserves some shelter! I'll be sure to watch your upcoming ND3 Miata video just in case but I don't think its going to sway me away from the GR86. Keep up the great work! 😁👍
I am losing trust in Toyota dealerships and they are pretty much leaving in dark when the car will arrive. They will just lie to you that your the next person in the allocation list. Also majority, subaru is the only one that does msrp factory order instead of Toyota goes 2-8k mark up with ridiculous stuff that you don’t need even though they say is required.
It's funny how this car is designed to not snap with oversteer and it's sibling/competitor does. That is a complaint I've seen from reviews of the Supra that the Nissan Z seems better at. I wonder if we'll see changes with the manual transmission Supra in terms of driving.
When the first images got released, I was a much bigger GR86 fan, but since seeing them in the wild, I think the BRZ front end looks much, much, better
The steering ratio is actually slightly slower 13.5:1 v 13.0:1 on the new model. I think the older BRZ had more feel than the new BRZ primarily because it was less boosted, but it may be the aluminium front knuckle adoption too. Not having driven the GR86, I’d be interested to know how the BRZ’s steering compares to the GR86.
@@MattMaranMotoring Okay…that’s a bit of a surprise seeing as Toyota decided to forego the BRZ’s lighter aluminium front knuckles…and the most logical reason appeared to be steering weight. If it’s made no difference I wonder why Toyota didn’t take the weight saving?
It could be that the knuckles were just one component required for the overall handling feel they wanted, or it could be a cost saving thing that allowed them to come in slightly under the BRZ price. Not sure. It could also be that the change is so small that I missed it.
I'm getting this as.my downgrade car slash mid life crisis. My Mercedes is getting too expensive to keep running. I got the base as the premium is only a minor upgrade.
Matt Maran Motoring - I'd be interested in your opinion of this vs the 2.0 Turbo Camaro. Both seem to be very good handling chassis. The Camaro is a little heavier, but has more power to compensate. I feel like they actually compete with each other, although they seem to appeal to very different audiences.
It's been many years since I drove the 2.0 Camaro and I haven't driven one with the 1LE package, but it still feels bigger and heavier along with having a higher seating position. The turbo motor also was pretty peaky, so it felt pretty dead until the boost came on. From my memory of the Camaro, the GR86 feels more responsive and natural, friendlier to slide and more enjoyable around corners. I still never felt like I needed more power in the GR86 so I don't think I'd personally care about extra power from the Camaro.
@@MattMaranMotoring Thanks for your thoughts! What about the practicality and daily driver friendliness? I've seen the back seat and trunk of the new GR86. Is the Camaro much better or more comfortable?
@@tedsmith2186 I'd say the back seat is just about as useless as the GR86 and is the smallest of the 3 muscle cars. The Camaro trunk is significantly larger than the GR86 trunk though. You can see how they are in my Camaro reviews if you're curious.
@@MattMaranMotoring thanks! I recently watched some of your Camaro reviews, which is why I was interested in your opinion. By the way, it's been fun watching your videos since I grew up in Western PA and still have family there. I kept thinking "those roads looked familiar ..."
A Mazda naturally aspirated inline six sport sedan would kill in today's premium market space. Combine the best of this car with an E46 330Ci and throw in that upcoming skyactiv-x technology.
Well right now with ethanol in our fuel they’ve raised the amount at least out here in California it’s more like 17% ethanol and I’ve noticed a decrease in on my 3.6R I used to pull 27 mpg solely on highway doing about 70, now I get about 25…
I sold my GR Supra and picked up one of these and have had no regrets. The gr86 is the most enjoyable car i've ever owned. Everything just feels so right. The power is just enough to be satisfying and the engine revs up to redline so smoothly. It loves being high up in the rev range. The car is stiff but not harsh, it feels like its already on nice coilovers, although it isn't and I just ordered some to put on the car. Gas mileage isn't horrible, averaging around 30 but I mainly drive highway. This car is my daily and I'm driving about 5k miles a month for work, and it's been completely livable. There is no other car in the price range i'd rather have.
Thanks. would you mind sharing your driving impressions of the Supra vs the 86? I'm considering one of them in manual (Supra Manual coming soon). I came from a modified Mustang GT, was amazing but hard to push on the street safely and the steering was numb as hell.
@@sunnyvalentino the Supra is faster, cooler, more comfortable, sounds better, and is just nicer overall. But it’s definitely more numb and feels more like a GT car in comparison to the 86. The Supra is ideally for someone who wants a cool street car but doesn’t care as much about raw driving experience. I prefer the 86 over the Supra, it’s lighter, a lot more agile and is just a very satisfying car to drive. It’s addicting and it doesn’t really get old. It’s definitely meant for someone who really enjoys to drive. So it just comes down to what you prefer in a car. If you want power and to have presence on the road then go Supra. If you want to feel connected and just really enjoy driving the hell out of your car then go 86. Id also say 86 over Supra any day of the week if you want to track your car. That being said, I had an auto Supra. Not sure how the manual Supra will change the way the car drives.
@@hi7man5 thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts. A cool fast street car with lots of presence and sound/character was my Mustang GT in yellow and unlike the Supra it also had loads of room for my kids stuff and was a great GT car.
The numbness of the steering and the front heavy feel (which I don't think the Supra should have with its 50 50 wt distribution) and snap oversteer killed it for me.
I'll try both out but I am leaning towards the GR86 based on what you and Matt are saying. The fact that the GR 86 is tempting Matt to trade his Bullit in for the same reasons I sold my Mustang is interesting. I also have a place in the line for the GR Corolla and Bronco, I'm a bit of a Yota and Ford fanboi. 😆
@@hi7man5 apparently Toyota is making changes to the steering and chassis of the manual Supra. Let's see. Love the blue color they announced.
Do you think a manual in the Supra would change any of your takes?
Somewhere SubaruWRXFan is smiling... (Like in this video strangely) ;o)
:)
@@MattMaranMotoring :)))))
Love the "no nonsense" approach of your reviews!
i love how you pointed out the smaller things most channels have missed, like the lack of a 12v plug for radar detector or dashcam, cords pinching in the armrest, etc.. still an incredible car for the money though, damn.
Bought a base model ‘22 with the Primacy tires, and can confirm they make the car a “handful” in the rain. Swapped them out for UHP A/S Conti tires within the month.
would you say its dangerous? I ordered a 22 base model
I have a base halo. The primacy tires are hazardous! they are dangerous tires when put on this car
I drove this car with the Primacy tires on track, it's definitely playful if you push it but I definitely wouldn't consider it dangerous. It's still only 228 hp and they still grip fine if you're not driving aggressively. If I was ordering one of these I'd definitely go for a base trim.
They suck. So many better AS tires out there.
A good medium for not wanting Michelin ps4s is the Firestone Indy 500s. I have them on both s2000 and Civic Si. Primacy are absolutely terrible tired I’ve had them on a 8th and 9th gen Si. Poor traction in wet and dry.
Indy’s are very cheap and last a decent amount. They definitely slide but predictable. Street use I wouldn’t recommend for track.
Did a back to back with a 2015 FRS and 2022 BRZ several weeks ago. Spot on about the lumbar support in the FRS. New seats are much more comfortable.
Also compared to my old FRS in the GR86 everything is just way more refined, it's basically how it should've been from the start, way more tech and practical too
Love seeing you in another 86/BRZ Matt!! Brings back the old days 🥳 would love to see you get one of these with your Bullitt one day!
I subscribed after your Z video and I've been waiting for this video in particular since you mentioned the GR86 in your Z video. Really hard to want to extend myself for a Z when this beauty exists for significantly less.
Thanks for subscribing! The Z is a little more fun, but definitely not $20k more fun in my opinion.
I run a dashcam and radar detector and having the 12v in the glovebox is a great idea. It gives you a place to hide the cables
I heard the mpg is relatively bad because the manufacturers gave us the aggressive and short gearing that we want in a sports car rather than lengthen the gear ratios to get better ratings. Which is something that deserves applause!
I agree! I just don’t understand why the gearing hurts the EPA test procedure if the real world fuel economy is still so strong even with the short gears.
@@MattMaranMotoring The EPA hates fun. The same reason that automatics are given a huge advantage in noise levels tests.
@@MattMaranMotoring likely some outdated measurement techniques i can not say for certain though
@@bubbleman2002 it has something to do with automatics being able to accelerate without downshifting whereas the manuals have to start at a lower gear and go much higher in the rev range. there were articles about the new z and its automatic being louder than the manual for this reason regarding the testing techniques
@@username8644 For Porsche the reason is actually noise regulations because the test stupidly requires manual cars to be in 2nd gear at 30mph (or some speed I can’t remember exactly) with the accelerator pedal floored. Of course in reality, if you wanted to be quieter, at the same speed, you would just use a higher gear.
hence why PDK has shorter gearing because there is no “car must be in 2nd gear” requirement, instead the automatic car is allowed to be in whatever gear the computer chooses.
Jason Cammisa (as well as Matt Farah, to a lesser extent) talks extensively about this misconception of long gears in Porsche manuals being due to fuel regulations, when it’s actually about noise.
If it was about fuel consumption, then it would be about having a taller 6th/7th gear or final drive ratio. Instead, the problem with Porsche manuals is a 2nd gear that goes to 130km/h because they need to keep the engine rpm in 2nd gear low at the required speed for the noise test.
That color is awesome. Really like the red stitching in the BRZ.
This is my exact trim, 2022 Neptune Premium and it's an absolute joy to drive. The color is just beautiful in-person as well.
Even though it’s “cheaper” the markups on the 86 are way higher(at least around my area) I got the brz limited at msrp
That Neptune blue paint on this gr86 is stunning. I'm considering getting one, but don't know if the Neptune blue might be a bit too loud after a while. But wow the car looks so good. Way better than the BRZ
WoW!..That Toyota Definitely Is Already A Classic & Belongs In My Seven Car Garage!...Luv The Color, It's Perfect For That Vehicle, It Pops!!..CHEERS!
I think the new 86/BRZ's look incredible 🔥🔥
I'd love to flog one on The Tail of the Dragon but certainly with "adult tires" though. These cars have had their issues addressed and the skies the limit with mods, whether it's mild or wild👍👍
Great review Matt and be careful listening to that little voice inside your head telling you to trade in, trade up🤔
I’d way rather have my N
I've been waiting for this one! :)
I'm glad you pointed out the audio playing. I work in used cars and every Subaru with that system does it and it's soo annoying
Sweet I’ll be getting this car next week! Excited as it’s one of my choices for next sports car for the channel!
Nice! Have fun!
im ordering this exact car as soon as the dealership gets back to me and oh my god im so excited. 6-9 month wait but plenty of time for me to save a ton for mods and to put a fat down payment on it. those matte black wheels on the neptune look WAY better than I thought they would.
congrats brother! premium or base?
Funny seeing you drive around the local Pittsburgh areas, I always know the roads you are on!
Looking forward to the Miata review and comparison, having a tough time is deciding between the 86 and RF. Both are great cars
In Canada at least the RF with the BBS and Brembo package is like 8k more expensive that the premium gr86. I found it very hard to justify that. Also I found the driving dynamics of the GR a bit more serious which is how I like it. The RF is more of a toy and way more easy going in my experience, which has its own charm for some.
I have a 2020 RF miata, no complaints 👌🏽
I was leaning RF for a while, but this is almost $7k- $10k less than an RF Club, and as hard to get.
The RF will be way more reliable.
Do you want a usable trunk or a convertible? Thats the biggest difference I’m seeing but im kinda biased because my 23’ 86 come in less than 2 weeks
Ah, brings back good memories. Beautiful car, great video Matt!
Thanks Haris!
I did an autocross on Primacy tires and it was FUN. It wasn't fast but I realized why the tires are attractive. Very progressive and predictable when driven 10/10ths.
it rains a lot where I am. I had to get rid of the Primacy tires asap. scary when wet
@@JetskiMike I plan to get Continental all seasons by autumn. Both the Primacy and my RT660s are white knuckle driving in hard rain.
Now THIS is a proper sports car. Toyota😍😍
Thank you for the details. Small things like storage, power outlets etc. these are hardly talked about on most videos.
I’m waiting for my Toyota dealer to bring one of these in so I can buy it!
I love the Neptune Blue GR86 Premium. Dealerships told me it's a 6 month wait unfortunately.
I agree with the Porsche Cayman reference or maybe a more apt comparison would be a modern 944.
Damn that's one of the colors I'm interested in. That's a long wait. Did you order?
@@OrionInception I love the color and yes.
@@OrionInception unless you live in Canada, you cannot order. Toyota does not offer an order process of any kind in the US. It is dealer allocation only.
@@sawyermartin4434 that's false. My coworker placed an order with no issues.
@@OrionInception No, he or she did not. They may have told you they did, but they didn't understand what they were doing &/or their dealer was being dishonest with them. I work for Toyota & can assure you they absolute do not offer an order process for consumers.
Very much looking forward to the back to back comparison with the ND! Thanks Matt 😀
Great insights, super informative and makes me want to buy one!
Thanks Pete!
Ahhh this is such an beautiful car! I have a 2019 GTI Rabbit in cornflower blue, and it’s outstanding! But I would still also love to have this exact GR86 Premium you’re driving here. Funny enough, my GTI is visually the same as this GR86.
I had a 2015 FRS for a few years and it was such a blast to own. So yeah, I do miss the experience of this platform at times (RWD coupe vs. FWD hatch), but there’s no substitute for the practicality of a GTI, with a more premium interior as well. I’d love to have them both in my garage😜
As always, I enjoy watching your videos Matt👍🏼
Considering ditching my 17 GTI for something rwd. Love that car though.
@@kc510 both are fantastic cars. If you don’t need an actual backseat, 4 door, all-around perfect “daily” driver, and you’ve never owned a lightweight RWD sports car, I’d say why not?! Go for it.
The thing I miss most is how tail happy the FRS was and how I could easily get sideways when I wanted. Plus there’s something special to be said about this newly updated NA engine vs a turbo charged engine.
But every time I look at my GTI and I get into it, I immediately remember how much I love and appreciate it. You can’t go wrong either way.
I've taken over 100 autocross runs in the BRZ and never felt snap over steer. But I have the factory camber bolts and am running 245/40R17 RT660 tires. The mirrors DO block visibility. I fold them in for autocross but with I could remove them when on course. The price is outstanding. My BRZ "Premium" was under $29k and that is great in 2022 when a used Miata will cost you more. I do have some buyer's remorse at not buying a Miata though since it is so whimsical.
Great review. Thanks for pointing out the good, bad, and differences between this and the BRZ.
Thanks for another nice review! Toyota dealers in my area make it a no-brainer to pick BRZ over the GR86 with crazy markups, so I am probably going that route. Was the suspension settings differences between the BRZ and the GR86 pretty noticeable? Curious as it was one of the main points that Subaru emphasized (their suspension settings being different from Toyota's, making it a more comfy daily).
They both felt pretty much the same to me as far as ride comfort. The GR86 just was easier to slide a bit.
Matt's impression that the 86 is easier to slide matches what other reviewers have said. I think this comes down to different spring rates front and back between the twins. I think it's also worth noting that I have heard that in colder weather the shocks don't work as well, which might have contributed to Matt's impression that the BRZ wasn't as progressive a handler.
Interesting, I hadn't thought about the shocks being firmer in the cold as the explanation for the snap oversteer I had in the BRZ, thanks Marc!
@@MattMaranMotoring I THINK we can all thank Savage Geese for raising this point in one or more of their videos. Co-presenter Jack I think was specifically complaining about this point in his recently purchased 86.
Spring rates, damper settings, and even slight differences in alignment geometry can contribute towards the differences described. If you think you would ever do coil overs, wheels/tires and an alignment...then you could make either of those cars feel however you want. As a track guy who would be changing that stuff anyway, I wouldn't consider the small differences in driving dynamics of the OEM setups as part of my decision about which car to get.
that removable holder thing was fantastic. i like the closed thing more though, but it was super smart. I also always used the front tiny slot for the key, or some other readily useable object. I would always put my E-Z pass thing there. i never attach it to windows, i keep my interiors pristine and just toss it on the dashboard if near a toll. I am considering one again. BRZ top model. I will have to put in a brake system though. I had a Performance Package. Sadly, none exist now. Needs it bad. 2017 with PP was king.
I'm pretty confident that they'll offer a Performance Package again at some point to keep the car fresh.
I'm disappointed that the Corolla GR isn't available in this color.
Agreed
Especially when you can get a Corolla Hatch XSE in a similar color.
@@Ezero8 Exactly.
This or a 370z? I sold my 16 gt86 because I wanted something more practical but now I miss it. Would probably get another sport car soon but torn between the GR86 (which will be more expensive than the 370 because of dealer markups here) and a slightly used low mileage 370z.
This is a perfect video. I have an FR-S and have been back and forth between the GR86 and BRZ, AND wondering if it is even worth the upgrade. Thank you.
Nice! Thanks for releasing this review. Getting me even more hyped for mine. Still waiting for my allocation to come up after 3 months so far...
It'll be worth the wait!
Love your videos ! Always look forward to them
Thanks for watching them Daphne!
I have a deposit on a red premium, manual. Still waiting. Really looking forward to it. Great review.
Congrats, it’ll be worth the wait!
The GR86 would be my choice as well. I like the look of the car better and the Neptune Blue is calling my name. I think I will buy on after I finish paying off my 2022 WRX off!
Hey Matt, GR86 or 2019 Mustang GT (non-bullitt)? I am having such a hard time deciding. Thank you!
The old 86 FRS was a true homage to the toyota sports cars. The body lines resemble then 2000gt. Even the interior was designed to look similar to the 2000gt. Nobody appreciates that about the details of the FRS 86.
After 4 months of ownership of a '22 BRZ my only real complaint is still the stereo. I really wish they wouldn't have put in bargain bin audio components
Note re the hill holder clutch. You said the FRS didn't have this, but it was added to some of the first gen models at some point. I have a '17 BRZ Limited and it does have the hill holder as a setting that you can turn off. (Granted, it is like a video game cheat code to do it, requiring a sequence of steps rather than a simple "on/off" toggle.)
I had a squeaky seatbelt receiver also on my legacy when I first got the car the dealer claimed it was the lower seat track and they replaced it under warranty however a month later it started doing the same thing so I tore into it and found out it was just the seatbelt receiver sprayed some lithium grease on it and from that point on for eight years it’s been quiet lol
Thank goodness I ordered mine in halo white premium manual.
I'm at 29.2 combined mpg right now in my manual 2022 BRZ. Pleasantly surprised to say the least.
To the value point:
I haven't had any luck buying one of these for MSRP. Dealers are refusing to sell them without a 5k to 7k markup!
It's infuriating!
If you want one and are in RI, CT or FL, let me know. I know of a black base model (manual) coming in a couple weeks that'll be available at MSRP.
@@MattMaranMotoring Nice! Yes I'm in Florida, but was hoping for the top trim level (Is it Premium or Limited for Toyota?).
Any info would be greatly appreciated!
@@ReaversRespite It's the base, the top trim is the Premium. If you're okay with the base model though let me know.
Is that MPG actually 18? That sounds super low for a 4 cylinder. I drive a 2014 charger rt and I’m getting 14-15 which is low but I’m doing city driving
Great video brother!
im a type r owner and rented a 22 GR86 for a day and I want one now. Couple gripes I had are that the turn signal handle system kinda sucks and the sound system is pretty bad. Huge improvement from the prior generation though. Overall I will probably try to get one within the next year or two when the demand goes down once the hype jumps over to the Nissan Z/GR Corolla/Supra manual
Exactly the same for me - I test drive the BRZ and the stereo is bad and turn signal indicator arm is bad. Every other thing about the car was genuinely incredible. I had a blast.
Your Type R is 10x more reliable then this!
@@artagain8977 Genuinely curious what makes you say this (I've had non-turbo Subaru's and Toyota's and reliability has not once been an issue).
@@MKu64 the Toyotas I’ve owned have been reliable. On Subis; Bad cv joints, water pumps, excessive rust, engine noise and vibration to name a few. All before 60,000 miles. If people drive this car around at redline constantly, they’ll be adding oil once a week in no time. This is not a high performance engine. Simple boxer.
@@artagain8977 Interesting - I wonder if people had those problems with the previous GT86/FRS.
For someone who has driven manuals all through my teens and 20s, I never even knew about rev matching. Anyway, am I to understand that the manual BRZ has rev matching, while the gr86 does not?
Ah felt good hitting that 999 like button and making it 1,000
This is high on my list of next cars to buy. The comments about dailying this makes me second guess that. Yes it's a driver's car and would be fun but simple things like no arm rest if you have a drink with you (which I almost always do) and nowhere to put your phone? I always have it plugged in for Apple CarPlay but I'm not going to keep it in my pocket when plugged in lol. Would love to hear people's thoughts...
Great video Matt
Thanks!
The GR86 is fun but the chances of you actually sliding around is rare. The BRZ is better for actual canyon driving and track driving BUT the differences is so small, the majority of ppl who buy them will not notice the bc they can't drive 9/10.
Can you review the automatic GR86 too please
You can disable the radio autoplay through the gauge cluster actually. Weird place to make that change.
How many recall the recalls on this second attempt car?
How would you compare it to a 981 cayman on the street and track?
Hey Matt! Great review like always. I heard there are issues with the GR86/BRZ involving silicone that may seep into the oil pan. What are your thoughts about it? I really want to buy it as a 2nd car. Is it a big big problem?
Thanks! I honestly haven't even heard about this issue, but if you buy one you could always get an extended warranty if you're worried about it happening after the standard powertrain warranty is up. The last generation was pretty reliable from what I've seen so I wouldn't expect this version to be much different.
Thank you Matt! I'll look into it
@@pierre-richardromain6708 its blown out of proportion. unless you’re tracking it every single day, then you have a 1% chance.
Thank you for your reply. I really like the GR86.
Hey Matt, will you be reviewing the automatic in the future ?
I have a 2020 Toyota 86 that supposedly has a hill hold feature, but the dealer needs to turn it on.
The Japanese are coming out with so many great, relatively affordable sports cars. The ICE era is ending with a bang.
Kinda crazy I’ve been watching you for about 10 years. Started out when you were Subaruwrxfan
where are people finding these at msrp ?? i look online and only see them for $4-5k over msrp everywhere
I love that TH-cam's captioning says "What's up everybody, Batman here" 😂
Auto Caption says "What's up everybody, Batman here"... 😂
Multiple dealers told me this car has a market adjustment cost of $9800.00 over MSRP and people are buying them faster than ants to sugar.WTH..............?
Great video Matt! I'm sold. Just building a garage for it now as that car deserves some shelter! I'll be sure to watch your upcoming ND3 Miata video just in case but I don't think its going to sway me away from the GR86. Keep up the great work! 😁👍
Thanks Bill!
I am losing trust in Toyota dealerships and they are pretty much leaving in dark when the car will arrive. They will just lie to you that your the next person in the allocation list. Also majority, subaru is the only one that does msrp factory order instead of Toyota goes 2-8k mark up with ridiculous stuff that you don’t need even though they say is required.
Looks great in this color.
great review!🙆
Thanks!
It's funny how this car is designed to not snap with oversteer and it's sibling/competitor does. That is a complaint I've seen from reviews of the Supra that the Nissan Z seems better at. I wonder if we'll see changes with the manual transmission Supra in terms of driving.
Gasket issues need to be addressed at manufacturing before I buy
We need to get rid of EPS on sports cars. It's destroying the driving experience.
Haha reminds me of the old time
Heyy what's going on, SubaruWrxFan here for another car reviews:)
Reading the intro caption:
Me: Batman drives a blue GR86?
Will golf clubs fit in the GR86?
I'm amazed your buddy has a bone stock. pre-facelift FR-S. Getting rare to find one bone stock.
When the first images got released, I was a much bigger GR86 fan, but since seeing them in the wild, I think the BRZ front end looks much, much, better
I am so torn on what car to jump into either the new Z an 86 or BRZ, I don’t know if the GR Corolla will be obtainable Matt 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤨🤨
What does your wallet say
@@tonychau1983 40k
@@tonychau1983 i’m broke and it ain’t no joke 🤣
@@timbrown9731 i doubt you can get a z or gr corolla for that price but you never know. I know my cheap ass prefers the gr86
Hey Matt, the Miata you will be reviewing next- is it the ND3 Miata with the “Kinetic Posture Control” update they added for 2022? Thanks
It is! I didn't realize they were calling it ND3 though, I thought it was still ND2.
@@MattMaranMotoring I don’t know if it is officially ND3, but it is apparently updated with this posture control thing nonetheless :)
The GR86 is definitely the car I'm getting...in Neptune Blue or Red.
The steering ratio is actually slightly slower 13.5:1 v 13.0:1 on the new model. I think the older BRZ had more feel than the new BRZ primarily because it was less boosted, but it may be the aluminium front knuckle adoption too. Not having driven the GR86, I’d be interested to know how the BRZ’s steering compares to the GR86.
I didn’t really notice a difference in steering feel between them.
@@MattMaranMotoring Okay…that’s a bit of a surprise seeing as Toyota decided to forego the BRZ’s lighter aluminium front knuckles…and the most logical reason appeared to be steering weight. If it’s made no difference I wonder why Toyota didn’t take the weight saving?
It could be that the knuckles were just one component required for the overall handling feel they wanted, or it could be a cost saving thing that allowed them to come in slightly under the BRZ price. Not sure. It could also be that the change is so small that I missed it.
Ordered Halo premium....6-9 months.
None of the Toyota dealers in my area are scheduled to get any GR 86s until this fall.
If you want one and are in RI, CT or FL let me know, I know of one available in a couple weeks.
I'm getting this as.my downgrade car slash mid life crisis. My Mercedes is getting too expensive to keep running. I got the base as the premium is only a minor upgrade.
In love with this car but South FL is asking $40k out the door for the prem models. I wont be buying anything for another 2 years :(
I know of a black base model that's available at MSRP if you're interested. Just let me know.
Android Auto has an option to select to not Autoplay media, so this might just be Apple Carplay issue
This wasn't in CarPlay, this was just in regular Bluetooth audio streaming.
Matt Maran Motoring - I'd be interested in your opinion of this vs the 2.0 Turbo Camaro. Both seem to be very good handling chassis. The Camaro is a little heavier, but has more power to compensate. I feel like they actually compete with each other, although they seem to appeal to very different audiences.
It's been many years since I drove the 2.0 Camaro and I haven't driven one with the 1LE package, but it still feels bigger and heavier along with having a higher seating position. The turbo motor also was pretty peaky, so it felt pretty dead until the boost came on. From my memory of the Camaro, the GR86 feels more responsive and natural, friendlier to slide and more enjoyable around corners. I still never felt like I needed more power in the GR86 so I don't think I'd personally care about extra power from the Camaro.
@@MattMaranMotoring Thanks for your thoughts! What about the practicality and daily driver friendliness? I've seen the back seat and trunk of the new GR86. Is the Camaro much better or more comfortable?
@@tedsmith2186 I'd say the back seat is just about as useless as the GR86 and is the smallest of the 3 muscle cars. The Camaro trunk is significantly larger than the GR86 trunk though. You can see how they are in my Camaro reviews if you're curious.
@@MattMaranMotoring thanks! I recently watched some of your Camaro reviews, which is why I was interested in your opinion. By the way, it's been fun watching your videos since I grew up in Western PA and still have family there. I kept thinking "those roads looked familiar ..."
@@tedsmith2186 Haha that's awesome! Thanks for watching the channel!
Did your friend get to drive this press car or no?
I'm the only one allowed to drive the press cars but he could feel the extra agility from the passenger seat.
@@MattMaranMotoring that makes sense
Is the boxer engine reliable in this GR86 to own long term? More than 85k miles?
it isnt the ej25, subaru makes more than one motor
@@subiesnacks8446 So are you saying that the motor in the new GR86 would be reliable?
It shares the platform with the WRX.
"Let's take it on this back road and see how it does....."
Got lucky, called a local dealer in socal and was able to put a deposit down for one that is coming in 3 weeks.
Congrats!
A Mazda naturally aspirated inline six sport sedan would kill in today's premium market space. Combine the best of this car with an E46 330Ci and throw in that upcoming skyactiv-x technology.
Well right now with ethanol in our fuel they’ve raised the amount at least out here in California it’s more like 17% ethanol and I’ve noticed a decrease in on my 3.6R I used to pull 27 mpg solely on highway doing about 70, now I get about 25…
Shit you guys are paying 6+ a gallon and its 1/5 corn
@@tonychau1983 😫😫😫😫😫
Nice…I got the brz, and I don’t notice the mirrors; they’re way below eye height
Congrats! You must be taller than me haha they’re eye-level for me.