Toyota 86 GTS auto 2012 review

I must be the last motoring journalist on the face of the planet to drive this car? But at least they saved the best to last. Trying to ignore the hype surrounding the Toyota 86 was next to impossible, but as it turned out it's all true. The 86 is just as good as everyone said it was, but not above criticism.

BRZ

As you probably know Toyota and Subaru worked on this car together and Sooby makes its own version called the BRZ. I'm going to be driving the BRZ in a couple of weeks so I'll let you know what it's like then. But let's face it, with the same engine and transmissions there's not going to be a hell of a lot of difference.

They even look the same, so it's all about the price and what you get for your money, and more importantly how soon you can get it because there's long waiting lists for both cars.

Second hand they're reported to already be changing hands for the more than they cost new. The 86 is a true 2+2, two-door four seater, with a tiny rear seat that has absolutely no legroom for kids or otherwise. It sits low to the ground, requiring some athleticism to get in and out of  so be warned.

VALUE

For the price it's a keeper. The GT is $29,990, the GTS $35,490 and the auto $2500 extra for both grades.

TECHNOLOGY

As you have probably heard it is in fact a 2.0-litre Subaru, flat four or "boxer" engine. What you probably don't know is that's it a really high revving engine that feels more like something that Honda might have made. The engine generates 147kW of power at 7000 revs and 205Nm of torque from 6400-6600 revs.

That's an extremely narrow band of torque and it is reflected in the way the car performs. Unless you have a few revs on the dial throttle response can be disappointing. With 4500-5000 or more revs, however, performance is exhilarating.

AUTO OR MANUAL?

You've got the choice of 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic. We hated the auto for the first 15 minutes, but as the days rolled by our respect grew. In sport or manual mode it does a much better job, providing plenty of scope in third gear to tackle fast corner to corner stuff without having to the paddles. Fuel consumption for the manual is 7.8 and for the auto 7.1 litres/100km and the 50-litre tank takes 98 premium.

DRIVING

We drove both models back to back - the GT and GTS, starting with the more expensive GTS with the auto transmission first. It was probably the wrong way around of doing things, but what it did serve to highlight the things you miss out on in the entry level model like a digital speedo for starters.

The GTS gets a bigger tyre and brake package, plus leather, satnav, better audio and heated seats. Oddly, although both cars get a trip computer, neither is capable of displaying distance to empty? Neither gets a reversing camera either. The 86 is a rear wheel drive car and as such offers a very different driving experience from the usual Japanese fare, either front or all-wheel drive.

It's ideal for a sports car because when the car breaks traction a skilled driver has a chance of getting it back. All models get a limited slip diff except the for the GT auto and it's a lot easier these days with the electronic traction and stability systems which in this car includes sport and off modes.

The car sits low with a low centre of gravity courtesy of the boxer engine and is exciting to drive once you're in the zone. The experience is heightened by the short shifting manual transmission which keeps the car right where you want it. Looks great and goes extremely well once you learn how to drive it. But it's no Nissan GTR, old or new.

Traffic light lead foots could be disappointed with times of 7.6 or 8.2 secs to 100km/h for the manual and auto and we look forward to a turbocharged version that delivers more low down torque.

VERDICT

The 86 will appeal to drivers who like to drive, that appreciate poise and balance, that like to get out by themselves and tackle the twisty bits the same people drawn to Mazda's MX-5.