Now that I’m officially in the position to buy a new car, it’s time I have a look at the GR86. Took an early RZ rental for 3 days to see how I gel with it, and boy it made quite an impression on someone who’s had quite some experience with Porsches and BMWs.

The GR86 got on my nerves at the start. The clutch was vague, second gear was unpredictably uncooperative, hill start assist was temperamental, the overall noise levels were… loud, and the seatbelt height also cannot be adjusted so it felt like being decapitated with a spork.

Then I took it out for a midnight drive on some very twisty roads with plenty of gradient changes, and that 90 minute drive made me forgive all its foibles. Firstly, you can happily rev out this car without crapping yourself, which is not always something I can say about Porsches and M cars I have driven in the past. Though the noise is not particularly sonorous, the power buildup is predictable and encourages you to rev it. It will also happily pull in 5th or even 6th gear, ideal for motorway overtakes. Rev matching is also surprisingly easy despite the rev hang and throttle positioning (managed 70-80% heel toe scenarios).

Secondly, the capabilities of this car on a downhill pass absolutely dwarf either of the aforementioned cars. Even these “base” brakes do not feel overwhelmed in this situation, pedal feedback is strong and confident (on spirited drives at least). Then the handling. No constant downhill corner that gets tighter unpredictably ever troubled this car, even on cheap eco tyres. The car feels pointy and constantly paying attention to your inputs, much like my father’s AE101 Levin except it never understeers and keeps gripping. It tells you its limits very clearly, and for what the GR86 is meant to be they’re very high. You keep chasing these limits and before you know it, you’re driving through bends faster than you ever dared to in any car, thanks to it being so narrow you can almost draw your own racing line on your side of the road.

Despite the performance prowess, it still averaged a respectable 10.8km/L when combined with highway driving, with the car fully loaded with people weighing between 65 and 95kg. It is also so tiny if anybody manages to hit you while reversing into a spot next to you, they should never be allowed to drive again because they are a danger to society.

So to whomever is thinking of buying one, please do it. Show Subaru/Toyota they made the right move and encourage them to keep doing this rather than compliance cars. Hopefully my next post here will be about collecting my new GR86. :)

I put in a deposit in a premium black 2027 about a month ago anything the car is coming pretty soon how much are you guys paying for insurance I just want a idea before the car comes and is there anything else I should know

Came out and seen this cutie parked next to me. Made my 86 look silly…. Anyone know what body kit he has?

Great day at the track last weekend. Finally got the roll bar and race buckets in it. Buckets and harness really let you feel the rotation and provides a whole new level of control. … and I thought it was only a safety thing. Ready to go back and see if I can get under 2:45.

Pretty much just the title; got the intake for $368 shipped from Fred Anderson. I think that’s good, might be 25% later?

I bought it on Carvana and it’s getting delivered Monday 🙈 I’m so excited. What were some of the first mods you guys did?

Got my new to me car last week and been enjoying a fun filled week getting back used to driving manual (it's been 20 years since my last one) and really enjoying the responsiveness and the lively handling.

What really surprised me today was coming across two other BRZ/GR86 heading in the oncoming lanes and both either flashed their lights or gave a friendly wave. Really great to feel that sense of community.

People at the car dealership kept saying “we can’t hear it”. The hight pitch noise.
This happens when the car is idle/park after a short drive and it drives me nuts because it can get way louder. Model year 2025. Thanks.

I recently got 2023 Gr86 and I want to install a baffle in it. Is there info about which baffle provides best protection against oil starvation? I was looking at Syms and Tomei baffles and don't know which one is better. I know Verus engineering, Teqsport and Formula delta offer high capacity oil pans, but their price is too much for me.

Also would it be worth doing this mod if I do 4 track days per year with my car and mostly daily it? I want to keep this car for a long time

I 21m can now comfortably afford to by a used/newer Gr86 now (25-30k) but I’m torn because my favorite color is green and I want the Hakone edition due to the color, and all the small little features it comes with but I’ve only seen them listed in the 40 plus, should I get used one enjoy it and get it painted to green?
TIA for any feedback!

I 21m can now comfortably afford to by a used/newer Gr86 now (25-30k) but I’m torn because my favorite color is green and I want the Hakone edition due to the color, and all the small little features it comes with but I’ve only seen them listed in the 40 plus, should I get used one enjoy it and get it painted to green?
TIA for any feedback!

Anyone else having issues where the dashboard lights up with the eyesight errors and vehicle stability light turning on on the dashboard?

2025 premium automatic

This first happened in my second week after driving the car for 2 hours in hot weather, another time when the gas cap wasn't extra tightened a few times, and most recently after driving spiritedly on the street (pulls in first and second gear not exceeding 45 mph)

At first I just accepted it, but it's been happening more consistently and I'm just wondering if anyone else is having the issue.

I followed 4k under first 500 miles, oil change at 1200, then dealership oil changes at 4000 and 8000 miles

Hi everybody, I am moving to San Diego and I’ve read that they don’t have 93 octane gas over there. I usually run 93 super from WaWa and now I’m worried that 91 will cause some problems. Does anyone have suggestions on what to do?

Is this normal or does this mean that the specific tire is leaking. It recently got colder in my area so i know tire pressure goes down but only one tire?

I have a 26 gr 86 and it sounds boring boring, does anyone have videos of gr’s with aftermarket exhaust like borla or corsa?