The Toyota GT86 — You’re Missing the Point.
Toyota’s Comeback.
The Toyota GT86 was Toyota’s re-entry to the affordable, fun, raw sports car market. In a generation of boring, front wheel drive economy boxes it was something fresh and exciting. Available in manual, rear wheel drive and packing a naturally aspirated flat four, the GT86 is balanced, surefooted and attractive.
Sure, there were still plenty of fun cars from other Japanese manufacturers, like the Subaru STI, the Nissan 350z and the Mitsubishi Evo. In Australia, Ford and Holden were still pumping out RWD, big power sedans available in manual with LSD from the factory. There wasn’t really a shortage of factory turbo, V8 or skid pigs.
Even Lexus, Toyota’s luxury nameplate, was still putting out RWD cars with decent power trains, like the IS250/350, GS and LS series.
But Toyota’s legacy is only half built on monsters like the Supra, packing a 2j. The other half?
It’s built on a Corolla.
The number one best selling car of all time, is the foundation of Toyota’s cult status in the automotive world. Legendary reliability, great on fuel, and the star of Initial D.
Toyota AE86. The legendary Hachiroku.
The 86 was first launched in 1984. They were a small, light car with an FR layout. For those who don’t speak Touge Talk, that means the engine was in the front, and the power (or lack thereof) went to the back wheels. Front mounted engine, rear wheel drive.
But they weren’t just small and light, with a great drivetrain configuration. They were also incredibly well balanced, easy to work on, and came with a motor that would go down in history, the 4A-GE, paired with a 5 speed manual transmission. (In North America, there was a lower-spec option with a shittier motor and optional auto, we won’t talk about that one)
The motor was rev happy, reliable, and had a brilliant power curve. The transmission was strong, reliable and fun. Everything about the car was exceptional, for what it was- a small, sport-ish economy car.
You know the one thing the AE86 didn’t have? Power.
It was a 4 cylinder, relatively small displacement motor with no forced induction (meaning no turbo or supercharger), just like the GT86 of many years later.
Power isn’t everything.
The AE86 is incredible, legendary and changed car culture forever. It gave us Initial D, Keiichi Tsuchiya, popularised drifting and brought Japanese car culture to light. Ok, those claims might be a little fluffed up.
But the point is that it did all these things without power. Take a look at Best Motoring on YouTube, and watch Keiichi Tsuchiya dominate the touge in a 36 year old car making no power. That same philosophy is what led to the birth of the GT86.
I, for one, am super grateful. The joy of driving was clearly the main selling point of the GT86. It’s not particularly fast, it’s not luxurious and it’s not practical. It fits a niche most manufacturers left to die a long time ago. Affordable, fun cars.
Our modern equivalent.
In the 80s, the AE86 was an affordable sports car. In the 90s, even more so. The same thing is true for the GT86, it’s affordable. That’s what’s important- it’s a superb platform accessible to many.
Given the crazy times we’re living in, a GT86 less than 10 years old is more affordable than a rusty S13 with twice the kilometres. People are sleeping on the GT86, and hating on it for the boxer motor. But the motor’s proven, reliable and centred. It’s also easy to get out, easy to boost, and easy to replace.
The GT is more than just a nod to the Hachiroku. It’s the reincarnation. It’s also a brilliant platform for a first drift car, and semi-street car, or even a daily car that’ll get you to the track, through the day and back home.
Go try it.
Disagree with the GT86? Think it’s a cop out from Toyota, and a gutless wonder? Before you get into it, try driving one. Put a clean shirt on and go down to the dealership. Browse around, then mention you’re considering picking up a GT86.
Sales people love to hear that, or at least the good ones do, they’ll get you into one for a test drive as quick as possible. Just be careful, they might convince you to buy it.
