Just came back from testing the Toyota 86. Here are my thoughts for those who are interested to know.


Pre Drive Walk Around
I tested a red colour 86. Really nice colour on the car, perhaps the best in my opinion. The car is surprisingly quiet. When it pulled up, I was surprised that there wasn't any "boxer burble".

The SA then brought me on a short tour, opened the bonnet and checked out the insides. Very tidy looking. But still has loads of space in it. Clearly this car was designed for pro modders / beng modders in mind.

The rears are really really tight. Only can fit a 12 year old (maybe even 12 year olds will find it tight). But, definitely can fit an adult for a short journey, probably up Genting and back down from KL, boleh la. The front seats however, different story. Completely snug and comfortable. The support is superb for a stock seat. More on this later. The ergonomics are standard Toyota, easy to understand where all the switches are, no fancy pansy stuff. Some will say the interior is cheap, but I thought that it's acceptable quality la. Definitely not RM200k worthy. Plastic here and there, even an Altis feels nicer. But, the car is a driver focused car. The positioning of the driver is absolutely perfect. The gear lever is perfectly positioned. The view out the front windshield is very wide and clear.

The drive itself
So, after signing all the papers, it was time to get moving. Got into the driver seat, and tried to start the engine. Eh taboleh?! SA explained, press clutch and brake together, press start button. "VROOOMMMM. Burble burble burble." NAIS. (Sorry la i know this is common feature in modern cars, I poorfag can't afford expensive car before dis yo).

The reverse lever on the manual is also normal for 6 speed manuals. You have to lift a small lever around the knob, and push it towards "R" before it goes into reverse. Reverse sensors are also fairly decent. Not too sensitive. I revved it a few times, but the bunyi like tak keluar wan. Disappointed slightly. ZzzZ

The got on to the main road. The steering felt... very precise. Very very precise in fact. But not to the extent that it got jittery of it's fickle or anything. Just felt absolutely superb. Nicely weighted. The brake is also another highlight. Feels very analog, not like the modern cars which pedals feel dead. Damn nice! But the clutch is slightly heavy i have to say. Maybe gets a bit of getting used to.

Suddenly drive drive around for 4 mins, coast is clear. I looked at the SA. "Press can ar?". "Can, no problem." Dropped down the gear to 2nd, and planted my foot. HOOO MAI GOOOODDD the car really can go. Rev all the way up to 7000rpm before i up shifted. The sound valve kicked in at 4000rpm and the engine note just sounds soooo sweet. Such a surprise. It doesn't scream like a Vtec, but very manly kinda "POWERRRR" shout. Definitely thumbs up. Okay. At this juncture, one short comment. The car feels sluggish at low RPM, yes - definitely can understand why a lot of commentators say that this car is underpowered. But once you hit that 4000-4200rpm mark, seriously this car can go. And I think it's because of the really light weight of the car. 200hp (170 odd on wheel) for such a light car, at this point, cukup pakai sampai puas puas imo.

Then sampai a left turn corner, brake, downshift, woot. Damn surprised. The steering feels so superb. Car goes where you wanna go, and you can aim the head of the car whichever angle you want. The seat at this point surprised me. Really holds you together well. And I think it's because of both the bucket seat like design, and the fabric of the seat as well, which grips in a light manner.

Came the second corner, went in fast again, but this time oversteer slightly, and the tail kicked out a bit, but not that much. Screeching tyres. Dem sked yo. After that drive slowly liao. LOL. I looked that the SA and said "sorry". He said "it's okay. dat corner i drive twice faster wan usually. this car traction control will jaga you."

After that slow drive back to the Sales Centre. Very quiet, civilized drive. Rempit sound still apparent, but very civil. So surprised. Engine bunyi maybe slightly louder than an Altis je. Once you quiet down the car, it becomes civilized too. The ride comfort, now that I've calmed down, is absolutely amazing. It's not hard, but has zero body roll around a corner. What a surprise...


Conclusion

I was really lucky to have driven the manual. Even many auto bloggers out there belum got chance. So tengkiu tengkiu Mr Au of Cheras UMW Toyota.

I went in thinking that RM243k is overpriced, and probably no one, unless you have rich parents, would buy this car. But the car surprised me in a few ways. It's practical, parts are readily available, maintenance is priced the same as a Camry, and it's surprisingly fast. Honestly, after driving it, I'm sold... almost.

Do I think it's worth RM243k? I can imagine saying YES, if I were to own it for a week. Honestly, I can totally see it. It's easy to drive, perhaps easy to maintain, and a fun drive. But to buy this car, when there's just so many options out there decked with better equipment, I'd think thrice before putting my pen to paper. But the drive, is on a completely different level.

Do eeet! I mean if you love driving, why not? I love my drives and I would suspend a little luxury for a buttload of control.

i got to knw tis is nt a performance car....merely just a rebranding of AE86.....i go for subaru anytime

I would too. But i think after sales support, UMW would be better.

Its not really practical. It should not be. The boot is tiny. The rear seats are close to nothing. For everything on the road, it is fast. But when come up against things that cost the same like an EVO, a WRX or even a Megane. Its going to feel too expensive. U won't get many twisty roads to make use of that chassis. And if i were to pay that kind of money, i would be better off with a BRZ logo on it not an 86.

the problem is...at 243k...you can get a better performance car

gambar test drive nya mana?

I think speaking in the context of a sport coupe, it's fairly decent practicality.

EVO / WRX, don't really like the looks. Megane... possibility. But maintenance might be an issue. Price and availability of parts. Have to ask around and see. Toyota, not too worried because of UMW's reputation. I may be wrong on this though.

And as for the chassis... I'll be tracking this car.

EVO and Wrexies are 4 wheelers and the Megane is an FWD. How can compare versus the fun of an ass happy RWD?

insaplah....best lagi beli Teana

oi why suddenly got teana wan?

great review!

the problem is there are better choices in that price range. boleh beli continental car satu.

Price : RM 241 000 Type: Sports Make: Nissan
Model: Others Reg. year: 2008 Mileage: 25 000 - 29 999
Transmission: Auto Engine Capacity: 3700 cc Color Type: Metalic
Color:
Accessories: Solar Film, CD Player, Leather seats, Airbag driver, Airbag passenger, DVD Player, Navigation system, ABS Brakes, Sport rims, Alarm, Central lock, Adjustable steering

VERSIONST,Fairlady Z / Version ST / New Face / Z34 / Black Half Leather Seat / Audioless / 19AW / Paddle Shift / Bose Sound System /



Price : RM 229 800 Type: Sports Make: Porsche
Model: Cayman Reg. year: 2009 Mileage: 55 000 - 59 999
Transmission: Both Engine Capacity: 3400 cc Color Type: Metalic
Color:
Accessories: CD Player, Leather seats, Airbag driver, Airbag passenger, Navigation system, ABS Brakes, Sport rims, Alarm, Central lock, Adjustable steering


can get these liao...

In before KE70 to drift.

i have the car......... virtually

Well if u put it that way, u can put cheaper Altezza@Is200, (very old) A31 cefiro, S15, 350Z, RX8, R34 GTS, RX7, MX5 blah blah. All those old goodies that cost less just to know what driving RWD feels like? Thats not the point. U can't sell cars that way anymore. Even for performance cars. The general rich wants things that they could drive everyday. The really rich ones want something to drive that kills them. GT86 is not in those category.

If compare modern to modern boy racer, Megane RS, Clio RS, Type R u know those range of cars that breach RM200 K marketed as part time race cars. No point comparing platforms, because the old cheaper RWD cars at the back are dying to eat the GT86 already. Hell you could buy a Mark X and have fun if you wanted to. So the GT86 is a looker. But so is the Megane RS.

The only big fault i find here is Malaysian selling price. And to many hidden Subaru badges on a Toyota. Not that i have a problem anyway since there are so many 20B, SR20 and F20C equipped AE86 running around the world and in Malaysia.

Price : RM 84 800 Type: Sports Make: Mazda
Model: RX-8 Reg. year: 2004 Mileage: 60 000 - 64 999
Transmission: Both Engine Capacity: 1300 cc Color Type: Metalic
Color:
Accessories: Solar Film, CD Player, Leather seats, Airbag driver, Airbag passenger, DVD Player, Navigation system, ABS Brakes, Sport rims, Alarm, Central lock, Adjustable steering

try Scirocco next, and tell me what you think if its better. would love to hear your review, as i'll be trying out the 86 soon.

Fuuuu!!!! i do not know can get a used Cayman for less than 300K.