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.

not a prob , manual car save more fuel and more power

drop alot liao.. as you know one of the best handling cars this side of a lotus evora..

concept change liao it's CVT save more fuel and enables more engine power..

ahak. can can. scirocco r is priced the same. (roughly).

PM me if you want Mr Au's contact. Can call him directly and arrange for a session. Nice man. After that, let me know of your thoughts.

Those who have linked the other cars, thanks. But not for me. Big litreage, road tax is high and maintenance is just mind bogglingly expensive. For someone like me, I don't mind forking out that large sum upfront, but I don't want any headaches from maintenance. Which is why if I were to put in the money, it would be for a brand new car.

well you will be bleeding more from depreciation when the grey market arrives at 180-200k range..

i'm still old uncle minded , manual the best ! LOL

then maybe you can get a manual korean car?

=.=" untag me from korean car please hahaha
first i pick a car is design , only i pick it's branding .

Toyota 86 i'm rather to get Peugeot RCZ

true. but wouldn't wait. rather get an s2000 if it's a grey market car.

different concept leh..

besides RCZ is using 308 turbo engine, why u no go the forums and see what that the owners face?

test drive the car first, imo. after actually driving the car, you can see where the money goes to. it's hard to convey from words. it's the feeling you get from driving it.

nowadays the wait is only 1year then can get gray market liao..

anyway serious about buying a new 250k car or not?

Of course RWD isn't the only thing, the lower centre of gravity due to the boxer, the near 50:50 balance, a good LSD and a sharp toe give it good driving characteristics.

Kids these days just want to go fast, I mean as evidenced by the 10 bajillion threads on "What is the fastest speed you go before", it is the current trend. I think the 86 wants to buckle the trend and market itself as a driver's car that is well balanced, rather than OMG I NEED TO HIT 9K RPM FOR TORQUE!

I personally don't need a high top speed to have fun and this is the kind of car where you can see yourself dragging into a corner till it lifts and then comes out smoothly like a champ.

I think golf gti is better as day to day driver, more comfortable much nicer place to be sitting in traffic

haha , anyway i don't really aim it also due to the seat only allowed for 2 person..
Soo .. wait for the Mazda 6

seriously considering. otherwise wouldn't be hunting high and low for a manual car to test drive. haha

too common firstly. and secondly, the 86 will change your mind when you feel the steering on the go.

oh.. finally come to your senses to support back japs.. can be fren again..

maybe megane RS? so so so sexy.....

what steering you gonna feel in traffic jam?

if it was 180k i would say yeah ok. but 263k?

at this price, confirm need to repair

dun so bad la.. may last another 20k on the engine..

Tell you what sure can say a lot about RWD cars. Can say a lot about manual tranny. The thing is 90% already are automatic drivers and does not know what driver engagement is. The other 10% like us wave our small flag about cars that "were". While the people that "were" only lives on as legends. Whatever the case, we are still meatbags moved by metal. hahaha.

Spend 30k more get Golf R. More power, all wheel drive and way better in practicality.

This

Well, it's down to old mate's priorities. If he wants a good drive as described, I don't see why he shouldn't get the car he likes.

I had choice of getting a brand new auto Honda Civic and an R34 about 4 years ago, got the R34, still enjoying myself. Was wanting to get a Volkswagen or an Audi last year, got an Evo, still enjoying myself.

If I get a fat bonus, f*** it I'll buy the BMW 1M straight up. Loved it to bits then I was passed the wheel.

Looking for something different. I will only know when I test drive it.

It's hard to transmit what good drive means. I won't claim to have driven many cars. Which is why i won't comment on your golf R, scirocco, audis or fairladys. But putting my hands on the wheel and actually driving it, smiling the whole way, that's a mark of an amazing car.

not really worth it unless you know how to mod further. i think for rm250k you can get a better car, like passat?

say lor , i pick a car ,
firstly i look at it's design first , only branding .

i'm not 30 yet & u want me to drive the new toyota camry and new honda civic ?
i feel awkward when drive it

picked korean because their product is much impress me , while T & H just making the same things every 4 year .
and now mazda 6 the best design

fuh! i saw this car at pyramid toyota roadshow. sat at the driver seat and as u said, it's very nice and fitting, with everything within reach of your arm. just nice.

but alas the price is just too expense. prolly in the next 5-10 years la. not now

i dunno why, maybe im getting older hence my preference for uncle car

Lol suddenly all used to mention Megane lol before that is gti here gti there lol

Cayman ftw... 100x confirm chicks will stare. The 86 is just another 370z when later every beng will be driving one.

The cayman can be only 200ish but maintainence and petrol gonna kill u

But what amazes me is the thought they put into the car. It's very small things. Like the side compartments. Or the rear seats. Yes, it's damn damn tight. BUt having a four seater lowers insurance cost in many countries, and they actually made it barely usable. The front seat's back can be flexed, and makes the rear ride bearable for at least 30-40 minutes.

so TS ,
a Rm243k Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 or Toyota 86 RM243k ?

hahahahahha kamooonnn u ain't tht age yet

walao org kaya-raya tok...

oh i din even bother looking at the backseats. my plan has always been 'i buy sporty car; buy bigger car for wife so she'll send the kids all.the.time.' cunning plan eh?

holy f*ck this is by far the toughest decision......

if i have the money of cos

have to test drive the scirocco first. but i have a feeling that i won't like the scirocco. driven a GTI before, and was told a scirocco is largely similar. It feels good, very very fast, and great handling. But in terms of driving involvement, 86 takes the cake. After feeling the 86's steering, GTI's feels dead in comparison. It's a much more driver focused car. Only about 10-15 corners in total during my test drive, and you know that it's something really special. It's hard to translate into words, but you really need to test drive it.

This post has been edited by zeroonetwo: Jul 30 2012, 09:08 PM

and suddenly TS have to face backflame..

anyhow, since u already tested and hanx for ur review..just myabe >rm200k is a big problem..

wise words

like the rush i got when i TD the Polo.. oh the power is superb!! can even beat my 2.4L flat!

ini /k/ la. sure got flame flame wan. but i no supporter of 86 also. just another poorfag test driving a car i can barely afford. before this people always "ptui ptui waffak so overpriced the car neymarhai UMW cekik darah fucuk BN". I confess, I sendiri also pernah curse the car, saying overpriced, how can handling be so special la bla bla.

Then drove it. BESTTTTTTTTTT.

Well, malaysian pipul always like dis, conclusion 1st, try later.. /true story/

everyone also drool over these kind of cars not only u ...............

now u can say u real man with 3 pedals liao

My aussie mate got it for 30K AUD,BUTTHURT.

Want a fun and cheap RWD?

KE70 + 20v 4AGE

sayang 90% of malaysians won't understand your siggy. lol

It is all depends on what you look for in a car. If you're a keen drive, 86 would be a better choice. If you want a car that can do everything, Golf R.

got 10% like you i'm already satisfied

when i was 20s also liddat lor.. straight away bought 407 cos dat time in 2005, akod and camry also very old fashion.. but after a while become desensitized liao.. no more feeling when buy new family car.. even if it's FT86 or mazda 6

funny i didnt have that rush, end of last year when VW had promo on polo and golf.. went there in my rx8 (with 19in staggered rims) to check out their main variants.. sorry to say looks dem old the shape like golf and polo, and plain interior dash.. no doubt quality is good and got turbo means fast.. but the visual excitement already not there..

I'm sure stock rim wasn't 19". What kind of rim is that?

stock is only 18in but same width type 225 tires.. staggered means rear is wider than front.. so front 245 and rear 275

243, better be golf gti and upgrade it to stage 1.

i don't know how you guys satisfy with 200hp flywheel and 200nm torque...'

how to vroommm with that puny power??? 20yrs old v-tec also can smoke you.

if you want to have fun in corner.. better get rx8? much cheaper and more powderful by a bit.

Wow a Porsche Cayman is cheaper than Nissan 370Z?

cos one is unreg and the other is 2nd hand reg mah..

Tires sure cost a lot.

of cos la... u drive wat car i drive wat car... i go there driving old unker car leh... .-.

nice car.. dunno when juz can afford it

maybe 800-900 range for japs kua.. then i tried nexen quite cheap 500-600..

i think this is the main issue
i heard its much cheaper outside malaysia?

hold off until PR taakes over yoooo. then you'll see my name first on the list bro. hahahahah

in Malaysia this is supposedly awesome car while in other countries,this car is actually marketed as a reasonably new car for people who want to get in motorsports

so is this BN fault or UMW fault?

inb4salahLGE

ahaha
but that car is a looker,isnt it?

what a head turner

but the engine is quite small,right?
i saw one at sunway.

aigoo

our fault for not toppling the current goverment earlier?

related to chemistry...

yeah it is a really compact engine. and sits very low as well. when the bonnet was popped up, someone commented that the engine so small, sure no power wan. camry better. LOLOLOL

when the SA was driving the car down from the ramp, loads of people in the sales centre turned their heads and started whispering. when they saw me getting into the car, felt like a bit of a mini celebrity. lol. a head turner alright. the thing is, it looks better in real life than in pictures, and much better when it is in motion as well.

ini bikin orang jelly ni

the prius tyres are more slippery than usual. you can always opt for something grippier.

243K i will buy Renault Megane RS...much powerful car.
Ts you should test drive Renault....then this Toyota is nth already

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jul 30 2012, 11:34 PM

lol gi la test drive bro. test for fun also syok waaaaaat

DO IT FAGGET. DO IT

wah uols still berani go TD expense cars hor.

i still rasa malu.. at least TD cars around my car's standard then ok

setan. poison lagi. wait la me go test drive other cars first yo