Is the GT86/FRS/BRZ justified as being called a sports car?
We need your help in solving an ongoing debate that is currently causing friction in the Car Throttle office. The cause of this debate? It’s the GT86/FRS/BRZ variant.
A member of the team has expressed an interest in buying one, and with that, the debate begun…
Some are arguing that it is just not special enough, that it’s too slow and a little too expensive to make it worth purchasing, "It’s a sports car with no power, in the same league as an MX-5".
Others, however, are saying "anyone that says the GT86 needs more power has completely missed the point of the car. The GT86 isn’t supposed to be a bonkers quick car, just like the MX-5 and all their predecessors. It’s a quick (enough) and cheap (enough) car for people that can’t afford 911s, Z4Ms and other more expensive German options"
So what do you think, would you buy one? It would be interesting to hear your collective thoughts, it may well shape a decision to buy one! Give us your feedback in the comments below.
Comments
Too slow? Since when is 6.3s to 60 too slow? Seriously, this thing weighs under 3k lb and has 200hp, by any standard that is considered at least ok power. But besides that, it’s not about power. As Carlos Lago says: "if it feels slow, corner faster"
The way I see it, this is the S13 of the future and it will take it’s place in a few decades maybe. It’s an excellent sports car on it’s own but at the same time it’s a platform for you to do anything with it. Not many new cars are like this and if this car is cheaper I’d buy it.(nearly every sports car in Indonesia are very expensive)
is this a serious question?
It goes by the same creed as the MX-5. They both understand that horsepower is not what makes a sports car. It’s the thrill you get from driving the car. A sports car separates itself from every other car because it’s designed to be fun to drive. These cars may be cheap, but because of that, it puts a ton of fun into a LOT of hands. If Jezza’s face when driving that thing didn’t say "This is a proper sports car" then I don’t know what a sports car is.
I love mine, and even though I’ve stuck a turbo on it I don’t think they’re as underpowered stock as people like to make out. Yes if you raced it against other similar cars in a drag race it will probably lose, but when you’re out driving it on country roads on your own its fast enough to be fun. Plus its incredibly slippery on the stock tyres in the wet, so its heaps of fun even without that much speed.
Even though I don’t have one, It’s something. The first I saw it with my eyes in person, I saw it cruising around, my head really turned, It’s gorgeous, graceful and majestic, it’s curves and angles are really really sleek. This is the only car that I wanted so bad. There is Really something special about the 86/BRZ/FRS
It’s 2 door and has a manual transmission. What’s more basic to be said about a sports car? (Just trying to keep it simple)
It’s on the same level as MX-5, but it has more practicality as it has back seat, and by my understanding larger trunk. Therefore I would pick GT86/BRZ/FR-S any day over MX-5/S2000 if I would consider that there might be day when I have to carry more than 1 passenger.
Still it’s sporty enough that I could have some good time on track.
If I would live in area where I could enjoy most of the year of the open top of MX-5/S2000 I might go for those. but given my location (Finland) which gives me good wether on 7-8 moths, and 3-5 moths of snow and rest is quite variable weather, I’d take the GT86/BRZ/FR-S over MX-5/S2000 any day.
"Cheap enough" yeah its a $35k to $40k car here in Australia which is insane for a car thats slower than a 1985 N12 Pulsar.
The thing I don’t get, is that, can’t you get smiliar light , low(Er) power sportscars on the second hand market for far less? I suppose if you want a newer or more luxurious car, maybe.