Squadrone Rosso

The salesman today kept referring to a GT83 to maybe GT3 version??

What's that? Some form of cavity seal? Anyway, here's old v new 1:18 style

She'll have to console herself with these two, bought with the book for her BD & new car day. The Autoart 1:18 scale car has amazing detail.

Car is going straight on the wife's private plate. They have the retention cert. The track day is in one of their cars so no issue there. Dealer offered a loan non GT86 but we have other cars so not really needed. It was psychological for my wife. Drive to Silverstone in both the old & new cars. Hand her Alfa over to the new owner there & drive back in the 86. Talking to dealer & a few pals in the trade, the difference in cost at the 3 year stage when it'll go is a couple of hundred quid so no point hanging on with the car stuck in the dealers compound IMO.

Went to sign for it today and disappointment:( Car is on hold status in Portbury awaiting the heated seat pads. Not due at the dealer until 4th August at the earliest. Decisions then. Take it as soon as it lands or wait until the new September registration, even though the car is going straight on a personal plate? Gutted as it causes problems as her existing Alfa is going to it's new owner on 1st August & the Toyota track day is on the 2nd.....

My wife's 86 is in the Country Delivery to the dealer is 20th July (her Birthday). We're away then so hope to collect on 25th. However, I was told that part of the reason for the slight delay was a leather shortage at the Toyota UK depot...... The lead sales chap says items such as the premium quilted heated leather, JBL Sound, reverse sensors & the top spec NAV all get added over here??? Seems weird & concerning that the car will be ripped to bits after leaving the factory to have a scary £4.4ks worth options fitted before my wife gets it Is this accurate? Am I unduly worrying? Thanks, Simon

The 1:43rd scale model arrived today with the 1:18th scale on order. Both in Blue, just like my wife's car. Other than an Alfa Arna (Nissan Sunny with an Alfa boxer engine), it'll be the only Japanese car in our model collection. The alloy laser engraved insert / surround for the heated seat switches arrived last week. Will make nice birthday presents for her Her BD is on the 20th, the day the car should land at the dealers. We'll be away so collection deferred to 25th, fingers crossed!!

I'm used to fine Italian leather in my Alfas, including the finest Poltrona Frau in my Brera. The optional quilted leather in the 86 compares very favourably. In fact, I don't necessarily get the negative comments about the 86 interior per se.

Warranty wise, is that correct? We have not been told that. Car is sold on the basis of a 5 year warranty. We wouldn't have splashed £4.4k on bits that only get a 1 year warranty Ref leather quality, the quilted stuff looked & feels excellent.

That is a worry though. Too many variables as in people messing with the car Could this explain the rattles & squeaks issues I've read about? From what little I know about Japanese cars, I understood the build quality was typically first rate, whilst the material quality could sometimes be lacking. My impression of the material quality in the 86 is very favourable though.

Still waiting Looks like mid July again now...... My wife had GFOS tickets free off Toyota (I was there with Porsche;) ) so we had a good look at the cars there. Definitely made the right choice. That said, I'm very interested in the new MX 5. Really nice.

Thanks for the welcome folks. Some good news, the car could be at the dealers late June The Silverstone tuition / experience days is booked for 2nd August. Moving forward!

We got our experience day tickets today, FOC from the dealer / Toyota UK. Hoping this will help my wife transition to a RWD car for the first time. I learnt on RWD but after years of FWD & 4WD cars, they now scare me, even though I drive a RWD classic Alfa Spider frequently in the summer. Are the days good for this? Cheers, Simon