KobayashiMaru

Was on stock sizes at 215 45 17's and was on winters until last week getting 34mpg. Not it's on Michelin PS4's at 225 40 18. Wheels are now lighter than stock as is the tyre compared to the winter. Guess it's just the extra width affecting it. I did say to him he's probably pushing harder on some corners without realising. Or now because it's noticeably more responsive on a straight like a motorway he's distracted and subconsciously not being as smooth with the throttle. I'll get to drive it again next week but from what I remember it was fine. Could be the front has too much toe in but geometry wouldn't be altered. Had a car once that someone put spacers only on the rear but then setup 5 degrees of toe in on the front. Turn in was nuts but on the straight you couldn't keep it in a straight line. Tbh that's extreme and I don't think it's this.

Wheels are finally on. Didn't have time to do proper pictures but will do once the car has been cleaned. Turn in noticeably sharper and change of direction with Michelin's is even better. Brakes look a bit lost but there will never be an issue for bigger ones

Thinking about something lighter and better rubber when the Primacys run out. Standard wheels will get winter tyres put on. Just saw these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BBS-Wheels-SR-8x18-ET48-5x100-GREYM-for-Toyota-GT-86-/391381884003?fits=Model%3AGT+86&hash=item5b202d9c63:g:Wm8AAOSwIUNXFf8N Says they fit, presumably without a spigot ring? What tyre size are people running with 18's? Being 18x8 I'm guessing they should clear quite a few bigger brake setups should I upgrade in the future.

Bank loan if I need to make up the difference is what I'd do. Just bear in mind the rate is less once you go past £7.5k so as long as you can afford the monthly repayments it's worth doing that and some banks like Lloyds will let you pay more back when you can with no penalty. So you could take it out for 5 years but pay it off in half the time and also pay even less back as interest. Last time I looked there was a few around 2.9% depending on assessment.

I looked there but they never have the 86 listed

There's a few Kouki's on Auto Trader that are now 6mths old and are already between £22k-£24k.

Now the wheels are ordered I want to seal them before we fit them as it's the best time to do it. What sealants are durable? Did look at GTechniq C5 and then C2 on top. What are people using?

It used to smell like the Toyota showroom in Odaiba, until the valeters at the dealer got hold of it. They were told not to wash it and while I don't think they have, they've sprayed some cheap lemon scent absolutely everywhere! Really annoyed as it smelled great before and now it smells like and old persons car which does make sense given how many Toyota models cater for older people. Any ideas how I can get ride of the smell? Or do I just have to wait for it to just go? Seems like they've sprayed gallons of the stuff in the carpets. I'll have to see if I can find my Autoglym fabric cleaner and see if that will help. I'm detailing it this weekend but Tuesday it's in for it's service and will have DO NOT WASH THIS CAR! signs plastered everywhere. I did have a similar issue with Skoda once where I always say don't wash but the YTS took it upon himself to have a go, despite it being spotless. My work I had done ended up being FOC apart from parts. Just annoys me they do this.

That looks ideal. I use Collinite wax for the body and while it's good and lasts after a few coats I just wanted something tougher for the wheels

They offered a set for TPI Tuner ones with locking nuts in black for £27.72 but surely for that price they are just cheap ones. The website only lists these ones www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/performance/wheel-nuts-bolts/tpi-lightweight-alloy-wheel-nut-kit-closed-end-type A Google find these which make me thing it's these cheaper ones http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TPI-Alloy-Wheel-Nuts-12x1-25-Subaru-WRX-STI-20-Black-/371189472231?hash=item566c9ddbe7 Don't mind paying around £50 if they are decent Found this. Looking at product description they are cheaper ones are steel so that's fine http://www.taperpro.co.uk/2012/sd_nuts.htm

They still say because it's not standard fit I'd have to take responsibility if they don't but all what I've seen they definitely will without issue. Guess it's just standard arse covering

Thanks Lauren. I didn't know if it was nuts or bolts as I've never taken the wheels off myself. Everything VAG group is bolts.

Wheel nuts? Thought I'd only need longer ones if I was spacing but if I'm going to 18x8 do I still need them?

With OZ would the standard bolts fit? Demon Tweeks are trying to sell us bolts but I don't know for certain if they are needed.

Since my brother got his 86 last year I really started missing RWD and every time I drive it I find something more I like about it, my confidence grows and I'm able to cross country quickly with it when the opportunity arises. Definitely a car that trains it's driver, forcing you to up your game. So I started at looking at getting one myself, monitoring prices, looking at options, etc. But then I started to think what else could I get for the money. If it's bhp per £ I want, which it's not what the 86 is about, it's a Golf R that's the obvious choice. But even though I haven't driven one, a Cupra R which isn't 4wd but is the same engine and similar power is a bit easy to go quick and on the road. Even driving hard on the road you never find it's true limit. The only real RWD alternative, which I had completely forgotten about is the M135/235i (M240i is still too much used at the moment). I started to look and there's lots of used about at similar used facelift 86 money (£21k-£25k) and it looks a real option. Has more power, bigger engine, nicer inside, etc but I have preconceptions about it and why there's quite a few about and negative points to getting one. I have not driven one so it's an assumption. Lots were leased so are bog standard spec. Lots of common bits are extras. This bumps up the price of a used one considerably. It may have power (320bhp) but it's 1530kg so heavier than the 86 and with electric steering and that weight I'd guess the steering feel would be quite numb in comparison. Braking feel would be compromised too No LSD as standard and is a £2000 option. £900+ if you get a Quaife fitted Mapping for power is a tack on box, rather than a proper map. Or it was when I last looked. Fake engine noise through speakers. 86 has noise pumped in but at least it's from the intake. Driving position in BMW's isn't always good, All the ones I driven in the past have my legs to the side, rather than inline with the wheel. I have size 13 feet so pedals are a problem too. Running costs - More tax, more fuel, more insurance, servicing is every 20k but expensive. other consumables are expensive too but then it's a "premium" product. Don't see many M235i's about but you do BMW's. They've almost become a white good and it seems everyone has one. Mostly businessmen and middle aged women. We have one BMW dealer in 100 miles and they charge what they like. Has anyone driven one to compare it to the 86? After writing all this I find this video and answers a lot of my questions. Says he has a turbo 86. Anyone on here? I've had a few have a go at me for thinking of getting an 86 as power wise from my current car it's a step back but they forget in stock tune it's the same but with more torque. Lots slating it for having a cheap interior, some buttons looking aftermarket, etc but for a cheap Japanese car I think it's fine and is on par with my Skoda. Plus I'd be losing space but with seats down I could fit my bike in the 86 with no issues. Anything I didn't like such as brakes, suspension, engine bits are available, easy to change and has the usual slippery modifying slope. the BMW has some room for improvement but costs to do this would be quite high. With a turbo on SC the 86 would I think be as fast but sharper to drive. I don't often do long motorway journeys and it's all road in mid Wales which are all great. What was the thought process of everyone else who decided on an 86 and what else they tried as an alternative?. All my experiences of the 86 so far have been positive. Just think the general person is negative on it.

About to order the OZ Alleggerita's. They did advise I check the offset as OZ only say ET48 is fine for the GT86 and I'd like to go for ET35. Anyone else running 18x8 ET35's? If I was with the car I'd go and measure it to see if it was OK but I can't see it being an issue

My only issue with a Cayman is it's a pure sports car so isn't practical enough for me as a daily. They say the 86 isn't but the boot space for what it is, is decent especially seats down. Driving position is also important for me as I've driven cars before with pedal offsets and within a few miles my knees are in bits. The 86 is one of few cars I can drive for a while and not have my knees start to hurt. Given prices on used Skoda's at the moment I could end up keeping it and buy an older 86 instead, one around £15k but then that means two cars, two insurances, servicing, tax, MOT, ect which is something I really don't want to do again. I could get an M235i but would be budget stretched but I also notice the prices vary quite a bit. I often hear people getting BMW's for less than list price but that's never reflected when it comes to buying one used. Unless people are just trying their luck.

For me it's all about the corners and chaining them together successfully. I had to use the 86 for a week while my vRS was having some work done and I didn't really miss the power. The only thing that changes is overtakes are a bit harder but just take more thought. I never overtake unless I know it's on, so on the roads I know I will always aim to do it at the same points and I was still able to pass at those same points. It would just be an easier pass in the vRS as it's got way more torque. Again it's another car that's way too easy to go fast in as I know all it's quirks as I've had it 2 years. As a car I can't do any more in it plus it's getting on a bit so I'm after a new challenge. I've owned a DSG car before and I would own one if it was the only option but I've heel and toe'd since passing my test 11 years ago and something I enjoy doing. Bet it's something the majority of turbo hot hatch drivers don't even know about, let alone know how to do.

I've seen photos of the display and it shows a torque dip but it's apparently shallower then before.

Funny that I just come back from looking at one in a showroom (only one they had so no test drive) and that was the same spec and color as this. It's still "new" so there's not many used ones about yet as all will be in dealer hands. I went in for a look as I wanted to see for myself what bits had changed and while there are only small changes I agree with almost all of them, apart from losing the 86 logo on the canards but then gaining one on the lights so it's swings and roundabouts. I love the new wheel too as the only thing was I found the headunit control knobs a bit small so wheel controls will really help. The front bumper is growing on me too, even the spoiler seems more purposeful. I'd love a Pro spec but would take a lot of man maths to justify. Something to work towards though.

Now winter is all done we are about to go back to summers. The tyres I found pretty good in colder temps as expected and had confidence in them. Was only to the tail end of winter where you'd have a day around 10C where you'd notice them being a bit wobbly and I'd think about changing back but then you'd have a minus day where they'd come in handy. On my vRS I Michelin PS4's and at least twice they struggled to get out of my estate when we had ice. These will stay on the stock alloys now and we should be ordering the OZ Alleggerita alloys on Michelins soon. Just deciding on supplier. Most have said they come with the fitting kit but I'll buy extra spigot rings just in case.

That time of year again where we start thinking about them. Personally I've never bothered but with tread on the 86 due to run out next month it makes sense to get winters and light weight wheels in the Spring. Had a look on Camskill and there are Khumo's that look reasonable at £72 each. These should be OK? The car won't be pushed too hard with them on anyway. What have others gone for or have you not bothered?

Bet they were it's just what others were saying. Long day though. What's the routine for the day?

Overall a good episode and one I could see me watching again, something I haven't felt since about season 14 of old Top Gear. 86 is a great car choice and apart from the cage and taking the rear seat out looks stock which is good. People who are disciplined and have a bit of talent will do genuinely well and I can see there being a wide gap between the times. I just hope they don't go fudging times to pander to the guests like old Top Gear did. Chemistry is good, sometimes seems forced but no where near as TGT and old Top Gear towards the end. If it's left to organically grow it should do well. The FXXK piece was good. The filming wasn't heavily edited and was as raw as the car was which was nice to see. The Volvo crash seemed genuine as Chris's face was a picture I've seen some on Twitter criticise the audience for not being that into it with some dubbed laughter. Old Top Gear did this all the time and they'd even dub in the same woman sounding shocked or the guy starting the cheer at the end of a VT to get the crowd going. I downloaded them all over the years so it's noticeable. We shouldn't compare to TGT but we will. The easiest difference is that I'll probably watch this again but TGT I have no interest in. Far too much cocking about and I like that the 3 TG presenters are car guys too but are almost as geeky as we are about them. I'd say we need even more of this but then there's the balance of appeasing the petrol head and also appealing to the general potato who isn't that into cars and just wants some Sunday evening escapism before the reality of going back to work Monday morning hits.

People need to move on from those 3 doing Top Gear. They were arguably running out of ideas at the end anyway. Amazon only had them to boost popularity of Prime and we'll see even more ads pushing this.