McDude

Rather than starting a new topic I found this one in the archives! I think I have the issue described. My window switches flash when I try to use the passenger switch, but the window won't move. Interestingly the little 'down/up' when opening the door still works. Will try the reset after work.

Really couldn't be an easier job - what have you guys done with your tweeters? They don't quite fit in properly i.e. 'click' into place. I've put mine in the grills but just hoping they don't drop out and they haven't so far.

Welcome! I had a Focus ST before my BRZ and being realistic the Focus would out pace the BRZ on straights and corners in all conditions (especially wet!). But that's missing the point, the BRZ or GT86 is such a lovely thing to push hard, explore the handling without being at stupid speeds. I think they got it absolutely spot on and I'd think very hard before modifying it because you risk losing what makes it such a perfect thing to drive.

I don't think you are missing anything TommyC! I wanted something that looked sleek and modern, I never use CDs and I really wanted Apple CarPlay. But as your requirements are different I think you've found a sensible alternative. Kenwood do some cheaper units compared to the Pioneer ones but they really look quite ghastly. If you have deep pockets some of the Alpine stuff might fit the bill. A month or two on and I'm still really happy with the Pioneer but I agree that you can't beat a knob to twiddle!

Safety-wise you should always use the ball of your foot on the brake pedal. Don't be tempted to use your little toe to blip the acc pedal because you risk pressing the acc pedal when you don't want to under heavy braking or even worse your foot slipping off the brake. I don't agree with the big toe advice, this isn't the safest way to brake. The action is like stubbing out a cigarette (I don't smoke, but most people get the idea) you are then blipping with your heel, well probably the side of your foot depending how big your feet are. Personally I think the pedal set up is perfect for heel/toe but if you are new to it, it will take time to practice. If it was easy, we'd all be doing it all the time, but it's not really all that difficult either.

Always try a helmet on before buying, some manufacturers will suit your head shape, some won't and they may even differ model to model. Get the smallest size that is comfortable, it needs to be tight. Spend what you can afford, the big brands don't make an unsafe sh1t helmet!

Anytime I've had an interesting car it has only attracted positive comments from small boys or middle aged men; neither of which I particularly want to engage in conversation with and I used to be a small boy and I'm now a middle aged man!

The original Subaru unit couldn't make calls, it was one of the reasons for ditching it. So I've had to run a new mic, however if your GT86 has a mic already I'd use that if I were you, my mic install is okay but it is a bit aftermarket looking. I'd imagine you might need to cut it out of the Toyota loom when you take the original headunit out, but it's only 2 wires so should easily splice into a 3.5mm jack which then goes into the back of the Pioneer unit. Not too much fiddling, just 5 mins with a Dremmel to make the sides of the plastic thinner. The Pioneer unit is bolted in just the same as the original unit so it's as secure as that is (arguably not massively as it is only 4 x 10mm to take out). I reused the original brackets but I did have to cut the very top off them to make them fit. The holes line up perfectly with the Pioneer unit and they go straight into the chassis not the wire cage that comes with it - I didn't use the cage at all.

Thanks 86guns - I didn't have a choice in updating the headunit as the Subaru stock item is such a turd. I was close to going down the external amp route, 3-way speakers up front and all the rest but figured that a 165mm speaker should be able to put out a fair bit of sound and that an internal amp 4x50W should be more than capable of filling the car. Like I said, I'm very pleased with the result and would personally struggle to get value out of anything additional - my ears just aren't that good!

For what it's worth, here is what the Apple CarPlay looks like: It's actually a very nice piece of functionality BUT you do have to have your iPhone connected. There's another screen which also has the apps for things like Spotify so you can run that painlessly. Overall I'm delighted with the unit and would recommend both in terms of looking right for the car and functionality, provided you don't need to play CDs and don't want DAB. As per previous post there is a unit coming out (possibly out now) which has DAB as well but it puts the price up. As for sound: it sounds fantastic even with the stock speakers but I'd bought the Focal IS165TOY speakers so fitted them anyway! The Focals have a significantly bigger magnet on the back: They weight a chunk more too (sorry Colin Chapman). What is astounding is just how light the stock speakers are! They do add a depth to the sound which the stock speakers couldn't manage, bass is deeper and tighter. Now the system really does sound the pips! I know there are plenty people on here with additional amps and subs but I find myself wondering where you 'fit' this additional sound!?! I can get this system to ear bleedingly loud with no distortion; the bass is nice and acceptable - I'm not hitting the brown note and setting off car alarms but I don't want to. I've been down the road of big ICE installs in the past and I'm not knocking it, just if someone like me is pondering what to do with their stereo and wondering what is 'enough', a decent headunit and some fairly cheap (they were only £119) speakers and you're away. I didn't bother with the back speakers, save your cash. I also bought some lightweight Dynamat but I've hardly used any up, I did the doors, threaded a sheet about the size of an A4 piece of paper through the speaker hole and covered the bit of door around the speaker, but that's it. Maybe it's my old ears but I don't drive along thinking the NVH is terrible; it doesn't sound like a particularly refined car but frankly I hate that all what we used to call feedback has been dialled out on modern cars. I've thought about lining the boot, but there's already some soundproofing there and it seems to do its job. In conclusion - I bought the car to drive and enjoy it. I like that it is 'under' powered and 'under' tyred; the handling is sublime and it looks great so I don't want to change a thing about it. But even I had to concede that the stereo was dreadful, but I believe for ~£500 I have purchased a whole new system which will give all but those with robot's ears a high quality audio experience.

I was totally surprised and maybe there is a secret BT function, but the low end unit is such a pig I was happy to swap it out. The Pioneer unit I got has BT and CarPlay but not DAB, I did ponder this but my unit (SPH-DA120) was 320GBP and there is an SPH-DA230DAB coming out which adds DAB but it is 499GBP and I didn't want DAB that much! The CarPlay (there's an Android version too) gives your car a simplified version of your iPhone on the dash, but it does need to be plugged in as there isn't enough bandwidth on bluetooth. This then gives you maps and is therefore a cheaper way to get Nav than buying a unit with Nav integrated plus the Apple/Google nav is constantly being updated whereas your car nav isn't, or certainly not as convienently. Oddly, it does have a GPS antenna which you have to connect up to make the clock work but I can't think of any other functions that need it!!! So it is out of the way I've put it under the speaker grill in the dash where a 10cm speaker would sit. It will take a reverse camera but I've not fitted that. Maybe in the future as I don't have parking sensors and the rear view is limited. Not sure I can be ar5ed running the cables though! It's also a mechless unit so won't play CDs or DVDs, I haven't played a CD in a car for years so I feel this is a streamlining! Like getting rid of a cassette deck! It's a lovely piece of kit for the price. Most importantly the touch screen is quick to respond and the menus change rapidly, I was worried about both of these things as they can really let down a touchscreen. I've been totally unsuccessful getting the panel gap any better between the unit and the fitting spacers and I wasted a load of time fitting the GPS antenna today so I've not got round to fitting the speakers. I did fit the tweeters but I'm also not too happy about the way they don't quite fit in the original position as they are just a shade too deep. Did I read somewhere someone use Araldite to stick them in place!?!? Might not be a bad option! Alternatively they come with a bracket to fit them in the 10cm space, this could be an alternative.

Good point, well made! I'm sure I heard there were 7 GT86s made for every 1 BRZ but on AutoTrader it must be more like 20:1. Is the Toyota dash different/nicer? The Toyota head unit is better than the standard Subaru one, that's for sure! I am bi-Subota in that I could have had either, just the right car for me at the right time was a BRZ.

I'm in the process of putting in a new headunit into my BRZ (I'll do a write up once it is in - I need to do a bit of fabrication on the brackets as it isn't 100% plug and play). I've used the following connectors: ISO Harness: Antenna Harness: USB Harness: It's all plug and play and super easy, but I'm left with a plug with nowhere to go! The white plug to the left of the bundle has no home! It was in the back of the Tomy-My-First-Car-Stereo but now it's seemingly redundant. I have power, aux power and all the speakers - I've tried the new headunit and it all works so I'm happy to leave this hanging in the breeze. I'm just puzzled as to what it was for. Any ideas? Thanks McDude

The BRZ in 'Lux' trim, which most of them seem to be, is also a nice trim level: half leathers + alcantara, heated seats, arm-rest. None of these are essential, but give a more pleasant ambience and make it more usable. Of course all of this is available on a GT86 but when you're searching AutoTrader it does simplify the task of finding! Also the BRZ didn't have the 'Ann Summers' option of red steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake trim.

Thanks Jay - like I said, everything seems to work without it!

2 GT86/BRZ in one household? That's just greedy! Blue BRZ for the win! (it's what I recently picked up) it's a relatively common colour for the BRZ so hopefully you won't have to wait too long to find a good example.

Not on an 86/BRZ but I've driven Michelin Alpin and Conti WinterContact and both are excellent winter tyres. You can't go massively wrong with the big brands but a little off centre, I had Avon Ice Touring tyres on my 205 and they were great in both snow and more often just cold wet conditions, however they became very spongy when the weather started warming up. Not something I've experienced so dramatically with either the Michelins or the Contis.

Hello, I've just signed up as I've not long picked up a 62-plate blue BRZ. So far, so good, I really love it. I've owned all sorts of interesting cars in the past (2 Elises, 205 GTi, 106 GTi, Clio RenaultSport various fast Fords including a Racing Puma). The BRZ is lovely and pointy like the Elise, analogue like the 205 and has the radio out of the 1990s - I'll get on the case sometime soon and will post results. thanks, McDude