Any very tall GT86 owners on here?
Discussion
I have started looking at GT86s, as they have rear seats, and I have two young children. I'm 6'7" and was wondering what the legroom/headroom is like for the driver, but also how much space is left for the rear passengers when the driver's seat is all the way back. My girls are 6 and 9, but unsurprisingly, the height of an 8 and 11 year old.
I might have to take them to a Toyota garage just to try one on for size, I presume they haven't altered the interior significantly since the facelift?
Also, I've been researching on the owners club forum, particularly about supercharging (HKS/Cosworth etc.), and it seems the gearboxes can be a bit hit and miss, with some producing clunking noises from new that don't go away. Has anyone had a dodgy gearbox and been able to sort it, or is there a drivetrain design fault?
I might have to take them to a Toyota garage just to try one on for size, I presume they haven't altered the interior significantly since the facelift?
Also, I've been researching on the owners club forum, particularly about supercharging (HKS/Cosworth etc.), and it seems the gearboxes can be a bit hit and miss, with some producing clunking noises from new that don't go away. Has anyone had a dodgy gearbox and been able to sort it, or is there a drivetrain design fault?
At 5'11" there is still seat travel. But not much. I would guess not enough for you to be comfortable...but...the main issue is there's virtually no leg room behind me. I would guess at an inch between seatback and rear seat squab. I would expect that to be less than the width of an 11yo childs leg.
Not an owner, but I have test driven one and I'm 6'7" (36" leg and a long back). While I was physically able to drive the car, it wasn't comfortable. I didn't check the back seats.
It was a nice thing, but that powerplant is inexcusably dull. I left very disappointed, and so didn't really care that I didn't fit.
It was a nice thing, but that powerplant is inexcusably dull. I left very disappointed, and so didn't really care that I didn't fit.
Munter said:
At 5'11" there is still seat travel. But not much. I would guess not enough for you to be comfortable...but...the main issue is there's virtually no leg room behind me. I would guess at an inch between seatback and rear seat squab. I would expect that to be less than the width of an 11yo childs leg.
That's very good to know, thanks. I guessed that with the rear seats the front seats wouldn't go back far enough. I have driven all sorts of small sports cars and managed, even a 70s Elan, because they were two seaters and i could slam the seat right back.The whole point of looking at the GT86, rather than the Elise which is what I really want, is so I have the option of taking the kids in it occasionally. So I don't think it's going to work.
Fishlegs said:
Not an owner, but I have test driven one and I'm 6'7" (36" leg and a long back). While I was physically able to drive the car, it wasn't comfortable. I didn't check the back seats.
It was a nice thing, but that powerplant is inexcusably dull. I left very disappointed, and so didn't really care that I didn't fit.
One drives up my road almost every day and it must have an aftermarket exhaust as it sounds pretty decent. But, I was looking at supercharger conversions, otherwise it's going to be slower than my 172 Cup, which would piss me off. Straight line speed isn't a high priority to me, but a car needs to have enough grunt to not feel frustrating between the corners.It was a nice thing, but that powerplant is inexcusably dull. I left very disappointed, and so didn't really care that I didn't fit.
Fishlegs said:
The Evora would probably have the same issues as the GT86. I've had Elises, but the Evora is no use.
I think the best solution for fun car for tall people with occasionally kids in the back is probably Golf GTi or R, or Megane RS, or (as I did) Subaru STi.
I love the RS Meganes, I very nearly bought an R26.R when their prices were around £15K momentarily, but that would have been stupid re. taking the kids along! But, I want something RWD again.I think the best solution for fun car for tall people with occasionally kids in the back is probably Golf GTi or R, or Megane RS, or (as I did) Subaru STi.
I ruled out the Evora a long while ago, I couldn't even get in one at Goodwood FOS. Plus, they're too heavy for a Lotus.
I am 6'1" and fitted fine in my BRZ. There was some seat travel remaining, so it would accommodate taller drivers, but cannot confirm if that would include up to 6'7"!
With the seat in my driving position, there was no leg room at all behind me, so I could only carry a child in that seat if they were willing to cross their legs. This was OK for short journeys.
The passenger seat can be positioned further forward, even for 6' passengers, so it was possible to accommodate a child in the rear seat with some leg room.
With the seat in my driving position, there was no leg room at all behind me, so I could only carry a child in that seat if they were willing to cross their legs. This was OK for short journeys.
The passenger seat can be positioned further forward, even for 6' passengers, so it was possible to accommodate a child in the rear seat with some leg room.
I'm 6'4" and have had a GT86 for five years. I have no problems at all fitting in and head room is fine, as the GT86 has a sort of double bubble roof designed for helmet clearance. I find the car extremely comfortable to drive, and the driving position is one of the best out there.
However, because my seat is set as far back as possible, it does render the seat behind me useless. I can move my seat forward enough to squeeze someone in, but it really isn't comfortable for me at all. My 9 year old son easily fits behind the passenger seat however. I'd get to a dealer and size yourself up, or get on the owners club.
The gearboxes are pretty robust, however, some can suffer with second gear issues, particularly when downshifting and some early ones had vibration / rattle issues. They also don't like the cold, mine is one of the best I've ever experienced when warn, but can a bit notchy on colder days. From what I understand they have no issues handing power upwards of 300bhp - someone may correct me, but I believe they are a version of the one used in the WRX Impreza.
In terms of performance, they really aren't as slow as people would have you believe, you do need to drive them hard to get the most out of them, but that's half the fun. The NA tuning pack most people go for (Manifold, Exhaust + remap) adds about 20-25 bhp, and completely eradicates the mid range torque dip. I'd consider this before looking at forced induction. You'll never keep up with the hyper hatches in them, but you'll certainly have more fun.
However, because my seat is set as far back as possible, it does render the seat behind me useless. I can move my seat forward enough to squeeze someone in, but it really isn't comfortable for me at all. My 9 year old son easily fits behind the passenger seat however. I'd get to a dealer and size yourself up, or get on the owners club.
The gearboxes are pretty robust, however, some can suffer with second gear issues, particularly when downshifting and some early ones had vibration / rattle issues. They also don't like the cold, mine is one of the best I've ever experienced when warn, but can a bit notchy on colder days. From what I understand they have no issues handing power upwards of 300bhp - someone may correct me, but I believe they are a version of the one used in the WRX Impreza.
In terms of performance, they really aren't as slow as people would have you believe, you do need to drive them hard to get the most out of them, but that's half the fun. The NA tuning pack most people go for (Manifold, Exhaust + remap) adds about 20-25 bhp, and completely eradicates the mid range torque dip. I'd consider this before looking at forced induction. You'll never keep up with the hyper hatches in them, but you'll certainly have more fun.
Thanks Phil. I’m going to try one out today at Yeomans Worthing. I’ll report back.
I still can’t decide whether I want the pre-facelift model or not. I prefer the front of the old one, but the rear of the new. The interior looks like it’s been improved on the update too.
There are some very low mileage ones available for less than £14K. Seems a bit of a bargain. Might be worth going a bit newer to catch the end of the 5 year warranty though. They also fixed that recall issue at some point. Decisions, decisions...
Has anyone had both versions and knows what all the changes were?
I still can’t decide whether I want the pre-facelift model or not. I prefer the front of the old one, but the rear of the new. The interior looks like it’s been improved on the update too.
There are some very low mileage ones available for less than £14K. Seems a bit of a bargain. Might be worth going a bit newer to catch the end of the 5 year warranty though. They also fixed that recall issue at some point. Decisions, decisions...
Has anyone had both versions and knows what all the changes were?
Well, I sat in one today and I fit just fine. It’s a bit snug around the left knee as the steering wheel doesn’t move up very high and the gearstick is quite close to the wheel (this is a good thing for a drivers car of course), but the pedals were far enough away and there was just enough headroom due to the double bubble roof.
I had the girls with me and they tried out the rear seats, plenty of room behind the passenger seat but yes, zero legroom behind me. As it would only occasionally have all four of us in this could work though, my youngest tends to cross her legs sitting in the back anyway.
It certainly makes it a lot more versatile than the Elise, or most of the lightweight RWD sports cars out there.
It was a 2018 Pro in silver with 13,000 miles, at Targa Florio cars in Chichester. I thought it looked much better in silver than the photos do justice, really suits the car. I also thought the interior was really nice, all the reviews talking of it being low rent. These journos obviously too used to testing German repmobiles rather than 18 year old French crisp packets.
I didn’t get to test drive it so that’s the next step. I need to put a deposit down to do that.
I had the girls with me and they tried out the rear seats, plenty of room behind the passenger seat but yes, zero legroom behind me. As it would only occasionally have all four of us in this could work though, my youngest tends to cross her legs sitting in the back anyway.
It certainly makes it a lot more versatile than the Elise, or most of the lightweight RWD sports cars out there.
It was a 2018 Pro in silver with 13,000 miles, at Targa Florio cars in Chichester. I thought it looked much better in silver than the photos do justice, really suits the car. I also thought the interior was really nice, all the reviews talking of it being low rent. These journos obviously too used to testing German repmobiles rather than 18 year old French crisp packets.
I didn’t get to test drive it so that’s the next step. I need to put a deposit down to do that.
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