Lots of the modifications you'd want, none you wouldn't – and just £15k, too
By Matt Bird / Monday, 27 November 2023 / Loading comments
It must have been at least a month since we discussed a Toyota 86 of some description, so here’s another one to keep the PH quota up. By now we all know what a wonderful little sports car the GR86 is, though in addressing the flaws of its predecessor it did rather highlight (again) what wasn’t so great about the GT. There would be no chance for the 2012 ‘86 to be remembered too fondly, to have its imperfections glossed over, with the car it maybe always should have been raved about everywhere and sold out. Twice.
Performance was always the thing, of course. We’ve all heard plenty about it in the past decade or so, and the GR’s additional hp and lb ft really brought into focus what the old car was lacking. Not that it took the replacement for anybody to realise – the GT86 was being tinkered with since day dot. Once upon a time there was a Scion FR-S sold in the US aimed at young buyers with one spec choice and a tonne of dealer accessories available; the stripped-out RC was cheap and basic, begging for modification.
Forced induction kits have been plentiful for the GT86 over the years, offering that much needed boost in power and torque to really make the most of a superb chassis. Supercharging kept the eager throttle response, which this car has been fitted with since 2016. Installed by renowned specialists Abbey Motorsports, the Harrop Eaton TVS 1320 ‘charger means power for the 2.0-litre flat-four now standard at 238hp at the wheels (where a standard car makes around 160hp.) Accounting for powertrain losses, it should be around 280hp at the flywheel, a significant gain over stock. It’s supported by an intercooler and upgraded clutch.
In fact, that’s not all the ‘86 has been treated to, as there’s also more than two thousand pounds worth of AP Racing brakes behind the standard wheels, an HKS oil cooler, upgraded engine mounts, a Cosworth sump baffle plate and a cat-less manifold and overpipe. There’s a lot of money that’s been invested both to take full advantage of the supercharger’s potential and tee it up nicely for whoever buys it next; the modifications are not so personal and divisive that prospective buyers might be put off. It looks like any other GT86, only it’s now a much faster one, and could be tweaked to taste with wheels, suspension and so on.
The valve spring spring recall was completed in July, at which time the 60k-mile service was also completed alongside new discs and pads. July might seem a distant memory on a dank December morning, but it really wasn’t long ago, so there shouldn’t be any maintenance obligations for a little while yet. The seller says the Michelin PS4 tyres have plenty of life left. Though don’t be surprised if they now wear a little quicker with more power at your disposal…
Now on 63,000 miles, this ‘86 presents a really interesting opportunity for the next owner at half the money any GR still costs. It is cosmetically good but not perfect, so it could be driven and enjoyed as is, further upgraded for track use or brought back to its best as a fairly low mileage, enthusiast-owned, early example. Whatever they choose to do, it isn’t hard to understand the temptation when this is only £3k more than a comparable standard car with £12k spent on the mods. And after all everybody has said, who’d want a measly 200hp one anyway?
SPECIFICATION | TOYOTA GT86
Engine: 1,998cc, flat-four (standard car)
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 200@7,000rpm (standard car)
Torque (lb ft): 151@6,400-6,600rpm (standard car)
MPG: 36.2 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 181g/km
First registered: 2012
Recorded mileage: 63,400
Price new: £24,995
Yours for: £15,450
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