The Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ is a 2+2 sports car jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru and manufactured at Subaru’s Gunma assembly plant in Japan. This vehicle has long been marketed as a 2+2 fastback coupe which offers a naturally-aspirated boxer engine and rear-wheel-drive configuration. The Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ is almost perfectly balanced with 53/47 front/rear weight balance and a low centre of gravity giving the car great handling characteristics. They have been in production from 2012 and continue to be made to this day, so why wouldn’t you want one?
You want raw power and torque
This is not the car for you. The Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ is a very dedicated sports car that looks to rip through curvy roads with a go-kart-like feel. It doesn’t have raw power or torque, in fact in general it does not have much power or torque by today’s sports cars standards. However, this is a slow fast car that delivers the driving experience focused on rowing through gears, heel-toeing, and revving it out of corners.
You need rear seating
While the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ is sold as a 4-seater sports car, it’s just not going to happen. Honestly, adjusting the driver’s seat for a typical male of 5’11 height and 180 pounds will leave about 2 inches of leg room for anyone behind them. Then there is also the issue of visibility which is no existent from the back.
You want comfort
The Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ is a true sports car through and through, which means it’s going to be noisy and offer a stiffer ride than your typical daily driver. The seats are bucket seats designed to keep you in the driving position rather than comfortable for a daily commute. The car is obviously small and things in the cabin are tight, which makes comfort limited. Like I said earlier, the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ very much drives like a go-kart, and they are not very comfortable.
You need something for the winter
Look it’s not impossible but neither is the thought of me sticking to owning one car. The Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ is a light RWD sports car and while it has an LSD it’s simply junk in the snow. The folks at Toyota and Subaru had little thoughts of marketing this vehicle as a winter cruiser so don’t expect it to be.Otherwise enjoy your Toyota 86 or Subaru BRZ.
