Prius, what Prius? Toyota proves you can bounce back from boredom
What’s all this then?
The flickering embers of Japan’s once mighty rear-wheel-drive sports coupe niche, onto which Toyota has poured fresh octane and added a little kindling from Subaru and BMW (co-conspirators on the 2012-2021 GT86 and 2019-on GR Supra respectively). If you like your sports cars drifty and affordable, these are some of the last of the breed – and very good too.
Actual bargains?
Indeed they are. Only the very best GT86s push past £20k, while early cars with well over 100,000 miles dip below £10k. Split the difference for a 2017 facelift on about 40k miles.
The Supra arrived later, remains on sale and plays in a niche above the GT86 (though it’s a strict two-seater to the GT86’s two-plus-two). Bidding typically starts from £33k, though nearly-new cars with nice options are advertised for more than the £49k retail price.
What did CAR say at the time?
After running a GT86 for six months and averaging 32.1mpg, I said: ‘Modern hot hatches are faster, more civilised and more practical, but for me the GT86’s balance of rawness without roughness has been pretty much perfect.’ I also bagged six months in a Supra. ‘The driving position is low-set perfection, I love the flexibility and sophistication of the straight-six and it’s been a great long-distance companion. The Supra isn’t perfect – the steering is numb, and the rear suspension travel can be abruptly checked on trickier surfaces – but its front-end bite, strong brakes, keenness to turn and throttle adjustability are all cases for.’
Can a grown-up endorse your enthusiasm?
Adrian Smith of Toyota tuners Fensport is both ace driver and talented mechanic. ‘There’s a lot to recommend the GT86,’ he tells us. ‘It’s a beautifully balanced, lightweight, rear-wheeldrive sports car and while it’s not particularly powerful, it can be fast and fun through corners. Toyota always said they should be modified, and there’s no shortage of aftermarket parts, from black badges to 600bhp turbo kits.’
Fensport also offers upgrades for the Supra. ‘As standard they’re a strong package – the engine in particular is amazing, with super-fast turbo
