Long-term introduction: Toyota 86 Manual
The CAR team is quite the cosmopolitan bunch and the variety of long-termers on the fleet is a reflection of individual tastes and circumstances. With two team members becoming dads in the past two months, the comfort and safety of large sedans and SUVs will most likely occupy their hands for a while, as baby seat becomes booster seat and practicality becomes a daily requirement.
As for me? Well, I’m the youngest on the team and have no such responsibilities. My tolerance for not-so-comfortable driving positions and noise, coupled with no real need for practicality (yet), distinguishes me slightly from the rest of the bunch. So, when the editor realised Toyota was sending us a long-term 86, guess who got the keys.
While the white 86 you see above was being prepared, I got a taste of what the next year was going to be like when Toyota sent a red 86 Limited to sample in the interim. I liked the black and red interior, but grew weary of the stares and glances from the boy-racer fraternity – the large rear wing was probably the catalyst.
So, it was with much relief that I first cast eyes on “my” pearly white 86.
Toyota’s little coupé is not exactly a dull car to look at but, free of that garish kit, it blended in with the rest of the fleet. The interior is an all-black affair, which suits me just fine.
Not long after the 86 rolled onto our driveway, there was a queue for the keys for quick runs to lunch or an exciting weekend filled with B-road excursions.
My first weekend with the 86 was spent visiting the beach, and lots of damp towels and white sand weren’t going to cut it in the cabin. Fortunately, one of the recent updates to the 86 is the inclusion of an easy-to-clean plastic floor in the boot
that hides the spare – a simple solution that works brilliantly. The 86 lived up to my expectations right away thanks to fun driving dynamics, but the engine isn’t exactly revving as quickly as I’d like – there’s still some running-in to do. What I have noticed is that the exhaust note is quite boomy at the national limit – perhaps the volume will drop as the 2,0-litre boxer motor loosens up.
What’s really impressed me so far is the touchscreen infotainment system. It’s intuitive and is a welcome visual departure from the previous Hilux-sourced radio.
After 1 month
Mileage now: 3 075 km
Fuel consumption: 9,81 L/100 km
We like: subtle looks, easy-to-use infotainment
We don’t like: noisy at highway speed
Please send feedback of your own Toyota 86 ownership experience to [email protected]
