It depends. At the end of a long day of work when you just want to get home the last thing you want to do is be messing around with a clutch and shifter in traffic for an hour. I’ve been dailying a manual for years and have recently considered getting an auto daily because of that. Imo manuals are unbeatable in the right settings, but if the majority of your driving is sitting in traffic then there are plenty of great auto cars that do the job
Can confirm, was worried about traffic when I switched to a manual (not a GR, I'm too broke) and it wasn't really an issue. (then again, not exactly LA traffic) If you buy a manual designed as a comfortable daily, it'll probably be a comfortable daily.
I’ve driven manual (BRZ) for a grand total of 3 weeks now, and started taking it in heavy traffic recently. It’s actually not terrible. You have to be a little more attentive at red lights so that you can prep to drive off as soon as possible, but raising the clutch to biting point is just like raising your foot off of the brakes in an automatic, the only difference is shifting your gears manually when you go higher speeds. I’m not the smoothest shifter but I’ve made a point to come off the clutch smoothly in a single motion and I haven’t stalled since. This car is a blast to drive and I really don’t regret getting a manual BRZ/86 as my first car. I hope my purchase contributes to saving manuals in the US market.
An 86 as your first car?? Your parents must really love you. Other kids might get a camaro or mustang, but unlike them, you will learn how to be a very good driver with this car, and you won't grow out of it immediately. I got a 20 year old Ranger manual, and all of my cars have been manual since. Enjoy driving arguably one of the best pure driver's cars ever made.
Im 77yo. I drive a 2015 FRS. I had it off the road for one year due to recent excessive cost of insurance on all vehicles. I put it back on the road a week ago and oh my God, just the most fun to drive car I've ever owned, thankfully I did not get rid of it. Makes a great road trip car as well. It's been round trip coast to coast five times. Considering a new 86 yet after your talk, maybe something else instead for the same kind of money. Possibly a Miata, but I'll have to drive one first. I will not give up my FRS unless I replace it with another one.
I driven my bugeyes WRX wagon in brutal SoCa freeway traffic for 22 years and never have I felt it to be a burden. Muscle memory, depth perception and being acutely aware of the dynamic conditions around you. I probably shift and brake half as much as anyone else driving a manual- just cruise in 2nd or 3rd most of the time keeping a sane distance in front of me.
Same, but blobeye WRX sedan for 19 and a half years. I'm going to order a BRZ tS as soon as the 2024 is available and finally retire the old girl. But traffic never bothered me.
@TheTopher Please don't be baited into getting rid of the BRZ. The car has a lot of potential and I feel every car youtuber went from "this is my favorite car forever" to "man I want that next shiny thing" Everyone is jumping off of the FOMO train and onto the next.
Well said. This is classic UA-camr behavior. This is a great car along with the MX5. Some of the best handling cars ever made and both are sold NEW, both well build easy to maintain cars. Those corner cases on engine failure on right hand turns suck but very few will run into this.
@@alicekim7351 I mean, there are several videos that certify my accusation. Also there's the problem of the oil pressure on the right (or left, I don't remember the direction) turns
The thing with the ft86 platforms is, in my mind, one of the best looking sports car shapes of our time. Small and shapely. That’s one reason it’s hard to move on. I’d rather invest to make small improvements to my 86 than move to a different car. But S2000 is absolutely comparable smiles per dollar.
@@Bodangers it does after 2006 as an option then standard in 08/09 I believe. Only thing is you lose out on the cable driven throttle that ended in 2005 for the 1:1 ratio. That’s the thing I want. 😓
this is probably one of the most useful videos to watch to learn manual just based on watching your habits on the road. i never knew you could just go into neutral with the clutch in and just brake the whole way and then preemptively shift into first before starting your crawl
I so happen to have a 2023 BRZ auto in Las Vegas, and my experience has been most excellent as a daily driver. I'm not a racing/track guy, and what i get out of the car is enough for me. Traffic is a huge pain in Las Vegas, especially with the amount of construction happening, and I'm just glad to have a light, peppy, sexy looking cruiser to drive by all of it without worry.
Nobody likes to WORK anymore. Most people are soulless drones these days. My 2024 GR86 brought me back to life when I first test drove it. I have FUN during my commute now! I am CHALLENGED to not screw up and stall in front of strangers in traffic. It keeps me awake by forcing me to be active! I love my car and it has done wonders for my mental health.
Bought one of the very few BRZ in Germany - I definitely love this car. I really appreciate your videos. They help me be even more happier about my purchase, because I know that more money isn't always more fun. Few of my friends have complained that I need a "daily", but I'm doing perfectly fine with this baby, since I do homeoffice and don't actually need to drive long distances on the Autobahn most of the time. I am really hoping that Toyota and Subaru adress the oil temperature drop issue though...
@@sem_aki totally okay to drive on the Autobahn once you unplug the fake sound. Obviously not silent. For that you're looking at a different car. But it's sure as hell fun to downshift to fourth and pass people :)
always here for the BRZ/86 content, thank you! I know you said the engine isn't great but then you commented on the car's great handling - don't you think the boxer design contributes a lot to the handling? The super low CG? also the engine does crank out some decent power for it's size..reliability is another issue but if you're not abusing it on track constantly I'm thinking it should be ok, knock on wood, lol.
@@chappy3669 an oil pan baffle from a brand of your choice seems to help with fuel pressure drops during braking and corners, on top of cleaning up the ungodly amount of silicone used by the factory to seal the oil pan. I’ve seen tear downs with a bunch of gasket material trapped on the pickup.
Traffic isn’t bad with a manual. I go down a boulevard every day on my way to work. I just leave plenty of space ahead and coast, engine brake, downshift, if someone wants to cut me off so be it.
I was literally driving on that road 1 week ago when I flew to vegas from new york for a vacation. A lot of hotels there smell like cigarettes and are infested with cockroaches. In addition I wasn't expecting to see so many homeless there. I also noticed there was a smoky smell inside the city. Almost like all the smog collected inside the city making it smell like burned fuel and burned coal. I believe it may be due to the surrounding mountains and canyons that prevent the escape of all the pollutants as well as drifting of forest fires from further regions. This was the one thing that bothered me about vegas the most. As soon as I left a casino or a hotel full of cigarette smoke, the stench was just as bad outside in the city itself. It was perplexing. We landed and departed at Terminal 3. In addition I called the "rent a car" service and they told us the shuttle busses are near "terminal 2" which doesn't exist at that airport. To me it was funny and I assumed the guy was playing a joke on us. It's also strange how there's 1 and then 3 and terminal 2 just doesn't exist.
This is timely since I just moved from the Midwest to a daily commute in Seattle. My BRZ has been good, though there is a blind spot looking over your right shoulder in some circumstances such as angles where the mirror doesn't provide enough visibility. The comfort is fine, and the noise is okay except on rock-textured concrete. My gas mileage is about 27, which is liveable though not excellent, considering PNW gas prices are pretty high.
Seattle is kinda a tough place for car enthusiasts imo. Lots of poorly maintained roads, pretty bad traffic, and local culture that discourages having fun with cars lol. It is hard to beat the job market in Seattle though.
I’ve daily driven a 2020 86 automatic for 3.5 years now and it’s been a fantastic daily. I live in a top 5 biggest city so the auto was a must for me. I can’t make a right turn without getting in a traffic jam. I get 32mpg + on the highway and have had 0 reliability issues. Now I just need a fun manual weekend car :)
For what it's worth, it sounds like there are some aftermarket solutions becoming available to address the oil starvation issues. There's a couple of companies out there making oil baffles as well as additional oil system pumps, etc. that are supposed to really help mitigate if not completely eliminate the issue.
@@panagiotisf7228 unfortunately in the world we live in today, it seems corporations bear no responsibility to anyone but themselves and the politicians who’s pockets they line. But hey, at least they’re generating profit right?? ;) And truly as crappy as the situation is, at least there are aftermarket companies out there coming up with solutions. My understanding is part of Toyota’s reluctance to take responsibility is because technically it’s a Subaru motor. I’ve heard (and maybe I’m wrong about this) that Subaru has been better about covering people’s oil starvation issues on the BRZ’s because it’s their own product. At least the problem is well documented and has known solutions. Sadly, because this issue is pretty much only related to heavy track usage the companies are washing their hands of this saying their warranties don’t cover track use - which on a sports car heavily marketed for track use seems like a pretty shitty thing to do.
I’ve been driving manual in Toronto everyday for 3 years now. I will say it’s definitely changed my driving habits and style. I mean some days I don’t even feel like driving cause it’s exhausting shifting from 3rd to 2nd and back every 3 seconds. But when there’s no traffic it’s the greatest thing for me at least. Just banging through gears, hitting corners like a boss, downshifting while most are killing their brakes. You can’t call yourself a car enthusiast till you’ve driven a stick.
I drove a 1980 MGB as my daily for 15 years. My 2024 GR86 takes me back and fills me with nothing but nostalgia and joy. Its like driving a manual transmission sports car. Crazy right? It is literally 1 of the 2 NEW pure sports cars at a "reasonable" ($30-35k) price, and I can't 2 sets of golf clubs plus luggage for a weekend in a Miata.
GR86 is what I would get if I could only own one car and the Miata if it is a second car for fun. As much as people like to compare them and fight over which is best it is just great we have two good small sports cars that relatively affordable and available. I am lucky enough to have a 05 Toyota Matrix that will run forever so I'll be looking at a Miata (2024 ND3 most likely). Unfortunate that MX-5 colors suck right now.
same, own a auto gr86(god help me) deciding which manual to trade for, mx5 is a lot better driving wise, but gr86 just has that coolness the mx5 is missing.
My GR 86 is my pride and joy. It's so fun. Looks great. My only problem is the entertainment system which has a mind of it's own, just won't let any sound out until I shut the car down for a couple of minutes.
I still have my 2013 supercharged BRZ. It turned 11 this year. Supercharger screaming still puts a smile on my face and gets the blood moving. ;) I'd love to get the Emira but should pay off my mortgage first.
@@wyattllc I needed my supercharger gaskets replaced as I was having vacuum leaks, and a different part on the supercharger needed replacing, and hoses were getting slightly brittle so they were replaced as well, perhaps because of the increased temperature in the engine bay, so nothing major. Still pulling strong. Had to replace the stock clutch around 85k miles to a slightly upgraded clutch to better handle the +80 torque.
@@wyattllc 10 years ago it was imported by a company called Innovate, but it's just a rebranded Sprintex which is an australian supercharger company that mainly makes superchargers for Jeeps. Mine is the 210 version with intercooler. Gives me 80+hp/tq with the smaller 70mm pulley. It came with a 75mm. They also make a larger supercharger 335 model but people were blowing their engines with that as it was too much torque for them without putting all forged internals and other stronger engine components in it, otherwise they detuned it but that makes about the same power as I'm running on my small one. Feel free to check out some of my videos and my car's build thread link is on my channel info I think.
It’s not a great starting point - it’s a great sports car, period. Fenton pulled a punk move by hanging with a bunch of track rats who beat the living shit out of their BRZs/Gr86s and when the car fails, they fail to consider that if you don’t abuse the car, it’ll be reliable. His parting shot video when he’d introduced his Acura was a disservice to the platform That he claimed to love for a couple years. Kevin I’m sure a lotus will stand up just fine to heavy track use (sarcasm alert) Topher has the most level headed takes of the lot of them
Not sure why you think I failed to consider that the BRZ would be reliable if I didn't track it. A big part of the reason I bought it was for track days. I wasn't willing to risk blowing it up and waiting 2+ months for the dealer/corporate to decide whether I'd get an engine replacement, especially since it was also my daily.
@@Zygrene - You crapped on the car you’d previously praised on the way out the door. When you reach a large number of people you should be more thoughtful than to make sweeping generalizations and assign weight to what fellow software engineers think is legitimate scientific analysis.
Good video. I own an 2018 86 auto. I took the GR for a test drive. It was a manual as GR autos are virtually unattainable in the UK. For me I found the ride on our roads harsher and didn’t get on with the clutch. I have some arthritis in my hip which is why I switched to auto a couple of years ago. And the test drive the traffic was so bad I did about 4 miles in 40 minutes which wasn’t fun. There were things I liked about the new car but I was actually glad to get back in my own to drive home
BREAKING FA24 NEWS: @studiousGR86 has posted some vids with 1L oil overfill, Color Fittings oil cooler, 5W-30 oil and virtually no right-hand pressure drops. No baffle. Rumor is GR North America is having the cup cars do the same 1L overfill. Maybe this is the fix? Would like to see more people try this. (As an aside, I had a ‘22 GR86 that was hit by a semi while I was stopped at a stop sign. The car was totaled. Looking to get a new one but I was waiting for the oil pressure fix. Maybe this is the simple answer).
Sold my GR86 for a 9th gen SI, such a better raw driving experience and love the high reving V Tech. Just didn’t like how numb the newer cars feel. It’s like I’m playing a Forza game with a steering wheel 😂
I ended up selling my 9th gen for a new WRX and completely regret it, I understand what you mean by that raw feeling and instant pedal response after a simple downpipe and tune.👍🏼
@@TrueCarFan last NA Honda, that or a S2k is where it’s at. Hopefully you’ll even be able to get a low mile 9th gen back someday👍🏼 best of luck to you!
I think a lot of the issue people have with manuals in traffic is how heavy the clutch is. No 2 manual cars are alike and some have extremely heavy clutches and some have feather clutches. So we can’t really judge people for not wanting a manual in traffic cause the experience is not standard
The BRZ has a feather (extremely light) clutch. I actually miss the extra weight from some of my previous manuals at times. But it makes it so easy to daily drive when it’s light. I would never trade it for an auto BRZ.
I live in New England and drive a lot on our twisty country roads!I rely on my Uniden R7 radar detector to avoid the ever present radar traps!I have a 2023 GR86!Keep up the content. r7
inconvenience of manual in heavy traffic is extremely overstated. In stop and go you never have to get out of 1st, just roll up slowly in first with clutch only and wait for a big gap instead of creeping up a foot every time. in slow moving traffic you can cruise in 2nd or neutral most of the time anyway if your entire commute is heavy traffic then maybe you should take public transport instead of putting heavy wear on your car
I told myself this car will be mine, affordable and the way it’s engineered seems very reliable. My son is 4 and I can see him learning to drive in this when he’s 14. Not having anymore kids those cause that backseat is lil lmao
I just grabbed an 04 G35 coupe 6mt. They are getting really inexpensive at this point. Not the lightest toy but they have a good amount of power and rwd. Pretty easy and fun car that's super drivable and you can get in one pretty cheap without crazy mileage. What do you guys think about a G35/350z compared to a BRZ/GR86 or the increasingly unobtainable S2000 as an affordable toy to daily drive? Not quite the same kind of car but you can get RWD 280/310hp and a 6 speed, also they look good.
While not ideal, I must prefer being in traffic in a manual than a long stretch of highway. What's the point of a manual if you aren't shifting and rev matching? 😂
What Wireless CarPlay system are you using? Looks beautiful! I believe the Phone Mount is that epic mount custom from Etsy? Def buying one now! Great GR86 Video! :)
Fun fact, driving a manual in stop-and-go traffic can still be enjoyable. Its only NOT enjoyable if your one of those jerks that doesnt like to have a gap between you and the car in front of you, afraid of someone merging in your lane andgaining 1 second more to your commute so your clutching in and out every 5 seconds and only moving 1 foot forward. Let the car in front of you move atleast a whole car space forward and then move also. If the trafic is fluctuating between 10 and 20 mph, cruise in 2nd at 15 mph and leave a 2 car gap in front of you. Its not hard to do, and the people behind you rather be going a consistent speed also rather than braking miltiple times.
Hi! I have a question, I have the BRZ that only support WIRED Apple careplay, I am noticing that your phone is not connected to a USB wire, but instead a magsafe. Does the magsafe of the phone mount connect to Apple carplay wirelessly? I am confused. Thanks!
I'd love to get one of these but sadly I spend most of my life in Chicago or NYC traffic...wouldn't be very interesting if I almost never get to shift past 3rd gear. Just enough money to not trigger the missus, but still plenty fun. I think I'd get the Subie just because of the tendency for ski slope roads to be unpaved.
If you could only have one car to daily, driving on the street, twisty roads, and the occasional auto cross event, would you choose the BRZ or CT4-V Blackwing?
It always amazes me how not-awful that engine sounds when you disable the STUPID fake engine module. That synthesizer noise is just appalling and insulting.
Man.. I just want a GR86 with the GR Corolla turbo 3-cylinder. If Toyota can make those, then I'll get one. I have too many mixed feelings with this GR86.
@@aygwm news has been circulating for 2025 generation with the GRC engine. Considering how much this car has been in selling since the new generation, it's highly likely.
I have a question. I personally have a ND MX-5. In the video when Topher switched gear, the RPM barely dropped when the clutch was in. It is the opposite on my MX5. When I clutch in, the RPM drop rapidly. I either need to complete the "switch gear" process very quick, or I need to give it a bit of throttle to match the RPM (up shift). Is it just different characteristics of a car or nowadays they have newer technology to hold the RPM for you?
You'll see people referring to this as "rev hang", basically just when the revs don't drop quickly. Most people prefer having very little rev hang like your miata because makes it smoother to shift quickly, and you can still use some throttle to slow down the drop when you want
i just got an nd2 as my first manual and in some situations i feel like it actually doesn't drop rpms fast enough, 1-2 especially seems like i have to take a long time to match rpm
I know this is kind of apples to oranges but how does the GR86 compare to the Mazda CX-30 Turbo or even CX-50? I have a GR86 but it's just not ideal for the winter conditions/ overall poor road conditions where I live. Is it anywhere near as fun?
Hot take that isnt traffic in northern va. Also people who complain about traffic while driving a manual should drive an automatic. Its just like manual but it shifts itself.🎉
lol everyone always says their state has the worst roads, I think we’re all underestimating how shitty the roads are just across America in general. With that said, Rhode Islands are undeniably the worst
Hot take. Manual in traffic is not annoying. I hate that so many people are scared away from the 6mt life because of traffic.
ong its not bad you get used to lol
True, but in the video there was very little stops and starts.
@@loganstoll2947 I'm just saying in general, from my personal experience.
It depends. At the end of a long day of work when you just want to get home the last thing you want to do is be messing around with a clutch and shifter in traffic for an hour. I’ve been dailying a manual for years and have recently considered getting an auto daily because of that. Imo manuals are unbeatable in the right settings, but if the majority of your driving is sitting in traffic then there are plenty of great auto cars that do the job
Can confirm, was worried about traffic when I switched to a manual (not a GR, I'm too broke) and it wasn't really an issue. (then again, not exactly LA traffic)
If you buy a manual designed as a comfortable daily, it'll probably be a comfortable daily.
I’ve driven manual (BRZ) for a grand total of 3 weeks now, and started taking it in heavy traffic recently. It’s actually not terrible. You have to be a little more attentive at red lights so that you can prep to drive off as soon as possible, but raising the clutch to biting point is just like raising your foot off of the brakes in an automatic, the only difference is shifting your gears manually when you go higher speeds. I’m not the smoothest shifter but I’ve made a point to come off the clutch smoothly in a single motion and I haven’t stalled since. This car is a blast to drive and I really don’t regret getting a manual BRZ/86 as my first car. I hope my purchase contributes to saving manuals in the US market.
first car should always be a 95 civic. I wrecked 3 vehicles when I started driving.
@@JohnBrown-vx3rx skill issue
@@Basil-YT- alcohol issue.
@@JohnBrown-vx3rx yeah don’t drink and drive
An 86 as your first car?? Your parents must really love you. Other kids might get a camaro or mustang, but unlike them, you will learn how to be a very good driver with this car, and you won't grow out of it immediately. I got a 20 year old Ranger manual, and all of my cars have been manual since. Enjoy driving arguably one of the best pure driver's cars ever made.
Im 77yo. I drive a 2015 FRS. I had it off the road for one year due to recent excessive cost of insurance on all vehicles. I put it back on the road a week ago and oh my God, just the most fun to drive car I've ever owned, thankfully I did not get rid of it. Makes a great road trip car as well. It's been round trip coast to coast five times. Considering a new 86 yet after your talk, maybe something else instead for the same kind of money. Possibly a Miata, but I'll have to drive one first.
I will not give up my FRS unless I replace it with another one.
I driven my bugeyes WRX wagon in brutal SoCa freeway traffic for 22 years and never have I felt it to be a burden. Muscle memory, depth perception and being acutely aware of the dynamic conditions around you. I probably shift and brake half as much as anyone else driving a manual- just cruise in 2nd or 3rd most of the time keeping a sane distance in front of me.
Same, but blobeye WRX sedan for 19 and a half years. I'm going to order a BRZ tS as soon as the 2024 is available and finally retire the old girl. But traffic never bothered me.
@TheTopher Please don't be baited into getting rid of the BRZ. The car has a lot of potential and I feel every car youtuber went from "this is my favorite car forever" to "man I want that next shiny thing" Everyone is jumping off of the FOMO train and onto the next.
Well said. This is classic UA-camr behavior. This is a great car along with the MX5. Some of the best handling cars ever made and both are sold NEW, both well build easy to maintain cars. Those corner cases on engine failure on right hand turns suck but very few will run into this.
Well said! @@sunnyvalentino
They did after the damn RTV problems, as they are very severe and annoying and potentially catastrophic
@@Omega_SMRTV never was the problem. Why do people still think that?
@@alicekim7351 I mean, there are several videos that certify my accusation. Also there's the problem of the oil pressure on the right (or left, I don't remember the direction) turns
Great times in CA and Vegas, Chris! Let’s do it again!
In the vid you mentioned considering an S2K and an NC Miata. Why NC over ND? Price, or don’t like the EPS on the ND?
The thing with the ft86 platforms is, in my mind, one of the best looking sports car shapes of our time. Small and shapely. That’s one reason it’s hard to move on. I’d rather invest to make small improvements to my 86 than move to a different car. But S2000 is absolutely comparable smiles per dollar.
s2k has no traction control right? I'm scared of losing control in it
@@Bodangers it does after 2006 as an option then standard in 08/09 I believe. Only thing is you lose out on the cable driven throttle that ended in 2005 for the 1:1 ratio. That’s the thing I want. 😓
Idk man, I think the nd2 Miata is right there with looks, handling and fun
@@Itsdjsigi But you lose out on practicality and comfort and useability
I love my manual BRZ! Lowered it, strut bar, wider tires, that thing grips!!!
this is probably one of the most useful videos to watch to learn manual just based on watching your habits on the road. i never knew you could just go into neutral with the clutch in and just brake the whole way and then preemptively shift into first before starting your crawl
you should stay in gear whenever possible. also, this car can start/crawl in second gear for bumper-to- bumper traffic.
I so happen to have a 2023 BRZ auto in Las Vegas, and my experience has been most excellent as a daily driver. I'm not a racing/track guy, and what i get out of the car is enough for me. Traffic is a huge pain in Las Vegas, especially with the amount of construction happening, and I'm just glad to have a light, peppy, sexy looking cruiser to drive by all of it without worry.
Manual?
I love the 86 content.. glad to see you working with jubbalandcars!
Nobody likes to WORK anymore. Most people are soulless drones these days. My 2024 GR86 brought me back to life when I first test drove it. I have FUN during my commute now! I am CHALLENGED to not screw up and stall in front of strangers in traffic. It keeps me awake by forcing me to be active! I love my car and it has done wonders for my mental health.
@@tyrantrex734 i guess you still have that new car/transimmsion filter on lol
Bought one of the very few BRZ in Germany - I definitely love this car. I really appreciate your videos. They help me be even more happier about my purchase, because I know that more money isn't always more fun. Few of my friends have complained that I need a "daily", but I'm doing perfectly fine with this baby, since I do homeoffice and don't actually need to drive long distances on the Autobahn most of the time.
I am really hoping that Toyota and Subaru adress the oil temperature drop issue though...
Is it not a good car for the Autobahn? Does it get really loud?
@@sem_aki totally okay to drive on the Autobahn once you unplug the fake sound.
Obviously not silent. For that you're looking at a different car. But it's sure as hell fun to downshift to fourth and pass people :)
always here for the BRZ/86 content, thank you! I know you said the engine isn't great but then you commented on the car's great handling - don't you think the boxer design contributes a lot to the handling? The super low CG? also the engine does crank out some decent power for it's size..reliability is another issue but if you're not abusing it on track constantly I'm thinking it should be ok, knock on wood, lol.
I'm not sure s2k or miata would have that low COG feeling of the twins although I'm yet to drive them..🤔
I’m pretty sure you can get around the reliability issue by cleaning the gasket material out of the oil pan and swapping a part
@@chappy3669 an oil pan baffle from a brand of your choice seems to help with fuel pressure drops during braking and corners, on top of cleaning up the ungodly amount of silicone used by the factory to seal the oil pan. I’ve seen tear downs with a bunch of gasket material trapped on the pickup.
@@flound3rpuss362 baffle is compeltely unnecessary however for spirited/track driving a 1L overfill is absolutely necessary
Yeah the S2k is definitely the way to go.
Traffic isn’t bad with a manual. I go down a boulevard every day on my way to work. I just leave plenty of space ahead and coast, engine brake, downshift, if someone wants to cut me off so be it.
I was literally driving on that road 1 week ago when I flew to vegas from new york for a vacation. A lot of hotels there smell like cigarettes and are infested with cockroaches. In addition I wasn't expecting to see so many homeless there. I also noticed there was a smoky smell inside the city. Almost like all the smog collected inside the city making it smell like burned fuel and burned coal. I believe it may be due to the surrounding mountains and canyons that prevent the escape of all the pollutants as well as drifting of forest fires from further regions. This was the one thing that bothered me about vegas the most. As soon as I left a casino or a hotel full of cigarette smoke, the stench was just as bad outside in the city itself. It was perplexing. We landed and departed at Terminal 3. In addition I called the "rent a car" service and they told us the shuttle busses are near "terminal 2" which doesn't exist at that airport. To me it was funny and I assumed the guy was playing a joke on us. It's also strange how there's 1 and then 3 and terminal 2 just doesn't exist.
FINALLY!!! I NEEDED A GR86 VID!
This is timely since I just moved from the Midwest to a daily commute in Seattle. My BRZ has been good, though there is a blind spot looking over your right shoulder in some circumstances such as angles where the mirror doesn't provide enough visibility. The comfort is fine, and the noise is okay except on rock-textured concrete. My gas mileage is about 27, which is liveable though not excellent, considering PNW gas prices are pretty high.
Seattle is kinda a tough place for car enthusiasts imo. Lots of poorly maintained roads, pretty bad traffic, and local culture that discourages having fun with cars lol. It is hard to beat the job market in Seattle though.
@@aptkeyboard3173What kinds of enthusiasts thrive there, would you say
drug addicts@@doit2win
I’ve daily driven a 2020 86 automatic for 3.5 years now and it’s been a fantastic daily. I live in a top 5 biggest city so the auto was a must for me. I can’t make a right turn without getting in a traffic jam. I get 32mpg + on the highway and have had 0 reliability issues. Now I just need a fun manual weekend car :)
For what it's worth, it sounds like there are some aftermarket solutions becoming available to address the oil starvation issues. There's a couple of companies out there making oil baffles as well as additional oil system pumps, etc. that are supposed to really help mitigate if not completely eliminate the issue.
Shame for toyota not to cover this they have terrible customer service
@@panagiotisf7228 unfortunately in the world we live in today, it seems corporations bear no responsibility to anyone but themselves and the politicians who’s pockets they line. But hey, at least they’re generating profit right?? ;)
And truly as crappy as the situation is, at least there are aftermarket companies out there coming up with solutions. My understanding is part of Toyota’s reluctance to take responsibility is because technically it’s a Subaru motor. I’ve heard (and maybe I’m wrong about this) that Subaru has been better about covering people’s oil starvation issues on the BRZ’s because it’s their own product. At least the problem is well documented and has known solutions. Sadly, because this issue is pretty much only related to heavy track usage the companies are washing their hands of this saying their warranties don’t cover track use - which on a sports car heavily marketed for track use seems like a pretty shitty thing to do.
I’ve been driving manual in Toronto everyday for 3 years now. I will say it’s definitely changed my driving habits and style. I mean some days I don’t even feel like driving cause it’s exhausting shifting from 3rd to 2nd and back every 3 seconds. But when there’s no traffic it’s the greatest thing for me at least. Just banging through gears, hitting corners like a boss, downshifting while most are killing their brakes. You can’t call yourself a car enthusiast till you’ve driven a stick.
Just lost my GR86 last week… It was a great ride and I loved every minute of driving that car. Cheers to the video
where'd it go?
@@digitalsmithybetween the sofa cushions
Card game?
Race for pink slips?
I drove a 1980 MGB as my daily for 15 years. My 2024 GR86 takes me back and fills me with nothing but nostalgia and joy. Its like driving a manual transmission sports car. Crazy right? It is literally 1 of the 2 NEW pure sports cars at a "reasonable" ($30-35k) price, and I can't 2 sets of golf clubs plus luggage for a weekend in a Miata.
GR86 is what I would get if I could only own one car and the Miata if it is a second car for fun. As much as people like to compare them and fight over which is best it is just great we have two good small sports cars that relatively affordable and available.
I am lucky enough to have a 05 Toyota Matrix that will run forever so I'll be looking at a Miata (2024 ND3 most likely). Unfortunate that MX-5 colors suck right now.
Good timing, considering a miata vs gr86
same, own a auto gr86(god help me) deciding which manual to trade for, mx5 is a lot better driving wise, but gr86 just has that coolness the mx5 is missing.
My GR 86 is my pride and joy. It's so fun. Looks great. My only problem is the entertainment system which has a mind of it's own, just won't let any sound out until I shut the car down for a couple of minutes.
I still have my 2013 supercharged BRZ. It turned 11 this year. Supercharger screaming still puts a smile on my face and gets the blood moving. ;) I'd love to get the Emira but should pay off my mortgage first.
Any reliability issues?
@@wyattllc I needed my supercharger gaskets replaced as I was having vacuum leaks, and a different part on the supercharger needed replacing, and hoses were getting slightly brittle so they were replaced as well, perhaps because of the increased temperature in the engine bay, so nothing major. Still pulling strong. Had to replace the stock clutch around 85k miles to a slightly upgraded clutch to better handle the +80 torque.
What supercharger did you go with?
@@wyattllc 10 years ago it was imported by a company called Innovate, but it's just a rebranded Sprintex which is an australian supercharger company that mainly makes superchargers for Jeeps. Mine is the 210 version with intercooler. Gives me 80+hp/tq with the smaller 70mm pulley. It came with a 75mm. They also make a larger supercharger 335 model but people were blowing their engines with that as it was too much torque for them without putting all forged internals and other stronger engine components in it, otherwise they detuned it but that makes about the same power as I'm running on my small one. Feel free to check out some of my videos and my car's build thread link is on my channel info I think.
Yeah ill definitely check them out. How many miles did you get out of the supercharger before the gaskets needed replacing?
It’s not a great starting point - it’s a great sports car, period.
Fenton pulled a punk move by hanging with a bunch of track rats who beat the living shit out of their BRZs/Gr86s and when the car fails, they fail to consider that if you don’t abuse the car, it’ll be reliable. His parting shot video when he’d introduced his Acura was a disservice to the platform
That he claimed to love for a couple years.
Kevin I’m sure a lotus will stand up just fine to heavy track use (sarcasm alert)
Topher has the most level headed takes of the lot of them
Not sure why you think I failed to consider that the BRZ would be reliable if I didn't track it. A big part of the reason I bought it was for track days. I wasn't willing to risk blowing it up and waiting 2+ months for the dealer/corporate to decide whether I'd get an engine replacement, especially since it was also my daily.
@@Zygrene - You crapped on the car you’d previously praised on the way out the door. When you reach a large number of people you should be more thoughtful than to make sweeping generalizations and assign weight to what fellow software engineers think is legitimate scientific analysis.
Good video. I own an 2018 86 auto. I took the GR for a test drive. It was a manual as GR autos are virtually unattainable in the UK. For me I found the ride on our roads harsher and didn’t get on with the clutch. I have some arthritis in my hip which is why I switched to auto a couple of years ago. And the test drive the traffic was so bad I did about 4 miles in 40 minutes which wasn’t fun. There were things I liked about the new car but I was actually glad to get back in my own to drive home
Regarding the oil issue, we need to figure out what Toyota is running on the GR86 Cup Cars because apparently its not an issue on them.
They most likely have a baffled oil pan which would solve the starvation issue.
Dry sumps…
BREAKING FA24 NEWS: @studiousGR86 has posted some vids with 1L oil overfill, Color Fittings oil cooler, 5W-30 oil and virtually no right-hand pressure drops. No baffle. Rumor is GR North America is having the cup cars do the same 1L overfill. Maybe this is the fix? Would like to see more people try this. (As an aside, I had a ‘22 GR86 that was hit by a semi while I was stopped at a stop sign. The car was totaled. Looking to get a new one but I was waiting for the oil pressure fix. Maybe this is the simple answer).
Bro is casually buying an $110k+ super(?) car after having an FRS and MX-50.. what?
He's like my friend who always talks about buying a 100k car, esp in front of the ladies while driving a 12 year old cad
he was a plastic surgeon lmao. typical bevavior
Sold my GR86 for a 9th gen SI, such a better raw driving experience and love the high reving V Tech. Just didn’t like how numb the newer cars feel. It’s like I’m playing a Forza game with a steering wheel 😂
I ended up selling my 9th gen for a new WRX and completely regret it, I understand what you mean by that raw feeling and instant pedal response after a simple downpipe and tune.👍🏼
@@TrueCarFan last NA Honda, that or a S2k is where it’s at. Hopefully you’ll even be able to get a low mile 9th gen back someday👍🏼 best of luck to you!
WRX has been up for sale and I’m on the look out for one 🤟🏼thanks dude
Spot on, same reason I’m debating getting rid of my ND2. It sucks that in order to get something raw you have to go back 10 years or have GT3 money.
as someone with an 8th gen si I approve this message lol
I think a lot of the issue people have with manuals in traffic is how heavy the clutch is. No 2 manual cars are alike and some have extremely heavy clutches and some have feather clutches. So we can’t really judge people for not wanting a manual in traffic cause the experience is not standard
The BRZ has a feather (extremely light) clutch. I actually miss the extra weight from some of my previous manuals at times. But it makes it so easy to daily drive when it’s light. I would never trade it for an auto BRZ.
@@Barbwire710 That's great to know
I live in New England and drive a lot on our twisty country roads!I rely on my Uniden R7 radar detector to avoid the ever present radar traps!I have a 2023 GR86!Keep up the content.
r7
Ah sensitivity vs specificity, that’s how I know Jubbal is of the medical field
Literally taking all my routes!
Oh first Savagegeese with Jack corolla GR86 and now You with yours....noiceeeeeeeeeeee
inconvenience of manual in heavy traffic is extremely overstated. In stop and go you never have to get out of 1st, just roll up slowly in first with clutch only and wait for a big gap instead of creeping up a foot every time. in slow moving traffic you can cruise in 2nd or neutral most of the time anyway
if your entire commute is heavy traffic then maybe you should take public transport instead of putting heavy wear on your car
I told myself this car will be mine, affordable and the way it’s engineered seems very reliable. My son is 4 and I can see him learning to drive in this when he’s 14. Not having anymore kids those cause that backseat is lil lmao
My 7 mile commute takes me 20-30 minutes sometimes due to traffic. Manual everyday up and down those hills would suck.
its a light clutch
Just the video I’ve been looking for 👍
I just grabbed an 04 G35 coupe 6mt. They are getting really inexpensive at this point. Not the lightest toy but they have a good amount of power and rwd. Pretty easy and fun car that's super drivable and you can get in one pretty cheap without crazy mileage. What do you guys think about a G35/350z compared to a BRZ/GR86 or the increasingly unobtainable S2000 as an affordable toy to daily drive? Not quite the same kind of car but you can get RWD 280/310hp and a 6 speed, also they look good.
While not ideal, I must prefer being in traffic in a manual than a long stretch of highway. What's the point of a manual if you aren't shifting and rev matching? 😂
Bro is probably going to F1
Most definitely 😂
What Wireless CarPlay system are you using? Looks beautiful! I believe the Phone Mount is that epic mount custom from Etsy? Def buying one now!
Great GR86 Video! :)
MX5 is a great choice ND2 ENGINE 💯RELIABLE ❤❤❤; love the 86 ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Fun fact, driving a manual in stop-and-go traffic can still be enjoyable. Its only NOT enjoyable if your one of those jerks that doesnt like to have a gap between you and the car in front of you, afraid of someone merging in your lane andgaining 1 second more to your commute so your clutching in and out every 5 seconds and only moving 1 foot forward.
Let the car in front of you move atleast a whole car space forward and then move also.
If the trafic is fluctuating between 10 and 20 mph, cruise in 2nd at 15 mph and leave a 2 car gap in front of you. Its not hard to do, and the people behind you rather be going a consistent speed also rather than braking miltiple times.
Hi! I have a question, I have the BRZ that only support WIRED Apple careplay, I am noticing that your phone is not connected to a USB wire, but instead a magsafe. Does the magsafe of the phone mount connect to Apple carplay wirelessly? I am confused. Thanks!
Are you guys going to watch the Grand Prix?
I'd love to get one of these but sadly I spend most of my life in Chicago or NYC traffic...wouldn't be very interesting if I almost never get to shift past 3rd gear. Just enough money to not trigger the missus, but still plenty fun. I think I'd get the Subie just because of the tendency for ski slope roads to be unpaved.
If you could only have one car to daily, driving on the street, twisty roads, and the occasional auto cross event, would you choose the BRZ or CT4-V Blackwing?
Manual stick shift all the way. Anything else is just "curry"
So no go on 2nd gen for Mtec spring? I thought you liked it? Is it better just to remove spring altogether?
ive traveled from Ohio to Michigan and back for years. our roads are bad, but god damn Michigan has the worst roads
It always amazes me how not-awful that engine sounds when you disable the STUPID fake engine module. That synthesizer noise is just appalling and insulting.
Man.. I just want a GR86 with the GR Corolla turbo 3-cylinder. If Toyota can make those, then I'll get one. I have too many mixed feelings with this GR86.
Apparently this is in the next generation
It’s extremely unlikely that they will change the engine for this low volume car.
@@aygwm news has been circulating for 2025 generation with the GRC engine. Considering how much this car has been in selling since the new generation, it's highly likely.
I have a question. I personally have a ND MX-5. In the video when Topher switched gear, the RPM barely dropped when the clutch was in. It is the opposite on my MX5. When I clutch in, the RPM drop rapidly. I either need to complete the "switch gear" process very quick, or I need to give it a bit of throttle to match the RPM (up shift). Is it just different characteristics of a car or nowadays they have newer technology to hold the RPM for you?
You'll see people referring to this as "rev hang", basically just when the revs don't drop quickly. Most people prefer having very little rev hang like your miata because makes it smoother to shift quickly, and you can still use some throttle to slow down the drop when you want
i just got an nd2 as my first manual and in some situations i feel like it actually doesn't drop rpms fast enough, 1-2 especially seems like i have to take a long time to match rpm
@@veganjoy I agree. 1-2 I always wait like a second. The others I could just switch right the way while being smooth.
Electric throttle bodies can’t open and close as fast
Topher I need to see you review the new 'lude. Can you break into Honda R&D and test one for us? Thanks in advance!
Brother what radar detector were you using for this video? Is it worth it to get a radar detector with the advent of Waze?
Wish it's got the brake hold-it'd be real useful in the traffic.
just hold the brake yourself :)
you are not worried about engine issues?
how is carplay connected if it's on a mount and the cable isn't coming from the center console?
Driving manual in heavy traffic ain’t that bad once you get used it,
i do frequent trips to LV and i've seen that dude sevral times driving that 86 around, lmao small world.
on my uniden r7 i just disabled k band, no false flags
I'm so confused about the throttle mapping. Most people say the BRZ is linear and GR86 is artificially sensitive.
It is. Can confirm it myself and you see the same thing mentioned everywhere else. Probably just a word slip-up.
yea, my 2nd gen BRZ throttle is linear, haven't driven a GR86 yet.
I wonder how this car would do on road trips.
traffic 5 minutes solely due to an accident. very different than living in an area with perpetual traffic the entire time
Is it the boxer from subaru wrx?
240 to 270 oul temps? What the hell. My VA wrx never sees over 210
300 dollar oil sump fixes the issue on right hand turns . Oil pans and baffles are still in development .
How did you get wireless carplay
Picked up a wireless CarPlay adaptor on Amazon 👍
i need that phone holder he has for my 86
CtrlAltPrint MagSafe mount
I know this is kind of apples to oranges but how does the GR86 compare to the Mazda CX-30 Turbo or even CX-50? I have a GR86 but it's just not ideal for the winter conditions/ overall poor road conditions where I live. Is it anywhere near as fun?
what phone mount is that? i need it lol!
CtrlAltPrint MagSafe Mount
Hot take that isnt traffic in northern va. Also people who complain about traffic while driving a manual should drive an automatic. Its just like manual but it shifts itself.🎉
I love the gr86 but will I have leg room? Im like 6 ft 3 in.
Oh yeah, you’ll be fine
What is that phone mount?? I need to know lol
lol everyone always says their state has the worst roads, I think we’re all underestimating how shitty the roads are just across America in general. With that said, Rhode Islands are undeniably the worst
Why do the breaks squeal that much?
He has higher performance brakes on. Race brakes = squeaky brakes
Would the gr86 be okay for autocross?
Great choice in my opinion
For a starter? One of the best cars you can buy for the money for autocross. Cross shop between that and a Miata if you want to buy them brand new.
I know the gr86 handles well, I'm more worried about oil starvation@@loganstoll2947
Completely out of topic, but what is that phone holder?!?!?
i think it's that etsy one, a guy 3d prints them, sells for $30, they kind of wedge behind the edge of the head unit
CtrlAltPrint MagSafe mount
Perfect 👏 👏 👏
Was not expecting Kevin to be here 😂😅
I have an automatic 😂
Please drive in the rightmost lane when you are driving slowly
Ok
Idk ny is pretty rough also lol
so awkward aaaa
His shorts are distracting me.🥵
I don’t like these toyota interiors 😅
Oh another video
*Looks at A/C at 69*
Noice 😎
6:19 "completely smooth roads out here in Las Vegas"
Locals: 🥲🥲🥲🥲
also, why is this dude wearing girls shorts?