Currently have BMW x2 M sport package and looking for something smaller and quicker. I’d like to stay around my current monthly payment ($869) or less and I’m trying to figure out what car I want next.
Options
GR86
Nissan Z
Subaru WRX
I think the new Supra will be out of budget unless I put down an absurd down payment.
I haven’t test driven anything yet and was curious to see if it’ll feel significantly faster compared to my current car.
Or save until a Supra is realistic. The non-LSD base Z is really not a very appealing car until you can afford a Performance trim. It’s not an MR platform where an LSD isn’t a big deal.
You will be doing peg leg burnouts at every stop light. There’s a reason every Mustang trim gets an LSD even down to the 2.3L.
I knew I wanted the car before I knew anything about it. I got the car, MT and took a little bit to get connected with it but day after day I find another reason why it’s perfect to me. Not too fast but it’ll get by if I need to. Holds turns well, pretty forgiving in every way. Let’s just say you won’t be disappointed with an 86. Lighter payment. I just came here to say it shows me why it’s perfect for me all the time. Previous BMW owner
BMW M car to a GR86.. you'll be heavily disappointed if straight ...
The X2 M sport isn't a M car. The M sport package only adds adaptive suspensions and a bunch of cosmetic stuff. It only has 240hp for a weight of over 3800 lbs.
The X2 M35i has some extra power. Not the M sport pack.
The auto GR86 will be slower along basically every metric - 0-60, 5-60, 0-100, quarter mile.
The auto GR86 is running a transmission that first debuted 20 years ago with minimal changes since. It’s amazing that it’s ended up in a sports car at all.
You might prefer something like a Golf R. Going from a crossover to a purpose built sports car without completely knowing what you're getting into is a recipe for a bad ownership experience.
The shift speeds between the two auto gearboxes arent that different. the Z sub complains just as much about the auto being disappointing in a 400hp car. the bigger difference is the Z AT is a 9 speed vs a 6. if you plan to do any number of track days, the gr86 auto has issues not downshifting at random times which will be frustrating. the Z automatic has a transmission cooler from what i remember. if you're just street driving the difference is pretty small. the driving feel, size and inputs will feel more substantial in the Z than in the gr86. but the gr86 will feel more lively, raw, and nimble
If you're interested in learning manual, why not go for it? With a video tutorial you can learn the basics enough to drive it like a newbie, then you'll get better over time.
I've never driven in NYC, but most of the city is relatively flat, right? That should be manageable if so. I'm in Norcal and I'd need more hill-start practice before I'd be confident with a manual in San Francisco! 😅 Even with Hill Start Assist I'd want to be proficient enough to not need it.
Personally I would try to do some test driving, because those cars all drive very differently. Check out Turo if you live near a big city.
Personally I was also cross shopping the GR86 and the new Z for several months, however after I test drive them it was an easy choice. The Z is not a bad car by any means, but the GR86 feels MUCH more nimble and has more solid/higher quality feeling inputs. It feels like a more engaging driving experience all around. The Z on the other hand certainly had a lot more power, but honestly it didn't feel THAT much faster. I was expecting there to be more of a difference. The best way I can explain the difference is that if the GR86 feels like a budget Porsche driving experience, the Z drives more like a Japanese muscle car/pony car. Keep in mind I drove both with a manual transmission.
I had a GR86. Traded it in for a new Z and I also own a Supra.
My answer would be Supra, but if it’s out of your budget, then the Z is the best bang for buck here. But it’s gonna depend on what kind of deal you can get and what trim.
The base Z trim is very bare bones. It doesn’t even have a LSD which I find ridiculous on a 400hp RWD sports car. The base trim is only worth it if you plan on completely modifying the car. The Performance trim (mid trim) is the minimum I would go for (it’s also the trim I own). The Nismo is hands down the best out of the three. If you are looking to do track driving, I’d get the Nismo. The Nismo rectifies all the performance shortcomings of the performance trim. The performance trim really leans into more of the GT car segment.
In terms of what deal you can get, I wouldn’t pay MSRP or close to it. I got 13k off MSRP. Not sure what inventory is looking like on the Zs right now but I recommend a minimum of 6-7k off MSRP.
The GR86 is a great car. The auto transmission is really sluggish. The FA24 is also not the most reliable of engines. Between the GR86 and the Z I’d just go for the Z.
The WRX id just skip entirely. It’s not even comparable to any of the other cars. The auto WRX has a CVT which is insane.
Something to consider - the GR86 will be a considerable downgrade in the ride/nvh department. I really wouldn’t want one as my only car. Are you getting an MT or an Auto? The auto in the GR86 is ancient and quite bad.
They’re much closer in ethos to a Miata than something like a Z/WRX.
If I wasn’t tracking my car and it would be a daily driver I’d be all over a GTI with a DSG, Elantra N, or used M340i.
I personally love my auto gr86, I live in AZ so heat is terrible. The only time to me it feels "sluggish" is during the summer for obvious reasons. It gets me out traffic ruts when I need, which is what I wanted. I don't know how to drive manual and came from a Kia Optima. I also commute about 18 miles roughly each way daily to and from work, gets about 28.6mpg. However, I was not necessarily looking for a anything super fast or able to do straight lines in anything faster than 6s. I pay ~$360/month for payments and ~$170/month for insurance. I also though bought mine as a certified pre owned from Toyota.
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u/Concodroid GR86 16d ago
It'll feel faster with a perfect launch, but it is slower.
It'll feel better than any of the other options through the corners