Toyota GT 86 Buyer's Guide (2012-2020)

Are you looking for a sporty Toyota that won't break the bank? The GT86 is one of the best gateways to sportscar ownership. The recipe is simple, compact dimensions, rear-wheel drive, a 53/47 front/rear weight balance and a rev-happy naturally aspirated engine. Here's our Buyers Guide for the GT86! If you're already sold, here are the GT86 models currently listed for sale on AutoTrader!

Related: SA's Cheapest Sports Coupe - Toyota GR86 (2023) - Video Review

Specs

This comparison highlights the small improvements in power and torque in the post-facelift model, along with some updates on exterior and interior. The core specifications, such as dimensions and engine size, remained largely the same.

Local range

Pre-facelift

Midway through 2012, Toyota SA launched the GT 86 with three models and two spec levels. The Standard specification features 16-inch alloy wheels, 15-inch ventilated front brake discs, and 15-inch solid rear brake discs. The model also has a leather-covered steering wheel, cloth-covered seats, a CD player, USB/AUX connectivity, air conditioning, Isofix child seat anchor points, airbags, and Vehicle Stability Control.

The High spec models, available in both manual and automatic guise, added colour-coded door handles, keyless entry, HID front headlamps with automatic levelling, headlamp washers, 17-inch alloy wheels, 16-inch ventilated front brake discs and 15-inch ventilated rear brake discs. The High also received combination leather/cloth seats, a colour touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, heated front seats, cruise control, carbon fibre-like trim on the dashboard, a white rev counter, climate control. 

Pricing at launch in 2012:

86 Standard - R298 500
86 High - R329 400
86 High Auto - R346 500

Facelift

The GT86 received a minor update in 2016 and reached local shores in 2017. There was a minor bump in power and torque, improvements to interior material quality and minor cosmetic changes

Pricing in 2017:

86 2.0 Standard - R449 900
86 2.0 High - R494 900
86 2.0 High auto - R519 400

The updated GT86 received a mild makeover in 2016

Did you know?

The 86 is full of fun and interesting easter eggs; here are our favourites:

• Its 36.5cm circumference steering wheel was the smallest steering wheel ever fitted to a Toyota road car.
• The cars shipped from the factory with economy tyres from the Prius, making them easier to drift.
• Racing drivers chose the location of the car's Start/Stop button!
• The 86 badge represents the horizontally opposed nature of its boxer engine's pistons but is also meant to look like a car going sideways if you look at the holes in the numbers 8 and 6!
• The engine's bore and stroke are 86mm, as is the diameter of each exhaust tip!
• Toyota's engine code for the car is 4U-GSE, but Subaru's internal code is the FA20.

Recalls

• Valve Spring Recall: Verify if the valve spring recall affects the car (April 2012 - May 2013). A newer registration date doesn’t guarantee exemption, so run the VIN by your local Toyota dealership.
• Steering Harness Recall: Check if the steering harness recall work has been completed. This affects all GT86/BRZ models from April 2012 to March 2015.

The FA20 engine in the 86 is reliable but needs regular servicing!

Other known issues

• Rear Lights: Inspect for condensation in the rear lights, a common fault covered under warranty.
• Door Pillars: Look for rust on the door pillars.
• Battery: Check whether the battery is the older 48Ah or the updated 65Ah. The older battery is problematic.

The rear lights are known to fog up, so inspect these before you buy!

Less common faults

• Front Window Glass: Look for scratches from the rolling mechanism.
• Cam Cover Plate: Check for oil leaks from the cam cover plate.
• Rear View Mirror: Inspect for delamination on the rearview mirror.
• Alarm Key: Ensure one of the keys has a metal tag with the alarm control box code.
• Seat Bolsters: Check the front seat bolsters for wear and tear.
• Bonnet Weather Seal: Look for rust under the front bonnet weather seal.
• Rear Seats: Verify that the rear seats operate correctly, including the buttons to fold them down and the latch to re-secure.
  

Idle/Test Drive Checks

• Fuel Pump Chirp: Listen for chirping or crickets from the fuel pump as this could mean it's in need of replacing.
• Engine Remap: To check for a remap, turn on the engine, let it idle, and hold the cruise control stick towards you. If the revs jump to 1k, 2k, 3k, or 4k and hold, releasing and pulling the stick again should show a jump of 1k revs, indicating a remap.
• Gearbox Linkage Rattle: Listen for a rattle from the gearbox linkage at 5 000 r/min or higher during the test drive. Some cars experience this, though its severity varies.
• Gear Changes: Test the 1>2>3>2 gear changes while the car is still cold. Difficulty when cold is normal, but excessive struggle could indicate a problem.

This guide will help you thoroughly evaluate a used GT86, ensuring you make a well-informed decision.

General car buying advice

• Tyres: Ensure the tyres are a reputable brand, as this is usually a sign of how well a car is treated. If the owner/dealer cut corners by purchasing cheap tyres for a performance car, where else did they cut corners?
• Modifications:A modified car is a far bigger risk than a used car buy than a standard model. A person who modifies their performance vehicle generally drives their cars harder, creating the proverbial double whammy.
• Service history:The 86 will give you many years of reliable service, provided it has been serviced regularly with good quality oil, so make sure your vehicle has a full service history.
• Accident damage: Inspect the paint and check key welding points under the bonnet and in the vehicle's boot to ensure the car has not been in a big accident. Some spray work on front and rear bumpers is common, but when the vehicle's structure has been damaged it's better to walk away.