Anyone daily one of these cars? Looking to sell my 03 accord soon and this was on the short list of replacements. Since i live in Dallas i would get an automatic (i know i know blasphemy)

Automatic? You're missing the reason a small lightweight sports car like these even exists. Might as well just buy a base ecoboost Mustang.

If you have to get an automatic, you have to step up to a 911 or cayman with a PDK. It's science.

I guess if you have to have a Toyota the auto in the new Supra is good.

Like G Martin 87 says, the automatic in the GR86/BRZ negates the reason cars like it exist. A 2,800# NA RWD sports car needs a manual transmission. An automatic in that thing takes away the fun.

My dad has an auto in his '23 Miata RF. It's almost blasphemy. But he's 74 yo and it's in Soul Red Crystal Metallic, so he gets a pass. And though not DCT, the paddle shifters are quick.

The same can't be said for the 86/BRZ. That auto isn't lazy, but it's not great. If you want an auto that's fun and usable in the city, get a Golf GTI. The DCT in the GTI is almost PDK good. You can get base GTIs for just a tad more than a GR/BRZ. Hella fun, too, and a great daily driver.

A GTI with the auto is a great suggestion. It would also make a much better daily driver than a BRZ.

Problem with GTI is that it's fwd

Mustang for sure in this scenario

Wife of a friend had a GR86 as a daily driver for several years, she has MS so it was an auto. He said the road noise brutal and had a rough ride on Houston roads, but she liked the sportiness and looks so kept it for a while. They recently traded it in on a ecoboost mustang with one of the higher end packages and she is much happier with it.

True. Which is why I bought a Golf R last week…

I could've made you a deal on a Golf

I'm planning on picking up a golf r today or tomorrow! What color did you get?

Black w/ manual

Wanted blue but Rs in a manual are hard to find. The black is still nice.

Thankfully, I didn't pay any markup. I've seen anywhere from $5-10k MAs which is dumb. CTRs and GR Corollas also way too often have big markups. It was an impulse buy but one I'm happy with.

The DCT is faster. But the manual is funner. Nurburgring mode is LOL fun. #BurbleBurble

Yep. Mine is a black DSG. Are you enjoying yours?

Immensely.

Now we will need a meet up!

I DD'd my buddy's FR-S for a few weeks when my car was getting fixed.

It was loud and slow and a lot of fun to drive. The old slow car fast adage is true. Narrow tires give you the illusion of power, even with how slow it is.

The Gen1 cars had a hellacious torque dip at like 3.5k RPM. You had to slug through which was a PITA. The Gen2 cars have fixed that while also upping both overall torque and HP.

The GR86 is a fantastic affordable sports car (in manual). The premium trim ups to PS4S summer tires for more grip. But you need 20mm spacers to kick those wheels out to the fender and an aftermarket exhaust...

It's the embodiment of "slow car fast". I think I'd give up the HP for the 400# weight advantage and stick with the Miata RF, though. Maybe just because I have one in the family.

Our local Ford dealer has a 20th Anniversary Golf R on the used car lot with a manual and 3k miles. Believe me, I've been sorely tempted to take it for a test drive. But I know I wouldn't be able to resist it.

Very good reviews of latest generation 86

Depends on what you like driving, on a daily basis. What "feel" are you going for? I've learned, slowly and painfully, that a light vehicle really adds to what I find enjoyable to drive. It's amazing how much some cars weigh these days. Of course suspension and chassis tuning can overcome some aspects of weight, but drive a few of these recommendations to see what it is you would enjoy to drive on a daily basis.

I have a 2002 Corvette convertible that only weighs 200 pounds less than my Honda Accord Sedan, which has a huge back seat and trunk. And in some ways the Corvette feels heavier. Yes, it's V8 RWD vs four banger FWD, but powering through twisties they both do well.

G Martin 87 said:

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Our local Ford dealer has a 20th Anniversary Golf R on the used car lot with a manual and 3k miles. Believe me, I've been sorely tempted to take it for a test drive. But I know I wouldn't be able to resist it.

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Do it!!!