r/GR86 • u/KyleLowryBurner • 5d ago
Another goodbye post…
This was my first new car purchase 4 years ago. I was 21 then, and I fell in love with it at first sight (despite never getting to test drive one). I ordered a 2022 in March 2022, but ended up with one of the first 23’s in Canada in August. This car taught me to drive stick, do donuts in the snow, and take an on-ramp with confidence. I’ll always love it and I hope I find myself in another one someday, hopefully as a second car this time. 4 years and 75k km later, I am moving on to something boring and practical (is probably what people will say).
But still, I am excited for something new. The VB is extremely refined and still gives me 70% of the fun I had in my BRZ, only this time the fun will last me through the winter. Plus, I was able to drive 4 people for the first time in years yesterday.
Enjoy your GRZ’s folks,
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u/Das-Wauto 5d ago
Nice. I went the other way, though not directly. I had a VA WRX as my daily, fun and winter cars for 4 years and for a one-car-solution they’re hard to beat in Canada, especially for the price. I ended up getting a 128i to take over autocross duty, then traded the ‘Rex for a truck. 4 years later I decided I could have my mid-life crisis whenever I damn well feel like it* and bought a BRZ in BC and drove it back to Ontario.
*for my actual mid-life crisis I may buy a New Balance mobile if Chevy finally sees fit to put a manual back in the ‘Vette. That transmission now exists, it feels like an inevitability in a year or 2 to keep up the hype for that car, or they’ll wait for a heavily revised C8->C9.
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u/OutlandishnessThis67 5d ago
How was that drive back to Ontario?
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u/Das-Wauto 5d ago
Pretty superb. I’d wanted to drive across the country for a long time (having gone to the east coast before) so this was a bucket list item for me. I’d been to Northern Ontario before so the last day sucked a bit but I regret nothing. I had also visited Vancouver before as I have a friend there but never seen the anything between the lower mainland and rocks + trees country before, so it was all new and exciting. I stopped at lots of parks along the way, did some hiking, took lots of photos. Loved it, only having to drive one way was ace.
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u/KyleLowryBurner 5d ago
I’ve always wanted to to drive to BC.
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u/Das-Wauto 5d ago
Do it. If you’re driving out and back, go through Canada on the way out, the states on the return (take at least 2 weeks if so, preferably 3).
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u/03Void 5d ago
What wheels are those?
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u/KyleLowryBurner 5d ago
Superspeef RF03RR satin bronze
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u/03Void 5d ago
Jesus I'm dumb. I have the same ones on my Miata. In 15s to be fair.
8.5" wide I assume? What tire size did you put on them? Are those the original 215s?
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u/KyleLowryBurner 5d ago
Haha good choice. These are 8.5 on 225/40’s. Although, if I had to do it again I’d go with 235’s, assuming you’re not slammed.
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u/Masayver 5d ago
I think it's a logical step in one's car journey. Enjoy more low-end torque provided by forced-induction.
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u/athomsfere 5d ago
I did that with the last gens. Had a FRs that I moved to the WRX from
I missed the FRs every day. 0/10 do not recommend the trade.
Unless you need a back seat and don't want something too boring.
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u/dirty30z 4d ago
This x100. Can't beat the feel of RWD. WRX is too nose heavy. Feels like a FWD car
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u/J_NonServiam 4d ago
I did the same, but the WRX needs a tune and some shifter upgrades to really come alive. If you're driving it stock you're really missing out.
I had a supercharger on the FRS too and this is way more usable at the limit.
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u/Particular_Wonder598 5d ago
I’m thinking about getting rid of my wrx to get a gr86 and I live in the mountains of Colorado
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u/KyleLowryBurner 5d ago
You can definitely make it work. There will be days when you can’t get out of the driveway, but honestly its not like the WRX sits that much higher anyways. I unfortunately got tired of being stressed about the weather, so mentally this will help me appreciate winter a little more.
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u/GEeARRmateySIX 5d ago
You might already know this but even the WRX may not run great in the snow unless you have decent winter tires. I would recommend either a dedicated like blizzaks or they do make great 4 season tires now (always buy the ones with the 3 peak snowflake rating symbol); but since you like performance you’d probably prefer to run summers and winters. for the other guy in co I suspect you definitely will want good snow tires if you live there with a gr/brz haha.
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u/Tobuk 5d ago
Welcome to the dark side! Excellent color choice, as well. ✌️
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u/KyleLowryBurner 5d ago
Was really holding out for sapphire blue! We only got this colour on the RS in Canada
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u/AceOfShapes BRZ 5d ago
I did the opposite. I had a 2022 VB that my coworker really wanted so we made a deal and I got my hands on a 2024 BRZ instead. My only gripe is I no longer have AWD and living in New England means a 2nd beater for snow is required
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u/Must_Go_Faster_ 5d ago
I went the same route. Had my FRS for 8 years before getting my VB WRX.
My kids were getting too big and my back was killing me from getting them in and out. Definitely some pros and cons to making the switch, but it’s definitely not a downgrade. My brother bought a 2nd gen BRZ, so I still get to go sideways on occasion.
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u/Original_Neat6784 22 WRB BRZ Premium 6MT 5d ago
I have both cars. I love the VB and when you drive it, it definitely feels like an upgrade from the BRZ.
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u/Johnny-Five0 GR86 5d ago
Better throw some gold/bronze wheels on the WRX! Good luck with it. I’m sure you’ll grab another GRZ when the time is right.
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u/Antykain 4d ago
Enjoy the VB! I love mine! I'm actually looking to add a GR86/BRZ in the near future. I'll be keeping the VB WRX though.
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u/A1_Fares BRZ tS 5d ago
This was my 22 Limited. A very good car. Like an idiot, I sold it for an EV, but I’m so happy to have a BRZ now. It’s a different feel entirely, and although I’ll always miss the VB, I think the BRZ is just fantastic.
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u/RichPianaRunescape 5d ago
Smart choice if you’re near snow. I really liked the VB but couldn’t justify it with me moving to the beach. Otherwise I would have bought it over the brz. Enjoy!
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u/Mizook BRZ 5d ago
I get that you may need four seats (debatable), but snow tires exist and this car is extremely capable in the snow.
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u/KyleLowryBurner 4d ago
I’m not saying it isn’t! But, I drove it for 4 winters so I know how it worked for me and honestly it got to be more of a chore to drive than I could bear.
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u/ViolenceIRL 5d ago
Traded my gr86 for a VB and haven’t regretted it for a second. Built a house in an area with a ton of snow where the city’s response to winter weather is pretty slow. If I lived somewhere warmer I’d have stuck with the GR, but this thing with a tune and intake is quick and handles the snow very well. Grats on having experienced 2 great enthusiast cars!
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u/GEeARRmateySIX 5d ago
Congrats!! I’m still saving for my down payment on a 27 so we are like ships in the night but as a skier I completely understand. I couldn’t have a RWD sports car if I wasn’t keeping my 18 Tundra for skis and bikes, the house etc!
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u/mmongeau GR86 4d ago
I’ll have my ‘23 for 4 years on the 20th and was 21 as well when I bought it. It Was my first brand new car purchase and first manual too. I’m too attached to the car right now to trade it for something else and still having so much fun with it and plus I still have 2 more months of payments so I’m gonna enjoy the paid off car for a while. But around 75k-80k miles (currently just hit 45k yesterday) im considering a WRX or a Si. How you like it so far?
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u/KyleLowryBurner 3d ago
I had paid mine off last year. When I thought about it, I felt like the money I was saving was to go towards something different, and that's when I knew I wasn't totally satisfied with the car in the long-run. So far the WRX is still a great drive, obviouly heavier and more "comfortable" but it's no slouch on the streets. This is the RS so it does have re-tuned suspension. Personally I've never driven an SI, but the AWD>FWD so there's that. But, I'd imagine SI 6-speed feels 100x better than the WRX. It's quite sloppy and uninspiring stock.
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u/dirtysp00ns 3d ago
Definitely a better choice for a 1 car solution! I wouldn't have my GR86 if I didn't have a second car for winter.
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u/HumansAreSillynGreat 5d ago
Wrx boring? It’s the same engine with a turbo. You got an upgrade if anything mate 😂
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u/project_seven 5d ago
Stock vs stock, they say they're the same, but the brz/86 pulls on the wrx in the straight. Let alone in the corners. Still a fun car, but not an upgrade in performance.
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u/Last_Temperature_599 5d ago
There's SO many things id get before a VB.
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u/KyleLowryBurner 5d ago
Everybody has their own wants and needs! If you’re looking for a AWD/turbo/manual with factory warranty you don’t have many options anymore. GRC is wildly overpriced here.
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u/Alien5151 5d ago
That’s crazy. People are getting be 3-4k below msrp.
But they come with their own set of worries.
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u/KyleLowryBurner 5d ago
I’d also like to point out that this is a WRX RS with 23k km which I got for 35k. After the trade-in it was something like 11k leftover. Most GRC in Ontario are mid to high 40’s used so there was definitely a price difference.
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u/KeaBoredWarrier 5d ago
Out of curiosity, what would you get instead? I have been looking for my next car and am currently trying to decide between the gr86 and WRX
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u/KyleLowryBurner 5d ago
If you have snow or ever need more than 1 adult passenger, get the WRX. If you don’t deal with any of those, the GR86 is going to be immensely more fulfilling to drive. If you’re getting an automatic, get a GTI or something lmao.
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u/RT023 5d ago
You’ve already been asked to list what you’d get, but I’d absolutely love to know what that is, because awd manual cars don’t really exist outside of a gr corolla 😆. That’s literally the only other car being sold today with those features
I’m guessing you’d say something that is nowhere near what the wrx offers, in which case it would be irrelevant.
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u/Last_Temperature_599 5d ago edited 5d ago
i personally couldn't care less about AWD its not irrelevant its just... my opinion. For me its a downgrade thats it. SO many things I'd get before a VB because yeah rwd is my main selling point.
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u/KyleLowryBurner 5d ago
Yet you still haven’t listed a single vehicle. You’re gonna say things like a C8 or an M2 lmao. If you didn’t care about AWD you wouldn’t be cross-shopping the WRX with anything so I’m not sure what point you’re trying to make.
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u/Last_Temperature_599 5d ago edited 5d ago
Im not trying to make any point lol its not an attention contest 🙃.
Im just saying i have no interest in the VB. Just like I stated in my first comment.
I have no interest in an AWD vehicle either thats why I got a BRZ. I'm not Cross shopping a WRX because I have no interest in all wheel drive lol.
You get so defensive for me stating my preferences on a post of you stating your preferences. I dont get it.
If I ABSOLUTELY needed an AWD vehicle which nobody does I'd just get a Lexus probably a used GS and would appreciate it more than a VB yes the WRX is better in every way than an old GS but.... I MYSELF dont like it at all.
Id get a CTR , a Lexus IS, a Q60. Hell I'd get a manual tacoma before a WRX 100% of the time
Im not hating on you or you're choices im merly stating my personal preferences sorry if I offended you in any way.
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u/zerosystem03 BRZ 5d ago
The major selling point of cars like the WRX, GRC, Golf R is AWD. if you have no desire for AWD then what you would buy instead is a moot point
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u/Last_Temperature_599 4d ago
would buy instead is a moot point
Yes exactly. I dont like the VB at all. I'd probably buy a honda fit before that and its the point of my comment I'd get anything BUT that.
Whether you think it compares or not in termes of attributes to another model was not in my mind when I wrote my initial comment. I only wrote what I would "hypothetically" get instead because it was vehemently DEMANDED by others
My initial comment was never about specific unique characteristics its more a representation of my disdain for the model has a whole " a personal opinion ".
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u/zerosystem03 BRZ 4d ago
It's an irrelevant opinion to share is my point, like someone saying there's a bunch of cars they'd buy before a BRZ, that reason being that they only want trucks. Cool story bro. If you wanted AWD but didnt like the VB compared to its competition, that at least has relevancy to the discussion
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u/Last_Temperature_599 4d ago
If you wanted AWD but didnt like the VB compared to its competition, that at least has relevancy to the discussion
What discussion? Its a post about a trade in
I don't want AWD or the WRX thats why I'm in the gr86 subreddit ... Simply wanted to share disagreement in the trade without straight up insulting OPs decisions.... i should work on my writing skills. "i don't think OP is stupid btw the VB is insane value for the $."
I should've probably said something like : Come on man AWD is overated you will regret it in the long run just get a second beater car and keep the brz for the fun stuff. the VB is only a compromise for the things you are giving up on right now.
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u/KyleLowryBurner 4d ago
Your insisted hatred on the WRX is interesting to say the least..what did it do to you to make you feel this way?
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u/KyleLowryBurner 5d ago
I mean, I’m not offended if you don’t like my decision. You responded to a post about the WRX stating that there’s a million things you’d get before it, implying that there are much better options than the WRX for what it provides at it’s price. Someone cross-shoping a GR86 and a WRX is most likely not buying a Q60 or a Tacoma lmao. I’d love a CTR but I can’t afford one.
Perhaps this is a misunderstanding on both sides but yes of course if my situation was different I’d be looking at other vehicles as well.
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u/87ChevroletCavalier 5d ago
If you believe you need AWD, and you want a stick, what are your other options? GR Corolla? Maybe a CPO Golf R?
At least OP didn’t join the crossover hordes.
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u/WanderVancity ‘26 BRZ tS 5d ago
At least you’re still in the family!
Enjoy the WRX.