Toyota GT 86 UK Prices Announced - Comparison Time!

2012 Toyota GT 86

So the UK prices for the Toyota GT 86 have been announced at last. Here's how it compares to a few of the other sporty ~200 horsepower cars out there (before optional extras):

RWD Mercedes-Benz SLK 250* BlueEfficiency (6MT) = £33,390
FWD Audi TT Black Edition 2.0 TFSI (6MT) = £30,380
RWD BMW 125i M-Sport Coupé (6MT) = £27,380
FWD Volkswagen Golf GTI (6MT) = £25,330
RWD Toyota GT 86 (6MT) = £24,995
FWD Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TSI (6MT) = £24,960
FWD Peugeot RCZ THP 200 (6MT) = £23,595
RWD Mazda MX-5 RC (6MT) = £22,995**
FWD Renaultsport Clio 200 Cup (6MT) = £17120***

*The 250 bears no direct relevance to the engine itself, a 204bhp 1.8 Turbo. It's just more powerful than the SLK 200.
**The MX-5 RC (RC = folding metal roof) only has 160hp, but I included it because it shares most of the same aims.
***Cup chassis has sports suspension, less luxuries and costs £1000 less than the standard Clio 200. Well, less car, less cost. Makes sense.

What do we think, viewers? Worth it? Apparently the Subaru BRZ twin will be a couple of grand more than the Toyota, but then the stripped-out version - whatever it'll be called here - is also heading to Blighty, which will have no extra anything on it (we're even talking narrower steel wheels and no stereo here) and cost around £16,200 (assuming a direct conversion from Yen), plus taxes. If you're looking for direct rivals in terms of handling, I've highlighted the rear-wheel-drive ones for you. Unsurprisingly in these times, there aren't that many cheap FR sports cars to choose from (compared to all the other hot hatches I didn't list). There is also the Ginetta G40R, a road version of the British marque's junior one-make series car which utilises a 2.0 Ford Duratec engine producing 175bhp and costs £29,950, but, as the feather-light 840kg weight figure suggests, that's a pretty raw experience, whereas the GT 86 comes standard with dual-zone climate control, sports seats, bi-xenon headlights and 17-inch alloy wheels (and weighs 1220kg, not the heaviest by any means, but certainly porky compared to the semi-racecar Ginetta). The rival I'd be looking at, though, is the BMW 125i Coupé, now only available in the pricey M-Sport trim. If the Subarota (or Toyobaru if you like) can compete in the corners with the BMW, I'd certainly be happy to save £2385 and spend it on Volk TE37s and spare tyres and brake pads for Sundays at Thruxton! The only thing potentially holding me back - complete lack of money aside - is that a nice used Honda NSX is also around that price. A tough decision...

The optional extras are listed above. "Toyota Touch and Go" is a system that includes sat-nav, a reversing camera and bluetooth phone connectivity, the latter of which being something I'd never, ever use (why bother?). Also, the automatic one is £1500 extra for the wrong gearbox. It's like being penalised for missing the point!

Oh, and if you're still struggling to tell the difference between GT 86 and BRZ on the outside, think of it this way:

Happy BRZ vs Serious GT 86

The Subaru is a happy car, whereas the Toyota has a serious face. I'll let you decide whether this difference represents each brand's entire range or not.