Do you want to own a Toyota 86? The 86 is one of the most desirable cars in the US. Since the introduction of the Celica in 1996, Toyota has maintained a 20-year legacy of front-wheel-drive vehicles.
A horizontally-opposed “boxer” engine and a shared base with the Subaru BRZ make it a ground-breaking car. Various sources inspired the 86’s design, Toyota says. The Porsche Boxster, the 2000GT, and the Levin from the 1980s, among others.
The 86 can scare away a wide variety of current sporty vehicles at a price little around $30,000. It got us thinking about what kind of automobile the 86’s asking price might purchase if the market were opened up to sporty, even exotic, cars from the recent past.
So, if you cannot own the 86, what alternative cars can you own which are similar to the Toyota 86? Here’s the list of those cars:
Cars Similar to Toyota 86
1. 1990-2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is everyone’s go-to affordable sports car. Because so many are produced each year, you have various options and circumstances in which you may drive it.
Even while the four-cylinder engines in the Miata have a little bit less power than some of the other alternatives, the car’s low curb weight more than makes up for the difference.
Mazda’s RX-8 may seem like a fast coupe, but it’s a sedan with a clever disguise. Despite their diminutive size, the suicide doors in the back of the car enable passengers to get to the custom-fitted back seats without climbing over those in the front.
The 184kW engine in the manual is 20% more powerful than the automatic’s. Even though the automatic doesn’t rev as hard or give the same mid-range performance as the manual, it’s simpler to operate in crowded situations.
Leather upholstery and an electric sunroof are standard on both models. Its 50/50 weight distribution is better than even the 86’s admirable 47/53 split, thanks to the RX-8’s lightweight rotary engine.
Only $65,000 was spent on a fully equipped RX-8 when it was new, but a 2008-09 model in exceptional condition can set you back $30,000.
Especially when the Mazdaspeed version is applied to the NB generation, the final result has a screamer-like quality. In most areas, prices start at around $6,000; nevertheless, it is only logical to assume that items in the best possible condition would have a higher asking price.
In today’s market, the cost of a respectable NA version may run anywhere from $14,000 to $20,000, at the very least. These early variants of the Miata won’t be as inexpensive for much longer due to the increasing demand for them as collector vehicles.
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2. 2000-2009 Honda S2000
Even though it has been out of production for more than ten years while still maintaining its stunning good looks, the price of the Honda S2000 has skyrocketed.
On the other hand, it is already well on its road to becoming a collector car; thus, it is time to purchase one of these vehicles. In a few years, when the market is more favorable, you may be able to utilize an S2000 as trade bait to purchase a GR 86.
The VTEC AP1 can produce 240 horsepower thanks to its in-line four-cylinder 2.0-liter engine. The engine displacement of the AP2 was increased to 2.2 liters after the model year 2004, with the bulk of the increase reflected as low-end torque.
However, the variation with the flat hood has a little more individuality, and either option would be an excellent purchase. Since Honda did not plan for the S2000 to be a “budget-friendly” sports car in the same vein as the Toyota 86 and the Subaru BRZ, the manufacturer did not build it in such a manner.
You could buy the S2000 brand new for around $35,000; however, its price on the used market is currently much less than $20,000 due to its popularity. Because it boasts a 2.0-liter, 240-horsepower inline-four engine, the S2000 can boast a more potent powertrain than the 86 twins, even though it was introduced in 2000.
In its AP1 form, the S2000 was capable of revving up to 9,000 rpm; in its AP2 iteration, it was capable of revving up to an incredible 8,200 rpm. Not only did the S2000 have more power than its rivals, but it could also rev higher than them.
3. 2008-2013 BMW 1 Series
Because of its much more significant price, the BMW 2 Series coupe cannot be used as a point of comparison in this article, even if it is more comparable to the Toyota GT86. The BMW 1 Series, which comprises the 128i, 135i, and 135is models, has around $14,000 to $20,000 for its various configurations.
The six-cylinder engine with a displacement of 3.0 liters can produce 230 horsepower. If this does not provide enough power, another option is the twin-turbo 135i, which can produce up to 300 horsepower.
By the year 2010, the output of the 135is with a single turbocharger had been increased to 320 horsepower. However, since they were so few created, finding one can be difficult due to the limited supply. Despite this, there isn’t a single iteration of the 1 Series that will let you down.
4. Porsche Cayman, Model Years 2006–2012
Many individuals think that purchasing an older Porsche rather than a brand new GR 86 would be the wiser financial decision. Who are we to argue about this subject? And as they become older, they are starting to slip below the threshold of $20,000 per year, which is their yearly income.
The flat-six engine with 2.7 liters of displacement can produce close to 250 horsepower. In addition to that, the Cayman S is equipped with a 3.4-liter engine capable of producing more than 300 horsepower.
These are on the verge of approaching the price range of $20,000, but it is still worthwhile to wait for them if you are ready to negotiate a price that is more than that.
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5. 2009-2020 Nissan 370Z
All of the models from succeeding years are top-notch sports cars, even though their sales have not even come close to matching those of models from earlier years.
There are a few good 370Zs that may be purchased for around $12,000 each. Also, keep in mind that they come outfitted with a 3.7-liter V6 engine with more than 330 horsepower as standard equipment.
If you hold out for a Nismo model, the horsepower will be raised to 350 as a reward for your patience. Because the next iteration of Z will be based on this design, whenever it is introduced in either 2012 or 2013, the product will be contemporary and relevant due to the design’s inheritance from the previous iteration. In addition, you can purchase either a convertible or a coupe model, but keep in mind that the coupe variant is the better choice for track days.
Nissan’s two-door Z Cars looked great, performed well, and were tough enough to win the African Safari rally in previous generations. The current iteration should be no different, especially when maneuvering through city traffic.
The 350Z was available as a coupe or convertible with either a manual or automatic gearbox. The shape is robust and forceful to fit the performance with a lot of go. V6-powered 350Zs with manual transmissions can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in about six seconds.
As its name implies, the Track is stiffly sprung and performs best on flat terrain, while the Touring gives up some traction in exchange for a more significant degree of comfort. There are plenty of 2005-2007 model Track and Touring coupes available for less than $30,000.
6. 2013-2020 Scion FRS, Subaru BRZ
If you cannot get a brand-new model of the GR 86, your best bet is to look into purchasing a used version of the vehicle. You are well known that the Subaru BRZ and the Toyota 86 are indistinguishable twins and that the Scion FRS served as the vehicle that helped the inspiration for the 86. Same car, different name.
There are variants of the FRS available for less than $10,000; however, you should exercise caution when purchasing one of these devices since they are often used.
Because the production of the 86 will not begin until 2017, beginning pricing is around $17,000 to $18,000 more than it would be otherwise. On the exterior, the BRZ and the 86 have a relatively similar designs; the fascia is where the primary distinction lies.
You should make an effort to choose the model with the lowest possible mileage within your price range, and you should indeed examine the car report for any issues that have been present in the vehicle in the past.
7. Chevrolet Corvette C6 Model
If a buyer spends less than $20,000 on a sports car, most shoppers do not expect that the vehicle will have straight-line performance that will make their hearts stop racing.
The 86 and the BRZ are only capable of generating 205 horsepower from their 2.0-liter flat-four engines. However, a used C6 generation Corvette can produce nearly twice as much power as either of those vehicles.
We successfully found numerous cars from the C6 generation for less than $20,000 total, each of which was equipped with a 6.0-liter LS2 V8 engine that generated 400 horsepower.
8. BMW 135i
The BMW 3 Series has developed beyond its origins as an elegant sports coupe, and it has given birth to the BMW 4 Series. However, the BMW 1 Series has taken up the mantle of the fun-to-drive small-car market since the BMW 3 Series has given rise to the BMW 4 Series.
Even though the standard model 128i is equipped with a 3.0-liter inline-six engine that generates 230 horsepower, we would choose the 135i since it is equipped with a 3.0 liter twin-turbo inline-six engine that produces 300 horsepower.
Compared to a brand new Toyota 86, the extra power and tunability of an older model could be considered by some people to be worth the significant increase in maintenance cost.
In contrast, other people might not agree with this assessment. However, we recommend spending a little more money and going with the twin-scroll N55 engine available in cars manufactured in 2011 and later.
The twin-turbo N54 inline-six can be found in less expensive variants of the 135i; however, this engine is not available in cars manufactured before 2011. You could even find a 135 with 320 horsepower with a price tag lower than $25,000 if you look hard enough and do some exploring.
9. FG XR6 Turbo engine from Ford
Image credit: ultimatespecs.com
If you go with one of Ford’s fantastic turbocharged taxis, your family would have plenty of room to spread out, but they wouldn’t be able to do it in an 86 at all, much alone in comfort.
It has been over ten years since Ford released the first 4.0-liter turbo Falcon, and thousands of these vehicles are now available on the used car market.
Your thirty thousand dollars will get you a model from 2009-to 2010 that should not have traveled more than fifteen thousand kilometers per year on average.
In addition to that, it needs to come bundled with features like a low-profile rubber and superior sound. The FG has a turbocharged 4.0-liter engine, which produces a lusty 270 kW, and it also has a six-speed automated gearbox, which is fantastic.
You can get a Turbo with a manual gearbox, but the Sport-Shift automatic transmission makes the car seem clunkier and more 1970s than it is. In light of the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Falcon, the XR6T could serve as a reminder of just how wonderful a large vehicle our nation was once able to produce in the past.
10. Holden Monaro CV8-Z
Image Credit: Wikipedia
The reborn Monaro was released in 2001, but it was doomed to fail as consumers in the United States rejected the model with Pontiac insignia and the illustrious ‘GTO’ designation.
The CV8 is equipped with a powerful 5.7-liter V8 engine that allows it to growl to 100 kilometers per hour in a respectable seven seconds. At high speeds, it devours kilometers in a manner befitting a genuine grand tourer, but it will use thirty percent more gasoline than a rapidly revving four-cylinder engine.
The interior has an outdated design, and the back seat of a Monaro offers only average comfort to passengers who must spend extended periods there.
On the other hand, a two-door Holden is not the best option for transporting two people over a considerable distance on various road surfaces.
Monaro prices are suffering due to depreciation, but the $30,000 market provides a wide variety of options, including well-equipped 2005-2006 models that have traveled between 70,000 and 90,000 kilometers. The mechanical simplicity of the device results in comparatively minimal maintenance expenses.
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11. Mercedes-Benz CLK 320
Image Credit: Wikipedia
When they see a Benz in your driveway that looks like it’s worth $120,000, your neighbors will be filled with unbridled jealousy, yet they wouldn’t bat an eye at the sight of a Toyota 86 in your driveway that cost $30,000 but was still in good condition.
The CLK has a similar configuration to the Toyota in that it has two doors and rear-wheel drive, but its focus is more on absolute luxury than on low-slung, competitively-priced performance.
A coupe weighing 1600 kilograms with 160 kilowatts available and can complete the standing 400-meter sprint in less than 16 seconds is not a slouch. Maintaining a CLK that is ten years old won’t bankrupt you either, provided that service intervals aren’t stretched out too far, and minor faults are remedied before they become big ones.
Expect to find full leather upholstery, a satellite navigation screen, a sunroof, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a 10-stack CD system, several airbags, and the three-pointed star in good examples, the C209-series Elegance from 2002-2003, which are now falling into the sub-$30,000 price category.
Conclusion
You are not limited to purchasing the Toyota 86 as an alternative to these 12 automobiles. All of these cars are on par with the Toyota 86 when it comes to their performance, value, and ease of maintenance. These are the most excellent choices if you’ve always desired a car similar to the 86.
