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For under $30,000, the 2017 Toyota 86 is a unique mix of fun, practicality, and reliability. And is a perfect buy for a first-time sports car.
Being an affordable sports car isn't easy work. It's like being a class president: you've got to be good at doing a bit of everything well because if you don't, you are unlikely to be accepted with a smile. When it was first introduced back in 2013, the Toyota 86 brought fun back after eons since the 1980s, when the car was called the AE86 globally.
The car was made to be enjoyable to drive, with power sent to the rear wheels, and most of all, it had to be easy on the pocket. It returned in the form of the 86, and continued to keep all its key attributes in place; only this time, we had a Toyota that was modern, faster, lighter, and more fun to drive.
The 86 got better in 2017 with upgrades that made it all the more worthwhile considering, and this fun, little sports car continued to be rear-wheel-drive. It transformed for the better, got a bump-up in horsepower, and featured shorter rear-end gearing along with subtle aero updates that were carried out to address what customers wanted from the car when it opened its eyes for the first time in the United States in 2012.
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The 86 marked the return of the basic sports car and its 2.0-liter boxer-type, 4-cylinder engine has the signature 86 mm bore and stroke, which is where the car originally gets its name from. The 2017 Toyota 86 combined sharper looks, a sprightlier engine, and handling that would have you pinch yourself to believe you haven't paid so much to deserve such a spine-tingling experience. The 2+2 sports coupe has been a hit not only in the U.S market but globally as well, appealing to enthusiasts who've had Ferrari F40s and McLaren F1s as poster cars.
We're coming closer to the end of 2022, and the Toyota GR86 has taken the 86's place - so while that continues its legacy, it's certainly not as affordable as buying a used 2017 model year 86. Which is why we're here to tell you, that now is the right time to buy yourself a sports car, even if you've never owned a car before, because the 86 is friendly; it wants to get to know you, and treat you well, starting from as little as $25,000, if it's a car that's been reasonably well cared-for.
Of course, the Toyota GR86 looks great, but don't forget all that extra dough you'll be shelling out. So let's stick to the 86 for you, the young, first-time buyer. The 2017 model got a more aggressive look, sporting a bigger center intake, which added to the wide, low stance of the car. The face looked fresher, and featured standard LED front headlights, DRLs, a new fog light bezel, and a new-look bumper.
The side profile remained the same, but it gained new twisted spoke design alloy wheels. The tail light clusters were revised, and the bumper seemed a bit more sculpted, featuring an integrated aerodynamic diffuser. The '86' logos are great details that can be found on the front fenders and inside the headlights. The dual exhaust pipes hint at the sporting intent of the car.
The interior is a place you'd definitely want to spend a lot of time in; there's an '86' logo on the steering wheel's central hub, plus the instrument panel. The materials on the doors are soft to the touch, and the seating material, along with the silver stitching and a redesigned steering, all add to the design of the interior.
There are even steering-mounted audio controls. The controls, in no way, interfere with the driver's focus on the road. The instrument cluster comprises a central tachometer, a digital speedometer, and a programmable rev indicator.
Flanked by it on the left is an analog speedometer, while the temperature gauges and fuel levels are found on the right side of the tachometer. There's simulated carbon fiber on the dashboard and door trim, along with sporty aluminum pedals and scuff plates. It also features a 7-inch touchscreen display and an 8-speaker Pioneer audio system.
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When you're buying a sports car for the first time, you do not want to invest in brands that drain your wallet, which is why we've guided you to a Toyota. Affordability, reliability, practicality, and performance are key attributes your sports car should be made of, and the 86 delivers on all fronts.
Weighing in at just 2,758 lbs, with the 6-speed manual transmission, it is one of the lightest sports cars you can buy used. Its low center of gravity, the power output at 205 hp, and 156 lb-ft of torque on the automatic, all make it hugely desirable.
The electric power-assist steering doesn't ruin the feedback from the small-diameter, leather-wrapped wheel. It's quick to respond to and easy to handle; it feels like a toy in the hands of the driver. So why shouldn't it be the perfect sports car for a first-time buyer? Here are some fine examples of the 2017 Toyota 86 that can be worth your first buy and also put a wide grin on your face!
Rehan got published for the first time at the age of 17, having written a feature on a Triumph Herald in print. He uses his writing as a tool to express his fondness for all things automotive even today, aged 28. Collecting scale models is a hobby close to his heart, and he wishes to sprinkle pixie dust on them only to see them grow into full-sized cars. He now represents HotCars.com.