OpenGambit
Banned
If your sport of choice is solo2. I would take the FT86 over an v6 camry.
I owned a 2009. It was written off in an accident back in November. I was stopped on the 407 in traffic and hit by a fully loaded gravel truck with a trailer from behind. The cop said he was doing between 100-120 and didn’t even break.
I really liked the car.
The Good.......
Handling is extremely taught and precise. Grip is amazing. It feels like a go-kart. I did a couple of track days and it handles amazingly. The downside is the ride is a little firm so if you’re looking for softness and comfort get a Toyota.
Steering is very good with lots of feedback. It’s almost neutral, perhaps with a slight tendency to under steer but nothing like my old M3 which was horrible and ploughed all over the place.
The motor is around 235hp and is more than adequate for both road and track. There was lots of power when you needed it. The power delivery is a little different that a regular motor and it has a power band so for spirited driving or track you get best results keeping it in there, it’s very wide so it’s quite easy - don’t think 2 stroke power band. The motor is quiet and doesn’t sound like a car, it sounds more like a 600SS when you wind it out
Fit and finish are first class. No squeaks or rattles, even after 2 ½ years and even the leather had not worn or stretched at all. The seats were comfortable and very supportive, dash and controls were laid out well and everything was easy to operate. All the panels and trim lined up very well with consistent spacing.
Paint was good, virtually no stone chips at all.
Safety, I guess it’s good. I was hit by a fully loaded gravel truck and trailer and 120Kph and am still walking around
The Bad.......
Mileage sucks. I averaged about 21 mpg. On my track days it was doing around 9 or 10
All rotary engines burn oil. That’s a “feature” of the technology. I had to top it up with a litre ever 3000-3500. You just need to remember to check it.
Original Disks and Pads were not the best. I upgraded them with a set of Zimmermans and Carbone Lorraine RC5+ pads and it like night and day, especially on the track. The OEM callipers are good and handle the upgrade well although I always wondered what it would be like with a set of real Brembos
I hated that stupid switch blade key. It doesn’t sound like much but I hated it.
In general, I never had any issues with it. I did oil changes and tires, typically maintenance stuff, but never had a mechanical issue. The only one time it did go back to the sealership was to have a little LED disconnected that provided ambient light in the cabin at night. I found it distracting but that was personal preference
Would I buy another - Yes I would. In fact I would still be driving mine if it had not been for buddy in the truck. BTW he was charged with DUI and has since ****** off back to europe so he will never have to answer for it.
There are also some other cars I would look at as well, so it would not be an automatic choice but It would be in my top 3
To the OP, If you don’t go ahead with the purchase, can you PM me and let me know where the car is at? I got 25k for mine from my insurance so I might pull the trigger if I could get it for $25k. I need to get sometingg, I'm driving a borrowed Olds 98 at the moment :-(
Oh just one more thing. Even though it has four seats, its really a two seater
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