Steven’s 86 | A Driver’s Car

The image of the 86 has had its ups and downs since its release eight years ago.

When launched, the heavy marketing (backed by D.K.) and very positive reviews by all who drove them provided Toyobaru significant success. Squarely aimed at the younger, enthusiast market, purchasers were often part of the older crowd as the Australian climate led to the prices being higher than that offered in the States.

MY86LA, rarely seen on the road now because it’s focused on track use.

It would be a common sight to see an 86/BRZ running laps around the country, most stock or with basic bolt-ons, doing what the car was marketed to do: be fun, agile and a modern successor to the AE86.

In recent years, the ZN6 platform has become a desirable first buy for any young car enthusiast. RWD, a nimble chassis and entire businesses dedicated to serving its aftermarket needs, the platform quickly became subject to “starter pack” mods and formulas were quickly derived to build a vehicle that was worthy as an object of self expression.

So fresh, so clean. An approach so many want to take but something like this is still rare…

Unfortunately, with any batch of eggs you can find a bad one, those who come into the game with misguided intentions, which is why the “86 crowd” is now a derogative term.

The first time I saw Steven’s car, it was getting a detail with my friends at JECC. It just looked right, bits and pieces that flowed well together without attracting too much attention. When beginning this platform, his car was one of the first in mind.

Wouldn’t mind building a ZN6, maybe in the launch orange colour…

“I’ve had this car since it was a new product on the market” Steven tells me. It was his first car, he couldn’t drive manual but wanted something that was “sporty” and “cool”, and in 2012 the 86/BRZ was the epitome of both terms. Like most P-platers (myself included), the stance route seemed the most accessible way to modify and stand out from the masses. Fortunately for him though, he found himself joining a group of enthusiasts (who later formed Race Division) that focused their efforts and updates solely with track use in mind.

Looks like a Hypebeast’s OOTD, only for cars. Don’t mind the name brands though…

Over the course of the 2010s, Steven has massaged a slew of choice modifications onto his vehicle to enhance the driving experience. It’s an assault to attain the most enjoyable track toy possible. He only has one complaint, “at the end of the day, it’s an automatic and I’ve since learnt how to drive manual”. Luckily for him, although the auto is no DSG, it’s not exactly a dinosaur either.

Criminally underrated as a mod… Get yourself a proper seat and spend your energy focused on driving, not staying in place.

I appreciate Steven’s approach when I pressed him on forced induction. He pulls no punches, “most people say what everybody else says, that because the car only has 200HP, that it must be no fun on track”. He has no plans on going FI in the near future, and he is happy with how the car is from a performance standpoint.

Steven’s favourite mod, “not the best sounding, but it means a lot to me because I found it in Japan personally”.

Bits and pieces sourced from Japan during holidays, and additions that focus on the senses for more visceral experiences. Big APs, Z221s and a proper bucket seat + harness are examples of this. Stop harder, grip better and have better control, lap times do drop but more importantly you get to push the car even further.

Any driver will tell you that getting the car to its limit, while driving at your limit is the ultimate occasion.

Bronze with nice red pops from the vinyl wrap, love a good 3/4 shot…

The wrap, although the first thing anyone notices when viewing the car, is to me the finishing touch into an overall approach and philosophy. Gazoo Racing is the modern TRD, responsible for Toyota’s racing products in series around the world. If you take the time to take a closer look at the rest of what’s on top of his white paint, they’re not just random names or “gangs”. These are workshops, or culturally relevant auto brands that have shaped Steven’s direction in building his car, I love it! He also keeps all of his competitive numbers and event entry stickers on the car. Track snob or not, everybody would love to drive a “race car” on the streets…

Is this a lifer car for Steven? “I will keep this car for a very, very long time.”

I’m willing to put a bet out there that anybody reading would struggle to name another ZN6 owner who has owned and modified their ride since AT LEAST 2015…

ZN6s remain a great platform, and as someone on the 86/BRZ AU Facebook Group said recently, the small number of bad eggs in the crowd are driving down the value of these awesome budget track machines.

Sticker-bombing, or affinity to inspirations? You decide…

Even for those who “don’t give a fuck”, the stigma associated these machines is keeping a lot of people away from making a very wise purchase. $15 000 goes a long way in this market, particularly since it’s such a bad time for sellers this year! Maybe the fact that you see more ZN6s than Corollas doesn’t make it feel as special either…

For those who do want to take the plunge, Steven says “you’ll get the most out of the platform if you focus on it”. He’s right, if you continue to compare the car to something else, or associate all the negative elements to your ownership, you won’t embrace the gem that’s in front of you.

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