Not every GR86 we bring over is a limited edition, and this one proves you don't need a special paint code or a numbered plaque to turn heads. Fresh off the boat is a 2023 Toyota GR86 RC finished in Ignition Red, showing just 2,500 miles and wearing the full TRD aero kit and exhaust. It also carries a Japanese auction grade 5, meaning its bodywork, interior and chassis are in like new condition.
The RC is the entry grade GR86 in Japan and is the spec Toyota aimed squarely at people who were going to modify the car anyway. It does away with some of the comfort kit found on the higher SZ and RZ grades, and in return you get a lighter, simpler starting point with the same FA24 engine and chassis underneath. Whoever specced this one clearly had a plan, because the first thing they did was add every bit of TRD aero they could!
Why Buy a GR86 From Japan?
Toyota only sold the GR86 in the UK for a short run with limited allocation. With new cars no longer available here, used UK examples are thin on the ground and have held their prices well. Japan is a different story. The car has been on sale there for longer, in larger numbers and across more grades, so there is far more choice at sensible money.
Japanese cars also tend to be cleaner and lower mileage. Plenty of GR86s over there are weekend cars that cover modest miles and are kept in excellent order, which is how a 2023 car like this one arrives with 2,500 miles on the clock. Every car we buy is physically inspected by our team in Japan before we bid, so you know what you're getting before it lands.
Then there is the spec. Dealer fitted options like the TRD aero and exhaust on this car are common in Japan but rarely seen on UK cars, and grades like the RC were never sold here at all. The same goes for limited editions such as the Ridge Green and 10th Anniversary Edition, both of which we've brought over for customers.
- Limited UK supply means more choice and better value in Japan
- Cleaner, lower mileage examples are common
- Dealer options such as TRD aero and exhausts are easy to find
- Access to Japan only grades and limited editions
- Landed cost including shipping, duty and VAT can come in cheaper than a comparable UK car
Exterior
Ignition Red suits the GR86 well. It is a bright, solid red that shows off the car's sharp lines and wide rear haunches, and it gives the TRD parts something to stand out against.
The full TRD aero kit transforms the look of the car, and it does it without straying into anything too shouty. The package on this car includes:
- TRD front lip spoiler
- TRD side skirts
- TRD arch extensions
- TRD rear diffuser
- TRD ducktail spoiler
- TRD four tip exhaust
The arch extensions and side skirts give the GR86 a lower and wider stance, while the ducktail and diffuser tidy up the rear end nicely. The four tip TRD exhaust finishes things off and adds a little more voice to the FA24 without becoming tiresome on a motorway run.
Interior
Inside, the RC keeps things simple with cloth seats and a less elaborate trim than the RZ. If you're coming from a modern hot hatch it feels refreshingly honest, and if you're planning on a set of bucket seats it means there is nothing expensive to take out first.
The fundamentals are all there. The driving position is low and well judged, the pedals are spaced nicely for heel and toe and the six speed manual has a short, positive throw. It is a cockpit built for driving rather than for scrolling through menus.
Performance
The GR86 uses the FA24 2.4 litre naturally aspirated boxer engine, producing around 232 bhp. The extra capacity over the old 2.0 litre GT86 brings noticeably more mid range torque, which fills in the dip that the earlier car was known for, while still rewarding you for using the upper rev range.
With a lighter specification and the same rear wheel drive chassis, the RC is arguably the purest version of the GR86 and a strong base for anyone planning suspension, brake or wheel upgrades.
GR86 Motorsport and Aftermarket Parts
The GR86 has earned its stripes on track, particularly in Japan, where it competes in the Super Taikyu endurance series. Its balance is exceptional, which is why it has also become a favourite for driver training. It is predictable, communicative and quick to tell you when you've got something wrong, which makes it the ideal car for learning car control and building driver skill.
That same chassis responds well to the right upgrades, and we stock a wide range of aftermarket parts for the GR86, including:
Whether you're adding to a car like this one or starting a build from scratch, you can browse our GR86 parts or speak to the team for advice on what suits your plans.
Looking to Import a GR86?
We've imported a steady stream of GR86s for customers across the UK, from limited editions to build ready RCs like this one. Every customer gets a dedicated account manager, and we handle the sourcing, inspection, shipping and registration. Our in house workshop, body shop and detailing teams can also have the car ready for the road or ready for its first round of modifications. Tell us the spec you're after and we'll do the rest.
