My Biggest Mistake: €100.000 Toyota GR86 Giveaway

Summary

The video shares the journey of modifying a Toyota GR86, from its original 2023 project car status to its costly engine rebuild due to known issues. The car's transformation includes using Carly for diagnostics and extensive upgrades, although setbacks such as crashes and expensive repairs delayed the giveaway. The speaker reflects on the GR86’s worth, expressing pride in the car’s quality and performance. The narrative also announces the next giveaway—a 2025 Toyota GR Yaris—while teasing future giveaways, including an EK9. The speaker concludes with excitement for upcoming events and track experiences.

Takeaways

• 😀 The GR86 started as a project car for 2023, with the intention of giving it away at the end of the year after some modifications.
• 🚗 The GR86 experienced an unfortunate series of issues, including a crash on the track that required costly repairs, leading to a major delay in the project.
• 🔧 After engine issues arose, the decision was made to install a HKS stroker kit to improve the car's engine, upgrading it to a 2.2L engine to prevent future failure.
• 🛠️ The rebuild process was extensive, with significant costs involved, including new parts, labor, and dyno testing to ensure the car was in good condition before the giveaway.
• 💰 The total cost of the GR86 project, including the crash repairs and rebuilds, reached around €100,000, significantly higher than initially planned.
• 📱 The use of Carly's Bluetooth OBD reader made diagnosing the car's issues easier by identifying fault codes and monitoring live data from the engine and systems.
• ⚠️ Despite the rebuild, the car faced issues with the airbag system after swapping out the original seats for Recaro ones, which triggered an airbag error.
• 🏎️ The GR86 was on a dyno and showed an additional 30 horsepower after modifications, though there was potential for more power with changes to the exhaust and intake.
• 🛣️ Despite its troubles, the GR86 provided great handling and driving experience, impressing both the creator and others who drove it on the track.
• 🎉 After giving away the GR86, the next car to be given away will be a brand-new Toyota GR Yaris 2025 model, with a new giveaway app available for fans to participate in future giveaways.

Q & A

What modifications were made to the GR86 in this project?

The GR86 underwent significant modifications, including engine work (HKS stroker kit), suspension upgrades, seat swaps to Recaro positions, exhaust upgrades, and other performance parts to enhance its handling and power.

Why was the GR86 engine replaced with a stroker kit?

The engine was replaced with a stroker kit due to a known issue with oil starvation in the original engine, which caused it to fail. The decision was made to upgrade the engine to prevent future issues for the car's next owner.

What were some of the challenges faced during the rebuild process?

The rebuild process faced numerous delays and complications, including the time-consuming engine swap, issues with parts, and the added cost of repairs after a crash, which contributed to the overall time and budget needed to finish the car.

How much money was invested in the GR86 project?

The total investment in the GR86 project, including the car purchase, modifications, repairs, and engine work, amounted to around €100,000, considering both the upgrades and the crash repair costs.

What role did Carly play in maintaining the GR86?

Carly, a Bluetooth OBD reader, was used to diagnose the car for fault codes, monitor real-time data, and check the health of components such as the engine, battery, and airbag system, providing valuable insight into the car's condition.

What was the outcome of the final dyno test for the GR86?

The dyno test showed an increase of around 30 horsepower, but the potential for more power was limited due to the stock exhaust and intake, which were kept to maintain street legality in Germany.

What was the main reason for giving away the GR86?

The GR86 was given away as part of a promotional giveaway, where the goal was to provide a lucky winner with a well-modified, unique car. The decision was also made to ensure the car's new owner would not face the same issues with the engine.

What other cars were involved in the giveaways?

In addition to the GR86, the company also gave away a brand new 2025 Toyota GR Yaris, which was not modified and had only 100 km on the odometer. There are plans for future giveaways as well.

Why was the GR86 project considered a 'money pit' by the creator?

The GR86 project was labeled a 'money pit' because of the high costs associated with modifications, repairs, and the engine rebuild, along with the unexpected crash that added more expenses, making the total investment much higher than initially planned.

What future plans does the creator have for their next project car?

The next project car will be an EK9 Civic, marking a shift away from the GR86 platform. The creator intends to continue doing car giveaways, with more cars being featured in the future, including those with telemetry for track recording.