Another GR86 blown and warranty denied

Disappointing, but not the first car marketed like this that had weaknesses exposed even with light track use. That said, always skeptical that we are getting the full story with situations like this...then again, if its on the internet, it has to be true :D
 
This is a little mind boggling for me.

When Subaru and Toyota designed the BRZ/GR86, they had the amateur racer in mind. Subaru was very proud of sharing that the trunk/hatch was designed to be big enough to hold a set of track day wheels and tires. The BRZ/GR86 was targeted to compete against the Miata, amongst others. The spirited driver/weekend racer was their intended customer.

Subaru and Toyota knew that there would be a lot of track time with the BRZ/GR86. I totally understand denying a claim based upon abuse, but to say that they are denying warranty because it was tracked seems synonymous to denying a claim on a broken large capacity washing machine because someone loaded 20# of jeans in it.
 
That video was a total snoozefest. If that causes engine failure and loss of warranty, well, just goes to show what an overpriced piece of junk this "racing" Corolla is. I've beat on my various cars over the years, none of which were "designed" to go on a track, harder than that. Can't believe the price they ask for the "racing" Corolla and that anyone actually buys them.

Toyota should stick to hybrids. These "racing" Corollas are trash, and their attempt at an EV (BZ4X) is a joke.
 
That engine should have never blown. He wasn't abusing it, it takes more RPMs and throttle than that to get my old 2000 Camry through the mountains.

However, I do somewhat stand with Toyota on denying the warranty claim. They need to have a public policy that they either cover their cars in the event of a failure from track use, or not. Too much gray area to sometimes cover it and sometimes not. And opening the door to cover everyone and their friend to take every single in-warranty Toyota to the race track, beat the crap out of it and rest assured it's covered under warranty, isn't realistic.

But, they should at least pull the oil pan and see if RTV starved it. If so, it should get a new engine IMO.
 
They should do the DD on this to determine what caused it and predicate the warranty claim on this vs. "track = you are screwed" but I know how this all works and what the book says etc. Tough to me to market cars as being able to handle this and then not backing it. I'd never buy one based on these experiences. So many stock cars are taken to track days without issue b/c it's really not much different than how they are driven, at times, on the street. If it's modded then all bets are off of course.
 
Nick1994 said:
That engine should have never blown. He wasn't abusing it, it takes more RPMs and throttle than that to get my old 2000 Camry through the mountains.

However, I do somewhat stand with Toyota on denying the warranty claim. They need to have a public policy that they either cover their cars in the event of a failure from track use, or not. Too much gray area to sometimes cover it and sometimes not. And opening the door to cover everyone and their friend to take every single in-warranty Toyota to the race track, beat the crap out of it and rest assured it's covered under warranty, isn't realistic.

But, they should at least pull the oil pan and see if RTV starved it. If so, it should get a new engine IMO.
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That's where I am here. Still can't believe he showed them this video/admitted to being on track. Tow to dealer, tell them it doesn't run, let them figure it out.
 
Marcozi said:
HPD schools are not that hard on the driveline (ok, they can be depending on how hard you flog the car). The real wear and tear is on the suspension, (especially) the tires and the brakes.
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No more than the beating many drivers put on those kinds of cars just driving them every day. I've pushed my car that hard on The Tail of the Dragon.
 
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Comments for the video on YouTube are gold as usual. Someone ask if the 30W oil was to blame b/c it "might be too thick when cold and caused oil starvation" (or something like that)...I take it 20W is the called-for oil in the manual? HAAHAHAH. In before thickie anger intensifies! Will be interesting to see if the oil grade comes into play as this story plays out over the next few weeks online.
 
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Just Googled this and it's everywhere on the car sites....I bet this gets resolved like the other one last year. Really paints these cars/Toyota in a poor light if they cars can't handle some sedate laps around a road course.
 
Did he show up at dealer proud of his video and expect coverage? A simple it stopped running while driving would have sufficed and they would cover it.

I would not even have shown my face at dealer just tow in and let the customer service rep sort it.
 
andrew_j said:
Did he show up at dealer proud of his video and expect coverage? A simple it stopped running while driving would have sufficed and they would cover it.

I would not even have shown my face at dealer just tow in and let the customer service rep sort it.
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100%. Towed it in. Told them it stopped running. Please handle. Thanks. He's a kid it looks like so may not have understood how this all works.
 
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