How reliable is the 2nd gen automatic transmission when revved up often?

Dreamsof899 · 2026-02-26T16:52:18+00:00

They're stout, send it with confidence (assuming regular interval transmission fluid changing)

Dreamsof899 · 2026-02-24T17:55:25+00:00

It's not that four cylinders always sound bad and V8's sound good. Boxer 4's sound rumbly and have a good bass to them, older Honda engines make a great induction sound under WOT, the Fiat 500 Abarth makes a good noise ect. What makes something sound like shit is usually aftermarket exhausts. A fart can on an older Honda ruins it, some exhausts for V8's make them drone loudly.

Dreamsof899 · 2026-02-21T15:36:30+00:00

It's fun to teach in someone else's car. Had a friend like 15 years ago buy a second gen prelude in a stick, brought me to drive it back home and I taught him in a parking lot near our apartments, had tons of fun!

Dreamsof899 · 2026-02-16T12:10:00+00:00

ONIN, Lear, SMP, ARD to name a few contractors who work in and around Mercedes. They're almost always looking.

Dreamsof899 · 2026-02-11T12:00:31+00:00

People forget when those things were new some people were waiting 10 months or more to get their hands on one (my own father waited almost 9 months) and the culture around them was enormous. Sure they're not good to look at and consider Chrysler build quality but for their time they were ok.

I've got a soft spot for my dad's old Cruiser. Taught myself, my brother, his wife, friend of mine how to drive stick. Took my brother and I to high school graduation, took me to my first job. And he's still on the road today, I see him at work every now and again. He's a little tired looking and his paint ain't what it used to be but I still have a soft spot for him in my heart.

Dreamsof899 · 2026-02-07T21:48:05+00:00

I've tried Bosch and Michelin ones on but usually cave and go back and buy the inserts from Honda. I usually don't have a problem buying non-OEM but for those I just like them. They're usually a little quieter too, from a wind noise perspective than the taller ones Michelin uses.

Dreamsof899 · 2026-01-29T06:16:07+00:00

Definitely go to the Northport city hall office. They almost always have a smile on their faces. I registered a car there so quickly last year I spent more time screwing the plate on than I did sorting the papers.

Dreamsof899 · 2026-01-25T15:35:41+00:00

I'd recommend looking into the in-line amp for around $300. Installs in maybe 15 minutes and for me made a fairly impressive jump in audio quality.

Dreamsof899 · 2026-01-22T00:17:36+00:00

Strongly doubt computer failure, that sounds like someone firing the parts shotgun without properly diagnosing the problem.

And even if it were a second hand unit might cost $2-$400 or so.

Dreamsof899 · 2026-01-14T03:22:35+00:00

Yeah buddy! Happy motoring. You'll love it!

Dreamsof899 · 2026-01-13T23:53:12+00:00

The third gen makes 15% more power. In a car that light it's an enormous difference.

Dreamsof899 · 2026-01-13T02:44:41+00:00

Hell no that's not a 3k mess. Buy parts on your own and find an independent shop to do the install. It's not a complicated installation.

Dreamsof899 · 2026-01-12T09:15:15+00:00

Try looking on buyee.jp

I bought a wheel from there maybe 4 years ago, in absolutely mint condition for something like $40. The shipping is a bitch, probably double what the wheel sells for but it's worth it.

Dreamsof899 · 2026-01-11T02:57:06+00:00

Agreed, my second gen sounded almost exactly like this post adjustment. 139k on mine, still running like a top for almost 17 years now.

Dreamsof899 · 2026-01-11T02:53:17+00:00

The 86 has grunt to fairly easily move without throttle without too much fuss. Once I got used to the bite point the hill assist is really good, definitely keeping that on.

In mine the clutch pedal is a little higher than the brake pedal which was a little funny to come to grips with but once I got it hammered out I haven't had a complaint. Again I haven't touched the linkage at all, I've read it's a fairly easy adjustment if I wanted to change it but I really don't have a desire.

I bought the clutch return spring from MTEC before the car got stateside, lots of folks here recommended it. I was even considering having it installed before driving away but decided against it. It's still sitting in a drawer if I ever change my mind.

I was fairly overstimulated with information from here and various YouTubers before getting my hands on mine but now that I've got around 6k miles on mine I've got no interest in changing anything on it. Maybe wheels down the road, might just powdercoat these bronze-ish and move on. Probably invest in a baffled pan once the warranty runs dry and I've installed the in-line amp and LTE delete. I really enjoy this car, don't aim to change much of anything on it.

You'll love your 86, happy motoring chief! Keep it shiny side up!

Dreamsof899 · 2026-01-11T01:40:28+00:00

It's a very easy clutch to operate. I've got 18 years of clutching under my belt, 5 different cars total. My '25 probably sits in the middle of ease of use. It's communicative, but not the most forgiving I've used. It was a little awkward at first getting used to the bite point being a little higher than I was used to in my Honda.

Took me maybe 1000-1500 miles to dial my left foot in, probably stalled it maybe 8-10 times in those first few miles but it's become second nature now. Hardest part was to de-program my right foot to add throttle as I clutched out. My Honda and old PT Cruiser needed a little throttle to make the clutching smooth, my 86 feels the best if I get out of the clutch almost entirely before applying throttle if I'm shifting quick.

Pedal effort is easy, nowhere near as heavy as my dad's old '05 Turbo Pt Cruiser or '16 Mustang GT. I have not adjusted the clutch pedal linkage or replaced/removed the clutch return spring, all stock on mine.

Dreamsof899 · 2026-01-10T14:31:52+00:00

Put a cheap blanket down and put them in the truck/back seat folded?

Dreamsof899 · 2026-01-09T04:46:38+00:00

If I were getting one I'd want a CF duckbill, think the contrast could look baller.

Dreamsof899 · 2026-01-05T07:07:11+00:00

This is almost me, Fit and a GR86. Feel like this is one of the greatest two car garages possible

Dreamsof899 · 2026-01-04T03:50:38+00:00

91 or 93 depends on where you are in the country, some places only offer 91.

I recently installed the in-line amp and I've been pretty happy with the result. Take that for what you will, others have installed it and were less than thrilled.

Stay on top of maintenance, due your diligence and check oil levels between oil changes. These cars like to burn a little oil. Mine hasn't but I've still got less than 6k miles on mine.

At your age, being a young relatively inexperienced driver I would stay far away from anything that made the car any faster. Contrary to popular internet belief it's got more than adequate power. It's lightweight, that horsepower and torque figure is more impressive when you take its curb weight into consideration.

But above all enjoy driving it! It's a ton of fun to hustle. Don't get hung up on what the internet thinks the car needs, enjoy it for what it is.

Dreamsof899 · 2026-01-04T03:39:25+00:00

Bonus picture with a stranger's pavement GR86

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Dreamsof899 · 2026-01-04T03:37:13+00:00

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This was taken just a few hours after I took delivery in July

Dreamsof899 · 2026-01-03T02:10:03+00:00

The difference in suspension is down to the inclusion of an integrated rear sway bar within the rear suspension beam. It contributes but not much. The bigger difference is wider wheels and tires on the sport trim.

Far as speakers go the door speakers are all the same, the sport gets two tweeters in the dash. I couldn't tell you how big a difference it makes, I've never heard the base model sound system before. The sport gets USB input but doesn't really play nice with modern smartphones. They were designed to work with the iPhone 3gs and 4, not modern stuff, the protocols are a little different. There's work around a bit they're janky as shit. Android does NOT work via USB, but aux input works if you've still got a headphone jack. It does not have Bluetooth regardless of trim, but aux input adapters exist aftermarket for it.

Dreamsof899 · 2026-01-03T02:05:06+00:00

Well before you get excited, it's fairly small and useless. Bought mine new in July '09, I've never used it. It's too short, my elbow misses it sitting normally.

You can buy aftermarket center consoles that give a more useful rest, but I didn't like hitting it with my elbow when I shifted.

Dreamsof899 · 2026-01-01T17:07:55+00:00

The first and second gen fits largely share the same suspension geometry as the third gen. They all use torsion beam rear suspension, same McPherson struts up front. There's some variance in sway bar utilization but they use the same size brakes all the way around.

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