Best Used Sports Car for 2023

It’s three on the trot for the 2016 Toyota 86 GTS, winner of Australia’s best sports car category in carsales Best Used Cars for 2023, proudly presented by Bingle.

Toyota’s lightweight sports car has now beaten out the Mazda MX-5 for three years in a row, the Mazda having won back in 2019, but it’s been all the Toyota’s way since.

When we refer to the 86 as a Toyota, of course, it should be remembered that the 86 owes much of its design and engineering (and all of its manufacturing) to Subaru. But Toyota Australia has sold the lion’s share of the jointly-developed 86/BRZ twins in Australia.

Toyota also brought its version of the MX-5 rival in at a starting price below $30,000 initially. And that was nothing if not a wake-up call for Mazda at the time.

Both the new-car sales numbers for Toyota and its low price have ensured that the 86 has a head start on its rivals in the category for total cost of ownership, which includes resale value. It’s why the 86 – even in the most expensive GTS trim level – has performed so well in RedBook’s analysis.

Toyota has an extensive dealer network to support servicing and parts, and the 86 can be counted on to run for years without major repair work needed.

But as much as resale value and durability are important to buyers and sellers, the 86 is a sports car first and foremost. It’s fun to drive, looks great and, at a pinch, it will transport little kids to kinder once in a while.

What makes it so enjoyable as a sports car is that the Subaru-supplied boxer engine sits low for centre of gravity and is very short for better weight distribution.

The engine drives through a transmission (a six-speed automatic, in the case of the GTS) to the rear wheels, providing the immediate steering response and lively handling that sports-car drivers expect.

The Toyota 86 GTS earned itself 45 points from RedBook and 39 from the judges for a total of 84 points out of 100.

In 2016, the 86 GTS was selling at a new price of $38,790 plus on-road costs, and RedBook now values the same car in the used-car market at $34,650.

For all the dynamic competence of the 86 GTS, it does draw out criticism for being underpowered, with reviewer Tim Britten adding to the chorus when he drove the car in that specification at Australia’s Best Driver’s Car (ABDC) in 2016.

As Britten noted, however, it wasn’t so much a case of the power being unavailable, it’s just that it’s only available in a very specific context.

“Although the square-configuration, direct-injection and VVT-equipped boxer engine looks statistically healthy for its 2.0-litre capacity (147kW developed at 7000rpm), the respectable non-turbo 205Nm torque figure doesn’t come on board before 6400rpm, indicating a sliver-thin power band,” he said.

But Britten did praise the 86 for its “agile rear-drive chassis” and “a remarkable on-road experience in which road grip and handling take precedence over power”.

You can read more about the 86 GTS in our ABDC review here.

Our other experts have expressed similar sentiments.

“It could do with more power and torque – and in the right place in the rev range too – but on the right sort of road the 86 is just superb,” says Ken Gratton, former technical editor at carsales.

“A sensible daily driver, but still a load of fun on a winding road,” adds Ross Booth, RedBook data services director.

For all the complaints about the perceived performance deficit, the 86 was essentially as quick around a racetrack as its arch-enemy, the Mazda MX-5.

Given its hard-top roof, the 2+2 seats and the ease of use in an urban driving environment, the 86 is as practical as it is fun, making it a deserving winner in its category of carsales Best Used Cars for 2023, proudly presented by Bingle.

Honourable mentions:

The 2.0-litre Mazda MX-5 GT RF scored 42.6 points from RedBook and 38 points from the judges for a total of 80.6
RedBook value: $34,750

“World’s most popular roadster made even better as a Targa-style coupe” – Marton Pettendy, carsales managing editor

“Light, nimble motoring – a throwback to another time” – Bruce Newton, carsales senior journalist

The Ford Mustang GT Convertible scored 34.1 points from RedBook and 41 points from the judges for a total of 75.1
RedBook value: $53,750

“Real surprise packet; not just a pose wagon and so much car for the price” – Cliff Chambers, carsales used-car buying expert

“Glorious Coyote V8 in a drop-top muscle-car is a match made in heaven” – Marton Pettendy, carsales managing editor

What makes a car eligible for carsales Best Used Cars?
• Less than six years old
• Standard side curtain airbags
• Standard Bluetooth
• Standard electronic stability control (mandated for 2014)
• Standard reversing camera for SUVs

How did RedBook weight the categories for scoring?
• 10 per cent for resale value
• 10 per cent for ANCAP rating
• 20 per cent for cost of ownership
• 5 per cent for service intervals
• 5 per cent for number of days for vehicle to sell