If you've spent any time behind the wheel of a Toyota GR86, you probably know that gr86 wide angle mirrors are one of the first mods people recommend. It's not just about making the car look cooler or adding a touch of JDM flair; it's honestly a matter of safety and comfort. While the GR86 is a blast to drive, those sleek lines and the low seating position create some pretty annoying blind spots. If you've ever tried to merge onto a busy highway and felt that shot of anxiety because you couldn't quite see the car in the lane over, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
Why the Stock Mirrors Fall Short
Don't get me wrong, the factory mirrors aren't terrible, but they're definitely limited. They have a flat profile, which means your field of view is fairly narrow. In a car as small as the GR86, you'd think you could see everything, but the rear pillars are surprisingly chunky. When a car moves from your rearview mirror to your side mirror, there's a "dead zone" where it just disappears for a second. That second can be the difference between a smooth lane change and a very expensive insurance claim.
Most people try to compensate by leaning forward or turning their heads like an owl, but that's not ideal when you're trying to focus on the road ahead. This is where gr86 wide angle mirrors come into play. By using a slightly convex shape, these mirrors "bend" the light to show you a much wider area than the flat glass ever could. It's like switching from a standard camera lens to a wide-angle one; suddenly, the world opens up.
The Blue Tint Benefit
You'll notice that almost all aftermarket gr86 wide angle mirrors come with a distinct blue tint. While it looks pretty sharp against almost any paint color—especially on the Neptune Blue or Ignition Red models—the tint serves a very practical purpose. If you've ever been "tailgated" by a lifted truck with those blindingly bright LED headlights, you know how painful that glare can be.
The blue coating acts as a natural filter, cutting down the harshness of high beams and bright sunlight without making the image too dark to see at night. It's a subtle change, but it makes night driving significantly less fatiguing on your eyes. You aren't constantly reaching up to flip your rearview mirror or squinting because the side mirrors are beaming light directly into your retinas.
Heated Mirrors and Technical Compatibility
One thing that trips up a lot of GR86 owners is the heated mirror functionality. Depending on whether you have the Base or Premium trim, your car might have heating elements behind the glass to clear off frost and fog. When you're shopping for gr86 wide angle mirrors, you have to be careful to choose a set that supports this.
Some of the cheaper options are just "stick-on" lenses that you glue over your existing glass. While these are easy to install, they can mess with the heat transfer, making it take forever to defrost your mirrors in the winter. The better way to go is a full replacement glass. These usually come with the plastic backing plate and the metal pins for the heating wires already attached. You just pop the old one out, plug in the wires, and snap the new one in. It keeps all your factory features intact while giving you that much-needed wider perspective.
Installation Without the Stress
I'll be honest, the first time you try to pull a mirror off a car, it feels like you're going to break something. You have to tilt the mirror all the way in, get your fingers (or a plastic pry tool) behind the glass, and pull until you hear a loud pop. It's a heart-stopping sound, but on the GR86, it's totally normal.
The trick is to apply even pressure. Once the clips release, you just unhook the two small wires for the heater (if you have them) and you're halfway done. When putting the new gr86 wide angle mirrors in, you just line up the center circle and push until you hear that satisfying click. It's probably a 15-minute job for both sides, even if you're taking your time and being extra cautious.
Living with Wide Angle Mirrors
Once you get them installed, there is a bit of an adjustment period. Because the glass is convex, everything looks a little smaller and further away than it actually is. It's the same effect as the "objects in mirror are closer than they appear" warning on your passenger side mirror, but now it's on both sides and even more pronounced.
For the first few days, you might find yourself double-checking your shoulder just to be sure. But once your brain recalibrates, it's hard to go back. You'll find that you can see a car in your rearview mirror, and before it even leaves that frame, it's already appearing in your gr86 wide angle mirrors. The blind spot is effectively eliminated. You can see the lane next to you, and often even the lane beyond that. It makes navigating heavy traffic feel way more relaxed because you have a 360-degree sense of what's happening around the car.
Choosing Between Brands
There are a handful of companies making these specifically for the GR86 and its twin, the Subaru BRZ. Brands like Rexspeed, Noble, and Suma Performance are the ones you'll see most often in the forums. Honestly, they all do a pretty similar job. Some might have a slightly different "bend" to the glass or a darker shade of blue, but the core benefit remains the same.
Some versions even come with integrated turn signal LEDs that shine through the glass. If you're into that look, it's a cool way to add some modern tech to the car, though the wiring is a bit more involved than the standard "plug and play" heated mirror swap. You'll have to run some wires through the door panel, which might be more than some people want to tackle on a Saturday afternoon.
Is It Worth the Money?
In the world of car mods, where an exhaust can cost a thousand bucks and a set of wheels can cost three times that, gr86 wide angle mirrors are a total bargain. Usually, they run somewhere between $80 and $150 depending on the features you choose. For something that you use every single time you sit in the car, the value is definitely there.
It's one of those rare modifications that provides a functional improvement without any real downsides. You aren't sacrificing ride quality, you aren't making the car too loud for your neighbors, and you aren't voiding your warranty. You're just making the car easier to drive.
Final Thoughts on the Upgrade
If you're on the fence about getting gr86 wide angle mirrors, just go for it. It's easily one of the most practical things you can do for the platform. The GR86 is such a driver-focused car, and part of being a good driver is having the best information possible about your surroundings.
Whether you're daily driving in city traffic or taking the car out for a spirited run on some twisty backroads, knowing exactly where other cars are at all times gives you a lot more confidence. Plus, that blue tint really does give the interior a more premium, high-end feel. It's a simple, effective, and relatively cheap way to fix the one major grip people have with the visibility in these cars. Once you make the switch, you'll probably wonder why Toyota didn't just ship the car with these mirrors from the factory.