I know this thread is kind of old now, and you have probably bought something, but a few things I've got to add here... first off, there are NO US spec toyota gt86s... none, nada, zilch. I'd do a double take too if I saw one, and don't doubt "what you believe you saw". What you have more likely than not seen, are Scions with the Toyota badging added by the owners. Even the subtle door trim or front bumper, can/will be added by enthusiasts who want people to think they are driving a real Toyota 86. People do it all the time. Bmw 3 series are almost exact in looks to an M3, just a front bumper for $200, $100 door trim, a $75 rear bumper lip, $10 M series badge and some replica or real m3 wheels. You just saved about $15000 by buying the cheaper car and changing the outside appearance. Now everyone will think you have an expensive M3. Hondas/Acuras especially. Case in point, nearly every "JDM" Honda Civic "Type R", Acura NSX or "Honda NSX", Acura Integra "Honda Integra Type R", or Nissan 240 "Silvia" out there, are just "replicas" or US-JDM conversions, even the right hand drive swap. Which is another thing to look for on these so called "gt-86s" you've seen, where they RHD or LHD (or normal as we'd call it in the states)? Dead giveaway to someone buying new $5 badges off eBay and putting it on their Scion. Some people are absolute fanatics about "owning" or building a JDM spec car... they will change interiors because their color wasn't an option for a JDM model. Like the crx, over here, its a 2 seater, in Japan, it was a four seater or 2+2. I know, I had a US crx and did the jdm conversion, went right hand drive, added the rear seat, changed the stock us bumpers and trim for jdm spec stock parts. I even changed the door moulding and shift&ebrake knobs/handles. I went nuts, I had $20, 000 + into a car I paid $1500 for. But buying an actual JDM crx I looked into, and it wouldve cost closed to $40, 000, including replacing the engine, transmission and exhaust to meet US spec smog/exhaust laws to be legal. While it is entirely possible these guys COULD'VE imported them, its highly unlikely due to cost of car, transportation/shipping, clearing/paying customs, buying brand new US engines from Scion and having them all installed; and for what? To drive a $25, 000 Scion with Toyota badges. It's true, there are people with more money than brains, but 4 of them in your area? I'd honestly say/bet that they just did a simple $5 badge swap.
As for the Genesis, that's a pretty badass little car. Either in 6cyl or 2.0T, definitely a fun car you should consider buying. Im a turbo guy, so Id go for the 2.0 all day, it wouldnt take much to have the same (or better) HP numbers as the 6cyl with less weight, a simple manual boost controller for $15 and a $20 boost gauge will have you running circles around its bigger motored brother. The 4 door also has a 5.0 v8 option, just fyi.
As for differences between your 4WD and getting into a rwd car. I might have missed something, but if you are 4WD and not AWD (big difference), then your driving around almost daily in RWD, until you need to engage the 4wd system, right? Or are you 4wd all the time (AWD) and you don't change anything ever, its just all four wheels all the time? Because obviously there are many differences between your suv and any car, but especially the ones your suggesting here. These cars will handle/corner better with a lower center of gravity, ie: little body roll, whereas your RAV4 is taller and tends to feel like it might roll over, hence "body roll". A car will go around almost level without that feeling, allowing faster cornering. I a rwd car, instead of "rolling over", you need to watch out for going so fast your cars rear wheels lose traction and you slide out/spin out. If your suv is 4wd and not awd, it can do the same and you know what I mean. If its awd, or when engaged into 4wd gearng, your suvs wheels all turn with independent power at each wheel, allowing you to not lose/break traction in a corner, this is also what helps you avoid being stuck in the snow/sand/mud etc. If this is what yoh don't want to lose, look into either fwd or an awd car. Solves all your problems. Best couple of cars for performance, fun, speed and handling with AWD, are an Audi, Subaru WRX or STi or imprezza, a Mitsubishi Evo, or even an older Mitsubishi eclipse, plymouth laser, or Eagle Talon, 3000gt, Dodge Stealth TT, etc. Most if not all of these are cars with awd drivetrain, and turbo 4 cylinder motors. Best of everything your looking for. I've had a few of these cars and they are fun, fast and reliable if properly maintained.
I'm also a die hard Toyota fan. I have a Supra, I've had 7 of them. I built a 92 Toyota pickup minitruck/show truck, had a Tundra, had a couple Lexus... love them, so I know what ya mean by the brand loyalty. Unfortunately, they don't offer AWD cars, so you need to go elsewhere for that.
Any of the options you listed though, I don't think you can go wrong... except the Veloster, please skip it and move on, lol.
On many trips to Palm Springs or Temecula, I've glanced down at the speedometer only to realize I was doing 100+, and gasped in shock. I should put that in the past tense, as something happened after my brain tumor surgery that I can't explain easily, but I've really toned down my speeding. Whereas I used to routinely do 90+ on the freeways, I now force myself not to automatically gravitate to the fast lane, and I keep my speed down to 75 or less. It's very strange having other cars zipping past me.
