So there I was, scrolling through car listings like a normal, perfectly healthy adult, when I spotted something that stopped my thumb mid-swipe — a 2020 Toyota 86 Hakone Edition for sale. My heart went from 60 to 90 BPM and I'm not even talking about the car's horsepower yet. This little sports car has more drama than a reality TV reunion.
What Exactly Is the Hakone Edition?
The Hakone Edition is basically Toyota saying, "Hey, we know you thought the 86 needed a glow-up, here's an olive green paint job and some attitude." Named after the legendary Hakone Turnpike in Japan, it's a limited-run beauty that pays homage to one of the world's most famous driving roads. Toyota only made these in very limited numbers, so if you're seeing one for sale, treat it like spotting a unicorn riding a skateboard.
Under the Hood — What We're Working With
Don't expect a thunderous beast that'll shake road walls — this is a light, nimble 2.0-liter flat-four engine producing 205 horsepower. It's paired with a six-speed manual transmission, which means you get to actually drive the thing instead of just sitting in a cushion and pointing a steering wheel. The 86 tips the scales at a playful 2,776 pounds, making it one of the lightest sports cars you can buy without winning a lottery.
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Why It's So Fun to Drive
The 86 is rear-wheel drive, which sounds fancy but really means it loves to slide around corners like it's late for an appointment it doesn't care about. With Brembo brakes and a limited-slip differential, it sticks to turns like butter and slicing through a hot skillet — except you won't burn anything, just your tires. It was engineered with Tomoyuki Tada-san, a driver who basically showed up to work in a track suit every day just because he could.
What Makes This Special Car Worth Buying
The Hakone Edition comes with gated aluminum shift paddles that feel like they belong in a lobster dinner rather than a car dashboard. Inside, you'll find two-tone Hakone-themed trim, black and tan leather seats, and a badge that reminds you that only a handful of people worldwide get to own this. It's like having a secret handshake — except the secret is that your car is cooler than everyone else's.
2020 Toyota 86 Hakone Edition For Sale | TAFT Independent
Should You Actually Buy It?
If you're the kind of person who watches action movies and thinks, "I could do that," then yes — absolutely buy it. This isn't a car you get because you need transportation; this is a car you get because you deserve joy, adventure, and the occasional burnt rubber moment. Plus, resale value on these limited Editions tends to climb because scarcity and nostalgia are basically the original investment strategy.
The Bottom Line
The 2020 Toyota 86 Hakone Edition is a rare, gorgeous, perfectly balanced little monster that feels like Godzilla's chill cousin who just wants to have a good time. If it's for sale near you, don't overthink it — just imagine owning a piece of limited automotive history and the ability to embarrass sports cars twice its price. Life's too short to drive boring cars, and even shorter when a Hakone Edition could've been the difference between sanity and immortal fun.
