86 versus VW Golf GTI

[Moe]

Another thing to consider is that in a few years time you'll have a Golf 8 GTI, following by a Golf 9 GTI, followed by... ***YAWN***

Gonna go out on a limb here, but I don't think that will happen with the 86 any time soon.

[Trashed675]

There is nothing wrong with the GTI, but it certainly isn't as special as a twin. My gf has a mk4 gti, and we are very happy with it. Good gas mileage(30-32 @ ~70mph), quick enough to have fun giving it a squirt from time to time, but not so powerful you have to buy new tires very often or worry about johnny law man. Its fairly practical (i've fit a bicycle in the back), its pretty comfortable too, but it also isn't as sharp or as giggle inducing as my frs. We call it our SUV.

I'm almost certain there will be a mk5/6 GTI in my driveway in the next couple of years.

[fueledbymetal]

Get both! The GTI is my "minivan" for road trips & kid/bike/kayak hauling. As said above, it's pretty plush & comfortable, but it's really not that engaging to drive relative to my FR-S. Great all-rounder where as the FR-S is much more focused on minimalist sportiness and is way more fun to drive as a result.

[forzajuve]

If you don't care about handling, but you care for aesthetic knobs and buttons - get the VW. Its not a terrible car, but its too "big" inside and does not have the cockpit feel that the 86 has. The VW is nice but I didn't feel connected to it while driving. Perhaps if it had lower sitting seats and they hugged more...

[DarkSunrise]

I've got a mk6 GTI as my second car. It's a great all-rounder (sporty, practical, refined), but really can't compare to the FR-S as a driver's car.

It really comes down to what you're looking for:

FR-S = poor man's Cayman
GTI = poor man's M3

Personally I'd kick my GTI out of my garage long before my FR-S unless I really needed the practicality of a hatchback.

[TRD_86]

.... remember earlier this year, Golf beat the 86 in final four and won world car of the year. Now I know why it won .. as a practical minivan . I just can't see any new car out there $25k-$30k rear wheel drive that have a precise steering, balance, and handling like the twin period.

[elbles]

Count me as another former GTI owner. I had a MK6 prior to buying the BRZ, and the GTI is a far better car--for most people.

The GTI can't even begin to compare in the thrills department. It was more than competent, and definitely felt faster than the twins, but as has been said... it just can't match the low slung, RWD-ness of the Toyobarus.

I would say if I could only have one car, the GTI would probably be it. Fun and sporty enough, with the 2nd most comfortable seats I've ever sat in (Autobahn package seats, specifically--the best seats were in a E39 540i), tons of space, better feeling inside than a 3-series, best sounding stock stereo (Dynaudio) I've ever heard, etc.

I definitely miss it, but it's hard to top the smile that shows up on my face when I'm pushing the BRZ around the corners.

[chrisl]

Originally Posted by Moe

Another thing to consider is that in a few years time you'll have a Golf 8 GTI, following by a Golf 9 GTI, followed by... ***YAWN***

Gonna go out on a limb here, but I don't think that will happen with the 86 any time soon.

So the fact that they keep improving the plaftorm is a bad thing?

[juliog]

I have had both. If you have access to twisty roads, have no kids and don't need to haul stuff often, the 86 is way more fun and rewarding to drive. They're both great cars, but offer different experiences.

[Moe]

Originally Posted by chrisl

So the fact that they keep improving the plaftorm is a bad thing?

Not really. Just getting a bit boring and predictable.

3 years ago you could have predicted what the Golf 7 GTI would be like. Marginal updates on a proven formula. And take nothing away from it - it's a very good car and it works. It just lacks any occasion, presence or excitement.

However, no one could have predicted the twins...

[AzBRZ]

[QUOTE=Moe;1351202]Not really. Just getting a bit boring and predictable.

3 years ago you could have predicted what the Golf 7 GTI would be like. Marginal updates on a proven formula. And take nothing away from it - it's a very good car and it works. It just lacks any occasion, presence or excitement.

However, no one could have predicted the twins...[/QUOTE

In 1980 one certainly would not have predicted the GTi. There is an entire section of this board predicting the next iterations of the 86 and they are proving to be pretty accurate so I guess I don't really see your point. Let's be honest here; the 86 is not that innovative, if Honda had not made the S2K a convertible it would have been very close to the 86. There will be future, hopefully improved versions of the 86 and typically being an early adopter does not prove to be wise; just look at the early S2K..

I have owned 3 GTi's and loved them all; IMHO they are the origin of fun to drive, reasonably priced cars. If you can live with the limited functionality in your car, the 86 is more fun to drive. If not, a GTi offers great fun and the ability to haul more people and stuff. I also currently have an '11 WRX 5 door which is even larger inside than the GTi and is a hoot to drive as well. 86 vs GTi; very different cars, very different amounts of functionality.

[TRD_86]

[quote=AzBRZ;1356299]

Originally Posted by Moe

Not really. Just getting a bit boring and predictable.

3 years ago you could have predicted what the Golf 7 GTI would be like. Marginal updates on a proven formula. And take nothing away from it - it's a very good car and it works. It just lacks any occasion, presence or excitement.

However, no one could have predicted the twins...[/QUOTE

In 1980 one certainly would not have predicted the GTi. There is an entire section of this board predicting the next iterations of the 86 and they are proving to be pretty accurate so I guess I don't really see your point. Let's be honest here; the 86 is not that innovative, if Honda had not made the S2K a convertible it would have been very close to the 86. There will be future, hopefully improved versions of the 86 and typically being an early adopter does not prove to be wise; just look at the early S2K..

I have owned 3 GTi's and loved them all; IMHO they are the origin of fun to drive, reasonably priced cars. If you can live with the limited functionality in your car, the 86 is more fun to drive. If not, a GTi offers great fun and the ability to haul more people and stuff. I also currently have an '11 WRX 5 door which is even larger inside than the GTi and is a hoot to drive as well. 86 vs GTi; very different cars, very different amounts of functionality.

The twin was designed with a low cog, RW drive platform so it drive and feel like the race car. If any other same class price cars that many commonly said it is "2 different cars" when compare to the twin, then it is an opposite not race car like ?!?!?!.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by TRD_86

The twin was designed with a low cog, RW drive platform so it drive and feel like the race car. If any other same class price cars that many commonly said it is "2 different cars" when compare to the twin, then it is an opposite not race car like ?!?!?!.

Huh?!?

[AzBRZ]

I was rather perplexed by this post too..