"BMW 330Cd (E46), Honda S2000, BMW 330Ci (E46), Seat Leon Cupra, Alfa Romeo 146Ti .... many others...."
A mini F12 for a tenth of the price!
"I had seen a lot in the press about the '86/BRZ and the much loved and remapped 'express diesel loco' E46 was heading to 100K miles, so I thought that I would sell it while it was still worth something, via PH of course. I considered (due mainly to insurance issues which were due to a digital speed camera in Merstham, Surrey) getting a sensible, frugal small hatchback and test drove a Fiesta and Polo. While driving the latter, the salesman said "I've never seen somebody test drive a car with such a look of distaste and boredom on their face." He was right.
"Then I thought 'GT86!' and bought the demonstrator off the local dealership."
What I wish I'd known:
"I knew that it was a car of great qualities but also rather compromised in terms of practicality. No real advice to give, however."
Will to live killed by Polo, reaffirmed by GT86
"Looks (mini-F12) - the Pearl White just shimmers under streetlights, no-compromises RWD handling, the noise of the Subaru flat-four, the way the instruments light up at night. Comments when filling up or in car parks - sadly only from from car-nut blokes, not women! Also what I would add to the likes and has been said by many ... the just-so driving position and comfortable but firm seats. Shame the ride is so crashy to spoil that comfort!"
Things I hate:
"The bone-hard ride, the silly back seat room, that it only does 32-35mpg, the weedy standard stereo (Toyota upgrade costs £££, I got a bass unit put in the boot but it's still not as good as the Harman Kardon I had in the 330Cd) and in particular the tiny volume control knob. The lack of wheelarch soundproofing means puddles sound like gravel and stones sound like an artillery attack!
"I keep forgetting how annoying this is but unlike my old E46 with it's multi-way electric memory seats, the 86's are real old-tech - guess to keep them light - and have pull-lever ratchets to get the back-rest adjustment right. So every time you pull a seat forward to sling a coat or bag in the back, you have to re-adjust the back-rest and sometimes the runner too, if it has a mind to move forward."
Costs:
"Its first service was a reasonable cost from Jemca of Bromley. Fuel economy is not good for a light 2.0-litre car but insurance was OK considering my below-40mph altercations with the Merstham speed camera. Have had Jinyu YH12 winter tyres put on it just in case - they got good reviews at lower costs than the big brands, but I had to drop them by 4psi below the usual pressure, otherwise they felt over-inflated."
Another satisfied GT86 customer from PH
"Gower Peninsula and Peak District among others. Most memorable - Ambleside to Keswick at dusk in May. It had been pouring and roads were streaming ... leaning it into the bends with lakes on one side, rocks on the other ... no music, windows dahn and the boxer engine howling and rasping. Just sublime!"
What next?
"Will keep it for a year or so more, I guess. Might replace it with a 3 Series (again) or maybe V40 or maybe A-Class..."
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