GTi Hot hatch or v8 barge?
Poll: GTi Hot hatch or v8 barge?
Total Members Polled: 72
Discussion
So, it is a sunny Sunday afternoon and after a day of washing and working on the cars I'm sitting with a beer and contemplating my car choices for this year.
I currently have a Peugeot 306 Dturbo for my daily drive and a Mk2 MX5 10th Anniversary for the weekend. These fulfil the role of dual car setup well and are both well suited to my requirements although admittedly a bit bland.
I'm very happy with the dual car set up but like most petrol heads I yearn for different cars, different experiences, more power and more cylinders.
I'm tempted to revert to a single car and very much like the idea of a Phase 1 306 GTi-6 after reading lots of rave reviews and knowing how much I like my current 306, even if it is only a humble diesel. The GTi-6 seems on paper to be reasonably affordable to run whilst being good to throw around the country lanes I live nearby.
This one in particular has caught my eye:
However, the ongoing 'Bargain Barge' type threads and a friends recent acquisition of a Jaguar XJ has had me looking at sub £2k v8 barges. It is a scratch that needs to be itched although my brain is telling me not to be so stupid - expensive parts, MPG in the high teens - need I say more?
It doesn't stop me looking though and when I see what can be had for up to two large it takes stupendous amounts of self control not to email or phone the vendor and do a deal there and then. This, is a perfect example :
£1595 for a 4.4 v8 with 104k on the clock - how ridiculous is that?
I've worked out that my current two cost me £200/month to run, excluding maintenance. On the same basis, the 740 above would cost me £225 as an only car and the 306 GTi6 a paltry £170. These figures are low as my mileage is low, I service cars myself and insurance is very reasonable these days.
90% of my miles are country B/C roads so I can't help feeling the GTi6 would be more of a blast, but the prospect of owning the big BM is tugging at me.
Which would you go for?
I currently have a Peugeot 306 Dturbo for my daily drive and a Mk2 MX5 10th Anniversary for the weekend. These fulfil the role of dual car setup well and are both well suited to my requirements although admittedly a bit bland.
I'm very happy with the dual car set up but like most petrol heads I yearn for different cars, different experiences, more power and more cylinders.
I'm tempted to revert to a single car and very much like the idea of a Phase 1 306 GTi-6 after reading lots of rave reviews and knowing how much I like my current 306, even if it is only a humble diesel. The GTi-6 seems on paper to be reasonably affordable to run whilst being good to throw around the country lanes I live nearby.
This one in particular has caught my eye:
However, the ongoing 'Bargain Barge' type threads and a friends recent acquisition of a Jaguar XJ has had me looking at sub £2k v8 barges. It is a scratch that needs to be itched although my brain is telling me not to be so stupid - expensive parts, MPG in the high teens - need I say more?
It doesn't stop me looking though and when I see what can be had for up to two large it takes stupendous amounts of self control not to email or phone the vendor and do a deal there and then. This, is a perfect example :
£1595 for a 4.4 v8 with 104k on the clock - how ridiculous is that?
I've worked out that my current two cost me £200/month to run, excluding maintenance. On the same basis, the 740 above would cost me £225 as an only car and the 306 GTi6 a paltry £170. These figures are low as my mileage is low, I service cars myself and insurance is very reasonable these days.
90% of my miles are country B/C roads so I can't help feeling the GTi6 would be more of a blast, but the prospect of owning the big BM is tugging at me.
Which would you go for?
Edited by DJC on Friday 20th July 12:22
I've swapped and changed daily drivers between big barges and hatches for a long time now and recently swapping from a 2004 A4 V6 cab to my now 1991 mk2 Golf gti was the best move i have made in a long time. I used to HATE putting "that" much fuel in such a boring uninvolving dull to drive car. My cheap little golf on the other hand never fails to put a smile on my face and i simply enjoy every aspect more than i did in the Audi.
I've just come back to a hot hatch from a barge.... it's a revelation.
Unless you do very many motorway miles (in which case a comfy barge will be perfect), then you will miss the lightness and fun of a smaller car.
I'd say your current setup is pretty good - maybe replace the pug diesel with something bigger?
Unless you do very many motorway miles (in which case a comfy barge will be perfect), then you will miss the lightness and fun of a smaller car.
I'd say your current setup is pretty good - maybe replace the pug diesel with something bigger?
The 740 is highly likely to need a number of very expensive jobs soon due to it's age (cooling system, gearbox, power steering etc); I have one myself which, until our son came into the picture, was to be my forever car.
E38's live and die by their maintenance and although it goes like absolute s
t off a shovel and never fails to epically surprise all the dimwits who think their 4 pot stbox is going to kick it's arse just because they have a "new" car, you will be stuck with it as I am unless when you come to sell it you're prepared to take a massive hit. I've got nearly 5k of new parts on mine to get it tip top as a reference for you.
Having said all that, go for the E38 because, well a hot hatch is still a kacky stbox at the end of the day, and you can get 35mpg on a steady run and have a donkey's knob of a luxobarge. I'd go for the sport one though (that's what I have and can't sell at present as there are so many E38's that look nice but are in need of TLC to set them up for the next 100k).
Just be careful as just one big job will cost you the price of the car.
E38's live and die by their maintenance and although it goes like absolute s
t off a shovel and never fails to epically surprise all the dimwits who think their 4 pot stbox is going to kick it's arse just because they have a "new" car, you will be stuck with it as I am unless when you come to sell it you're prepared to take a massive hit. I've got nearly 5k of new parts on mine to get it tip top as a reference for you.Having said all that, go for the E38 because, well a hot hatch is still a kacky s
tbox at the end of the day, and you can get 35mpg on a steady run and have a donkey's knob of a luxobarge. I'd go for the sport one though (that's what I have and can't sell at present as there are so many E38's that look nice but are in need of TLC to set them up for the next 100k).Just be careful as just one big job will cost you the price of the car.
If you're doing a lot of B roads that big BMW will struggle round the corners and you'll be using a lot of fuel as it struggles to find a place to 'sit'. If you're on the motorway I'd go for the BMW. I love big classy barges like the BMW but it doesn't seem like the smart choice given your position.
I'd go for the barge to. Having only recently bought my first proper barge, I can truly say that they offer an experience that smaller cars cannot. There are few pleasures as sublime as drifting along calmly and sedately in a auto barge what can more than kick its skirts up, whilst gently enjoying your favourite music (or engine soundtrack).
It really doesn't matter what's under the bonnet, a hatchback is just that, a car built for tesco with kiddie seats a a barf-easy design. A barge however, well that's designed to offer something far more subjective... and when it's a goodun, you won't regret your choice.
It really doesn't matter what's under the bonnet, a hatchback is just that, a car built for tesco with kiddie seats a a barf-easy design. A barge however, well that's designed to offer something far more subjective... and when it's a goodun, you won't regret your choice.
10AE said:
90% of my miles are country B/C roads so I can't help feeling the GTi6 would be more of a blast, but the prospect of owning the big BM is tugging at me.
The E38 is absurdly nimble for something the size of a small country....in fact, they're pretty nimble in absolute terms.
Get one, you'll like it.
Shamelessly bumping for any more votes.
Interesting, the v8 barge edges it so far but the hot hatch is maintaining a respectable place. I'm pleased, as I'm finding it is a difficult decision based on two very different types of cars.
After a week away I'm leaning more towards the GTi6 mainly down to the reasons mentioned - cheaper running costs, particularly less 'major/expensive' things to break, better suited to the country lanes I drive on and also a bit more invisible. Probably suits my age group a bit better too (mid-20s).
Still, the v8 itch is still itching.
Interesting, the v8 barge edges it so far but the hot hatch is maintaining a respectable place. I'm pleased, as I'm finding it is a difficult decision based on two very different types of cars.
After a week away I'm leaning more towards the GTi6 mainly down to the reasons mentioned - cheaper running costs, particularly less 'major/expensive' things to break, better suited to the country lanes I drive on and also a bit more invisible. Probably suits my age group a bit better too (mid-20s).
Still, the v8 itch is still itching.
The Nur said:
Buy the BM, at that price it is a steal. If you don't like it, flog it on again and buy a GTI 
This. Why not buy the 740i and run it for 3-6 months, then punt it on and get a 306 gti-6. There are so many good, cheap, older cars out there I am trying my best to work my way through one of each! Currently on a Jag XJR and a Clio Williams and Imprezza RB5 are next on the hitlist. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff