GT86 vs mk3 TT? £20k to spend

[famasfilms]

Hi,

Been driving 5 years and fed up of driving bangers. Current car is a 2002 Merc c230k which has cost me loads in repairs, gets 23mpg and £25 a month in car tax.

Want something sporty and have always liked the GT86. Budget is £20k, upto £25k at an absolute push. Been approved for a £20k loan at 2.9% and could use savings as a deposit if it was really worth it.

There are a couple of low mileage 2014-2016 GT86 models for 17-18k.

I've also liked TT's, and there's a 2015 mk3 2.0 TFSI Quattro Sport trim near me with 3k miles on the clock for £23k. However, looking at basic sport trim TT has made me start looking at the higher trims and wondering how much can be gained by spending a bit more for a better trim in terms of extras/equipment. The virtual cockpit in the TT is a big selling point.

I'm test driving both on Friday, just wanted to get some thoughts or if there is anything else sporty / hot hatchy I could/should consider.

I've seen a few AMG45s and S3s around the 24-25k mark but these tend to be higher mileage and ideally I'd like something as low mileage and as new as possible to minimise any repair risk. Automatic is also preferred

Edit* I should add most of my driving is a 6 mile commute to work - occasional trip up north for football matches 1-2 x a year. - My current car has 197bhp and that's more than sufficient

Edited by famasfilms on Wednesday 1st November 15:34

[steve-5snwi]

The interior of the TT is nice but i don't find them the most exciting things to drive, so my money would go on the GT86, if you wanted to be more practical then the A45 is very nice and would be my choice over the S3 and GT86. However my money would go towards a Cayman or Boxster over all of the above.

[philwhite]

20k would get you recent low mileage '86, however, if you're looking for an auto it may not be the best option, it's around a second slower to 60 and is an older torque converted box, although it is fairly well regarded, the car really is best suited to a manual.

I own an '86 and can honestly say it's the best car I have ever owned. For me it was the only option as I'm a huge Jap car fan, and the '86 harks back to the days of classic Jap cars like the 200sx, S2000, Integra etc. and very much feels like a car from that era. If you're into modifying it's probably the best production car currently available, the aftermarket for this car is immense.

I genuinely look forward to driving it, however, getting the most out of an '86 really depends on your driving style; if like me, you enjoy thrashing a car then it's great, if you like low end grunt and winning traffic light grand prix then it's perhaps not the car for you. If you're comparing with German metal all the cars you mentioned are all significantly quicker and more refined.

The interior of the '86 is okay but decades behind the German stuff, my mum has a MK2 TT, and the interior is leagues ahead. The infotainment system in the '86 is also rubbish and dated. I will say however the '86 does have the most comfortable seats I've ever experienced.

I'd try and get an extended test drive in and '86 (without the Salesman), find a nice twisty A or B road and see if you gel with the car.

Edited by philwhite on Wednesday 1st November 13:09

[famasfilms]

Just found a 2015 A45 with 12500 miles for £22.5k.

vs

2015 mk3 TT 2.0 TFSI Quattro Sport with 3k miles for £23k

vs

2016 GT86 with 3k miles for £19k

[DoubleD]

Good stuff. Go and test them all and see which you like best.

[Gareth1974]

Have you considered a 370Z? This deal with a Nissan deposit contribution brings a brand new one into budget. http://offers.nissan.co.uk/GB/en/car-deals/sportsc...

[ozzuk]

A lot of people rate the GT86, for me though it just isn't a performance car. 7.7secs 0-60? The TT is over 2 seconds quicker. Then there is the RS version, seriously tempted for one myself, supposedly sub 4 tuned! Insane performance.

The GT86 is a nice looking motor though, depends what you want I guess but just not enough power for me and not something I'd ever consider buying due to lack of 'grin' factor.

Drive both though, only you can decide what you can live with. How about a 370z? Cheap cars now, loved mine.

[cerb4.5lee]

A BMW M235i could be another car to consider.

[philwhite]

ozzuk said:

A lot of people rate the GT86, for me though it just isn't a performance car. 7.7secs 0-60? The TT is over 2 seconds quicker. Then there is the RS version, seriously tempted for one myself, supposedly sub 4 tuned! Insane performance.

The GT86 is a nice looking motor though, depends what you want I guess but just not enough power for me and not something I'd ever consider buying due to lack of 'grin' factor.

Drive both though, only you can decide what you can live with. How about a 370z? Cheap cars now, loved mine.

Trust me, the one thing the GT86 doesn't lack a grin factor, it has a fantastic playful chassis and one of the best EPAS systems available. It's not quick I grant you, however the book 0-60 is very pessimistic, partly down to the short gearing. Evo tested it at a second quicker. The thing is, it only feels slow when I'm talking about it, never when I'm driving it.

The 370z is a good shout though, I can't believe how cheap they are now!

[Quickmoose]

I'd be looking for something with more character personally... which helpfully is pretty subjective, but for me your three options don't have much.
Which is why despite having a similar budget I went and found a really good pre-tax hike S2000.
A decent analogue experience.
Cars that came close would be a Boxster S and/or a Z4 3.0 coupe

"gun to my head" out of your three? GT 86.

[cerb4.5lee]

Quickmoose said:

"gun to my head" out of your three? GT 86.

I've always liked fast cars but I'm with you and there is something strangely appealing about the GT86, even though it is slow in today's money.

[Quickmoose]

cerb4.5lee said:

Quickmoose said:

"gun to my head" out of your three? GT 86.

I've always liked fast cars but I'm with you and there is something strangely appealing about the GT86, even though it is slow in today's money.

I get the feeling the tide is slowly turning, in as much as whilst there will always be those that buy a car based on it's top trump potential, with roads, traffic, restrictions being what they are, buying a car which is fun at slower speeds, or more of the time is better than a car which lights your fire only during brief traffic light GPs, or illegal/dangerous high speed runs... or because it goes whoosh, pop bang! when the computer tells it to.

[IanJ9375]

Dare I mention rather than taking out a loan perhaps you might consider something like PCP/PCH

There are some deals out there such as Seat Leon Cupra R 300 believe they are £259 down £259 per month
http://www.seatwarrington.co.uk/newcars/details/se...

Whilst that might not be the car for you it should at least give you an idea of what deals are out there and worth a look

[cerb4.5lee]

Quickmoose said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Quickmoose said:

"gun to my head" out of your three? GT 86.

I've always liked fast cars but I'm with you and there is something strangely appealing about the GT86, even though it is slow in today's money.

I get the feeling the tide is slowly turning, in as much as whilst there will always be those that buy a car based on it's top trump potential, with roads, traffic, restrictions being what they are, buying a car which is fun at slower speeds, or more of the time is better than a car which lights your fire only during brief traffic light GPs, or illegal/dangerous high speed runs... or because it goes whoosh, pop bang! when the computer tells it to.

Spot on.

[famasfilms]

IanJ9375 said:

Dare I mention rather than taking out a loan perhaps you might consider something like PCP/PCH

There are some deals out there such as Seat Leon Cupra R 300 believe they are £259 down £259 per month
http://www.seatwarrington.co.uk/newcars/details/se...

Whilst that might not be the car for you it should at least give you an idea of what deals are out there and worth a look

Yeah paying £200-350 a month is an option. My plan with low mileage examples above and the loan was to pay it off as soon as possible, with some upcoming bonuses from work I could pay off a good chunk early next year.

Some good advice in this thread so far and some new cars to look at, thanks folks

[ZX10R NIN]

Just to throw something else into the mix the often forgotten:

Nissan 370Z with 18k on the clock.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Now the standard car is a good car but I'd be looking for a Nismo 370:

2014 Nismo with 18k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Dolf Stoppard]

If you like the Mk 3 TT I'd consider a MK 2 for half the price. I was disappointed in the step up from one to the other and found the virtual cockpit a gimmick more than anything else.

The GT86 is great fun to drive and is a car I regret not buying when I had the chance (I bought a Cayman instead).

And it is of course the Cayman you should buy if you really want to spend £20k - £25k of someone else's money - the depreciation is pretty glacial.

Good luck with the search.

[famasfilms]

Dolf Stoppard said:

If you like the Mk 3 TT I'd consider a MK 2 for half the price. I was disappointed in the step up from one to the other and found the virtual cockpit a gimmick more than anything else.

This is a good shout, the Audi dealer that is literally 5 minutes walk from my office has a TT Coupé Black Edition 2.0 TFSI quattro for £20950. My boss has used them loads over the years and was on to his contact straight away to try and get me a good deal.

Looks like that would come with extras like comfort pack, tech pack and the bose surround system that the mk3 sport I was looking at lacks.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

vs the mk3

http://www.heritageautomotive.co.uk/used-car-detai...

[Chris_91]

Quickmoose said:

I get the feeling the tide is slowly turning, in as much as whilst there will always be those that buy a car based on it's top trump potential, with roads, traffic, restrictions being what they are, buying a car which is fun at slower speeds, or more of the time is better than a car which lights your fire only during brief traffic light GPs, or illegal/dangerous high speed runs... or because it goes whoosh, pop bang! when the computer tells it to.

This... I did the "Oopnurthring" last night in my FN2 (200bhp). Loads of 50mph sections with speed camera signs (but no cameras) are there now, a few cars in the way of which I only took one due to the amount of turns/darkness/hills. I only gave it 3/4s in some parts and even that was quite scary. Years ago it would have been a different story...

[Willy Nilly]

Fiesta ST and a load of change.