Help Me Replace My GT86

[TeeGTI]

Hi folks,

Selling my GT86 and looking to replace it with a top end budget of £6k. The car will be:

- my daily driver, 8000 miles per year
- I’d like something reasonably quick
- running costs not a huge issue, but a v8 Audi S5 or the like would be a step too far. Straight 6 or v6 is a bonus.
- Petrol and Ulez compliant (Glasgow)
- back seats a bonus - no kids yet but hopefully soon (hence selling the GT86 to free up cash). Wife has what would be the main family car.

So far, I’ve test driven an Audi TTS, I like the looks and speed but the steering felt too light once I was back in my GT86. Not ruling it out though and definitely want to try a 3.2 v6 TT.

A mk5 or mk6 Golf GTI could also be an option, not driven one in 10 years since I had my Civic Type R (which could also be an option).

Would appreciate all your thoughts and what you would end up with in this situation.

Cheers!
TeeGTI

[cerb4.5lee]

What about something like a 3.0 straight 6 E92 330i Coupe?

[anyoldcardave]

I bought a cheap, 2k Golf 5 Gti, when the MK8 was totalled and a long drawn out insurance claim was on the cards, and was just that.

Never selling it, so much fun, been totally reliable for 40.000 miles, burns oil, they all do, but it gives much more expensive machinery a beating on the airfield, and the road, looks bog standard but must be mapped, no idea though, not touched it.

My son usses it most, and hammers it, first thing he has not broken quickly lol.

[ZX10R NIN]

E350 Coupe:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402277...

325i M Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408102...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408022...

330i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404208...

V6 A5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408173...

RCZ 200:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407161...

[TeeGTI]

cerb4.5lee said:

What about something like a 3.0 straight 6 E92 330i Coupe?

That's definitely up my street - what a person ZX10R NIN is as well with the links!

anyoldcardave said:

I bought a cheap, 2k Golf 5 Gti, when the MK8 was totalled and a long drawn out insurance claim was on the cards, and was just that.

Never selling it, so much fun, been totally reliable for 40.000 miles, burns oil, they all do, but it gives much more expensive machinery a beating on the airfield, and the road, looks bog standard but must be mapped, no idea though, not touched it.

My son usses it most, and hammers it, first thing he has not broken quickly lol.

I think I need to drive one again - I drove by one yesterday and it still looked great, I think it has aged well so long as it is standard and not modified to the nines. Great to hear your thoughts - thank you.

ZX10R NIN said:

E350 Coupe:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402277...

325i M Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408102...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408022...

330i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404208...

V6 A5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408173...

RCZ 200:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407161...

Top class - thank you! Strangely, the RCZ is appealing a lot more than I expected - does anyone have any experience with them?

[66HFM]

Skoda Octavia VRS in either hatchback or estate guise

[GreatGranny]

TeeGTI said:

Top class - thank you! Strangely, the RCZ is appealing a lot more than I expected - does anyone have any experience with them?

If they were made by Alfa people would never shut up about them!

Great looking car IMO and plenty quick enough with 200 bhp.

[TeeGTI]

66HFM said:

Skoda Octavia VRS in either hatchback or estate guise

There's none local to me to try (that are even close to budget) to go look at - seem to be plenty further south but I don't fancy traveling without seeing one first.

GreatGranny said:

If they were made by Alfa people would never shut up about them!

Great looking car IMO and plenty quick enough with 200 bhp.

I agree and there's a couple near by, I'm going to check them out.

[ZX10R NIN]

TeeGTI said:

Top class - thank you! Strangely, the RCZ is appealing a lot more than I expected - does anyone have any experience with them?

The RCZ is a very good car, the 200 is the pick as it has the uprated engine. The main thing people change is the stereo so you can have modern connectivity, like the TT they're a bit tight in the back.

[ChrisH72]

If you're planning a family soon you need to think if you would ever use your car for carrying a baby. New born child seats can be very big, especially the ones that attach to an isofix base. Cars like the TT or RCZ I think would struggle so in effect they become 2 seater. They're fine for slightly older kids who can make do with backless boosters or even no child seat at all.

I had an E92 when our son was 18 months old. He had a forward facing seat with isofix base and it went in the back just fine. They have pretty decent space. If you want a coupe I'd be thinking 3 series, E class or A5 kind of thing. Otherwise I'd go hot hatch (which I did until recently). I've just bought an MX5 as my car never gets used for family duties. My son is 8 now and just has a booster cushion. If we ever need to travel as a family we just use my wife's mpv.

[ZX10R NIN]

As above the E coupe would be my bias pick if a newborn is on the cards they have a huge boot & they have the bonus of folding rear seats so they become even more spacious. Along with the fact the rear window drops away so getting things (like a 60" tv) in & out is easy.

[Canon_Fodder]

OP the RCZ has a crashy low speed ride and the steering is quite dead, especially after your GT86 (otherwise I loved mine)

[TeeGTI]

Thanks all for your suggestions!

Viewed a couple more cars, but I am now the proud owner of a 39,000 mile Mk5 Golf GTI.

Picked it up last night, has a couple small issues to sort (ABS sensor and washer jets), but has had all major servicing done and presents really well.

First thoughts are I'll upgrade the stereo to apple car play and that's really about it!

[cerb4.5lee]

Nice one! Enjoy it.

[Danm1les]

TeeGTI said:

Thanks all for your suggestions!

Viewed a couple more cars, but I am now the proud owner of a 39,000 mile Mk5 Golf GTI.

Picked it up last night, has a couple small issues to sort (ABS sensor and washer jets), but has had all major servicing done and presents really well.

First thoughts are I'll upgrade the stereo to apple car play and that's really about it!

You can stick a much newer Golf stereo in these and get carplay or get a china special that looks OEM and has carplay.

[ZX10R NIN]

Glad you got sorted op.