GR86 What car are you all moving from?

[Seano1878]

i would think the ST is actually more practical? Back seats you can use, bigger boot space , especially when you drop the seats. What makes you say the gr86 is more practical. Just curious

Sorry I didn’t explain it well, going to run two cars and was thinking of moving from the ST to an RS Megane but I also need something that’s okay off the beaten track, can’t decide if three cars is too many! Trying persuade my mrs into something like a Vitara 4WD.

 

[ravydavygravy]

What's up with it?

I had a go in one and almost bought it because I thought it was so good.

No steering feel, plus i’ve been spoiled by past renaultsports which taints my view.

 

[LukeC22]

Coming from an ND2 MX-5.

The two are always put against each other because they’re both drivers’ cars. Neither of them have any real competitors in the same price range as them so it’s not overly difficult to see why they’re reviewed together.

If someone is looking for a lightweight, rear wheel drive, manual car, the market isn’t exactly saturated, especially in the sub 40k range.

The ND is a great car and I have considered keeping it even though it’s the car I’ve had for the longest out of my car history. It’s my only car and aside from ikea trips, I’ve never had any issues with it; even managed to get a suitcase in the boot and get down to Luton airport when I went to Vegas last year.

I tend to change cars quite often and while the market is good, might as well trade the ND in for something similar. Will I miss the convertible aspect? Yeah but I can always get back in to an MX-5 if I don’t get on with the 86.

 

[RedGR86]

If I had a relationship status to describe what car I'm coming from, it would say "It's complicated".

I sold my FK8 Civic Type R last summer. Put a deposit down on an Emira which is due to arrive next year (ish).

In the meantime I picked up an 04 Volvo S40 to ferry kids if I need to and have a lightly track prepared MX5 NC.

Technically the 86 is going to replace the Volvo as I really only need 3 seats (assumption is that the Mrs will be out if I need to drive!)

If I don't fall in love with the 86 it will be part exchanged for the Emira. If I fall in love I'll cancel the Emira.

Meanwhile, no idea what I'm going to do with the MX5!

 

[TigerJim]

I’m coming from a 67 plate GT86, which I love and use as my daily. I find it the perfect balance between practicality and fun. Even after a turgid drive home down the M1 there’s enough roundabouts between me and home to put a smile on my face without needing to go illegal!

As the GR is set to address the known shortcomings of the GT, I was all over it. None of the alternatives I’ve considered (i30N, MX5 RF, 370z, RCF, etc) quite fit the bill in the same way.

Prior to the GT I was running a Suzuki Jimny - a car I genuinely miss but a very different beast!

 

[TFP555]

I’m coming from a 67 plate GT86, which I love and use as my daily. I find it the perfect balance between practicality and fun. Even after a turgid drive home down the M1 there’s enough roundabouts between me and home to put a smile on my face without needing to go illegal!

As the GR is set to address the known shortcomings of the GT, I was all over it. None of the alternatives I’ve considered (i30N, MX5 RF, 370z, RCF, etc) quite fit the bill in the same way.

Prior to the GT I was running a Suzuki Jimny - a car I genuinely miss but a very different beast!

An RCF would feel like a huge barge after your GT86, it was the car I held on to for the least amount of time, and it was my very last sports car with an auto gearbox.

 

[TigerJim]

An RCF would feel like a huge barge after your GT86, it was the car I held on to for the least amount of time, and it was my very last sports car with an auto gearbox.

As much as I like the looks of the RCF and the idea of the v8, the auto box is the main stumbling block for me (along with what would be a lot higher running costs!). Plus in this price bracket I’d be buying a seven year old car as opposed to a brand new GR (which is partly what has turned me away from Caymans and the like too).

 

[TFP555]

As much as I like the looks of the RCF and the idea of the v8, the auto box is the main stumbling block for me (along with what would be a lot higher running costs!). Plus in this price bracket I’d be buying a seven year old car as opposed to a brand new GR (which is partly what has turned me away from Caymans and the like too).

Some things about it I loved. The quality, the seats (bright red) the rarity, the looks, performance (once the gearbox had woken up)

But too many things let it down. Doesn't really make that V8 sound (just a little on cold start) gearbox took too long to react when initially accelerating, it's size, it is big, it feels big, 16mpg around town, expensive servicing (got to do main dealer really for resale)

And also, although I'm getting on a bit at 51, it made me feel like an old man driving it, can't explain why.



Look at the front wing on the RCF, looks very much like the GR86

I've had a few Porsches and they've been ok, I think there's a lot of internet hysteria around them. But yes, expensive if they do go wrong.

 

[TigerJim]

Some things about it I loved. The quality, the seats (bright red) the rarity, the looks, performance (once the gearbox had woken up)

But too many things let it down. Doesn't really make that V8 sound (just a little on cold start) gearbox took too long to react when initially accelerating, it's size, it is big, it feels big, 16mpg around town, expensive servicing (got to do main dealer really for resale)

And also, although I'm getting on a bit at 51, it made me feel like an old man driving it, can't explain why.

View attachment 3902

Look at the front wing on the RCF, looks very much like the GR86

I've had a few Porsches and they've been ok, I think there's a lot of internet hysteria around them. But yes, expensive if they do go wrong.

That’s interesting, I got the impression it was more of a cruiser/bruiser than something which would give an engaging and fun drive -and from what you say it seems I was right. I guess there’s always that element with V8s.

That exclusivity was another draw but I don’t see the point in being different for the sake of it - it has to be at least as good as the opposition.

The more I look, at the £30,000 mark it’s really hard to argue against the GR! Should be affordable and fun to run, be relatively exclusive and not be confused by loads of tech/driving modes.

 

[TFP555]

The more I look, at the £30,000 mark it’s really hard to argue against the GR! Should be affordable and fun to run, be relatively exclusive and not be confused by loads of tech/driving modes.

100% with you on that.

 

[AndyRC]

Nothing wrong with a

A 2010 Ford Fiesta 1.4 Titanium 5 door
Never owned a sportscar (I ran a Honda CR-Z for 3 years but, while fun to drive, I'm not sure it really counts)
I figured this is likely to be the last chance to buy a new, affordable sportscar in the traditional style, so here I am...

Fiesta TyTayNeeum I’m running my son‘s old 1.0 EcoBoost until I get something new

 

[vinny85]

why are you selling it? grass is always greener etc etc

I don’t really need to, if I didn’t manage to order a gr86 I would happily stick with the ST. However I can’t afford 2 cars so it’s either the ST or this (or something else in a few years.) 4 years old , done 24000 (so under mileage for its age) and second hand market is still quite good atm if selling /trading

 

[AndyRC]

Hi all, just thought I’d see what other members cars that are departing for their shiny new GR86?

I’ll go first, I’m leaving behind a 17 Lapiz blue golf R 310 pre opf. Whilst fast it’s a bit of a blunt instrument.

@ritch without trying to hijack your thread , or create another one, I’ve added a poll to see who currently owns , or who has owned a GT86 ? I was amazed and bemused by the extremely low level of interest or enthusiasm for the GR86 whilst doing a bit of “lurking” on GT86 forums. It will be interesting to see who are coming to the GR86 totally new.

 

[AndyRC]

I had a couple of the old shape w204 series 6.2litre C63 coupes with a 3 door mk7.5 Golf R in between. The C63 engine is something to behold , especially on a cold start. Very addictive unfortunately to hear the engine sing you needed to be doing quite ludicrous speeds , plus it was heavy beast to get to stop and turn. The Golf R was a car I’d always wanted and the chance to swap the C63 for a 3 door DSG 310bhp (pre WLTP etc) came up with 1200 miles on. At first it was great , would run rings the C63 over the NY Moors , did everything very well, nothing to complain about , but it had the soul of a microwave oven , exceedingly good at what it did but just boring for me , no occasion or event when you took it out. Along came another C63 , they are an addiction, but a couple of scary moments made Me question why I had something that you could only safely/sanely use a fraction of on a public road.

The GR86 will still have more power than I’m ever going to need and having fun ,safely and within the speed limits is what I’m looking for these days. I’m planning to keep this as my last ICE car and , shock horror, will probably go BEV when the CEO retires.

 

[ravydavygravy]

I had a couple of the old shape w204 series 6.2litre C63 coupes with a 3 door mk7.5 Golf R in between. The C63 engine is something to behold , especially on a cold start. Very addictive unfortunately to hear the engine sing you needed to be doing quite ludicrous speeds , plus it was heavy beast to get to stop and turn. The Golf R was a car I’d always wanted and the chance to swap the C63 for a 3 door DSG 310bhp (pre WLTP etc) came up with 1200 miles on. At first it was great , would run rings the C63 over the NY Moors , did everything very well, nothing to complain about , but it had the soul of a microwave oven , exceedingly good at what it did but just boring for me , no occasion or event when you took it out. Along came another C63 , they are an addiction, but a couple of scary moments made Me question why I had something that you could only safely/sanely use a fraction of on a public road.

The GR86 will still have more power than I’m ever going to need and having fun ,safely and within the speed limits is what I’m looking for these days. I’m planning to keep this as my last ICE car and , shock horror, will probably go BEV when the CEO retires.

I bought a golf r estate when they came out and it bored me to tears. Lovely chassis mind with DCC in comfort.

Replaced it with a w204 c63 estate which is going nowhere.

 

[beorg]

@ritch without trying to hijack your thread , or create another one, I’ve added a poll to see who currently owns , or who has owned a GT86 ? I was amazed and bemused by the extremely low level of interest or enthusiasm for the GR86 whilst doing a bit of “lurking” on GT86 forums. It will be interesting to see who are coming to the GR86 totally new.

Just a thought, but could it be that majority of GT86 owners have either heavily modified their car to their preference, fixing majority of issues and making it their own, therefore seeing the GR86 as an evolution of the design, rather than a necessary upgrade, or are the 4th/5th owner of the car that bought it for under £15k and simply wouldn't consider a car in the GR86 price range?

Anyway, just to keep this on topic, I'm moving on from a BMW 530d F10 LCI Saloon. I will probably only miss the big ol' tractor when getting stuck in traffic on a long journey/commute, as it's comfort levels are sublime for a car under £50k, but it is very much the opposite of what you would class as a fun to drive car (even with its 6 cylinder engine, quick 8-speed ZF auto gearbox and RWD!).

I'm very much looking forward to something with similar amount of power used in a completely different manner on the road!

 

[PVGR]

What lead me here?

EK4 VTI
DC2 ITR
2 X R33 Skyline
GT86
E90 M3
M135i

I started out Japanese and light, went after power, realised it couldn't be used on road and wasn't much more fun on track.

Heading back to Japanese and light.

 

[ritch]

I had a couple of the old shape w204 series 6.2litre C63 coupes with a 3 door mk7.5 Golf R in between. The C63 engine is something to behold , especially on a cold start. Very addictive unfortunately to hear the engine sing you needed to be doing quite ludicrous speeds , plus it was heavy beast to get to stop and turn. The Golf R was a car I’d always wanted and the chance to swap the C63 for a 3 door DSG 310bhp (pre WLTP etc) came up with 1200 miles on. At first it was great , would run rings the C63 over the NY Moors , did everything very well, nothing to complain about , but it had the soul of a microwave oven , exceedingly good at what it did but just boring for me , no occasion or event when you took it out. Along came another C63 , they are an addiction, but a couple of scary moments made Me question why I had something that you could only safely/sanely use a fraction of on a public road.

The GR86 will still have more power than I’m ever going to need and having fun ,safely and within the speed limits is what I’m looking for these days. I’m planning to keep this as my last ICE car and , shock horror, will probably go BEV when the CEO retires.

This is my golf R experience to a tee! Fun at sensible speeds just isn’t possible on the road and it all feels a bit white goods without manual interaction. And I sold myself on the 86 with the same thoughts of this likely being my last ICE vehicle so I wanted something as analogue and basic as possible.

 

[AndyRC]

This is my golf R experience to a tee! Fun at sensible speeds just isn’t possible on the road and it all feels a bit white goods without manual interaction. And I sold myself on the 86 with the same thoughts of this likely being my last ICE vehicle so I wanted something as analogue and basic as possible.

It’s often said a Golf R is all the car you need , they are very good , I would have had DCC if I could have found one, it did everything exceedingly well but was just not exciting or made me want to drive it. I’ll forgo all that for something, hopefully the GR86, that makes me want to get up early to just go for a drive on a twisty road

 

[beorg]

Given the initial stereotype prediction of the historical car ownership of the type of purchaser who will go for a GR86, that list ticks just about every single box

It's all driver-focused cars for majority of the posters in this thread.

What did you expect, people jumping from a Kia MPV to a GR86?