GTI or GR86

[silves]

So I’m about to buy a new car. I’ve narrowed it down to either a GTI or an 86. Pros in my mind for the GR are: RWD and better looking (in my opinion), cons are its small and less practical and from what I’m seeing very underpowered. The GTI solves both of those problems, but it’s a FWD, and less “cool” in my opinion. Any other factors to help make my decision between the 2? Any thoughts are appreciated

[Adam T7]

Welcome. You mention ‘Cool’ - very much a matter of personal perspective and choice. Personally, I wouldn’t want a GR86 - maybe an age thing (60+) - I had to google it to be sure it was what I thought it was - guy at work had one (albeit briefly) - he was the only one who thought it was cool, but each to their own. You’ll get a multitude of responses from folk on here but my choice would be 100% GTI. Had mine for over 78 months now and it still ticks all the boxes and, IMO, looks cool in an understated way😂.
Good luck with your choice whatever it may be.

[Watts]

I considered the GR86 and feel it has lots of positives. It looks good, it is supposedly a great drive (I haven't driven one), it's manual and apparently a great box. I don't think it is underpowered given its weight. The boot is a decent size and the back seats fold so you can fit plenty in. I even liked the interior. It doesn't attract the luxury car tax, likely to hold on to it's value better than most and if you service it at Toyota, you can keep the warranty going for up to 10 years/100k miles!

But, for me it would've been a daily and the back seats are nigh on useless and my OH wouldn't have liked it. As a toy for me, great, but that wasn't an option. So I went with another GTI.

[Exonian]

Welcome silves 

An interesting dilemma in a world where 80% seem to want horrid SUV’s/Crossovers and maybe you’ll find a slight bias here on a Golf forum.
The GTI is a bit of a Goldilocks car and the GR is an out and out sports car. Which suits your lifestyle and driving style better?
A charismatic normally aspirated revvy tail happy low slung B road blaster that has zero room for the mother in law in the back, or a ubiquitous German hot hatch that does everything very well but won’t set your pulse racing in quite the same way. The Golf will be quicker owing to mid range turbo thrust but it won’t be anywhere near as dramatic.
It’s not even a heart versus head decision, they’re just such different cars.