[Mat]

Shopping for my next car, that would be my only car even for winter. No kids or dog, but ski gear to carry often.
The 86 is on top of my list but the mk8 gti also is on my list.
Any body cross shopping these two? The complaint on the gti seem to but for the interior (I think this is something you can get use to). But driving impressions seem solid and great as a daily. Any opinions on this? Or someone did drive the mk8? (Currently have a Mazda 3 Hatch)

 

[pngrant54]

MK8 GTI has been praised for its good driving dynamics and panned for its frustrating infotainment system and gesture controls. Further interior plastics are step down from the MK7. It has a very good FWD chassis if not quite up to the Veloster N. it does have a lot more refinement. If you like FWD cars its definately towards the top. Of course we have not gotten any reviews of the Civic SI. It won't be as quick but will have a more logical infotainment system and may have as good a handling chassis as the GTI.
The 86 could not be a more different option. RWD, 6 inches lower to the ground and an N/A engine. Also a much simpler interior. The driving dynamics are completely different. If you like turbo engines than you have to go with the GTI. The N/A engine in the 86 requires revving to get the most out of it but greatly improved over version one I'm told.

 

[DoD]

Shopping for my next car, that would be my only car even for winter. No kids or dog, but ski gear to carry often.
The 86 is on top of my list but the mk8 gti also is on my list.
Any body cross shopping these two? The complaint on the gti seem to but for the interior (I think this is something you can get use to). But driving impressions seem solid and great as a daily. Any opinions on this? Or someone did drive the mk8? (Currently have a Mazda 3 Hatch)

check out the review that jason cammisa did.

mk8 would be a good daily with awesome practicality. if you would really opt for GTI I would rather go with Civic Type R (i know there will be a price jump of 5k or so). personally, GTI does not feel that special with adding caveat that ppl claim mk8 is not as good as mk7.

 

[Mat]

MK8 GTI has been praised for its good driving dynamics and panned for its frustrating infotainment system and gesture controls. Further interior plastics are step down from the MK7. It has a very good FWD chassis if not quite up to the Veloster N. it does have a lot more refinement. If you like FWD cars its definately towards the top. Of course we have not gotten any reviews of the Civic SI. It won't be as quick but will have a more logical infotainment system and may have as good a handling chassis as the GTI.
The 86 could not be a more different option. RWD, 6 inches lower to the ground and an N/A engine. Also a much simpler interior. The driving dynamics are completely different. If you like turbo engines than you have to go with the GTI. The N/A engine in the 86 requires revving to get the most out of it but greatly improved over version one I'm told.

I only owned a Mazda 3 and a Protege so only FWD (I dont hate it) I certainly love a good hatch, thinking this would also be better for the winter and carry gear. On long term it can be a good daily and add a fun car latter for the summer

 

[Mat]

check out the review that jason cammisa did.

mk8 would be a good daily with awesome practicality. if you would really opt for GTI I would rather go with Civic Type R (i know there will be a price jump of 5k or so). personally, GTI does not feel that special with adding caveat that ppl claim mk8 is not as good as mk7.

I did look at it many times, and for me it would be a base gti on manual (about 10k$ less than a type r here). Also I couldnt own a type r with that look, I just can't stand it. But a lot or reviews seem to say that as far as driving the mk8 is way better

 

[Jaxon_Aevox]

I own a Mazda 3 hatchback too.
For work I regularly drive Golf 7 and Golf 8. I can tell you that Golf is a major step down from the 7 in terms of interior quality. On top of that it's plagued with really annoying software problems.
Just from my experience with these cars I can tell you these problems:

• Start Stop failure (engine check light goes on)
• failure in climate control, only restart helps
• smart assistant only works every second or third time
• extremely difficult UI while driving

Even though the Gr86 was only tested as prototype, there has not been a report of problems with the UI or something else. So quality would go with the Gr86.
But I don't know how long you plan to keep these cars. If you want to go for 2-4 years and you really need that trunk space I would consider the facelifted Golf 7 GTI.
If you want to keep your car longer, then go for the GR86.

 

[pngrant54]

One of many reasons(but I'll list a few) I chose the BRZ was because it is NOT a turbo. It has both direct and port fuel injection. It is rwd. It has a simpler infotainment system. I own a Mazda CX5 so this is not my only car. At the same time there is some practicality built into the car because it does have rear seats that fold down. My plan is to keep this car at least 5 years. Also this is rework of the original that came out in 2013. Its a Subaru and Toyota product.

 

[misslauren82]

I've had two GTI's (mk6, mk7)

I was always in the same boat living in New England, wanted something reasonably fun that could carry things and was comfortable to sit in traffic.

Though being a Volkswagen gal - the new mk8 interior is... yeah... not so great. All the touch/glossy black would drive me nuts as I'm pretty tidy. I like that the 86 is more tactile, basic, and seemingly durable from the materials.

Now I have a wagon to haul bikes, etc so I can get another fun car for the nicer weather.

If I could only have one car, i'd probably go with a hot hatch or something bigger, personally.

 

[TRU-BOOST]

If you like driving manual dont buy a GTI, or any VW product for that matter. They use the worst clutches on the planet. The manual in any 2.0 VW also uses a spacer washer on the crank shaft that is not found on the DSG equipped cars. That washer fairly often fails and the entire engine blows. Ask me how I know.... As for the MK 8 the all touch interior is a no go for me for sure.

 

[McLovin]

I've read that some owners of the first gen 86/BRZ/FRS were able to fit skis and stuff in there. It's more practical than it might seem. Might be worth measuring your ski gear to see if it will fit in a new gen or find a used old gen near where you live and test to see if your ski gear will fit in their. The only major difference in terms of interior space with the new gen that I am aware of is the new gen's trunk opening is not as wide as the old one.

 

[TRU-BOOST]

If you like driving manual dont buy a GTI, or any VW product for that matter. They use the worst clutches on the planet. The manual in any 2.0 VW also uses a spacer washer on the crank shaft that is not found on the DSG equipped cars. That washer fairly often fails and the entire engine blows. Ask me how I know.... As for the MK 8 the all touch interior is a no go for me for sure.

This is true. And the clutch is also about as durable as tissue paper. Ask me how I know. The 1 and only german car I ever had was a 2017 GTI. I heard all the rumors about stock clutches failing by 30k miles and basically disintegrating instantly with a tune. I got to about 10k before I put APR stage 1 tune on mine. Within 5k miles the clutch was shot. I have driven manual for 25 years and have many much more powerful cars with tons of miles Never seen a clutch fail so bad. So whatever..... replace the clutch with a HD unit from ACT. 3k miles later the engine exploded while driving calmly. It was in fact the thrust washer mentioned. Never ever again any german vehicle for me. Lets not pretend like that new GTI interior is user friendly in any way either.

 

[Duchess]

The GTI wasn't as fun as my ST, though reviewers said the former was a more comfortable daily. I don't know what kind of princess-and-the-peas these reviewers were, but I expected the ST to be borderline when I went for a test drive, but it turned out to be about the perfect daily driver to me. Rode great—shrugged off potholes better than my BiL's ATS and I never felt shook up or abused even driving it 40-50k miles/year. Seat bottom was uncomfortable, but I fixed that by chopping half of the side bolster foam out (and I'm not that big a guy) and adding an inch of padding to the back middle of the bottom to fix the weird angle. I also worked on and heard complaints from too many friends with VWs to ever own one. If Ford brought the Mk IV ST here, I would probably have bought that for the practicality over the GR86, but I'm not disappointed because the GR seems like it's going to be more fun than the ST. I'll just have to figure out a solution for the kayaks.

 

[Timster]

Lighting lap results show the GTI is a excellent handling fwd car now thanks to the new differential. Has a little more power over the GR86/BRZ and did lap faster except the SD card wasn’t installed in the track recorder do’h.

But, the experience is very different, it’s super stable and dual clutch. Pretty much like my modded Clio 200, it’s fast, clinical, but doesn’t have a low sling 2 door rwd atmosphere inside with slidey rear end feels and classic manual shifter. Ideal world, you need both, the gti does Monday to Friday, the twins take control of the weekend.

 

[Will_]

I currently own a DSG MK7 GTI and my SO has a 2020 BRZ. I was looking at a MK8 GTI SE or a MK8R but decided to order a GR86 instead.

The GTI is an excellent all around car if you use the practicality. You can fit an outrageous amount of stuff in them, they are quiet and comfy, get 35mpg highway, and are fun and flickable when you take them on a backroad. I've taken mine on 2000 mile road trips, 15+ track days, to the snow, in elevation, you name it. Never has faltered. The DSG is an excellent transmission, manuals are a bit flimsy and numb but if that's your preference it can be helped. My personal opinion of the negativity surrounding the haptic controls is that it's overblown. I played around with a MK8 at a dealership and found the infotainment easy to navigate through and didn't find the buttons overly sensitive - they took a solid touch to activate and clicked in. It wasn't pure touchscreen. I tried rolling my palms onto them to see if it would accidentally activate but they did not. Materials wise - from the drivers seat it felt the same as my MK7, but definitely feels very modern with the big wraparound screen. I was quite happy with it. Others seem to have had worse experiences but IMO a lot of people who hate on it haven't actually experienced it yet, and the owners I've talked to have said nothing but good things about the car.

If you plan on tracking the car, get the 86. I've built up my MK7 to be a pretty capable track car and go to the track about 10 times a year. Even though it is pretty fast (330whp, 1:44 at Laguna Seca last time out) it is not the most engaging thing to drive. I've autocrossed our BRZ before and it just feels so much more connected, and that was bone stock. I am switching to an 86 because I don't find myself using the practicality the GTI offers that often, and want to own something a bit more sporty before potentially having kids in the next few years. I see the 86 as a far better platform to both learn as a driver and build for track use. I also have the luxury of being able to bike to work and only occasionally having to fit my 35lb dog in the back seats, so the practicality is something I can sacrifice.

If the car is going to just be a daily and weekend canyon carver, the GTI is really tough to beat. The MK8 has been praised as dynamically better than the MK7, and the MK7 was already pretty good. I can see myself switching back to a MK8 R in three or four years, especially if they do a mid-cycle refresh and address some of the interior deficiencies. The GTI is far easier to simply maneuver around and live with day to day. Easier to get in and out of, quieter, far better visibility, better MPG, more comfy. But for fun, the BRZ (and I suspect the 86 will be the same) is far more engaging and fun, even if its slower.

 

[pngrant54]

As far s a MK8 GTI, I think I would have a hard time with the infotainment system. Further I think it could be a danger on the roads while driving. The menu's you have to go through to do simple tasks could potentially distract you enough that you could have a vehicle accident. True the GTI is quicker in a straight line but only after about 50 MPH. Further it is FWD and fairly refined. Some might argue that its worth putting up with a Hyundai Veloster N ride quality and get a better drivers experience. Further, with the GTI you have to get the barest bones car to get it at a price near 30K. If you get the autobon package, you close to 40K. Thats a lot of money over a BRZ. When you get to that point you should start looking at a Golf R. Either way the GTI is a performance FWD hatchback. Since 2006 I have only owned FWD hatchbacks.The BRZ represents a switch back to simplier RWD sports cars that I used to own(Porsche 911SC, Alfa Romeo GTV6, Alfa Spider, Mazda RX8). I like simple cars with good engineering so tasks can be done in a simple way

 

[RBH58]

Here in Aus we have a better selection of hot-hatches. Here we can do the Civic Type R, Renaultsport Megane, Ford Focus ST, Fiesta ST, Hyundai i30N & i20N,and I’d have any of them over a Golf GTI or R. Also, a Golf GTI is 25% more expensive here than a BRZ, and a Golf R is about 40% more expensive.

 

[Lou]

Shopping for my next car, that would be my only car even for winter. No kids or dog, but ski gear to carry often.
The 86 is on top of my list but the mk8 gti also is on my list.
Any body cross shopping these two? The complaint on the gti seem to but for the interior (I think this is something you can get use to). But driving impressions seem solid and great as a daily. Any opinions on this? Or someone did drive the mk8? (Currently have a Mazda 3 Hatch)

The base BRZ is (was?) a wicked deal in Canada. If you're alone, then it has all the practicality you could need. Of course it carries skis! With or without the seats down!! But you don't take it out to the mountains if you expect to see a winter storm. So you might miss a couple ski days. And you'll need some training if this is your first winter RWD. But you'll have more fun in this car than anything else short of a Cayman. And you'll be driving the most reliable vehicle on the market. You convinced yet? Put in your order fast before the 2023 MY price hike. You'll have 6 months to change your mind.

 

[slowv6]

just want to added that my 86 swallowed 2 full golf bags in the trunk with a bit of space to spare. (well. you pull the back seat down throw both in long ways then rotate them sideway towards the back of the trunk, so both fit one on top of the other nicely there.)

My father in law has a CX30, (yes it's a compact suv but I would assume it will have the practicality of any hatchback. he needs to pull one side of the seat back down to fit both bags.

 

[TRU-BOOST]

Crossovers have long been selling the myth that there is more useable space than in coupes\sedans. That is absolutely false. Most of the time there is less useable space if you want to keep all your seats functional. Until you fold the rear seats down you are working with less cargo space. I promise I can haul 4 people and more cargo in my taurus than any crossover on the market.

 

[RBH58]

Crossovers have long been selling the myth that there is more useable space than in coupes\sedans. That is absolutely false. Most of the time there is less useable space if you want to keep all your seats functional. Until you fold the rear seats down you are working with less cargo space. I promise I can haul 4 people and more cargo in my taurus than any crossover on the market.

My sister in law has a VW T-Cross (a Polo based crossover) and they’ve managed to give it a less comfortable back seat than a Polo and seemingly no more trunk space. It’s a taller less comfortable Polo.