Nicebiscuit

I do, it's too expensive for my wallet it keeps saying no I think if you listen carefully it's saying 'OK providing you save up a bit first' [emoji41] Joking aside - arguably the best return on investment you can get (with decent midrange suspension bits as a close second) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have a boggo Halfords one and it's fine. Only just fits underneath though even at stock height Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's getting a bit unbalanced in here. Surely SOMEONE must hate it... [emoji41][emoji6] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I can't agree with some of the comments on here. Whilst I've been instructed by tyre fitters to return after 50 miles for retorquing (and it needs to be retorquing - a tyre brace doesn't cut it) I've never been asked by a dealer to do so. The average motorist doesn't possess a torque wrench anyway. Plus the standard 'fifty miles' advice presumably gives some margin - I.e the wheel might need retorquing so that it doesn't loosen over the next x thousand miles, not that it'll be dangerously loose like the OPs at that point. This is a safety issue. That wheel clearly wasn't secured at all and if there'd been an accident they should have been looking at charges for criminal negligence. Depending on their response to the OP when he complains (mistakes happen, even serious ones and they may hold their hands up and respond accordingly) I wouldn't consider using this workshop. I've had garages get things wrong, but the good ones agree with the customer and put it right. If they go the extra mile with the OP, it'll show that this is an unusual slip in standards, if they fob him off then it indicates they probably don't care Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's appalling. Yes you're supposed to retorque your wheels but that shouldn't happen. They clearly forgot to secure them. Give 'em hell. I would. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nope, luckily it's still where I left it [emoji41] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mines not really louder than stock with the second cat in place and standard cat back system. Probably too quiet for most, so it's that second stock cat that seems to keep the noise down. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If it was me someone's nicked my car [emoji33] I'm in France, however the 86 isn't... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just sell your kidneys and do both like I did. If it helps - I scrimped on the wheels. Leave those stock for time being and do the rest. Coilovers make a big difference too [emoji41] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You certainly don't see many about. It's an odd feeling when as far as I'm concerned it's the best place you can put £20-25k Is it because the finance figures aren't competitive or something? I know a lot of people buy on PCP these days. Can you get more expensive cars for similar £s per month? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

As I'm in Macc, if you're seeing anyone soon at a meet heading my way happy to wait and save you posting it... I'm still in France anyhow [emoji41] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh, you are kidding! Hope it's not too bad. I've only just got my other car back yesterday from being rear ended by an Audi [emoji35] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There's also the Bilstein B14s I have which are monotube and similar money, but the damping isn't adjustable so that might have put you off... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just get the wheels and tyres bought. I've got a set of stock wheels and barely worn Michelins that'll only ever see the car again if I sell it :-) Hated the stock tyres. I don't regret not getting the wear out of them one bit [emoji1] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think the roof is made of cheese... [emoji1] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think you'll be a happy man. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ok, so now I've got my insurance sorted I can now review this little lot... After a bit of reading on here and elsewhere it seems the best gains to be had on an n/a car come from a manifold replacement. Much as I love the car, two key things that had slightly underwhelmed on the standard car from new we're the lack of mid range grunt, and the slightly characterless engine note. So given that I'm in the North West I decided to get Mike at Tuning Developments to have a go at the car. I've basically had the upgrades he's now offering as a package, so k&n filter, custom decatted manifold and overpipe (sourced from a rather excellent local exhaust specialist) and an Ecutek tune to suit. TD offer EL and UEL manifolds. I went UEL because this is a boxer and I wanted it to sound like one [emoji41]. I have memories of Colin McRae in flying Imprezas... Etc etc So what's it like? Really good. The torque dip is gone. What this means in practice is that the car bogs down much less - on most B roads you could basically stay in 3rd if you're feeling lazy. There's enough extra top end to make it feel quicker than it was before - the engine now feels a better match for the chassis. This is how I wish it had come from the factory, and how it probably would have done ten years earlier... Any downside? No not that I can think of. Fuel consumption seems identical as far as I can tell. And while the engine note is more characterful and definitely louder under throttle, with the standard exhaust system in place from the second cat back it is still as quiet as stock at a cruise. Perfect. I have a very minor teething problem at present with a VERY slight clearance issue on the overpipe (not uncommon with aftermarket overpipes looking at forum threads - there isn't much room) - but that's booked in to sort. So would I recommend? Manifold and remap as best bang for buck for an N/a car? Definitely. Tuning Developments? Yes - they know what they're doing and on the basis of my experience they look after you. Added bonus - this set up can be a stepping stone to their turbo installation. Nice to have a decent specialist to look after us Northerners. UEL manifold? Well... Results so far suggest that the EL manifold gets the best power gains by a few bhp, so take your pick. I wouldn't swap mine as I like the uneven Subaru burble and doubt you could tell any difference in power from the drivers seat, but if you're a sprint series warrior EL might be best on current evidence... Hope this is of use to someone. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quick update. Car back into TD to sort what appeared to be a very slight clearance issue as the engine moves under torque. Overpipe removed and refitted - bit of a mystery as to the cause of the noise as no visible evidence of contact, but either way whatever was vibrating against whatever has stopped doing it following the refit, so jobs a good 'un. [emoji106] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This far... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ah - hadn't spotted it wasn't a UK car ;-D In that case I'd have a go yourself - what's the worst that could happen? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't see why not. Could look cool. But possibly a look to wait until 2022 or thereabouts for some cheap examples... Why won't the insurance pay out for this? I'd expect them to cover weather damage... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I suppose. I guess my point is Its possible to like anything that has a point to it and a bit of character My last car was a Saab. Epic in a straight line, hilariously dodgy in bends but like sitting in a stupidly fast armchair. Thus I loved it. My other car is s Citroen Berlingo . I love that because it's a big square useful box, and not pretending otherwise. Also fun to drive quickly because it shouldn't be possible. I love the GT86 because the compromises are true to its character. For me the choices were the Fiesta, the Toyota or a V8 Jag (really). Couldn't be more different, but all interesting and with a bit of identity. What I can't stand is when I borrow a car (usually an Audi) which is supposed to be refined luxurious, and it has 35 profile tyres and a friggin' awful ride. What's the earthly point of that? [emoji1] (See also small cars that don't handle, and estates with no boot space or practically any SUV that couldn't manage a muddy field...) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I too would take the Polo over the Golf. Where hot hatches are concerned the smaller, the better, and the Polos hardly tiny these days... Funnily enough I've been driving around in a courtesy Fiesta for the last week with the puny 1.25 and it's STILL great fun to drive. But god it's horrible to live with. As for the comments on why anyone would choose a Gt86 if you wanted refinement? Well these things are relative... It's perfectly fine and comfy as a day to day motoring hack. It's not like owning a Caterham or something... But conversely after a crappy day at work a VW is a nice place to be, and on those occasions perhaps worth sacrificing a few degrees of driving pleasure... It's all good. The only cars I hate are those that appear to do NOTHING particularly well. (Yes I'm looking at you Peugeot 207 and Audi A3) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I quite like those... Air of Mk2 golf gti about them I think and deserve to be more popular. Think they suffer a bit from no one knowing they exist and remembering the slightly underwhelming 1.4tsi predecessor. Nice car, classy and understated, and should hold its value pretty well. Personally I quite like a decent FWD car too. My second choice would have been a Fiesta ST, (not least because no one near had a demo Polo) but if you thought the Toyota interior was crap... The Fiesta is a superb car to drive but the interior was designed by someone who wanted the Millenium Falcon for Xmas as a kid but didn't get it, and is now taking their revenge... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Can't say I blame you... Having a decent dealer is almost more important than the car. For me it was the opposite - I can get better service from Toyota locally than most of the German options. That aside I'd still gladly run another BMW. It's not better or worse, just different. What you lose in involvement you gain in refinement, quality and sheer competence. Hope you didn't buy an Audi though ;-). Never understood their ability to build cars that neither ride NOR handle... I love my car deeply - but it's like a new classic in many respects so I can forgive it the odd thing. You don't half notice when you get back into something truly 'modern' though. [emoji1] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk