Fans of affordable sports cars have a new dilemma now that the Toyota FT-86/Scion FR-S/Subaru BR-Z trio has brought rear-wheel-drive into the equation. What’s better: a front-wheel-drive hot hatch like the VW Golf GTI or a rear-wheel-drive coupe like the ones offered by the Japanese carmakers?
To find the answer(s) to this question, two editors from MotorTrend and European Car took the Scion FR-S and the sixth-generation VW Golf GTI for a spin around the track. They also brought along a third car to the playground, the 1989 BMW M3 from the E30 generation, to serve as a benchmark.
As you’ve probably guessed by now, this is a recipe for never-ending arguments about which car is better, fastest around the track and the most fun to drive. You’ll have to watch the video below to find out the answers and to see how the 24-year-old M3 stacks up against the FR-S and the GTI.
By Dan Mihalascu
VIDEO