A Golf with a precise and lively steering wheel? Now I have only driven the Golf+ and the Golf based Tourans (GP1 and GP2), but they always felt a bit detached from the road, with too much power steering. To be honest our Xsara is more precise in that regard, and you feel the road, you feel what is going on.

Think the 86 is quite nice. I only sat in one but rather liked it, although the seating position was so low that I could hardly see out of the car Should have adjusted the seat. Also I thought the handbreak is a bit in the way, at least when pulled. Not sure how it would be while driving. The gearbox surprisingly good (didn't drive it, but the travel is nice and short, on the other hand VW gearboxes on normal cars seemed rather similar, although I do hate the VW clutch).

No doubt the Golf is the much more practical car, easier to live with (especially as the only car), something you can use every day. I wouldn't be surprised if the GT86 is more fun though. It just depends on what your priorities are.