I would argue that the build quality and sure footed awd system along with spec and comparative performance mark it as much of a performance car as say a Subaru. Having had a 2002 impreza I would say the S3 is a far better car in every respect the only thing the Subaru was better for was the soundtrack. I have not looked at the specific cars on this list but if you are comparing modified cars to a standard S3 then that does not work. As you said if you WANT an S3 then you are going to have to pay for it sure there are cheap cars out there but they all come with probs. I paid 2750 for mine and it has a dink in the wing and needs the rear bumper painting but it has full Audi history and has done 108000 miles. It's awesome yes not as fast as some cars but it's built better sticks to the road better and has more toys than most similar cars and 250 quid for 260hp puts it to keeping up with my mates focus rs.
Cheers jaz
I disagree to a certain extent, but I take your standard vs modified point.
Standard S3's are slow, you HAVE to modify them with at least a stage one remap to make them any good as a
performance car. Anybody who argues with that needs their head examined. As a performance car, relative to their weight and given their power they don't warrant their 4WD system in standard form. It just isn't necessary IMO. Bearing in mind here we are talking about performance, because that's after all what the S3 is supposed to be.
In my experience people who are looking at spending the sort of money that an 8L S3 is at the moment, they are either looking for something cheap and smart...as new as they can get...or an older performance car to get bang for their buck. I don't see a market for a sure footed, reliable, slightly underpowered (given it's weight), expensive to insure, Haldex 4WD powered hatch back. The other options on the market, even as standard are just such a better option IMO. Look at a Clio Sport 182, a NICE 306 GTI6, an M3, a Saab 9-3 Viggen, hell even an S4 for the 4200 pounds that car below is. All of which would out do a standard S3 in all aspects in a performance situation for much less money.
Given the interior of the S3, it's got climate control...leather seats...a Bose sound system if you're lucky...cruise control if you're lucky...But what else is there that isn't on EVERY car of the same year?
HOWEVER, buy an S3 on the cheap, fix the niggles, get it up to stage 2 mapping and it's a
TOTALLY different story and they are awesome and one of the best value for money cars out there. But to demand a price premium for originality IMO devalues the vehicle, because there will always be a modified one round the corner for the same money which is 10x the car.
Are we talking about a Mk1 RS here?
![[Dave B]](/xf/data/avatars/m/0/100.jpg?1478806902){kind=avatar}
