I think the most ringing endorsement I can give of the S3's portfolio of strengths don't just come down to its power, but it's ability to cope in every situation life seems to throw at it. Day to day it's a fast / grippy hatchback, and as soon as the inclement British weather sets in it doesn't leave you feeling vulnerable and exposed, it just continues delivering in wet, sleet, snow. Consistent, predictable, and you know with the Haldex safety net you will have to be a complete fool (or incredibly unlucky) to lob it at the scenery. Even with Stage 2 I can hand the keys to my wife without a second thought, even when the weathers at its worst and know she is as safe as can be in any hot hatch available today (certainly wouldn't be able to do that in a 300bhp+ FWD car).
It's fast, practical, comfortable, and classy. We've charged across Europe in ours and got out at the other end not feeling like we've been savaged by bears. In all those miles we've enjoyed the drive even more as your sat somewhere special. Because we're more passionate about the car we are driving, going to all these places seems more of an event, and driving becomes less of a process and more of an experience. More so in Europe we've come back to find people taking photos of our car. At Le Mans in 2012 a very young French couple were photographing our S3 when we got back to the car parks. Despite the slight language barrier (my French is weak), we let them have a sit / poke about in it and they seemed to enjoy it. If it had been something run of the mill they'd have walked on by, but it's the kind of car that even stirs the souls and desires of others (young like them or old like me!).
The final testament is that twice I've been in a position to change cars in the last 7 years, the first time I went back for another S3 as there was nothing as complete that I could run for such a reasonable cost. Secondly there was nothing that offered the all round compelling proposition the S3 offers. To me it's just that bit nicer the the Golf's/Leon, and better than everything else hatch wise from most angles. You have to spend significantly more to improve upon it, but then you often find yourself still having to uncheck one box on the more expensive car as the S3 just does everything well.
Certainly the most satisfying 7 years driving I've had (if you ignore the dealer intreractions, but then there's no pleasure without pain).
Is it ordered yet?
