Valid point...I suppose what I was trying to say was that the EK9 was frantic and edgy...a wild thing. The EP3 (is that the right type number?) feels frantic, but without the edgyness. to me anyway.
It was a lot of fuss over little, to me...does that make sense?
Almost engineered to feel wild...whilst not being wild.
Anyway...
So would I.
Again, I disagree...I think the S3 IS dull.
It's a lovely car, superbly built, well appointed, good looking, quick, stable...but dull as dishwater.
Almost too well sorted.
It's safe...to the point of frustration. It is still numb of steering, and will tend to understeer out of trouble. So, although it's a lovely car...it's dull.
Completely in line with other quick Audis...
I've had the privelege of driving ChriS3s RS4 and it's a brilliant car...great engine note, a car that betrays it's size and weight...but it's dull to drive.
It goes and grips with no fuss...you go faster than you ever thought...it brakes well with little fus other than wagging it's tail...but you get out without breaking a sweat, having not had to try, and feeling cheated.
Same with the S3.
Good...just not involving.
My old modified 8L was the same...despite 3 years of trying to waken the damn thing up.
To some, that's a good thing - and fair play to them.
To me, that's dull.
The GTI felt more alive out if the box...which bodes well.
I guess its what pushes your buttons.
Having a quick car car that lets you exploit the power in pretty much all conditions and flatters the driving skills of `Joe average` (Me) is what I want, like and now have in an S3.
Buttons pressed, job done.
The 2 Mk5s I owned were both too slow out of the box in modern terms. Fun, but too slow IMO.
The second one was transformed with a 250bhp remap but you could only exploit the power in a straight line on a dry day.
Meaning torque steer was the order of the day from Sept to April.
Exciting? probably, in the same way as pressing the gas pedal to the floor and letting go of the steering wheel is.
Not having owned, but driven a fast rwd car (E46 M3) I was very impressed however everytime time you give it the beans I felt like it was going to kill me. A real weapon in the right hands.
Did I find find it exciting? yes, in the same way as getting chased home from the school bully who was ready to bash you and pinch your sweets.
That said, I wouldnt say no to any of them. All fine cars in different ways for different reasons.
Interesting suggestion regarding the 130i (Spin140), something I would have looked at in the past if it wasnt for the looks.
On paper its sounds great.
I find the whole `AUDI is dull dabate, fascinating.
(I have no history of AUDI ownersip and/or deep rooted brand loyalty btw. )
I always liked the look of the S3 (8L too) , like the headline figures, liked the idea of quattro.
Drove one, loved it, bought one.
Ive owned a few comact performance cars which are widely considered as `fun` and well sorted, from old school hot hatches, corrados, CTR, Mk5Gti as mentioned and find the S3 as good if not better than any of them.
There just doesnt seem to be any consistency in opinions between owners/ex owners and the motoring press as to whether AUDIs are in fact dull.
I cant speak for the rest of the range but I would LOVE to bore myself in an RS4 for a few hours.
Cheers
Paul
About as usefull as this one.. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-ljDKj9xLZw&feature=related
