Will the S3 loose value??

TanyaS3

TanyaS3

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Hi All

Just a little worried about my S3 loosing value when the new S3 or even RS3 comes out eventually?

Its on 85,000 so just worried. I dont want to loose to much on it as its my savings for my own place sometime.

What do you all think?

thanks
Tanya
 
Going by how many are for sale on Ebay at the moment. I would say that a lot of people are worried about this and getting rid before the new model is released.
 
Of course it will...it's inevitable.

The other concern for me, would be that prices of high milage, early S3's have dropped to levels where the Chavs are getting hold of them...and doing all sorts of unspeakably bads mods to them...
Once this gets a hold...the resuduals will go through the floor.

The relative exclusivity should keep values pretty high...but with used cars on the whole being worth next to nothing...none-exceptional cars will start to drop in value. It's already happening....but that's life.

Even cars that were thought to be virtually bulletproof for depreciation are dropping...
 
I'm not too sure that a new S3 will affect the old S3's value too much. I actually think it could make a few more people aware that an S3 exhists (a lot of people don't know).

However, I think cars like the R32 which are now getting a bit cheaper and therefore an alternative to an S3. I think this will affect the value more than the new S3 (if it ever appears!)
 
I too am dubious as to whether a new model affects the price of an older S3. If, for instance, someone wants to spend about 14k on a car, they are hardly going to say sod it and go and pay 28-30 for a new one.
Of course, there are probably people who haven't changed their S3 because they've not seen an equivalent they like. Maybe then, a new S3 will be what they are looking for. But these people are a small minority.
I always question the intention of people who say cars will drop through the floor when a new model comes out. '97 Imprezas didn't drop when the facelifted 99 cars came out.

Chris.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Of course it will...it's inevitable.


[/ QUOTE ]

It is, but they'll only go so far.

Audi S's and RS's are all cult cars, and wouldn't be considered to be bought by most people as they see them as a extravagance, and they would choose a newer model or an A3 (or another 'sensible' option)

The S3 is coming to the stage of it life where 100% original, genuine examples will always command a higher premium, and modified ones will only get these kind of prices if there's bulletproof paperwork.

So yes, the prices generally will go down, and yes, there may even be the odd chav that buys them and tarts them up (but tbh this happened all the way through the life of the S3), but there really aren't enough S3's to go around all the chavs, and the more that do get written off (modified or crashed) only serves to push the prices of the mint ones back up again. You only have to look at the prices of mint MK1 and MK2 Golfs to see this happening..

The only minus point really, is that most chavs will buy 1.8T's and hence "lower the tone" of 8L's in generall, then you'll risk owning a chav ricer - nova's anyone? The GTE nova was a nice car, till everyone bought a 1.3sr and crached it into the first wall they could find.

Still, I'll say it again, the S3 is a cult car, still beyond the reach of careless chav's, and still sought after by car enthusiasts. It will still remain collectable, comfortable, and refined.

In the end, no car remains invulnerable to depreciation, but the overall collectability, reputation and quality of the car will dictate how far it will go. The only thing that really depreciates is your target buyer at selling time. You'll no longer be able to target enthusiasts, trendy people and estate agents - just the enthusiasts. IMHO, they're the only people that should be able to enjoy such cars as S's and RS's.
 
Good clean cars with sensible mileage will hold up reasonably well I think.
The real problem with impreza's came thru jeap JDM imports being available at 4k, thus "chavs" got hold of them and the image has been damaged.
However, I still think it will be awhile before this hits the S3. Even at 7k, its a lot of money for someone to pay for a reasonably bland , stealthy vehicle.
People who want to impress their mates will still spend 7k on an Evo V or a scooby as it will be newer and a percived "better" car. There is also thousands of those kicking around with lots more mods available.
Do an ebay search for an impreza or an evo, then relax in the knowledge there is only 30 or so S3's available.
 
I cant see the the prices changing that much as stated above. Take a look at the RS focus prices (used) although the ST is here prices havent changed at all & the ST is supposed to be the better car but yet you can get a mint example of the RS at same price of a brand new base model ST. I dont think theres anything to worry about.

As an example of current price (dealer):

A3 Hatchback - S3 Quattro 3 Door
Sep 2001/ 51
55,051
£16,850

Ebony Black Pearl with Black Leather. Trip computer, PAS, Radio/Cassette, Body coloured bumpers, Front electric windows, Electric door mirrors, Heated door mirrors, Front fog lights, Headlight washers, Rear wiper, Climate control, Front head restraints, Rear headrests, Steering wheel reach adjustment, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Folding rear seats, ABS, Drivers airbag, Passenger airbag, Traction control, Side airbags, Alarm, Central locking, Remote central locking, Immobiliser, Alloy wheels, Space saver spare wheel, BOSE sound system, 17" alloy wheels.

If this is a fair price from a dealer then i would be quite happy with the value of mine.

Matt
 
[ QUOTE ]
I cant see the the prices changing that much as stated above. Take a look at the RS focus prices (used) although the ST is here prices havent changed at all & the ST is supposed to be the better car but yet you can get a mint example of the RS at same price of a brand new base model ST. I dont think theres anything to worry about.
with the value of mine.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, but the RS Focus was a limited edition ... so will hold its value well despite new models appearing. The Focus ST is mass produced so not as exclusive.
 
Any car will loose value with very very few exceptions

If you use the prices of the S2 as an example they will drop to a certain level and pretty much stay there with unmolested original examples fetching a higher premium

I would hope (for all you S3 bods) that with the introduction of the new S3 / RS3 it would raise the public awareness of the old model as they are fantastic understated performance cars which not a lot of people know much about.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I would hope (for all you S3 bods) that with the introduction of the new S3 / RS3 it would raise the public awareness of the old model as they are fantastic understated performance cars which not a lot of people know much about.

[/ QUOTE ]

This did happen when the new A4 cabriolet came along; my 1998 ragtop went up in price by a good few hundred pounds so I sold it. Thankfully I did because when the new A4 hit the second hand market 98 models etc plummeted! Maybe when the new RS3/S3 is launched, it's time to sell.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Just a little worried about my S3 loosing value when the new S3 or even RS3 comes out eventually?

Its on 85,000 so just worried. I dont want to loose to much on it as its my savings for my own place sometime.

What do you all think?

[/ QUOTE ]

S3's traditionally have been known to hold their value so I don't believe there will be a drop when the new model comes out.

Although I would worry about using a Car as "Savings", not the best investment /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I cant see the the prices changing that much as stated above. Take a look at the RS focus prices (used) although the ST is here prices havent changed at all & the ST is supposed to be the better car but yet you can get a mint example of the RS at same price of a brand new base model ST. I dont think theres anything to worry about.

As an example of current price (dealer):

A3 Hatchback - S3 Quattro 3 Door
Sep 2001/ 51
55,051
£16,850

Ebony Black Pearl with Black Leather. Trip computer, PAS, Radio/Cassette, Body coloured bumpers, Front electric windows, Electric door mirrors, Heated door mirrors, Front fog lights, Headlight washers, Rear wiper, Climate control, Front head restraints, Rear headrests, Steering wheel reach adjustment, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Folding rear seats, ABS, Drivers airbag, Passenger airbag, Traction control, Side airbags, Alarm, Central locking, Remote central locking, Immobiliser, Alloy wheels, Space saver spare wheel, BOSE sound system, 17" alloy wheels.

If this is a fair price from a dealer then i would be quite happy with the value of mine.

Matt

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats not a fair price Matt - in fact its a joke price - basically a poverty spec car with just Bose and paint - on a 51 plate too for nearly 17k - you could buy a 03 car with warranty for less that that.

Dunc
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I cant see the the prices changing that much as stated above. Take a look at the RS focus prices (used) although the ST is here prices havent changed at all & the ST is supposed to be the better car but yet you can get a mint example of the RS at same price of a brand new base model ST. I dont think theres anything to worry about.

As an example of current price (dealer):

A3 Hatchback - S3 Quattro 3 Door
Sep 2001/ 51
55,051
£16,850

Ebony Black Pearl with Black Leather. Trip computer, PAS, Radio/Cassette, Body coloured bumpers, Front electric windows, Electric door mirrors, Heated door mirrors, Front fog lights, Headlight washers, Rear wiper, Climate control, Front head restraints, Rear headrests, Steering wheel reach adjustment, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Folding rear seats, ABS, Drivers airbag, Passenger airbag, Traction control, Side airbags, Alarm, Central locking, Remote central locking, Immobiliser, Alloy wheels, Space saver spare wheel, BOSE sound system, 17" alloy wheels.

If this is a fair price from a dealer then i would be quite happy with the value of mine.

Matt

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats a joke price - poverty spec car with only Bose, on a 51 plate for nearly 17k - you could buy a 03 car with warranty for less that that /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh_roll.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

just been to look at a 2001 car with the same spec today with 68k on the clock for £10-995 from MB Motors
 
The Focus RS may have been a limited edition but its not as if there weren't enough to go round. Plenty advertised privately.

Chris.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The Focus RS may have been a limited edition but its not as if there weren't enough to go round. Plenty advertised privately.

[/ QUOTE ]

'Plenty' yes but compare the number to S3's and it's not many!
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The Focus RS may have been a limited edition but its not as if there weren't enough to go round. Plenty advertised privately.

[/ QUOTE ]

'Plenty' yes but compare the number to S3's and it's not many!

[/ QUOTE ]

Especially recently!
 
Let's remember the basics:

Supply and demand.
When you had to wait 6-7 months for a new one...used prices stayed high. Now, prices drop.

When S3s are still in the dealer network with full VAG warranty, prices stay high.
Now, they start to drop.

When a replacement model comes out, prices start to drop. Up to this point there wasn't a new S3 available...as soon as it's confirmed...prices WILL drop.
If for no other reason than some current owners will be selling their 'old' shape' S3 and awaiting delivery of their 'new shape' S3.

Then there's the Chav factor...already discussed...how much impact it will have may well be area dependant.

Against that the exclusivity...and 'cult' following..although to be honest, the S3 isn't a 'cult' car in any way, shape, or form, as it's just not good enough at any one thing to justify it!

Another factor is it's rivals...
S3s were expensive new...
Once the opposition started making cars that were as well built and often better to drive...S3 prices were harder to justify. R32 anyone?

It's a fact of life...
The S3 will never be common...but it's not exactly a rarity either. There are thousands of them around.
The S3 will never reach the 'peanuts' level...but the prices will steaily drop...for all the normal reasons...
We just have to accept it...and live with it.


Let's be honest...you don't put your money into a car like an S3 and convince yourself it's an investment. That's just silly.
It's a mass-market car. It looses money. Period.

It's a better bet than most of the opposition...but it cost as much or more..
Still a pretty good proposition as current cars go though.
 
Thanks for all your input on this thread.

Its interesting to read everyones thoughts on this.

I hope they do hold.

Tanya
 
[ QUOTE ]
Against that the exclusivity...and 'cult' following..although to be honest, the S3 isn't a 'cult' car in any way, shape, or form, as it's just not good enough at any one thing to justify it!

[/ QUOTE ]

Rubbish! they were the first AWD drive turbo hatchback that was available for quite some time since the Integrale. When the B5 and 8L shapes came out, they were groundbreaking - all others where making square cars, then VAG made beautiful rounded cars. They got it wrong with the MK3 golf (looks, although not the handling), but got it right with the 8L (unfortunately the other way round..).

The MK2 golf - what did that excel at then? Handling? good but not excellent. Looks? Maybe, but again, not exceptional. Performance, in its day, maybe, but again, there were faster. Then eventually they released the 16v - spot on, but again there were still faster hatchbacks in the same era. The MK2 is still a cult car.

I'd define a cult car as one that somebody would go out of there way to buy despite knowing it has pitfalls (maybe serious ones), but the pleasure from owning such a car outweighs such problems.

People still buy S3's for this feeling, knowing full-well that a new golf gti or focus offers more bang for buck, but maybe lacks that little something extra.
 
[ QUOTE ]

Rubbish! they were the first AWD drive turbo hatchback that was available for quite some time since the Integrale.


[/ QUOTE ]

At a very high price...and wuith a 4WD system that wasn't a patch on the stuff the Japs were producing....and drove like a FWD car.

This doesn't even come close to making the S3 a 'cult' car. not even close.


[ QUOTE ]

They got it wrong with the MK3 golf (looks, although not the handling), but got it right with the 8L (unfortunately the other way round..).

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't follow...
Are you suggesting the Mk3 is a good looker and not a good handler?
If so, I agree.

But if that's the case, then you must suggest that the A3/S3 is a good handling car?

I'm not following...sorry!


[ QUOTE ]

The MK2 golf - what did that excel at then? Handling? good but not excellent. Looks? Maybe, but again, not exceptional. Performance, in its day, maybe, but again, there were faster. Then eventually they released the 16v - spot on, but again there were still faster hatchbacks in the same era. The MK2 is still a cult car.


[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think a Mk2 GTI is a cult car either...
Too common and too compromised.

What the Mk2 does well, is in the driving. It's fun...
The S3 isn't. Not in the same way.


[ QUOTE ]

I'd define a cult car as one that somebody would go out of there way to buy despite knowing it has pitfalls (maybe serious ones), but the pleasure from owning such a car outweighs such problems.

[/ QUOTE ]

That isn't enough to make it a 'cult' car in my view...
Proper 'cult' cars are few and far between...and certainly aren't boring...or mass market.
Different perceptions I guess...

I don't get the cult-like following of the corrado either...an expensive Passat coupe...nothing special...


[ QUOTE ]

People still buy S3's for this feeling, knowing full-well that a new golf gti or focus offers more bang for buck, but maybe lacks that little something extra.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't agree...
I think people buy an S3 expecting something special...which inside and outside it is...but not to drive.
Then they either sell them through boredom, mod the hell out of them, or simply pose in them.
Not a cult car to me...

A cult car should have passion, it should make you feel special. I just don't think the S3 ever did that.
Not to me anyway...


Don't get me wrong...I love my S3! It was a brilliant car...possibly the 'best' car i've owned...
But not a 'cult' car...I've owned what I would consider to be a 'cult' car...and the S3 wasn't it.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Proper 'cult' cars are few and far between...and certainly aren't boring...or mass market.

[/ QUOTE ]

so you'd rule out the beetle or mini too? (although lets not mention the 'new' ones). They were mass produced and common.

I guess beauty is well and truly in the eye of the beholder, and we are all very much different. I can respect that.

To me, the Mk1 and 2 golfs and especially corrado are very much cult cars - and that has nothing to do with being overly loyal to the marque. My corrado was probably the best, most neutral handling car I have ever driven, but the vr6's box was a dog (both ratios and feel).

I can understand your comments though, as you come from a string of very nice cars, especially the integra and the porka, and perhaps if i was able to afford such toys then my opinions may be flipped on their head -one day.

but until then, the s3 is pushing most of the right buttons.
 
[ QUOTE ]

so you'd rule out the beetle or mini too? (although lets not mention the 'new' ones). They were mass produced and common.


[/ QUOTE ]

I guess they break my guidelines...
The Beetle...and original Mini...yeah sure. But these gained cult like following by virtue of the length of time they were made...
Not that horrid new MINI thing though...fashion accessory that it is! Awful car...


[ QUOTE ]

To me, the Mk1 and 2 golfs and especially corrado are very much cult cars - and that has nothing to do with being overly loyal to the marque.


[/ QUOTE ]

Great cars...
But not 'cult' to me...although as you say, they are to many.


[ QUOTE ]

My corrado was probably the best, most neutral handling car I have ever driven, but the vr6's box was a dog (both ratios and feel).

[/ QUOTE ]

A Corrado VR6 is a great car...but it's only Mk3 GTI suspension with 1.4 degrees of negative camber!
Add that to a Golf and the playing field is equal...
The corrado VR6 is a great car to drive though...i know what you mean.

And the gearbox ratios are awful! That's for sure!


[ QUOTE ]

but until then, the s3 is pushing most of the right buttons.

[/ QUOTE ]

Again, I loved my S3...it was a brilliant car.
But I can't see it ever being a 'cult' car in my eyes...it just doesn't do the things a cult car should.
In some ways it's a missed opportunity I think. It could have been so much better...and at the price audi charged for it...it damned well should have been better to drive!
 
Even though Audis traditionally have slower depreciation than other makes, this fact made no difference to my decision to buy. I loved the car enough to buy it for what it was.

I bought my S3 two years ago for £19,500 from a dealer. It had 18k on the clock and was 2 years old.

Now, it's over 4 years old and has 44k on the clock. I've also spent two grand on servicing, clutch and remap.

If I sold it now, I might get £13,500 tops, which means it's lost £6,000 in two years, not to mention the two grand on servicing etc. I can live with that.

I'm not an expert - it's the first "fast" car I've ever owned. All I know is that my S3 goes very fast and turns heads and I love it. Not a cult car by any stretch of the imagination, but rare enough to be interesting.

When you add up all the bits: quattro, recaros, leather, full electrics, superb engine etc, I've always thought S3s were good value for money.
 
Everyone how has ever owned an S3 will probably consider it special, but a proper 'cult' car should also be special to those who haven't owned one. Like the Integralle, Cosworths, 911s, etc.

There's no way I'd consider selling my S3. So personally I'm not too concerned about it loosing value. Even if I get a new motor, I'll probably keep the little Audi...
 
same here got mine for the long haul (poss 10 years), had the mk2 crx 9 years and covered 100,000 mile in it and loved every second.
 
Think about when the S3 first appeared & what it had to offer.

Xeons
Electric seats
Recaro as standard
Quattro system
Powerful decent engine
Bigger arches then the A3 (+ other styling changes).
Bose System

It cant really be faulted in terms of equipment or all the options that were there & in comparison to models manufactured after this date theres not alot that comes close with the same build quaility, reliability & performance / luxuary of a hatch the same sort of size. Even now theres not much that comes close, maybe in terms of performance yes but thats it. Unless your considering 8P's or R32's. But with both of them there are draw backs.
 


[ QUOTE ]

A Corrado VR6 is a great car...but it's only Mk3 GTI suspension with 1.4 degrees of negative camber!
Add that to a Golf and the playing field is equal...
The corrado VR6 is a great car to drive though...i know what you mean.

[/ QUOTE ]

Which is why we cannot bring ourselves to get rid of the Corrado even though it's sat in the garage gathering dust. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/1luvu.gif But like any great car, it cost a fortune to buy (at the time anyway) and is now worth very little, makes it kind of hard to sell something that's still so good to some chav for so little money.

We've spent a long time looking for something to replace it which is why we ended up with the S3, as close a succesor as we figured VAG were ever going to produce. Guess in ten years time we'll have the S3 and the Corrado parked together being unused while we drive about in another close succesor.
 
I am not sure how anyone could think of a car as an investment it loses value and ends up as scrap eventually /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I was speaking to a bloke who asked if mine was an s3 and he went on to say he had changed his for a v6 A3 and moaned about petrol consumption so I said buy a picanto if you want economy..its the same with the cars value do not buy above your means
 
[ QUOTE ]
I am not sure how anyone could think of a car as an investment it loses value and ends up as scrap eventually /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I was speaking to a bloke who asked if mine was an s3 and he went on to say he had changed his for a v6 A3 and moaned about petrol consumption so I said buy a picanto if you want economy..its the same with the cars value do not buy above your means

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly, people comment on how much I pay for 18" tyres, the fact that I only buy Optimax and then consume it at an alarming rate, the insurance group, etc. So what? If you need to save money, buy a 1.4 diesel, just don't complain to me about the performance.
 
My S3 is about more than getting from A-B. If that's all I wanted I'd get a Polo.

To me, the expense of running it and the depreciation are just the cost of this particular hobby.
 
Flash cars are an extravagance...you don't buy them because they make sense...you buy them because you want to, they make you feel good, or they justify you plodding on in a crap job so you can have something nice at the end of it.

Nobody buys a car thinking it'll be an investment (unless you are very lucky!)

I don't really concern myself with depreciation...it's worth what it's worth when I'm bored with it, and want to change.
If I was bothered about loosing money on a car I'd run a 5 year old Ka and put my money into an ISA or similar.

Whatever reasons we have for justifying cars like the S3...we buy them because we do justify them to ourselves. Not because they are sensible.
 
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