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What would you get next?
I'm not entirely certain to be honest Nath, I do like Audi for their build quality and subtle design, I just wish there was an ounce of driver involvement about them. I hate to have to hark on about Porsche but they are more of a drivers car, and if like me you don't use your car to drive to work then a car is more about fun than practicality. I have to say though that my 200sx was more fun and put a smile on my face and it cost me an awful lot less than my S3. I'm thinking something with RWD is the key to it, just not sure what yet...
i'd get an A5 2.0T quattro and tune the hell out of it...
not RWD but a fairly involving car, with the added advantage of 4WD, good looks (in the right spec) and prestige. also has the build quality you desire, it's fairly inconspicuous and is fun to drive.
You're right, they certainly are likely to put together a fair old machine, if it comes.
But the prospect just doesn't excite me at all I have to say (this is in no way offence to anybody), but I find the S3 a ****** boring car to drive I really do, it's good, but it ain't special. It's being passed on as soon as my misses passes her test, she can have it to do the shopping and i'll be free to get myself something else and I wont be drawn to the RS3 in the slightest if the TTRS and the S3 are anything to go by.
For the money they are likely to ask for it, whether it's 40k or 50k, having the S3 has made me realise there is a hell of a lot more fun that can be had for the money.
I find it hard to take in posts like I find the S3 ****** boring, not that you personally find it boring, it is your choice, I think people are to harsh to judge it. I dont find it boring, but I do feel safe in it which is more important for me especially as the S3 now is quite easily obtainable for most drivers, (Who like me are quiter inexperienced at having a car that really is seriously fast, and then so cheap to make it a very very fast car, I dont think Audi can afford not to make it boringly safe. Maybe after last Winter AWD became important to me, one of the main reasons I bought the S3 over a BMW,or anything else
I spent a few hours last night looking for new alternatives after reading some of the posts again in this thread, and others regarding S3's Verses etc. and read a few reviews, I could not really find one for the price, quality, resale value, and most of all for me AWD, I think 90% of people that actually write a review of an S3 have not driven one properly, and class the S3 the same as all other Audi's that are made (2 Wheel drive versions). Maybe it is old hat in side and outside, but for me what really counts is how it goes side by side.
I suppose what I am really saying, put 2 cars together on a road, track, an S3 pound for pound with some minor mods, will beat pretty well most things up to cars costing a lot more, because it is boring and safe, but winning is all that matters for me.
I am looking forward to an RS3, Will I buy one, hmm not sure but mostly because of my principles, ( I can certainly afford one) When I make a decision, and want it now, I want some discount to warrant me to buy it, I am not keen on the fact still you have to add loads of options to a car costing so much money, it is still old hat inside, outside does not bother me, I love understated cars, I would love an RS3, I just want to pay for it and drive it out of the showroom, not wait 6 months for it after ordering it
looking for new alternatives after reading some of the posts again in this thread, and others regarding S3's Verses etc. and read a few reviews, I could not really find one for the price, quality, resale value, and most of all for me AWD....
Audi have said the quattro concept it a "very buildable" car as it's just shortened A4/A5 chassis.
I hope they release the Quattro Concept. They have a section on it on the UK website may be there seeing how many potential customers there are.
I think the S3 will be axed then the RS3 brought out IMO, The fact that Audi are testing prototypes says to me that it's on the way. Personally next I will be going VW probably and definitely DSG After seeing my mates Golf gti Edition 30 I think a white one may be on the cards I do like the S3 but that golf just takes my fancy abit more really
you're right in a lot of what you say Brett. I think you have hit the nail on the head by saying it does feel like a safe car, and maybe that's why it feels, IMO anyway, a bit bland. Don't get me wrong a safe car is fine but just not raw enough for me. It ticks a lot of boxes, but the only one it doesn't, and this is the one that matters the most, does it make you grin from ear to ear every time you drive it ? Because for me spending £35,000 (+) on a car that is possibly primarily your transport / hobby and passion all rolled in to one, it needs to do that. If it is bought purely as an object to get you from A to B it is unlikely you would be using an Audi Sport forum.
So for me at least , this is why the RS3 would need to be a hell of a car to prize close to 45 to 50 grand out of my pocket.
The S3 is certainly not the most raw or sharp hot hatch in standard form- Megane R26 , CTR, Focus RS etc are, but it is certainly is very quick and capable while maybe lacking some Drama of its rivals- Focus RS, R32 etc- with its engine note for example, in standard form.
A 911 turbo in comparison- not that they are even directly comparable is obviously is another league when its comes to steering feel, braking, drama etc, but again compared to its rivals- F430, Gallardo etc it can also be critiqued for being pretty dull- dull engine note, dull interior, more floaty chassis in comparison- 996 Turbo was always much less of a handler then the GT3 or even Carrera S, so everything must be compared relatively.
A 996 Turbo is obviously a hugely fast car but if I was too think of one supercar that's pretty lacking in drama compared to its rivals, and one I do not desire it would be a 996 997.1 Turbo..and yes I have been in a 997.1 Turbo.
OK Mr Clarkson, next time you are test driving all the car's in your fantasy garage, give me a shout, be interested to tag along.
Are your comments based on your car or an S3 ?
Don't remember actually using the numbers 911 or 996 in my post..............
Hehe....Im just saying I do remember you kind of making an unfair comparison between the 996 and the S3 after upgrading, and most of the negatives aimed at the S3 were to do with its lack of drama/excitement etc
Not dissing your motor, just saying! My comments are based on several Stage2/ Stage 2+ S3s I have been in many times, belonging to members of this forum, said 997 I have been in, and many reviews/ road tests I have watched and read of the 996 turbo in particular.
e.
Anyway I'm going to go and drool over the photo of that "stealth" Lambo one more time, I would sell a kidney for it .
Don't listen to Willmac, Brett - I'm with you on the S3 on not being boring although certainly can be but more importantly should be more agressive from stock. A revo, TBE, etc etc and before you know it is a wolf in sheeps clothing that certinaly challenges all the write-ups in it competitive set.....for the last 4 years!!!
It all about opinions and as for Willmac I can speak personally for him.....if we are stereotype "corporate suits" who enjoy the luxury of the four rings in both quality build, prestigeness and added performance then I would describe Willmac as more of a transatlantic mindest....mainly because his driving habbits closely resemble Ace Ventura...but in all honesty in a former life I am convinced he was an architect, based in Stuttgart.....and its just as well he is based off-shore for half his life... otherwise the fact that that 2/3rds of all the 1m Porsches' built are still on the road would be seriously flawed knowing his fondness and genuinely admiration for.....(this could become a caption question ending!!)....
All i can say willie is I can't wait to see how my revo, TBE, ITG Maxogen, quattro beast pulls away from the lights and you haven;t even had a chance to turn down the volume on classic FM
Absolutely love this forum....:sign_unfair:
Crikey, I think I started all this with my "I think my S3 is boring" comment the other day. I never meant for this to turn into a car comparison thread or similar. I was simply saying that given my experience of performance Audis, I wont' be paying even more money for one in the form of an RS3.
I stand by what i said though, I think the S3 is boring, I have had more fun in cars that cost way less than the asking price of a new S3, FACT. Do I think it's slow, no I don't. Do I think it's a crap car, no I don't. Do I think you can have more fun for the money in a more driver focused car, yes I do, there is no debate about that, care to prove me wrong?
More fun for the same money in a more driver focused car? yes of course. I'm a fan of most fast Audis , but B7 RS4 and of course R8 excluded, they all seem to be a bit of a remote driving experience, even just in comparison to current AMGs and the M range.
S and RS Audis look lovely, have great interiors and engines, and tons of grip but mainly due to the quattro and nose heavyness are more about safe understeering behaviour then four wheel drift ability. All round they are great cars though.
Next year depending on my situation I am considering a Z4 M coupe, 370Z or a Monaro VXR for some real fun.
All 2 seaters except Vauxhall, and I think you would be disappointed in day to day use in that, and handling, not to mention fuel, but fuel for some does not really come into it I know
I do question one part of your theory, you always talk money, more fun for the same money, please do explain , a 10 year old porche for 30k against a new 30k S3, I think that is an unfair comparison, give S3's another year or so, pick one up for like 12-15k spend 5k (not to make it look more pretty) then your fun theory for the money I think would be on dodgy tarmac. I stand by my Fun Theory, is winning , not nearly ending up in the hedge every 5 mins in the wet or dry for that matter.
S3's makes me smile, come up and see me at the Wining post
S3 must do something right for you to own it nick, otherwise you would have bought a 2.0TDI
Just goes to show that a 15 min test drive ain't enough! I'd never own a disease-al though I have to say, i'd rather shove wasps up my @rse!