So what next?

[PhatGit]

i was having a pretty crap day at work yesterday and needed to get out for some air. As I work 5 minutes walk from an Audi garage I decided to go look at the new A4. As with many on here, I've got a PCP so always good to understand what the options are, even with 33 months of the current deal still to run. I'm sure I'm not the only one! That got me thinking what are other S3/A3 owners on pcp thinking of getting next? I told you it was a crap day!

Got to say I was underwhelmed with the A4, really didn't do it for me, but took the opportunity to look at the other options. Across the whole range, only 2 drew me back for a second look;

The new TT, but as much as I loved the last one, not sure I'd go back, mainly due to the limited choices of engine with Quattro.

The SQ5 looked interesting, but really needs an internal refresh. Stick the new TT dash in it as a start

So, for the first time in a long time, I have no idea where I am heading for the next cat, although the Jag f pace does look interesting....

 

[Simon L]

.........if it looks like this.........

 

[Jassyo06]

.........if it looks like this.........

it didny work...

 

[Bristle Hound]

.........if it looks like this.........

@Simon L - Oh yeh baby! Come on Audi, PLEASE!

 

[Jassyo06]

@Simon L - Oh yeh baby! Come on Audi, PLEASE!

Yeah and i win the Euro millions and become the best biggest porn movie director in da world...nickname Long Lens Jassy.....

 

[Jassyo06]

Nice thought though....

 

[Bristle Hound]

Yeah and i win the Euro millions and become the best biggest porn movie director in da world...nickname Long Lens Jassy.....

Cheers @jassyo06 - Just sprayed the carpet with tea after laughing at this post. Git! lol
PMSL

 

[CraigI]

Focus RS if I decide not to keep the S3 for a lengthy period (ie under 2 years).
If I keep for 4 years, probably the new Renaultsport Megane (as it will have been released by then).

Wife's S5 will be here in March so that will keep me interested for a while......
Then I'll need a new project perhaps.

 

[Jassyo06]

In all seriousness l saw my first Audi TTS in Mythos black with them 20" silver diamond cut alloys today it was a jaw dropper/real neck turner,like a top bit of totty bit of skirt, that catches the corner of yer eye.....and you can only stand there and Gawp at it.....go get one

 

[Bristle Hound]

@CraigI - New Focus RS? This may interest you

 

[Jassyo06]

Focus RS if I decide not to keep the S3 for a lengthy period (ie under 2 years).
If I keep for 4 years, probably the new Renaultsport Megane (as it will have been released by then).

Wife's S5 will be here in March so that will keep me interested for a while......
Then I'll need a new project perhaps.

Ye really need to start aiming higher mate fords and French crepe made cars..?.gash been there Never again

 

[Jassyo06]

@CraigI - New Focus RS? This may interest you

Thing with the Ford it brings nothing new to the table looks wise, Barr a stupid spoiler over a year old design won't age gracefully not like the previous car

 

[gamegenie]

That A3 Concept Quattro sedan still looks a step ahead above the rest. I like the rising brake light spoiler.

Wish the RS3 sedan (if it ever happens) comes out looking just like that, plus a full DIS on the instrument cluster like the A3 Concept it would be amazing.

 

[Simon L]

Ye really need to start aiming higher mate fords and French crepe made cars..?.gash been there Never again

..........well now then J...................took you a wee while to see the light.................but I think your recovery is almost complete!! lol

Oh and if the porn director career takes off you be sure to give me a call if you need an oil boy....................... !! lol

 

[Stevier88]

Been holding out for the new a5 platform for a while so will be looking at the new s5 when it lands in maybe a year or two? Good timing as I will be half way through my pcp on the s3

 

[jungle650]

Cheers @jassyo06 - Just sprayed the carpet with tea after laughing at this post. Git! lol
PMSL

Chaps this is funny, put a smile on my face.

 

[CraigI]

Ye really need to start aiming higher mate fords and French crepe made cars..?.gash been there Never again

Not one for badge snobbery me, I like all cars, wouldn't rule anything out.

The best cars I've driven (incorporating the most character and enjoyable ownership experience) have been Renault.
If the new Megane is as good as the current one is to drive I'll go back.

 

[Simon L]

Not one for badge snobbery me, I like all cars, wouldn't rule anything out.

The best cars I've driven (incorporating the most character and enjoyable ownership experience) have been Renault.
If the new Megane is as good as the current one is to drive I'll go back.

Craig, you surely realise this isn't a badge snobbery thing??

The difference in build quality between Ford and Audi is painfully obvious to most people. I take it you watched the video BH posted above? The cabin on that Focus is awful quite honestly............and the seats, athough they may be comfortable, are shockingly bad!!

 

[Simonb1975]

Focus RS or maybe an A4 Avant (Glacier white of course) as along as it's built better than my S3.

 

[Pulp84]

Ill just add - don't discount the TT.....especially the TTS.

Very different car to the S3.....steering is better, handling is better, interior is even nicer and no bounce at serious speeds. Seat is much lower to the ground and all round it just feels "spot on". Can't really describe how good it is. It's worth a test drive.

Genunly one of the best Audi's I have driven for a few years. Shame it still has a bit of an image issue.

 

[CraigI]

Craig, you surely realise this isn't a badge snobbery thing??

The difference in build quality between Ford and Audi is painfully obvious to most people. I take it you watched the video BH posted above? The cabin on that Focus is awful quite honestly............and the seats, athough they may be comfortable, are shockingly bad!!

The difference these days build quality wise is negligible. Yes it perhaps isn't quite as good, but a couple of weeks into ownership and you wouldn't even notice.
It's mostly down to perception, which in my opinion comes back to the badge and the desire to say "I drive an Audi".
So, I stick to the badge snobbery opinion.

I preferred the cockpit of my previous Megane to the S3.
That said my priorities on the interior are seats, seating position, gear stick placement and steering wheel.
I really couldn't give a damn about pop-up screens, stylish air vents, mono pur or that kind of nonsense.
I look for quality in ways you don't, the Ford and the Renault would give me more of that than the Audi does.

 

[CraigI]

Ill just add - don't discount the TT.....especially the TTS.

Very different car to the S3.....steering is better, handling is better, interior is even nicer and no bounce at serious speeds. Seat is much lower to the ground and all round it just feels "spot on". Can't really describe it but it's worth a test drive.

Genunly one of the best Audi's driven for a few years. Shame it still has a bit of an image issue

Agree with this, best (non ridiculously priced) Audi out there at the moment.

 

[Simonb1975]

The difference these days build quality wise is negligible. Yes it perhaps isn't quite as good, but a couple of weeks into ownership and you wouldn't even notice.
It's mostly down to perception, which in my opinion comes back to the badge and the desire to say "I drive an Audi".
So, I stick to the badge snobbery opinion.

Funnily enough, a few weeks into my ownership, I noticed many bad build quality issues with an interior from the 'Premium brand'
Then I realized I was in a massed produced car from a premium manufacturer, a very different thing altogether.

 

[Simon L]

The difference these days build quality wise is negligible. Yes it perhaps isn't quite as good, but a couple of weeks into ownership and you wouldn't even notice.
It's mostly down to perception, which in my opinion comes back to the badge and the desire to say "I drive an Audi".
So, I stick to the badge snobbery opinion.

I preferred the cockpit of my previous Megane to the S3.
That said my priorities on the interior are seats, seating position, gear stick placement and steering wheel.
I really couldn't give a damn about pop-up screens, stylish air vents, mono pur or that kind of nonsense.
I look for quality in ways you don't, the Ford and the Renault would give me more of that than the Audi does.

Craig, Audis are two a penny on the roads these days so again, do you really think badge snobbery exists? What I love about owning mine is that for me it's one of the nicest looking cars on the road, not that it's an Audi.

As far as priorities are concerned I fully accept that we look for different things. I still find your your comment somewhat bizarre though considering you own one and your other half has an S5 on the way?!!

 

[Simon L]

Ill just add - don't discount the TT.....especially the TTS.

Very different car to the S3.....steering is better, handling is better, interior is even nicer and no bounce at serious speeds. Seat is much lower to the ground and all round it just feels "spot on". Can't really describe how good it is. It's worth a test drive.

Genunly one of the best Audi's I have driven for a few years. Shame it still has a bit of an image issue.

Definitely starting to believe this, as your not the first to say it !! Unfortunately it doesn't have the practicality of an S3.....................and yeah, it's a hairdressers car!!

 

[Scott.T]

Focus RS or maybe an A4 Avant (Glacier white of course) as along as it's built better than my S3.

Jumped in the Ford RS demo last week and despite wanting to jump in a 4WD RS Ford for many years I found it very underwhelming.
Pricing it up with my Spec and you end up very close to well spec'd S3 territory.
There was also some kind of electrical connector under the front of the Recaro on a very flimsy bracket that I had to bend back into position as it had clearly been kicked by me and many others.
Rear leg room is also worse than an S3 as my son's legs were up against the seat with me sat in my normal driving position. The S3 saloon has more room and from a test performed at the Audi dealer this weekend is indistinguishable between it and an A4.

Oh and the Ford dealer experience was very poor (they didn't appear to give a ****) compared to the Audi dealer service/experience.

 

[CraigI]

Craig, Audis are two a penny on the roads these days so again, do you really think badge snobbery exists? What I love about owning mine is that for me it's one of the nicest looking cars on the road, not that it's an Audi.

As far as priorities are concerned I fully accept that we look for different things. I still find your your comment somewhat bizarre though considering you own one and your other half has an S5 on the way?!!

I commented on the thread about what I might have next, which will be a move away from Audi.
The comment was made to a sweeping generalisation about Ford's and French cars and that I should be "aiming higher", which appears to be a relatively elitist perception which to me is nothing more than badge snobbery.
Is my comment less bizarre to you now I have explained?

Not that I have to explain, but my wife wants the S5. I'd have chosen something different to that, but it's not my car.
She is also a bit of a badge snob if I'm going to be honest.

 

[Simon L]

I commented on the thread about what I might have next, which will be a move away from Audi.
The comment was made to a sweeping generalisation about Ford's and French cars and that I should be "aiming higher", which appears to be a relatively elitist perception which to me is nothing more than badge snobbery.
Is my comment less bizarre to you now I have explained?

Not that I have to explain, but my wife wants the S5. I'd have chosen something different to that, but it's not my car.
She is also a bit of a badge snob if I'm going to be honest.

Nope, no less bizarre I'm afraid..............but we'll leave it there!! Your comment was made to arguably the least elitist member on here who previously owned a Focus ST.

.............your wife has great taste though

 

[CraigI]

Jumped in the Ford RS demo last week and despite wanting to jump in a 4WD RS Ford for many years I found it very underwhelming.
Pricing it up with my Spec and you end up very close to well spec'd S3 territory.
There was also some kind of electrical connector under the front of the Recaro on a very flimsy bracket that I had to bend back into position as it had clearly been kicked by me and many others.
Rear leg room is also worse than an S3 as my son's legs were up against the seat with me sat in my normal driving position. The S3 saloon has more room and from a test performed at the Audi dealer this weekend is indistinguishable between it and an A4.

Oh and the Ford dealer experience was very poor (they didn't appear to give a ****) compared to the Audi dealer service/experience.

Where did you drive the demo?
I didn't think they were on the road as yet.

What

 

[CraigI]

Nope, no less bizarre I'm afraid..............but we'll leave it there!! Your comment was made to arguably the least elitist member on here who previously owned a Focus ST.

.............your wife has great taste though

Thanks, she does indeed.

 

[Scott.T]

Where did you drive the demo?
I didn't think they were on the road as yet.

What

Didn't drive it as it was the 'Genaral' Ford demonstrator Left Hooker. They were promoting my local dealer gaining an RS and Mustang franchise.

I did manage to get info out of them that Demo drives won't be available until March 2016. I gave them my details (more like forced them) to call me but I doubt they will bother.

 

[Pulp84]

Where did you drive the demo?
I didn't think they were on the road as yet.

What

There is some preproduction demos kicking around. Bristol Ford definitely have one but it's more to sit in/touch/feel than drive I understand. My local Ford dealer is getting theirs end of February.

It's another car that's definitely worth further investigation...

 

[bluemoona3246]

I'm in the same boat, I'm thinking TT, A4, Q3 or A3 saloon, in that order. The S3 saloon is a bit pricey on finance for me.

 

[Audimad]

Our S3 sportback has now gone, we had it for just over 2 years. The wife and i looked at the new TT but it looks too much like the old one. I have always liked the big Audi's, we have had three Audi 100's so we have ordered an A6 TDI Ultra black edition.

 

[veeeight]

There is some preproduction demos kicking around. Bristol Ford definitely have one but it's more to sit in/touch/feel than drive I understand. My local Ford dealer is getting theirs end of February.

It's another car that's definitely worth further investigation...

Especially if it does AWD better than Haldex.

 

[DickiePhitt]

Sticking head above parapet....I'd like somthing a bit bigger than the S3 next time. I'm thinking the forthcoming Mercedes C450 AMG might be the one to watch.

 

[Jassyo06]

Audi again for me....simples,which one? l don't know? high possibility facelifted S3 saloon,facelift RS3 Sportsback,....or....lf the RS3 saloon is definitely a goer, l will retire from directorial porn career,l know short lived..... But RS3 sedan should be worth the extra wait lol

 

[wideboybloke]

My requirements are: compact estate for load carrying, reasonable rear legroom for occasional rear seat passengers, slightly above average poke, small enough to reduce risk of other drivers clouting it in tight multi storey car parks, good build quality and interior finish. Prior to my 8P I had a series of people carriers which make excellent load carriers when not carrying people. Once the kiddies had flown the nest the 8P was a good compromise, retaining most of the features I liked in the people carriers. Having enjoyed owning the 8P for 4 years, the logical next step was an 8V, but what next? There's nothing that really grabs me, so I shall probably await the successor to the 8V. I quite like the C class estate and they come well equipped, but it's more on a par with the A4 which is a bit too big for my needs. I also like the 3 series tourer, but there's no equivalent to the 1.4 tfsi engine which I really like. I am enjoying the market research though.

 

[Simon L]

My requirements are: compact estate for load carrying, reasonable rear legroom for occasional rear seat passengers, slightly above average poke, small enough to reduce risk of other drivers clouting it in tight multi storey car parks, good build quality and interior finish. Prior to my 8P I had a series of people carriers which make excellent load carriers when not carrying people. Once the kiddies had flown the nest the 8P was a good compromise, retaining most of the features I liked in the people carriers. Having enjoyed owning the 8P for 4 years, the logical next step was an 8V, but what next? There's nothing that really grabs me, so I shall probably await the successor to the 8V. I quite like the C class estate and they come well equipped, but it's more on a par with the A4 which is a bit too big for my needs. I also like the 3 series tourer, but there's no equivalent to the 1.4 tfsi engine which I really like. I am enjoying the market research though.

......and there in lies the dilemma............Audi not only looks fantastic but it's such a superb all round package!!

I quite like the look of the BMW M2 (well from the front and side) and it sounds incredible but as far as rear passengers..................you might be able to give Oscar Pistorius a lift to court but that's about it.................even then I doubt his blades will fit in the pissy sized boot!!

 

[Jassyo06]

Didn't drive it as it was the 'Genaral' Ford demonstrator Left Hooker. They were promoting my local dealer gaining an RS and Mustang franchise.

I did manage to get info out of them that Demo drives won't be available until March 2016. I gave them my details (more like forced them) to call me but I doubt they will bother.

Cut me in half one side would bleed Ford.....the other Audi.....The thing with New Focus RS....ls that its seems to have been in the public eye for ever....and a day,year come March l think....Its a bit Chavvy as well in its interior design,with that Ford blue theme,the colour choice's are real limited and not very attractive at all, as are the alloy wheel designs...lnterior build quality in some respects is better than the A3, SEATS...lol especially...its doesnt have that certain Kudos like the last one had in all honesty....blame that on them god damn Yankees....for that...lol 2017 there should will be a new Ford Focus/ST....So add all this together its not for me...way past the age of 35..its targeted age group...ldeal group that is.
Think from mid 2016 to the start of 2017....Audi will introduce more improved verions of its existing A3/S3/RS3 range....looking forward this.

Forgot to mention the Ford customer service support is diabolical,as are some of their dealerships....would get better service from a blind hooker