Up until last week Kugaman I couldn't understand why you didn't change even for that price. However last Wednesday I had a nice 3 door S3 on loan, from 9 to 6 and covered 225 miles.
I were feeling disappointed they said not to the RS, but offered the S3 instead for a loan (already had the RS on loan previously). To start with, I found it quite underwhelming doing a ton plus on the dual carriageway, with minimal noise in comparison. It wasn't until a good 3/4 hours later I realised just HOW GOOD they can sound!! As soon as you tune into the noise and learn the car, getting her to make all the right noises it is undoubtably an awesome bit of kit. It will never be an RS, obviously.. but the power, crackle on gear-ups and overall fun was an awesome surprise for me.
I found it so much fun to drive, whether it is because the S3 is more nimble or whether it was because it were my second day in a 'fast car' so to speak, but I really pushed on and got it thrown into some bends and had my girlfriend laughing all the way. Then I found an underpass, boy that makes it sounds cool ;-)
It all depends on what you want, if you really want that RS badge and that noise.. that is what you're paying your extra money for. But if you are happy to leave the stand-out car behind then the S3 is perfect, oodles of power and a load of fun... Half way through I were driving around thinking of you and your posts, understanding why you found it so difficult to let go.
I got a lot of glancing looks, I think that is because the car was bright orange. I got the odd person give me a nod and a smile, knowing what it was but not like in the RS where everyone looks to see what all the drama is and with the many comments "Nice car" and people telling their friends "that is a fast car". All down to what the individual wants.........
Thanks.
Im glad you get where Im coming from! As I say repeatedly, the RS3 is an epic car and anyone on here would be proud to own one.....compared to its rivals, in day to day use its a much better all rounder.
However, when compared to the S3, its not so far ahead - the S3 is a really good car.
Im not talking about on track, Im talking driving around UK roads where speed limits, volume of traffic, potholes, lack of overtaking opportunities, etc, are all factors.
In these situations, I find the S3 superb. Its got a perfect balance between power/economy/insurance cost.
Its sure footed, very easy to drive, well built and comfortable.
The RS3 gives a bit more power and epic soundtrack, but this comes at the expense of insurance cost, mpg, service cost and ved cost. Yes, I agree that it wouldnt be a factor to get 5mpg less, pay £60 more Ved p.a, £100 more for a service and £100 more for annual insurance. It would be worth every ****** penny!
The sticking point for me was the £16k plus my S3......I just dont see it is £16k more of a car........At the time that the deal was agreed I could have had a new S3 for mine plus £5k......now that seemed like a better deal....but why buy the exact same car again after only a year and 4000 miles......
So thats where I am now......driving a 13 month old S3 with 5000 miles on the clock......and it still manages to put a smile on my face regularly.
Maybe an RS3 will grace my garage one day, once the market settles down.....never say never
