Will I regret a PFL RS3?

brennsm

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Really struggling on what car to get next. Currently drive a 66 plate 118D :blownose:. Only 21 so insurance is a big factor on what car I can get. Most big engine cars are pretty costly on insurance so I’m having to stick to small engines really. Budget is pretty much £30k. Would be on PCP deal, 36 or 48 month, and around 5k down and £350 a month max. Did have a deposit down on a 20 plate RS3, poverty spec. Could only afford as no tax for first year and no MOT for 3 years. Pulled out when I heard the exhaust, nothing to it at all. Glad I did, financially stupid decision.

So here I am, trying to be abit more sensible. Reason that Iv decided on the PFL RS3 is that I don’t want to have to push a car to enjoy it, and I feel like that’s the case with the PFL RS3? Just pull the left paddle and listen to the roar. Alot of folk on reddit say they are very boring to drive and now I’m just worried about entering a 3/4 year deal and in a years time I’m regretting it. I also worry that the interior will start to feel very dated in a few years once the new A3 range etc is out.

Other cars Iv considered;
S3/Golf R: only fun thing seems to be pushing them and I want something fun whilst just cruising.
A45: looks like a lot of fun, but again looks like it really needs to be pushed to be enjoyed.
M140i: insurance too high and way to many on the road.
Focus RS: want an automatic, sorry.
M2/M3/M4: insurance way too high.
Jag Ftype: insurance cheap, but not enough space for my doggo.

My only other real consideration is a Mustang, but I think my dog would find those back seats pretty uncomfortable. And he would also hate the constant noise.
 
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Mustang is an awful car to drive. And really not that fast. Even the V8 is pretty muted although a colleague had a borla exhaust fitted and it did then sound very good.

PFL RS3 is a great car. Not quite as sweet handling as the FL. But really not much in it.

Could you stretch your budget to £35k? If so, the TTRS is in reach. It doesn’t sound like you need the rear seats of the RS3, it’s lighter, a bit nippier, and has an interior that is far from out of date.
 
Mustang is an awful car to drive. And really not that fast. Even the V8 is pretty muted although a colleague had a borla exhaust fitted and it did then sound very good.

PFL RS3 is a great car. Not quite as sweet handling as the FL. But really not much in it.

Could you stretch your budget to £35k? If so, the TTRS is in reach. It doesn’t sound like you need the rear seats of the RS3, it’s lighter, a bit nippier, and has an interior that is far from out of date.
Yeah even in POV videos of Mustangs they seem pretty boring, sound great but that’s about it.

Honestly I’m not too bothered about the better handling of the facelift, i don’t know if it’s just because I drive a crap car at the moment but I never really push it when I’m driving. I don’t think I would ever even notice understeer in a PFL RS3.

Iv driven both PFL AND FL and the FL definitely felt a little more nimble in day to day sort of driving, but not dramatically.

Can’t really stretch the budget any further, and I’m called a Hairdresser enough with my 1 Series honestly haha. I do need the back seats though, that’s where my dog likes to sit, otherwise I would probably get an F-Type if I didn’t have him.

If I don’t push a PFL RS3 will I still find it fun though, that’s what I’m worried about?
 
I hate to say it, and obviously I know nothing about your financial position, but are you sure you can really afford it?

A few years ago I moved from a TT diesel to a Golf R. I now have an RS3 (2018 car), and believe me it's a 'league up' in terms of running costs.
 
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You won’t regret it.
I went from a PFL S3 to PFL RS3 pretty much 1 year ago. Best decision i made.
The RS3 is an event to drive everytime you use it.
And that exhaust noise...... :wub:
still turns a lot of heads.
 
I went from a 64 s3 to a 65 rs3 and loved it. But the costs are more. Front disks and pads over 1k, luckily I got 50% off.

I'm now 49, it was 500 to insure the rs3. After 2 years I'm now in a brand new m135i xdrive and loving that, insurance only 283.

My 1 bit of advice would be to wait until you get some built up ncd.
At 21 I would be terrified of spending that much on a car, plus the possibly massive insurance premium.

The covid-19 factor can't be ignored either, nobody knows how this will affect things once lockdown starts to ease.

Steve.
 
Show me this finance deal. 350 a month sounds very cheap to me over 3 years.
Can you afford £800 when the front brakes need doing?
360 for servicing. 700 for tyres. Full tank of fuel every week. 200 plus for coolant change. Etc?

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Show me this finance deal. 350 a month sounds very cheap to me over 3 years.
Can you afford £800 when the front brakes need doing?
360 for servicing. 700 for tyres. Full tank of fuel every week. 200 plus for coolant change. Etc?

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You are really selling it to him


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You are really selling it to him


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Haha I know!
Just don't want him stuck with 3 years of payments if he's going to struggle.
The idea of owning one is great, it's when the garage bills arrive when reality sets in. The price of everything for the RS cars is ridiculous I think. £1500 air intakes etc.

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Haha I know!
Just don't want him stuck with 3 years of payments if he's going to struggle.
The idea of owning one is great, it's when the garage bills arrive when reality sets in. The price of everything for the RS cars is ridiculous I think. £1500 air intakes etc.

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My old 2.0TFSI used to cost a grand everytime I even drove past AwesomeGTI. The RS3's running costs have to be put in perspective, given the performance of the car ... the annual cost to maintain per BHP isn't too bad
 
My old 2.0TFSI used to cost a grand everytime I even drove past AwesomeGTI. The RS3's running costs have to be put in perspective, given the performance of the car ... the annual cost to maintain per BHP isn't too bad
If you're on a tight budget it's not a good car to buy I don't think. You said yourself yours cost a grand every time you drove past awesomeGTI. That's not what you want if you've not got money in the bank.

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I personally like cars that will grip and go. Which means to me RWD and FWD cars are are out of the question.

I had a brand new golf R at 22, and jumped to a prefl rs3 at 24, and then to a fl rs3 this year. What do I miss from the golf R? The fact it was Brand new, and I wouldn’t ever buy a brand new car again. The novelty soon wears off and it isn’t worth the loss.

What do I miss from my prefl rs3? The sound. Everything else the fl improves on. I’m a big tech man so the VC, traffic jam assist, etc all appealed to me on the fl.

But you can’t beat the prefl sound. I definitely didn’t think the car was boring at all and I used to get so many looks, people putting down their windows at traffic lights to chat etc. Then I had to change the brake discs - I went for aftermarket options and they cost me £1300. Can you afford that when that starts coming? Apart from brakes, that’s the only thing that cost me. I paid £930 this year for insurance on my fl, stage 2 fully declared along with all cosmetics.

the only reason I jumped from a golf R though is because I got a very significant pay rise by changing to a contracting role within my field rather than perm. If I hadn’t had that I think I’d still be in my golf R though.

If you have 5 grand for deposit, look at a bank loan for that 25k rather than PCP. Save yourself a load of interest. They can be had for 2.7%.
 
If you're on a tight budget it's not a good car to buy I don't think. You said yourself yours cost a grand every time you drove past awesomeGTI. That's not what you want if you've not got money in the bank.

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Of course, TCO is a factor. My main point was the TCO on an RS3 given the performance and build isn't as bad as maybe a 911 or something ... if you can afford it of course.
 
Of course, TCO is a factor. My main point was the TCO on an RS3 given the performance and build isn't as bad as maybe a 911 or something ... if you can afford it of course.
Yeah 100% I have a mate who had a 911 turbo and some of the prices he was telling me were crazy.
For cars with similar 0-60 times etc you're right, they're pretty cheap.
Compared to his BMW 116 or whatever he said he owns maybe not so.

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I personally like cars that will grip and go. Which means to me RWD and FWD cars are are out of the question.

I had a brand new golf R at 22, and jumped to a prefl rs3 at 24, and then to a fl rs3 this year. What do I miss from the golf R? The fact it was Brand new, and I wouldn’t ever buy a brand new car again. The novelty soon wears off and it isn’t worth the loss.

What do I miss from my prefl rs3? The sound. Everything else the fl improves on. I’m a big tech man so the VC, traffic jam assist, etc all appealed to me on the fl.

But you can’t beat the prefl sound. I definitely didn’t think the car was boring at all and I used to get so many looks, people putting down their windows at traffic lights to chat etc. Then I had to change the brake discs - I went for aftermarket options and they cost me £1300. Can you afford that when that starts coming? Apart from brakes, that’s the only thing that cost me. I paid £930 this year for insurance on my fl, stage 2 fully declared along with all cosmetics.

the only reason I jumped from a golf R though is because I got a very significant pay rise by changing to a contracting role within my field rather than perm. If I hadn’t had that I think I’d still be in my golf R though.

If you have 5 grand for deposit, look at a bank loan for that 25k rather than PCP. Save yourself a load of interest. They can be had for 2.7%.
I should be fine with running costs. Having no social life, not going out, not drinking and having a dog rather than a girlfriend leaves me with plenty penny spare at the end of the month.

Being 21 I assumed it would be difficult to get a bank loan for that amount at my age, atleast that’s what my parents have said.

I have spreadsheets and stuff calculating my monthly outgoings etc and this sort of payment p/m will be fine and still leave plenty of room to save for a house.

I don’t plan on modding at all, as my insurance will be high enough stock, and I would just worry about my engine exploding everytime I drove it if I did mod in any way.
 
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I should be fine with running costs. Having no social life, not going out, not drinking and having a dog rather than a girlfriend leaves me with plenty penny spare at the end of the month.

Being 21 I assumed it would be difficult to get a bank loan for that amount at my age, atleast that’s what my parents have said.

I have spreadsheets and stuff calculating my monthly outgoings etc and this sort of payment p/m will be fine and still leave plenty of room to save for a house.

I don’t plan on modding at all, as my insurance will be high enough stock, and I would just worry about my engine exploding everytime I drove it if I did mod in any way.

Don't forget having a "way out" if the financial situation changes and what the depreciation will cost if you take that route.

Also ... GOOD LUCK! Go for it. My RS3 was my dream car, i'd take it over any other ... you only live once.
 
Your 21, you’ve loads of time to get a decent motor. Get a 140/ Golf R with significantly less running costs with equally as much performance as an RS3 once tuned, then use any savings thereafter to buy a house, or save for one.

You sound like my wife’s cousin, who’s 22, lives at home and has “ no social life, doesn't go out, doesn't drink” but just wants to look the business and that he’s doing oh so very well for himself...which most lads your age want to portray. He's now paying outrageous amounts for a car he clearly can’t afford and is always skint month to month borrowing of family members. Sorry, but think your looking at this car and the next few years of ownership through rose tinted glasses.
 
Your 21, you’ve loads of time to get a decent motor. Get a 140/ Golf R with significantly less running costs with equally as much performance as an RS3 once tuned, then use any savings thereafter to buy a house, or save for one.

You sound like my wife’s cousin, who’s 22, lives at home and has “ no social life, doesn't go out, doesn't drink” but just wants to look the business and that he’s doing oh so very well for himself...which most lads your age want to portray. He's now paying outrageous amounts for a car he clearly can’t afford and is always skint month to month borrowing of family members. Sorry, but think your looking at this car and the next few years of ownership through rose tinted glasses.
For me it’s not about portraying a certain lifestyle or whatever. I literally have nobody to portray it to. If I wanted that I would get an A45 with a big wing on the back. The only interest I have is cars, and I would much rather spend a couple hundred or so extra a month on a car i love than get something for a bit less per month that I know I just won’t like as much. If it really makes you happy I can breakdown my income and every monthly outgoing I have if you want.
 
For me it’s not about portraying a certain lifestyle or whatever. I literally have nobody to portray it to. If I wanted that I would get an A45 with a big wing on the back. The only interest I have is cars, and I would much rather spend a couple hundred or so extra a month on a car i love than get something for a bit less per month that I know I just won’t like as much. If it really makes you happy I can breakdown my income and every monthly outgoing I have if you want.

I have absolutely no desire to know what your income is, I just think your daft as are those above for telling you to buy such a car at such a young age. The fact that you are also trying to justify purchasing such a car offset by a non existent social life by all accounts screams volumes.
 
I have absolutely no desire to know what your income is, I just think your daft as are those above for telling you to buy such a car at such a young age. The fact that you are also trying to justify purchasing such a car offset by a non existent social life by all accounts screams volumes.
My interest is cars, why not spend a portion of my income on a car I enjoy? I only mentioned social life, going out etc as most people will be spending more money doing that than I would be on this car. I have no interest in moving out anytime soon, but still have plenty spare if I got this car to still save for a deposit for a house. I don’t see the point in saving saving saving whilst I’m young, and not enjoy myself. Other people enjoy theirselves with holidays, going out etc, this is my way of enjoying myself.
 
I actually think you could have more fun is a less powerful less fast car.
As I have moved through cars/mbikes as I have got older the issue I have is that the faster/more capable a machine is the less pure enjoyment I can sometimes get. Any RS/S/R/AMG etc is more than good enough for road use and out of the factory is so capable, power itself does not provide fun evidenced by people constantly chasing it as the short term fun wears off.

Interest might be cars as you say which is all good but money is money and the next 12months might be very interesting, if you go to an RS3 then next thing you will be looking at is 400bhp+ which is a ludicrous amount of power at 21 yrs old tbh. Ironically despite being old with a few quid and a very fast car and mbikes I reckon something like a Fiesta ST3 might be coming along soon, driving has lost that silly giggle factor without threatening life or jail which is ironic as the Fiesta ain't no slouch........i remember when my AX GT was quick with 85bhp!

If you are concerned enough to be asking about affordability might suggest you perhaps shouldn't be, day to day it would be fine but as others have said cars need maintenance and things like brakes/tyres are the very things that should never be compromised and they come from cash..........not monthly payments.

Sorry, i know i sound a bit old manish but you did ask!!
 
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For me it’s not about portraying a certain lifestyle or whatever. I literally have nobody to portray it to. If I wanted that I would get an A45 with a big wing on the back. The only interest I have is cars, and I would much rather spend a couple hundred or so extra a month on a car i love than get something for a bit less per month that I know I just won’t like as much. If it really makes you happy I can breakdown my income and every monthly outgoing I have if you want.
If you can afford it go for it. I have a pre facelift. It's ace.

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I actually think you could have more fun is a less powerful less fast car.
As I have moved through cars/mbikes as I have got older the issue I have is that the faster/more capable a machine is the less pure enjoyment I can sometimes get. Any RS/S/R/AMG etc is more than good enough for road use and out of the factory is so capable, power itself does not provide fun evidenced by people constantly chasing it as the short term fun wears off.

Interest might be cars as you say which is all good but money is money and the next 12months might be very interesting, if you go to an RS3 then next thing you will be looking at is 400bhp+ which is a ludicrous amount of power at 21 yrs old tbh. Ironically despite being old with a few quid and a very fast car and mbikes I reckon something like a Fiesta ST3 might be coming along soon, driving has lost that silly giggle factor without threatening life or jail which is ironic as the Fiesta ain't no slouch........i remember when my AX GT was quick with 85bhp!

If you are concerned enough to be asking about affordability might suggest you perhaps shouldn't be, day to day it would be fine but as others have said cars need maintenance and things like brakes/tyres are the very things that should never be compromised and they come from cash..........not monthly payments.

Sorry, i know i sound a bit old manish but you did ask!!
It’s not really the power of the PFL RS3 that’s got me hooked, it’s more the sound. I know their are a lot of less powerful cars that will be more ‘fun’, but taking an M140 round a corner sideways, or getting some lift off oversteer in a Fiesta ST isn’t fun to me. I don’t want to be ‘on it’ to be having fun in it, I want to be going 15mph and enjoy the car, which you can in the PFL by just downshifting. When I took one out I was grinning speeding up and down from 40-60 listening to the pops, then revving it next to someone in their clapped out GTI.
 
It’s not really the power of the PFL RS3 that’s got me hooked, it’s more the sound. I know their are a lot of less powerful cars that will be more ‘fun’, but taking an M140 round a corner sideways, or getting some lift off oversteer in a Fiesta ST isn’t fun to me. I don’t want to be ‘on it’ to be having fun in it, I want to be going 15mph and enjoy the car, which you can in the PFL by just downshifting. When I took one out I was grinning speeding up and down from 40-60 listening to the pops, then revving it next to someone in their clapped out GTI.

With what you’ve said above and lines like “revving it next to a clapped out GTI” it really does tell me that you want to showoff and portray a certain image lol. Sounds like you desperately want the car so just go get one.
 
With what you’ve said above and lines like “revving it next to a clapped out GTI” it really does tell me that you want to showoff and portray a certain image lol. Sounds like you desperately want the car so just go get one.
Okay possibly I want to show off abit haha, couldn’t resist. I enjoy the sound and turning heads I guess, wouldn’t enjoy hooning a FWD/RWD to get the fun out of them as much as just cruising and being a lil bit loud. It’s want I want, il probably get one. Probably was a bad idea asking a bunch of old men for financial advice :friendly wink: , only joking. Had some good advice, think my minds set though. Cheers anyway.
 
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Hey, I'm only 48 - though when you're 21 you probably think that's old!

In all seriousness, get a nice-ish car like a golf gti and put the rest if your money towards your future (house etc). An RS3 will bankrupt you.
 
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Hey, I'm only 48 - though when you're 21 you probably think that's old!

In all seriousness, get a nice-ish car like a golf gti and put the rest if your money towards your future (house etc). An RS3 will bankrupt you.
I still have plenty spare to save for a deposit for a house, and I really have no interest in moving out anytime soon anyway. I know it supposedly should be everyone’s first aim as soon as they start earning, but having no social life etc then going off to live on my own in my early 20s wouldn’t be good for me at all, mentally. Much rather enjoy my money now, without being too extreme, than sit on it for the next 3/4 years with the end goal of living alone, and never seeing anybody apart from at work.
 
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I still have plenty spare to save for a deposit for a house, and I really have no interest in moving out anytime soon anyway. I know it supposedly should be everyone’s first aim as soon as they start earning, but having no social life etc then going off to live on my own in my early 20s wouldn’t be good for me at all, mentally. Much rather enjoy my money now, without being too extreme, than sit on it for the next 3/4 years with the end goal of living alone, and never seeing anybody apart from at work.

Do it..... Could all be dead soon.... Can't drive a house but can sleep in a car ........the sound track alone is money well spent
 
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Do it..... Could all be dead soon.... Can't drive a house but can sleep in a car ........the sound track alone is money well spent
Just to clarify, I want be doing anything until Coronavirus is well over, don’t want any of you thinking I’m buying a car whilst we’re in the middle of a pandemic.
 
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I still have plenty spare to save for a deposit for a house, and I really have no interest in moving out anytime soon anyway. I know it supposedly should be everyone’s first aim as soon as they start earning, but having no social life etc then going off to live on my own in my early 20s wouldn’t be good for me at all, mentally. Much rather enjoy my money now, without being too extreme, than sit on it for the next 3/4 years with the end goal of living alone, and never seeing anybody apart from at work.

Completely understand your thinking here, i'm in a vaguely similar situation im 22 and i recently went from an 7.5 R to a FL OPF rs3 though i am yet to really get out an drive it properly due to lockdown :concern: i'm happy with the costs vs what i earn and made sure it was affordable. I do agree with many that the "smart" option is to just go cheaper and save for the usual lifelong goals but if something like this adds massively to quality of life and is manageable then i say go for it.
 
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Completely understand your thinking here, i'm in a vaguely similar situation im 22 and i recently went from an 7.5 R to a FL OPF rs3 though i am yet to really get out an drive it properly due to lockdown :concern: i'm happy with the costs vs what i earn and made sure it was affordable. I do agree with many that the "smart" option is to just go cheaper and save for the usual lifelong goals but if something like this adds massively to quality of life and is manageable then i say go for it.

how times have changed. I’m 34 and when I was 22 if I came back with a 50k motor I’d be thrown out the house and told if you can afford such a car you can afford to live by yourself.
 
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how times have changed. I’m 34 and when I was 22 if I came back with a 50k motor I’d be thrown out the house and told if you can afford such a car you can afford to live by yourself.
I don’t understand why people think you should buy a house before you spend a large amount on anything else. Some people don’t want to, or have no need to move out, especially in their early 20s. What is the point in financially restricting yourself with a house just because ‘society’ says it’s the norm? To some people that just doesn’t make them happy. It’s nothing to do with being able to afford to live on your own.
 
I don’t understand why people think you should buy a house before you spend a large amount on anything else. Some people don’t want to, or have no need to move out, especially in their early 20s. What is the point in financially restricting yourself with a house just because ‘society’ says it’s the norm? To some people that just doesn’t make them happy. It’s nothing to do with being able to afford to live on your own.

Really is each to their own. I’ve had mates that lived a home till they were 30, sure as hell wouldn't be me! I was ready to leave home when I was in my early 20s, I just wanted my independence and to move in to the city centre, of which I did at the ripe old age of 23.

As much as I don’t think you should move to an RS3 at your age, I don’t owe myself anything, so if you want such a car, just do it. However, don’t moan about the costs. One month I had road tax, insurance, haldex service, two new tyres, pads and an oil change...just over 2k. So sometimes all costs fall within a short window.
 
how times have changed. I’m 34 and when I was 22 if I came back with a 50k motor I’d be thrown out the house and told if you can afford such a car you can afford to live by yourself.
I'm well aware i'm in a very fortunate situation that allows me to do so.
 
I don’t think the RS3 is that expensive to run. Mine never ate through tyres...18k miles out of them! 30mph was very achievable. I got Listers to price match the service, £160! And was very reliable.

Just seen autocorrect. 30mpg is very achievable. 30mph is also distinctly achievable!
 
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I don’t think the RS3 is that expensive to run. Mine never ate through tyres...18k miles out of them! 30mph was very achievable. I got Listers to price match the service, £160! And was very reliable.

Just seen autocorrect. 30mpg is very achievable. 30mph is also distinctly achievable!
If you get 30mpg from an RS3 you might as well buy a push bike.

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If you get 30mpg from an RS3 you might as well buy a push bike.

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I averaged about 26mpg on mine if I remember correctly. But 30mpg on longer runs was easy. Even seen 38mpg once!
 
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Hey brennsm,

Are you employed in a very secure job where your salary is virtually guaranteed to increase each year and comes with a really good pension eg school teacher, lawyer or doctor?

If you are then maybe you should go for it?
 

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