mpaul0055

Alright guys,

well time is ticking away and ive gotta order my new company car. Now im gonna have to keep this one for 2 years so alot more factors have come into mind.

At the moment ive got a CTR, which has been great, but tbh the FWD and wet situation just grates me a little, and never having a 4wd car, its something i really am looking for.

I should of really ordered my STI by now, but after being told ive goota have it for 2 years, and the new models coming out soon, its sorta put me off, specially as im not too keen on the new shape any hows.

So far i think the new S3 is leading the stakes, just for overall stlye, performace etc... Followed by the TT 3.2 dsg.

also been looking at the Audi Cab 3.0 Oil Burner, but unsure on that one.. Also the Chrysler 300c but that is terrible inside.

Ive also eyed up the R32, but moving from a civic i wasnt sure on another Hatch, yes i know the s3 is a hatch...


Any way, my heads gone mushy from looking at so many deals. I know i need to go test drive em, but was wondering what everyones opinions are of these cars.

Specially from owners..


Cheers

Mark

Matteeboy

Only owned a mk4 R32 and driven an A3 3.2 and an older shape S3.

Unless things have dramtically changed, the Golf will be a LOT nicer than the CTR (tested one of these too) with power at ALL revs and a gorgeous soundtrack and 4WD.

The S3 was quick but had the usual Audi dull steering feel - Very nice inside.
The TT 3.2 would probably be my first choice - New styling, much improved although reports seem to think the FWD 2.0T is a better drive but not a lot can match a 3.2 for the soundtrack and driveability.

The STI will obviously be the quickest and most tuneable but it's going to be a rough ride and may attract the wrong attention.

New S3 is a fair bit quicker but it's not doing it for me - Hard to go back to a four pot after having a nice N/A V6.

B9GLY

id go for the audi cab with the oil burner! much more comfortable car to live with everyday!

KiwiGTI

Heart says STI for me - but the newer model coming out is always going to be a problem.

Although coming from an CTR the STI won't seem harsh. I'm not a big fan of VAG cars - they are competent but I just find them too boring and middle class. (I have lived in a posh area of London too long so am really jaded btw)

B9GLY

what about Focus ST-3

MattW

I have the new S3, and it's a damned fine car. The steering is fine, if a little light at low speed, when specced it will be a few quid more than the Sti but should hold it's value better so Company Car cost may be similar. It is also one band lower for emissions.

Piccies in My Scooby link

Matteeboy

See bit on "not wanting FWD"

stilover

I'd go for the S3 myself.

It's better built, if a little pricey. Bucket seats and flat bottom steering wheel add a bit extra, but as Matt says, it will hold it's value a hell of a lot better than most other cars. Get an STI and kiss goodbye to thousands overnight.

jonc

Ok it, might be a bit raw and doesn't have the practicality, but what about a Lotus Elise with Touring pack? or Honda S2000? or do you need the practicaltiy?

Cyberevo

iTrader: (1)

Honda S2000 would be my choice by 33% tax bracket for a 2.2 N/A takes the mick.

jonc

S2000 is in the 2litre tax bracket.

Cyberevo

iTrader: (1)

33% co2 emissions

mpaul0055

Cheers for the replys folks.

Mattw, the S3 looks amazing. Stunning colour. How long was the wait?

As its a company car on contract hire the residuals not a problem. Just the monthly payment

The s2000 and the exige or elise are a bit too raw tbh.. As it will be my daily car for 2 years im sure something that small will start to annoy. specially as ive got a tendancy for impulse buys..lol

Also the whole high revving thing has well gone for me. As much as i love hitting 8,500rpm with the zorst screaming... i dont like having to do that just to do a simple over take on the motorway..

Looks like its going to be an S3, Any ideas on when the RS3 is out though, that should be mean as ****

Orange à Paris: Audi S3 » Autoblog.nl » Autonieuws van de straat

WOW WOULD HAVE TO BE IN THIS COLOUR

MattW

Brave man going for Orange

Delivery was about 10 weeks, same as for any Audi. Really pleased with the colour, did waver between that and White, the press shots of the White car looked fantastic.



As for the RS3, well general consensus seems to be it is unlikely, if it does materialise it's going to be over 40k as the S3 is 30 with some choice options.

jespin

Be wary of buying the S3 in orange as I read somewhere that the Audi dealers are expecting residuals of somewhere around £2k weaker for cars in orange as opposed to the other colours.

turboman786

Depends what job you do mate IMHO....In my profession you'd get laughed at if you drove a scooby!!

KiwiGTI

The orange one looks revolting.

MattW

He says it will be a company car so not an issue.

Monkeybone

White with the black grill option looks lovely

mpaul0055

Aye, the residuals dont matter at all..

I was sorta keen on the orange as the std car dows look slightly understated, BUT after seeing some port pics, mainly the test drive one on hear ill give it a miss.

The Silver is tempting me now, Im always happy looking at my gleaming Silver CTR so will probably bit at that.

Waying up the extra options, & as its CH i wouldnt mind forking out say 30 quid a month extra for some nice seats etc...

Turboman, Thank god no one in my proffesion takes the mick out of peoples cars.. Most of them have just got your Std contract hire A6s and stuff.. Im always the little nipper who gets a sporty one.. lol.. But i always see no reason in forking a little xtra out a month to get a great car instead of whats offered...

Cheers for all the replys...

MattW

Careful of the silver, the chrome mirrors won't stand out as well.

wall

Hi, recently made similar choice. Test drove (before purchase) STI, R32, 130iM, GTI, 147 GTA, and then (after purchase) a mates' new S3.

Ordered the R32, and still happy with that after the S3 test. For me it was the best mix of performance, sound, build quality, 4wd, price, technology (DSG), handling, grip, comfort, image/looks.

Others excelled in 1-2 areas each, but were beaten as an overall package. One opinion of course, but at least I went and drove them all.

Advice is ... go try them: the best and probably only way to really tell what will make you grin for the next few years ... or just trust me and get an R32

Matteeboy

What you mean you actually TRIED all these cars rather than regurgitating waffle from mags?

Are you mad?!

I did the same two years ago and took the R32 route too - It's a car that needs to be experienced to feel how "right" it is.

mpaul0055

The thing thats cofusing me about the S3 are the reposts saying thats is almosta s quick as an S4 round the ring. Also claims of 13 second 0-100

But then all the reviews are quite disapointing...

Hmmmmmmmm

wall

... the mags are certainly interesting, and I buy plenty of them, but just like the journos have their own taste (and perhaps also get sometimes "influenced"...) I have my taste.

And also mags usually make you focus too much on laps and such ... I mean a "huge" 2 sec gap on a 1.5 min lap is something like 2%! That means that if the same two cars are driven at 100% speed (mad) on a 1 hour challenging road journey by the same pro driver they will arrive 1 minute apart!
So basically a "huge 2 sec gap" in a mag test turns out to be absolutely identical performance if they are driven briskly on the road by the average enthusiast

That's why the mags focus on times is fun but limited IMO; they make us all caught up in a 0.000001 sec gap as if it proves one car better than the next, when just the difference between two people changing a gear is bigger than that.

Assuming similar performance capabilities (like all the cars above roughly have, all between 5.5 and 6.5 0-60, and all set up for "sporty" driving) the choice should then be about personal taste on how a car should feel and drive, IMO anyway.

Matteeboy

Indeed.
A well driven car has a significant advantage over a badly driven one with a lot more power.

Trouble is, everyone thinks they are a great driver!

MattW

A lot of them seem to regurgitate detail about the standard A3, I wonder sometimes if the journo ever actually drove the car.

Anyway as Wall says, best thing is to try one and see how you get on. The R32 was a choice for me as well, but was let down by it's fuel consumption.

mpaul0055

Alright guys..

Was a bit of a development on the Car front today... NO S3... Got the quote from our supplier and its well over 500 a month, without any options!!!! Even though it was 417 on the advert Small print hey!! lol...

Can get a Golf from more like 350, with dsg!!!

Once again though, like the scooby, im a bit concerned about having it on the 2 years as theres a new model on the horizon isnt there? correct me if im wrong.

I hate being stuck with a car, felt that was with the type r and dont wanna make the same mistake.

So its looking like a Golf R32 .. YEY Or the Scoob... Arr **** it, who knows...

Would a R32 give a PPP Scooby a run for its cash about 50 say?