JR

Hi

I just test drove an S3 and I must say I was reasonably impressed. Gripped well and quite quick.

It certainly outperformed the Honda Accord Type R I also recently tried. The Honda felt slow and suffered bad wheel spin, although it had tremendous grip once it got going.

I would appreciate any comments/feedback from users.

Thanks.

P1Fanatic

Bit a bit hard to compare them - CTR being around £16k OTR and the S3 just under £25k OTR (UK prices) - so obviously the S3 should be better. I was looking to get an imported S3 before I got hooked on getting a P1. It is a great car - looks great without looking like its been kevved up. The interior is one of the best Ive seen with the leather or leather/alcantra electric recaros. Being a quattro it is 4wd compared to the CTR's FWD so will have a lot more grip and composure. Performance stats are similar but I think in the average drivers hands the S3 would be a fair bit quicker.

Insurance isnt too bad from what I recall - no more than any other hot hatch. Residuals are great with 2nd hand cars around the same price as a new one so I assume that means a waiting list in the UK.

The only thing that put me off is the price tag - its a lot of money for a 3-dr hatch. If you can afford the S3 over the CTR Id go for it.

EDITED - Oops, its one of those days at work. Still Id go for the S3 - especially as JamJar import them to your door for £22k. Be sure to get the BOSE upgrade as it only costs £250ish on an import (UK is like £400).

[Edited by P1Fanatic - 1/23/2002 3:20:09 PM]

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

He's looking at the Accord not the Civic.

boultsy

I thought it was the S3 he was looking at

Richard Askew

....me chasing S3 on the last EVO Wales Meet....post on
www.evo.co.uk/forum cos theres a few owners there...

golfturbo

Scotts Audi of sloane sq
Have an S3 with the 330 BHP Turbo conversion...plus Porsche Turbo
brake upgrade.....its £26,900 7000 mls on the clock (i think)

Ive seen that upgrade priced at £5000.00
and the brakes cost about £1600.00
otherwise it looks standard.....
Don't know what the Torque is but it should be very good

I would imagine it comes with a warranty as well......:-)

Lots of stuff at....www.auto-amd.com if u get one

Chins

The S3 at scotts was owned by one of the guys on the Audi BBS.

http://audi.digitarus.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

Post on there. Ive owned 2 of them, and when they are chipped I prefer them to a std UK Scooby.

Jonathan

Brendan Hughes

I understand the power, but what about the reputed wooden handling? Chins, did you ever get that sorted out? ISTR you said something about having to spend too much on it to get it how you wanted?

I'm also considering one vs a 5 door WRX, though side by side the Audi looks 5 grand pricier for less fun. How is driver feedback compared to a standard (or PPP) scoob MY01 (ie which is blunter than MY00)?

BJH

Chins

I could level critisisms at the S3, but wooden handling was not really one of them.

Its brakes dont have the feel of the WRX, and as a drivers car it doesnt come together as well. But it does depend on where your priorities are.

If you like leather electric recaros, a great looking interior and exterior, Xenon lights, great Bose stereo then the S3 might be your car.

You can now order an import with 2 years warranty 18" RS4 style alloys, lowered suspension, Bose, CD and nice metalic colour for about £23-24k from Sport Import and get delivery in 8 weeks.

S3 now has 225bhp as std. To get the car to what I would really like would cost more again, but I'm used to P1's and M3's. If your stepping up the ladder and it a WRX or an S3 it a very close call.

Jonathan

eyeMAJIC

Used to have an S3 as my work car, which has now been replaced by BMW 330D Touring.

Having the S3 inspired me to buy my current private car (MY01 WRX wagon). I agree with Chins, it's a close call.

My 2p's worth....

S3 was more economical (I got ave 27mpg vs. 24 in Scoob; OK not huge, but it makes a difference if you cover over 10k a year)
S3 quieter & comfier on motorways
S3 handles like a front driver (more understeer near limit)
S3 seats & interior gorgeous. Feels like an expensive motor inside, not a Jap hatchback.
S3 boot is VERY small (much smaller than a Golf; higher floor)
BOSE speakers are a TOTAL waste of money. Nasty, cheap, Mexican cr@p.
Save 500 quid plus & get some decent aftermarket stuff.

Verdict: If you don't care about depreciation & want something that feels like it was designed for raw thrills, get the Scoob.
Also remember the new A3 platform (and ultimately S3) arrives at the end of this year. You takes your choice.

eyeMAJIC

ooops, just thought I'd add this as it sounds as if I think the scoob's miles better. Not really the case.

I spent 2 months trying to decide between the S3 & Scoob.
Only 2 things swung it in favour of the scoob, nothing to do with the drive:

1.... Tons more boot space (i have lots of boys toys... )
2.... Inverted snobbery (i live in a VERY small town, where people gossip about members of the community who cruise around in flash new cars. Unless you're a petrolhead, an Audi will ALWAYS produce more "Woooooh!! He's got lots of £££" effect than a Scoob. That's the last thing I need patients whinging about when our fees increase.)

eM out.


[Edited by eyeMAJIC - 1/23/2002 7:45:33 PM]