Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

As some of you know I've sold my car and I'm now looking at replacements.

I still want something understated, but quick. So I don't want to go down the Impreza or Evo road!

I fancy something with 4WD or FWD, Forced Induction (or V-TEC), something no bigger than an Impreza and a £10-20k budget (if it's something worth saving for!)

Toying with some of the following:

Audi S3
Honda Integra Type R (Don't like the Civic Type R, sorry)
Subaru Forester S-Turbo
Skoda Octavia RS
Seat Ibiza/Leon Cupra Sport
VW Golf V6 4Motion (Supercharger to be added later)

Any thoughts on these cars?
Andy

P1Fanatic

Well after finally seeing reality (read stupid insurance quotes) Ive decided against the P1 and am going for the S3. Lovely motor (although not that practical if u want a family car and big boot). Quality is second to none - I beg you to show me an interior that looks better than an S3 with black leather and blue alcantara electric recaros.

Standard motor is 225bhp - can easily be chipped to 265 for £500. You can get the basic car at £21,500 imported and fully loaded for £23k (read cruise control, lowered suspension, BOSE sound system, heated seats, audible reversing system, auto dipping rear view mirror, centre arm rest and aluminium wing mirrors).

At 24 with 4 years no claims I can insure this car for under £700 with privilege with no tracker

Pop over to Audi-Sport.net for more of an insight into the Audi community.

AJbaseBloke

Andy,

What about the new Forester? Good proportion of the fun with less agro and more comfort IMHO...

Cheers

polarbearit

I've driven the VAG range extensively now and personally I really don't like the handling of any of the cars I've tried based on the A3 platform so S3, Golf GTi/4Motion and I was especially disappointed withe the Leon, the saleswomen kept trying to persuade me to take it out again, really not impressed. Seems they all feel numb and unresponsive

Anyway not tried the octavia, but I guess of any of the VAG cars its the one I'd have (great image, big boot, cheapest servicing!).

ITR is the best handling FWD I've ever driven, and is very good in standard form.

Forester could be fun, but I suspect the handling will be effected by the higher Centre of Gravity. Never driven one, but its probably what I'd aim for of the cars you've listed (imagine a 356bhp version )

Jon

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Dsre I say it, my top 3 are working out like this:

1) Audi S3
2) Honda Integra Type R - New shape if I can find and afford it!
3) Subaru Forester - New shape ideally

kenny.c

Andy- have you considered a 96 > ek4 civic type-R. There is some around although they are imports.
It is the 1595cc vtec engine similar to the itg type-R . A few years ago performance car did a group test on hot hatches and the civic R had the fastest 0-60 at 5.7 but it was limited to 112mph.
They did slate it on the handling though but that can be rectified.
Just a thought.
I know an old couple who owns one , maybe I'll approach them with an offer .

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Kenny to be honest I've seen them for between £9-12k and that's the same money as a UK Integra!

Thanks for that!
Andy

Carlos The Jackel

I like the s3! we all know the pros & cons of it its down to taste s3 gets my vote!

CraigH

Andy,


Drove an S3 at Palmersport. Very disappointing compared to a Scoob handling/fun wise.

If you want something nippy with great build quality etc then you can't go far wrong.

If you wanna have fun then look elsewhere.

john coffey

Andy,
This bloke imported a S3 and saved himself a few quid http://www.audis3.fsnet.co.uk/ might be worth a look.

P1Fanatic

John - thats Colin and he now runs his own import company called Sports Import that exclusively deals with S3 and TT imports from Germany. One of the cheapest importers around (only charges £395 for the service) but doesnt delivers so if self collect is not for you then try elsewhere. From what Ive heard of him on Audi.Net everyone whose bought one from him has been well chuffed. Im certainly tempted to get one.

Chins

Andy

The S3 out of the factory doesnt win any awards, but it shouts out for mods. Are you the kind of guy that likes to tweak ?.

I rated my MTM S3 above all my old shape Scoobies, bar the P1. I never got as far as sorting the S3 brakes out, and my P1 had alcons from day one.

The other cars you mention can be tuned, but most have FWD. Ive just sold the wifes Leon Cupra, and 180bhp is just right for the chasis. Not much scope for tweaking IMHO.

Dont worry about buying a 225 version, as the mechanics/ engine are identical. Save some money on a year old car, and do what you do best, Tango it

Dont agree with Craigs comments as an S3 with a chip is as fast as most Scoobies and certainly will put a smile on your face. Change the turbo and with a few other mods, you'll be the other side of 300bhp.

V6 4Motion needs even more tweaking, and the 4/5k you spend on a Supercharger will be lost forever. I thought about doing the same myself.

Jonathan

[Edited by Chins - 2/16/2002 11:56:56 PM]

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Jonathan,

You know I respect you opinion and I think that the Audi S3 is now top of my list! Looks like I should start saving hard!!

Where on earth would you get the idea that I like to tune my cars???

Would you consider a European car, or are you a UK car man?

And with your contacts, how much could I get a new one for???

Thanks
Andy

Chins

Andy

Use the link to Audi Sport BBS provided earlier in this thread. There you will find link to Sport Import that probably are the best priced imports.

UK or European is a tough one. Some good deals on 6 month old UK cars at the moment £23k with Metalic, Bose & CD £26.5k new or
£23.5 roughly would get you a new European Import with 2 year warranty, Bose, CD, Metalic, Lowered Sports Suspension and 18" wheels.

Lots of tuning options to choose from after that.

Jonathan

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Thanks Jonathan, although I've been told I can probably get a new UK one, with metallic paint for about £21k.

Stereo does not play as big a part as it use to! I think you remember my old green scoob, which was so low at rear, that the tyres were up in the arches!!

P1Fanatic

Andy Ive got the same choice. By a UK 2nd hand one (as brand new UK basic model list price of £24,750 before metallic paint is a joke) or buy an import. UK car supermarkets are selling them for £21,999 but you take them as they are as they are imported to a basic spec. See Here for basic details.

For about £22.5k you can get a brand new german import delivered to your door loaded with all extra bar the 18" RS4 wheels (which I personally dont like on the S3) and the SatNAV System. These upgrades should do well at keeping your residuals up near a UK car when u come to sell.

I am leaning to the import route as I cant find any second hand S3's to my requirements, mainly Silver or Ebony Black with Blue/Black Interior. Sport Import is well known and respected in the Audi owners community both on price and service but now only offer self collection (involves flying to Bremen, picking car up and getting a ferry back from Rotterdam or similar, unless you want to drive all the way back across europe). However I have recently been told about Car Connection which seem very cheap and do deliver to your door. Im still researching to find customer statements/opinions of this company so will let you know when I find anything.

The only advantage I can see of buying UK 2nd hand is getting the car quicker as an import (or new UK) will be a 8-12 week wait.

Good luck.

Simon.

[Edited by P1Fanatic - 2/17/2002 7:16:58 PM]

CraigH

Chins,

Never said they couldn't be fast.

Said they weren't as fun.

You think an S3 handling wise is as fun as a Scoob?

Felt no different to my wifes Lupo, just faster.

Dull.

Would have a Scoob, ITR etc and an S3 wouldn't even figure.

A Golf does the job as well.

Chins

I had a load of fun chasing Scoobies in my S3 at Donnington. Through the corners and in the wet it certainly was fun. Just the crap brakes that let it down. Few Scoobie owners were not impressed that they couldnt lose an Audi

Jonathan

Darren Thompson

Andy go for the Bora 4 Motion, cheaper insurance than the Golf and a wolf in sheeps clothing with the same space as a Scooby.

Darren.

Dr Lurve

Andy

I have had Golfs for the last umpteen years (to long to mention), they have all been very reliable and had very little go wrong (other than wear and tear), even up to 120k miles. Insurance is reasonably cheap. And good resale value, I bought a Mark II for £5000 and part exchanged it 6years and 80k miles later and got £3500 trade in, cant complain at that. Dont have any experience with the other cars.

Jen.

gregh

What is Audi's warranty policy on Euro imports?

cheers,

greg

P1Fanatic

2 years european warranty, same as bimmers

Plantie

Andy,

I personally found the S3 too nice... It has absoloutley no rawness in it at all not like the scoob.
Its a lovely car but everything about it is nice not WOW.

If I had of bought it, I would have more than likely been bored of it within 3 months.

Quick note.. Suspension will definatley need a big tweek.. didn't inspire me...

Looks fab though!

What about a modding an RX-7 like Vin Diesels in The Fast and the Furious..... Looks f***in' awesome and NOS

I think it would suit ya!!

Good luck with the choice.. Your Scoob will be hard to replace.

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Plantie,

To be honest I want something that may be considered a street sleeper! I want to park it up with less paranoia than my Impreza.

That said whatever I get, it has to have more power than my last car!!

I've had the rawness before, I want something more civilised with refinement and build quality!!

If the suspension needs changing, it will be changed!! I have never left any one of the cars I've owned as standard!!

Cheers
Andy

Plantie

I understand fella...

Well good luck with what ever you decide!!

Be good to see you back out with out the Golf

P1Fanatic

Andy - you know your gonna go for the S3 so dont prolong the pain - go get one fella.

gregh

>> 2 years european warranty, same as bimmers

and no P*ssing around if you have to take it to a UK dealer to get sorted?

Greg (Missus looking at a TT/S3/A3)

P1Fanatic

Not from what Ive seen - usual story that the service centre of a dealership is a different entity, so if they can get your custome over the next 3-5 years etc then they dont give a sh*t where your car came from. If you some info from loads of Audi Owners (many imported) then visit Here