[clutchdj]

anyone daily one of these? id use it to haul junk and people around for work; plus the wife can drive it.

i am thinking of leasing one and just putting cheater tires on it. that and probably stage 2.

[Mbbrewer]

Originally Posted by clutchdj

anyone daily one of these? id use it to haul junk and people around for work; plus the wife can drive it.

i am thinking of leasing one and just putting cheater tires on it. that and probably stage 2.

S3? You need a raptor bro

[ORIGIN M.]

Funny as hell!

Originally Posted by Mbbrewer

S3? You need a raptor bro

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by clutchdj

anyone daily one of these? id use it to haul junk and people around for work; plus the wife can drive it.

i am thinking of leasing one and just putting cheater tires on it. that and probably stage 2.

My brother drives an S3 Prestige. Loves it. It's AWD, you don't need cheater tires. Only issue is if you want stick, you have to get the Golf R instead, which to me is the better deal plus better backseat IMO.

[KingOfJericho]

I would get Golf R over S3 all day long. I loved the utility of my GTI and the high roof line make the back seats very roomy. I'm pretty sure 99% of the people who buy an S3 are driving them daily. It ain't an Enzo...

[orangeglim]

I test drove one of these before I drove the M235i. It had pretty obnoxious exhaust drone on the highway. That was the primarily reason I didn't go for it.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I would get Golf R over S3 all day long. I loved the utility of my GTI and the high roof line make the back seats very roomy. I'm pretty sure 99% of the people who buy an S3 are driving them daily. It ain't an Enzo...

I'd actually look at the GTI as the smart money play between those three options. Also if leasing the Audi doesn't make a whole lot of sense compared to the BMW, at least it didn't last time I looked. Residuals were quite a bit lower.

You can get a nicely optioned GTI Sport for just over $20K. Is the R nicer? Yes. Would I rather have one? Yes. Would I pay double for the privilege? Nope.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

I'd actually look at the GTI as the smart money play between those three options. Also if leasing the Audi doesn't make a whole lot of sense compared to the BMW, at least it didn't last time I looked. Residuals were quite a bit lower.

You can get a nicely optioned GTI Sport for just over $20K. Is the R nicer? Yes. Would I rather have one? Yes. Would I pay double for the privilege? Nope.

A GTI Sport is $28k with plaid cloth seats. A comparably equipped GTI is around $34k, making the leap less drastic.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

A GTI Sport is $28k with plaid cloth seats. A comparably equipped GTI is closer to $35k making the leap less drastic.

Sure $28K but they are available (I looked the other day) for a significant discount. If you don't like the plaid though that's a non-starter.

[KingOfJericho]

Yeah cloth seats and suits just don't go together.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Yeah cloth seats and suits just don't go together.

So to vastly oversimplify my car machinations, I was thinking of the GTI to have around if/when we transition GF out of her 3-diesel and into a Z4 coupe. I'd drive it when weather was crap and I wanted to leave my convertible at home, when we had to park in city, etc.

In that context I would only get one with the plaid seats, realize total personal preference but for me at least that's the signature item that makes it really cool and not just boring in the looks department.

[Red Bread]

Yeah, plaid seats or it's just a fancy Golf. Get a pet hair brush if you have pets, but cloth über alles.

[mremg]

You might wanna look into the RS3 when it comes out. Stock power exceeds Stage 2 and has a better sounding 5-cyl.

[R3dliner]

If you're tall I would look elsewhere. S3 is a tiny ass car. Feels so cramped in there.

[c1pher]

It's funny because the S3 is the size of the older A4. They are small cars for skinny Europeans, not us fat muricans.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by MGM135is

It's funny because the S3 is the size of the older A4. They are small cars for skinny Europeans, not us fat muricans.

Yeah, I'm 6'2" and had two B5 A4's and the A/S/RS3 is about the perfect size for me, the wife and our kid. If I could get a manual RS3 hatch, I'd be at the dealer today.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Yeah, I'm 6'2" and had two B5 A4's and the A/S/RS3 is about the perfect size for me, the wife and our kid. If I could get a manual RS3 hatch, I'd be at the dealer today.

There's supposed to be a 2 GC coming, I have a deposit down just in case. Might be worth looking at for your needs.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

There's supposed to be a 2 GC coming, I have a deposit down just in case. Might be worth looking at for your needs.

Thanks. I just assume it will be auto only. I'm trying to justify throwing the kid in the back of an M2, but keep coming to my senses.

[clutchdj]

I've also had a 99.5 b5 A4. Those years were the turning point for audi. The interior specs are indeed similar to an s3. I've had every gti and couple of r32s. Actually I still have my second r32. Sort of bored with it; don't think I want another hot hatch. The F80 is stick but not a daily. Hard to beat VAG vehicles; not the best track cars but an extensive aftermarket they have.
The RS3s has a 40% residual and lease around 1k a month lol. The s3 leases at 500 a month. Crazy. They drone huh? That's weird I guess I should drive one.

[rainfall]

I test drove the S3 and Golf R and I think Golf R is def the better deal overall. If you prefer stick shift, then the Golf R is a no brainer in the US.

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Sure $28K but they are available (I looked the other day) for a significant discount. If you don't like the plaid though that's a non-starter.

What's a reasonable discount on a GTI Sport (current MSRP is $27,950)?
When i was shopping for a daily for my wife, the VW dealer didn't want to play ball and I was constrained with time, so I ended up not getting anything from them.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by rainfall

I test drove the S3 and Golf R and I think Golf R is def the better deal overall. If you prefer stick shift, then the Golf R is a no brainer in the US.



What's a reasonable discount on a GTI Sport (current MSRP is $27,950)?
When i was shopping for a daily for my wife, the VW dealer didn't want to play ball and I was constrained with time, so I ended up not getting anything from them.

It looks like they are being advertised ~$5K off. That said I am not seriously in the market for one so didn't dig into how much of that was discount, incentive, conquest, loyalty etc. Just doing some homework in case I want to get one to drive in crap weather.

Don't get me wrong the S3 has a lot going for it it but I think the R is the smarter buy and a more versatile vehicle w/ the hatch. Then once that decision is made it's really is it worth the premium over the GTI.

You could make the argument that yes it is, AWD vs FWD and will hold it's value better, but that's a theoretical buy it and hold it for 5 years what is each worth kind of argument. Just today, day one, the R costs quite a bit more.

[c1pher]

I had a GTI and really enjoyed it. I just never should have modded it past APR Stage 1. Once I went to Stage 2, that's when putting the power down became much more costly. I really don't mind FWD on my Hybrid, but not another sports/sporty car. I'd rather have RWD or AWD. And after driving both the Golf R and S3, I really don't mind the FWD bias on the haldex system. I think it all just comes down to what type of look you're going after. From what I've seen though, the S3 used prices come down a lot faster than the Golf R. So buying new makes more sense for the VW. If buying used, you can get an S3 that was MSRP for $50K in the $30k range. Similarly used Golf Rs are still in the $30k range despite selling for $39-40k new.