Audi S3

[marctwo]

thebluebus said:

We've got little Bluebus number 2 due in two weeks, and our family car will remain a Honda Civic.

I spent enough time carting fresh air about in the backs of Mondeo and A6 estates just because I believed I needed the room.

I didn't.

The Civic has a bigger boot than the S3. Is it a 5 door too?

I agree you don't need a massive car, but I was pretty sure I'd need something bigger than the S3 and with back doors too.

[thebluebus]

marctwo said:

thebluebus said:

We've got little Bluebus number 2 due in two weeks, and our family car will remain a Honda Civic.

I spent enough time carting fresh air about in the backs of Mondeo and A6 estates just because I believed I needed the room.

I didn't.

The Civic has a bigger boot than the S3. Is it a 5 door too?

I agree you don't need a massive car, but I was pretty sure I'd need something bigger than the S3 and with back doors too.

You might be right.

It's the new shape Civic with the "hidden" rear doors, and the boot is utterly cavernous - I'm amazed how much will go in there.

[rsstman]

thebluebus said:

It's the new shape Civic with the "hidden" rear doors, and the boot is utterly cavernous - I'm amazed how much will go in there.

due to the torsion bean rear suspension setup rather than an independant setup.

[thebluebus]

rsstman said:

thebluebus said:

It's the new shape Civic with the "hidden" rear doors, and the boot is utterly cavernous - I'm amazed how much will go in there.

due to the torsion bean rear suspension setup rather than an independant setup.

Handling: compromised.

Space for baby junk: ample.

[rsstman]

perfecto for you them i am assuming, good stuff.

luckily my little 1 year old doesnt require too much baby junk, just a (biggish) bag which will go pretty much anywhere, i could easily fit it in an s3 without even using the boot.

Edited by rsstman on Friday 13th March 12:57

[thebluebus]

rsstman said:

perfecto for you them i am assuming, good stuff.

luckily my little 1 year old doesnt require too much baby junk, just a (biggish) bag which will go pretty much anywhere, i could easily fit it in an s3 without even using the boot.

In fairness, Mrs Bluebus predominantly drives the Civic.

I want something else that'll be a proper car, only funner.

[rsstman]

and your budget?

[thebluebus]

the OP said:

a budget of about 5-6K

[rsstman]

i would say,

s3
civic type-r
puma racing
golf v6 4motion
mondeo st220
leon cupra-r
focus st170 (with recaros)
integra type-r dc2
impreza

or something along those lines.

[thebluebus]

Your lines are the same as my lines.

I guess I'll just have to go and start trying them all.

:sigh:

Edited by thebluebus on Friday 13th March 13:13

[rsstman]

well i am sure it will be fun trying them, any from the list you would dismiss straight away?

the more you can whittle it down the easier your decision will be.

[thebluebus]

rsstman said:

well i am sure it will be fun trying them, any from the list you would dismiss straight away?

the more you can whittle it down the easier your decision will be.

I had a DC2 before and rue the day I ever got rid of it.

Mondeo might be too big - I had one before and it was a right old barge (not what I'm after now).

Scooby - I've driven a few and for the sort of road-speed driving I do, I call dull.

Mrs Bluebus likes the Civic Type R.

I hadn't really thought about the Leon, but might be interesting.

The S3 idea arose because I've had a couple of Audis (including a 1.8T sport quattro A4) and liked them.

[rsstman]

i think you would probably like the s3 as long as you dont mind slightly numb steering and not much of a soundtrack, it is a much more pleasant place to sit than a subaru.

bad thing about the leon is theres no option of leather, the interior is a bit bland and suspension pretty solid.

do you prefer revvy engines or torquey ones?

focus st170 is very nice with full leather recaros, but then i would probably prefer an s3 or ctr.

[Colonial]

I like my S3. Running a eibach spring/bilstein shock combo with a haldex controller and it's much better than stock in terms of handling now. Very little understeer

Combinbed with a carbon airbox and a full remus exhaust system and it surprises a few cars - now about to do a remap to bump it up to STi power levels

I drive long distances and had a look at the STI prior to getting the S3. For what I do a nice leather interior and a ride that was bonejarring was more important than on the limit handling precision. I think I've got the best of both worlds

[Darkslider]

Not sure why you call the impreza 'dull' yet would like a quattro Audi? When you say for the speeds you do what does that mean? Around town, motorway cruising what?

[thebluebus]

Darkslider said:

Not sure why you call the impreza 'dull' yet would like a quattro Audi? When you say for the speeds you do what does that mean? Around town, motorway cruising what?

I mean that the Impreza is too competent for everyday driving IMO. Won't get to show its flair or excitement until breaching the levels of commitment I would achieve.

S3 might be just as dull, but seems as though it might be that little bit less crushingly superb and could offer up some thrills at lower levels.

However, I dunno.

That's why I've done this thread, see.

[Conceited]

I found mine a bit dull. No, hang on, very dull.

But it was quick. Okay, it didn't have lightening responses when I turned the wheel, but it was grippy and sure footed and went about its business on a very understated, very German way.

Which is what a lot people want. Turned out, though, I didn't. Shame.

[Lord Croker]

rsstman said:

focus st170 is very nice with full leather recaros

...and completely gutless. Also the interior is pretty ugly and cheap feeling (except for the seats )

And the Golf 4Motion is a whale.

[Darkslider]

thebluebus said:

Darkslider said:

Not sure why you call the impreza 'dull' yet would like a quattro Audi? When you say for the speeds you do what does that mean? Around town, motorway cruising what?

I mean that the Impreza is too competent for everyday driving IMO. Won't get to show its flair or excitement until breaching the levels of commitment I would achieve.

S3 might be just as dull, but seems as though it might be that little bit less crushingly superb and could offer up some thrills at lower levels.

However, I dunno.

That's why I've done this thread, see.

I get what you mean, you want a car you can thrash the life out of and drive to it's limits, which you won't be able to do with a scooby. Fair enough.

[marctwo]

thebluebus said:

Darkslider said:

S3 might be just as dull, but seems as though it might be that little bit less crushingly superb and could offer up some thrills at lower levels.

While I am sure you are right that the Impreza is a more competent ground covering machine, I still think the limits of the S3 are quite high. Certainly I always felt that my driving skills ran out long before the capability of the car did. Also, I have a feeling that it's unlikely to be 'thrilling' on the limit. From what you say you are after, it sounds like a Mini Cooper S would suit you better.