VAG "driver's car"? Any in sight?

[swimd]

It is time for me to buy a new car and my brother works at a VAG dealership. I’m looking for something similar to the M135i (groan, I know) but it seems like VAG has nothing to match that car other than the perfect Cayman S which is outside my price range.

I really want to like the S3 and RS3 but every review I read states that the cars are fast and safe but no fun to drive with stupid amounts of understeer. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detai...

I’ve heard similar things about the Golf R. The RS4 is no match for the M3 on a track either. The Golf GTI "Performance Package" got some very good reviews thanks to the locking diff, but is there anything else worth waiting for?

[zeduffman]

Is the Cupra R 270 worth looking at? Comes with the diff from the GTI PP but with more power and a more track focused chassis. Ignore the Nurburgring lap time controversy, it sounds like it could be a bit of a loon.

[lamboman100]

The Golf R (Mark 7) looks like it has set a new benchmark for hot hatches. The DSG version gives Porsche-like performance with 4WD and discreet styling. Buy one of those, in black or blue, on a lease -- they are currently going for silly money.

[Escy]

Other than the Mk1 Golg GTI there has never been a VAG drivers car

[wemorgan]

swimd said:

It is time for me to buy a new car and my brother works at a VAG dealership. I’m looking for something similar to the M135i (groan, I know) but it seems like VAG has nothing to match that car other than the perfect Cayman S which is outside my price range.

I really want to like the S3 and RS3 but every review I read states that the cars are fast and safe but no fun to drive with stupid amounts of understeer. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detai...

I’ve heard similar things about the Golf R. The RS4 is no match for the M3 on a track either. The Golf GTI "Performance Package" got some very good reviews thanks to the locking diff, but is there anything else worth waiting for?

RS4 £56k
Cayman £49k

You can't afford a Cayman but are considering a RS4?
What's your budget?

[swimd]

wemorgan said:

RS4 £56k
Cayman £49k

You can't afford a Cayman but are considering a RS4?
What's your budget?

My budget is around £40k. I’m not really considering the RS4 (or M3), I just listed it as an example.
I thought about a used B8 S4 but I’m not sure that qualifies as a "driver’s car" for the occasional track day.

[kambites]

Escy said:

Other than the Mk1 Golg GTI there has never been a VAG drivers car

You don't think the Gallardo is a drivers' car? Or the Cayman or 911?

Some of the RS cars have been pretty good too, although equally quite a lot haven't.

[wemorgan]

swimd said:

My budget is around £40k. I’m not really considering the RS4 (or M3), I just listed it as an example.
I thought about a used B8 S4 but I’m not sure that qualifies as a "driver’s car" for the occasional track day.

A standard Cayman is in budget.

[kambites]

wemorgan said:

A standard Cayman is in budget.

As is a Boxster, by a slightly greater margin. Both infinitely better drivers' cars than the 1-series, IMO.

[swimd]

wemorgan said:

A standard Cayman is in budget.

I am under the impression that the standard Cayman is somewhat underpowered for the chassis. Admittedly I have never driven one.
Also I think I would prefer a decent optioned M135i over a total poverty spec Cayman/Boxster. I’d probably want PSM, full leather and Xeons. I optioned a Cayenne for my parents and full leather was a must because the plastic dash did not do the rest of the car justice.

A RWD new Audi TT would probably fit the bill, but apparently some people at VAG just hate driving dynamics. I can’t blame them because I suspect that 90% of their buyers don’t know the difference between oversteer and understeer anyway.

[wemorgan]

swimd said:

I am under the impression that the standard Cayman is somewhat underpowered for the chassis. Admittedly I have never driven one.
Also I think I would prefer a decent optioned M135i over a total poverty spec Cayman/Boxster. I’d probably want PSM, full leather and Xeons. I optioned a Cayenne for my parents and full leather was a must because the plastic dash did not do the rest of the car justice.

A RWD new Audi TT would probably fit the bill, but apparently some people at VAG just hate driving dynamics. I can’t blame them because I suspect that 90% of their buyers don’t know the difference between oversteer and understeer anyway.

You're stuck in the classic buyer's conundrum of, price vs spec vs reviews etc etc. Sometimes it's best to just step away from it all and just drive some cars. Personally if it had to be a VAG family car for <£40k then the Cayman/Boxster is the clear answer.

[kambites]

The first time I read that, I thought you were calling the Boxster a "family car".

[irish boy]

For 40k you'll get a very late/low mile m3, or save a few quid and buy the new megane rs275 run out model that's just been announced....no price released till June 16th but it's sure to be the best driving car in its class by a country mile.

[TimLambert7]

If Cayman and Boxster aren't what you're after.

Mk7 Golf R.

[Tickle]

irish boy said:

For 40k you'll get a very late/low mile m3, or save a few quid and buy the new megane rs275 run out model that's just been announced....no price released till June 16th but it's sure to be the best driving car in its class by a country mile.

Excellent drivers cars no doubt, but neither are VAG

[kambites]

The S1 has been getting some decent reviews.

[Dave Hedgehog]

swimd said:

It is time for me to buy a new car and my brother works at a VAG dealership. I’m looking for something similar to the M135i (groan, I know) but it seems like VAG has nothing to match that car other than the perfect Cayman S which is outside my price range.

I really want to like the S3 and RS3 but every review I read states that the cars are fast and safe but no fun to drive with stupid amounts of understeer. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detai...

I’ve heard similar things about the Golf R. The RS4 is no match for the M3 on a track either. The Golf GTI "Performance Package" got some very good reviews thanks to the locking diff, but is there anything else worth waiting for?

Here's an idea make a short list and go drive them to see if you like them, rather than tacking any notice of the drivel on the web

[Pentoman]

Autocar's road test of the Golf Mk 7 R had it second only to the Megane RS265.
Focus ST was 3rd and M135i fourth.

They usually base these positions on driver appeal so the Golf seems to at least be worth a look.

Good luck either way.

[swimd]

Dave Hedgehog said:

Here's an idea make a short list and go drive them to see if you like them, rather than tacking any notice of the drivel on the web

Fair play and I will do that (Cayman 2.7 and Golf R are on the list right now) but I find it strange that there is such a huge gap between those two models. This thread seems to confirm that. One is a Golf and the other is a Porsche! Yes, one is the high end and one is the very low end but still. Audi apparently has nothing to offer in between even though they are filling every other niche, no matter how dumb (RS Q3) and meanwhile BMW is readying the M2.

[kambites]

I suppose you could say the TTRS is about half way between the Golf R and the Cayman in terms of focus. Not sure if it's still on the market, though.