Which VAG should I get? (Advice needed)

[savvasa]

Morning all!

So I'm planning on heading back into the world of fast German hatchbacks but I can't make up my mind which is best for me!

I had a MK5 GTI previously and I absolutely loved it, but, I always felt it was a bit down on power. I have all the typical married, father of 2, but wants a fast and fun car to drive requirements. I have an Audi A6 LeMans as the family car which my wife drives, so this is just for me and a potential backup if anything goes wrong with the A6.

I don't want to spend more then around £13-14k.

so I'm looking at getting either:

Audi S3 2.0 TFSI Quattro 3dr
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/audi/s3/used...

Seat Leon 2.0 TSI Cupra R 5dr
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/seat/leon/us...

Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TFSI GTI Edition 30 5dr
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/volkswagen/g...

Volkswagen Golf 3.2 V6 R32 DSG 4Motion 3dr
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/volkswagen/g...

I don't plan on doing a huge amount of mods on the car, but with AMD only round the corner from me, chances are I'd pay them a visit for some tweaks at some point!

I am leaning more towards the S3 or the Cupra just on looks and because they are not a Golf.

So which would you go for? Why? General thoughts? Is there a better option outside of the 4 I have come up with?

Thanks in advance.

Sav

[AJB88]

I previously owned a Stage2+ Leon Cupra R it was fun as hell, now running a Stage2 Leon Cupra 280.

[lee111s]

I like the S3's. They're a bit of a sleeper in that they don't look THAT out there but certainly can shift when remapped.

[si_xsi]

If you have already had a Gti, then why not try something different. I'd take a test drive in both the s3 and r32. The former more tunable at amd the latter less so unless lots of money is speant. I can confirm a miltek sounds lovely though! Never got on with the styling of that style of cupra.

[savvasa]

lee111s said:

I like the S3's. They're a bit of a sleeper in that they don't look THAT out there but certainly can shift when remapped.

Yeah I think that's what I like most about the S3, plus I think they are a bit classier for a 30 year old, over the bit more boy racerish Golf's

[savvasa]

si_xsi said:

If you have already had a Gti, then why not try something different. I'd take a test drive in both the s3 and r32. The former more tunable at amd the latter less so unless lots of money is speant. I can confirm a miltek sounds lovely though! Never got on with the styling of that style of cupra.

Good advice, I hear a lot of mix reviews about the heavy front end of the R32, have you got any experience of one? I think an exhaust upgrade would probably be one of the last things I did, unless it was something like a flapper mod.

The cupra styling is definitely marmite, I don't like the new generation because they look so ordinary, but the older shape is just outright mental

[si_xsi]

I dont notice the front end being very heavy, but mine is on bilstein b14 suspension on its highest setting. It just feels a solid and steering has better feel than the gti I replaced. The s3 will feel similar to the gti in terms of power delivery but with better traction. Then you have the dilemma o dog vs manual!

[savvasa]

si_xsi said:

I dont notice the front end being very heavy, but mine is on bilstein b14 suspension on its highest setting. It just feels a solid and steering has better feel than the gti I replaced. The s3 will feel similar to the gti in terms of power delivery but with better traction. Then you have the dilemma o dog vs manual!

Ah the old DSG vs manual debate! Considering how this car is going to be used as a station car/hoonmobile, I am torn. The gti I had before had DSG and I definitely felt that it was slow to change gear if the car was driven spiritedly, but having the option to cruise around in auto mode was great...

[savvasa]

Any thoughts on this S3?

http://www.jjpremiumcars.co.uk/used-cars-peterboro...

[RS Grant]

savvasa said:

Any thoughts on this S3?

http://www.jjpremiumcars.co.uk/used-cars-peterboro...

I thought the MOT would have been a typo but it really is only MOT'd for a month or so, confirmed by doing an online MOT check. I'd also want to check who carried out the servicing on the car, since it's not listed as full dealer history.

Can't comment on the price since I don't know the market for S3s... but seems decent spec and the fact it's had 4 good tyres fitted, would indicate that the car has probably been maintained well. Seeing a set/mixture of ditchfinders on a car will usually put me off a car.


Cheers,
Grant

[savvasa]

RS Grant said:

I thought the MOT would have been a typo but it really is only MOT'd for a month or so, confirmed by doing an online MOT check. I'd also want to check who carried out the servicing on the car, since it's not listed as full dealer history.

Thanks for the reply Grant.

Well spotted on the MOT mate, I didnt see that, I'd ask them to carry out a new MOT as part of the deal if I go for it.

On the service history "It Comes With A Full Service History Serviced At ... And Less Most Recently At 73,982 Miles" I don't get that last bit, does it make any sense to you?

I've asked the dealer for a copy of the service book, I live in Essex and the cars in peterborough so I've asked for a couple of details before I take a drive all the way up there, only to find its not what I'm looking for.

Thanks

Andrew

[SteA]

We have both an S3 and a Cupra R with the latter being a more recent addition. The S3 isn't a bad car but in standard tune I really don't find it that enjoyable to drive in comparison to the Leon, the LCR is also a nice place to be for more mundane trips. If you want fun I would seriously look at the LCR... the wife loves the S3 but even she has been keener to take the LCR when both cars are sat on the drive. And this is a personal thing, but I also intensely dislike the control layout in the Audi, but that could probably be said for the Seat from other people's perspective!

Edit to add, go privately and you might be able to pick up an LCR with nearly half the mileage of the one above for a bit over 13k...

Edited by SteA on Saturday 12th March 14:38

[TJC46]

Scirocco 2.0 ltr TSI. Nice looking car, very quick for, what it is, a 4 seat hatchback.

I have the 2.0 ltr TSI With the D.SG gearbox and it is fantastic to drive. Anyone who gets in the car for the first time always comment on how nice the interior is, [mines leather] and they are really surprised how quick the car goes.

Dont take my word for it....drive one...........especially with the DSG gearbox, you will enjoy it.

[savvasa]

TJC46 said:

Scirocco 2.0 ltr TSI. Nice looking car, very quick for, what it is, a 4 seat hatchback.

I have the 2.0 ltr TSI With the D.SG gearbox and it is fantastic to drive. Anyone who gets in the car for the first time always comment on how nice the interior is, [mines leather] and they are really surprised how quick the car goes.

Dont take my word for it....drive one...........especially with the DSG gearbox, you will enjoy it.

Funny enough I'm going to take a look at this one later in the week http://www.ripleycarriage.co.uk/used-cars-for-sale...

I love the colour combination and the power is the same as the S3 just without the Quattro

[si_xsi]

I wouldn't go for the s3 above, appear to be on long life servicing, which is not ideal for the 2.0 turbo lumps, regular oil changes every 10k miles as a min. The scirocco R looks OK but imo not a fan of black wheels.

The S3, R32, Cupra R, Scirocco R are all decent in their own right but the only way to narrow It down is to get out and drive some!

I think dsg is a great bit of kit, especially If your journey involves a lot o stop start traffic, but they can be a bit temperamental, at least with a manual you know where you are. Plus, for me at least, a manual just suits the R32 a bit better. Keep us updated with the search.