Where does the wise money go???

[ash reynolds]

Right, here's my dilema. I want to change my car and these are the things that I am bearing in mind at present. Budget would be around £18k.

1 I dont want a shopping hack.
2 I would prefer a 5 door car.
3 Petrol power.
4 About 4 years old.
5 Intend to minimize losses. Eg: Focus RS seem to selling for about what they did a year ago. New Ecoboost model coming followed by 4 wheel drive version I believe. What would happen to residuals of the current model? Point is it is depreciation free motoring, or as near as can be. I know this situation can and will change eventually but for the time being it seems like good news.
6 Audi S3, 57 plate ~£18k Good buy or not?? Woud be a 3 door at this age/price.
7 Golf R32 of similar age. Better buy or not? (Can get 5 doors this way).

I appreciate that the holy grail may not exist at this level, but I do believe that even if I bought a petrol car that had some pedigree over a diesel shopping hack that my money may be safer regardless of mpg differences.

Any opinions/thoughts/advice would be most welcome.

Thanks.

[swamp]

Mk6 GTI. Bit slower than the others, but should hold its value reasonably well.