Discussion
which model year?
I have a 65 plate one and it's a great all rounder car. it's a very fast car and handles pretty well. The strong point though is the engine - it sounds superb and a cut above the rest of the cars in this class. I looked at an A45 before buying the RS3 and, whilst more powerful and better specced (as standard), the engine note sounded terrible even with the sports exhaust.
However, it's a car you buy out of passion rather than common sense. The S3 is £10,000 cheaper and almost as fast and equally specced so you need to really want an RS3 to actually buy one. But if you do you won't regret it. It still gives me "the fizz" feeling when driving it and I've not gotten bored by it - which usually happens after a year with a car for me. I've taken it to the south of France and the ride is lovely but take it on a B road and the drive is superb as well.
I don't regret buying mine at all and it's definitely a keeper for longer than I usually keep cars. If I had bought a Golf R (yuck) or A45 I would have still been pining for the RS3 anyway.
Personally, my only problem is where to go next :-S What car could I replace it with? I am getting to itch to buy a different car but can't find anything that equals the RS3 as an all rounder. I viewed another A45 last month and, whilst a lovely car inside, the engine/exhaust just sound so terrible when compared to the RS3
Plus points: blisteringly quick, sounds truly amazing, nice ride, comfortable, subtle exterior styling
Negative points: expensive (residuals on them aren't too bad though), not as well specced as others in it's class, still leads into a little understeer when tyres reach the limit
I have a 65 plate one and it's a great all rounder car. it's a very fast car and handles pretty well. The strong point though is the engine - it sounds superb and a cut above the rest of the cars in this class. I looked at an A45 before buying the RS3 and, whilst more powerful and better specced (as standard), the engine note sounded terrible even with the sports exhaust.
However, it's a car you buy out of passion rather than common sense. The S3 is £10,000 cheaper and almost as fast and equally specced so you need to really want an RS3 to actually buy one. But if you do you won't regret it. It still gives me "the fizz" feeling when driving it and I've not gotten bored by it - which usually happens after a year with a car for me. I've taken it to the south of France and the ride is lovely but take it on a B road and the drive is superb as well.
I don't regret buying mine at all and it's definitely a keeper for longer than I usually keep cars. If I had bought a Golf R (yuck) or A45 I would have still been pining for the RS3 anyway.
Personally, my only problem is where to go next :-S What car could I replace it with? I am getting to itch to buy a different car but can't find anything that equals the RS3 as an all rounder. I viewed another A45 last month and, whilst a lovely car inside, the engine/exhaust just sound so terrible when compared to the RS3
Plus points: blisteringly quick, sounds truly amazing, nice ride, comfortable, subtle exterior styling
Negative points: expensive (residuals on them aren't too bad though), not as well specced as others in it's class, still leads into a little understeer when tyres reach the limit
I'd avoid the bucket seats. My brother had a 2011 RS3 with them and said they were utterly back breaking. Totally uncomfortable on a long journey and the sides were kidney damaging. His missus refused to get in the car in the end because of them.
The standard seats are pretty comfy anyway. If anything, I'd get sports exhaust over bucket seats. The dynamic suspension might be worth a look at, I didn't bother because it was expensive and the dealer couldn't give me a proper explanation of the benefits of it.
I personally think a brighter colour suits them better as well, gives a nicer contract with the aluminium parts. I got mine in Sepang Blue and when washed and waxed it looks great. Looks similar to this one: http://www.autoprestigecars.co.uk/media/images/200...
They really are lovely cars - bought with the heart though, not the mind!
The standard seats are pretty comfy anyway. If anything, I'd get sports exhaust over bucket seats. The dynamic suspension might be worth a look at, I didn't bother because it was expensive and the dealer couldn't give me a proper explanation of the benefits of it.
I personally think a brighter colour suits them better as well, gives a nicer contract with the aluminium parts. I got mine in Sepang Blue and when washed and waxed it looks great. Looks similar to this one: http://www.autoprestigecars.co.uk/media/images/200...
They really are lovely cars - bought with the heart though, not the mind!
Edited by Duke of Kidderminster on Friday 7th July 11:00
I have been toying with the idea of white too. 
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