Wife wants new car. A45 AMG, RS3, Cayman ?
Discussion
The wife has been eyeing up a new car for herself. She currently has a little 595 Competizone with flappy paddles, which I love but it's time to move it on. She is looking at chav spec A45 AMG, RS3 or a Cayman. I'm not too sure about any of these as it will be her 2nd car and they all seem a bit fast for her so I am looking for a bit of advice on what to get her plus any feedback from owners of the aforementioned cars.
Edited by Never you mind on Wednesday 25th April 13:49
To be fair that's a pretty nice choice of cars and I'd not be disappointed with any of them. I guess the biggest difference is that the Cayman is a sports car where the others are hot hatches so the practicality of them may be a decider.
All I'd say if you go for an A45 is that I don't think they look great with the huge wing and aero stuff on them. Personal preference I know but as a 35 year old, I'd feel self conscious haha
All I'd say if you go for an A45 is that I don't think they look great with the huge wing and aero stuff on them. Personal preference I know but as a 35 year old, I'd feel self conscious haha
if you wanted to save a few ££ when looking at the RS3 then take a look at the S3, hardly any noticeable difference in spec and just over half a second slower to 60 than the RS model, upsides being no increase in servicing/insurance/parts costs due to not having the 'R' in the model along with it being cheaper to buy
JS2808 said:
Not sure I would trust my missus in a RWD car.
A45 looks good on paper, cant say I was very impressed after the test drive.
RS3 is the one i'd go for I think
The alternative to the RWD cars is the Nissan GTR which she is mad about especially litchfiled ones, not too keen on letting her loose in one of those. A45 looks good on paper, cant say I was very impressed after the test drive.
RS3 is the one i'd go for I think
Never you mind said:
The alternative to the RWD cars is the Nissan GTR which she is mad about especially litchfiled ones, not too keen on letting her loose in one of those.
If your better half is sufficiently interested in cars that she lusts after a Litchfield GTR, why on earth would you/anyone else be concerned about her ability to drive a RWD car? Because she is a woman and can't possibly be able to drive something as raw as a modern Cayman....Edited by Integroo on Wednesday 25th April 14:21
Edited by Integroo on Wednesday 25th April 14:21
Integroo said:
Never you mind said:
The alternative to the RWD cars is the Nissan GTR which she is mad about especially litchfiled ones, not too keen on letting her loose in one of those.
If your better half is sufficiently interested in cars that she lists after a GTR, why on earth would you be concerned about her ability to drive a RWD car? Because she is a woman and can't possibly be able to drive something as raw as a modern Cayman....JordanM200 said:
Subaru Impreza STi CS400
Has to be auto/pdk or whatever. Never you mind said:
I just think a GTR as her 2nd ever car is a bit much. I am sure most insurance companies would agree. However I understand that a car, any car, is as fast as the driver wants it to be. I just want her to build up to that kind of car over a period of time while gaining experience. If this isn't a sensible opinion then feel free to straighten it out.
That's fair I agree entirely. That was more aimed at the other poster who suggested that by virtue of being a woman he wouldn't trust her in a RWD car.
Integroo said:
Never you mind said:
I just think a GTR as her 2nd ever car is a bit much. I am sure most insurance companies would agree. However I understand that a car, any car, is as fast as the driver wants it to be. I just want her to build up to that kind of car over a period of time while gaining experience. If this isn't a sensible opinion then feel free to straighten it out.
That's fair I agree entirely. That was more aimed at the other poster who suggested that by virtue of being a woman he wouldn't trust her in a RWD car.
- edit* no it wasn't. Damn it
Honestly brutally, out of those listed the Cayman. It is probably the least likely to be taken away from you in the night or via force (not that really should be a factor, but for it would be).
The other two are perfect material for being stolen (more so the RS3, even the S3) for the undesirables. I also know of a few A45's that have been relieved from their owners.
Saying all of that though and the RWD thing, then in some ways I actually think RWD drive can be "safer" in not being "safer" as it in certain circumstances is more progressive than some implementations of part time AWD systems that both others feature (if memory serves).
But if you have concerns regarding experience, RWD then maybe something slower that can give experience with or without safety aids is the path to go down.
For me personally going from the MX5 without TC or many aids to my 640D gave me plenty of experience not to rely on the electronics and learn the feelings well before the back begins to try and overtake the front end.
The other two are perfect material for being stolen (more so the RS3, even the S3) for the undesirables. I also know of a few A45's that have been relieved from their owners.
Saying all of that though and the RWD thing, then in some ways I actually think RWD drive can be "safer" in not being "safer" as it in certain circumstances is more progressive than some implementations of part time AWD systems that both others feature (if memory serves).
But if you have concerns regarding experience, RWD then maybe something slower that can give experience with or without safety aids is the path to go down.
For me personally going from the MX5 without TC or many aids to my 640D gave me plenty of experience not to rely on the electronics and learn the feelings well before the back begins to try and overtake the front end.
I would suggest that the Cayman is a pretty competent car at protecting the driver - helping them learn to drive a RWD car - and no car is too fast if it is not driven fast! So if you have any concerns, buy her a driving course which is focused on understanding how to match driver capability to car / setting
"A bit Fast for her"
"Not let her loose in one of those"
Why ? any of those cars is only as fast as you drive it, the lack of a penis does not make any difference, if anything, us chaps are more of a liability in fast cars..
She is a grown woman, not a kid, Its like that old Harry Enfield sketch,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT6cB6vMWYU
I would let me wife "loose" in anything, all I would do is, same as anyone, warn of any potential issues due to drive layout, weather, lack of driver aids or whatever.
"Not let her loose in one of those"
Why ? any of those cars is only as fast as you drive it, the lack of a penis does not make any difference, if anything, us chaps are more of a liability in fast cars..
She is a grown woman, not a kid, Its like that old Harry Enfield sketch,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT6cB6vMWYU
I would let me wife "loose" in anything, all I would do is, same as anyone, warn of any potential issues due to drive layout, weather, lack of driver aids or whatever.
J4CKO said:
"A bit Fast for her"
"Not let her loose in one of those"
Why ? any of those cars is only as fast as you drive it, the lack of a penis does not make any difference, if anything, us chaps are more of a liability in fast cars..
She is a grown woman, not a kid, Its like that old Harry Enfield sketch,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT6cB6vMWYU
I would let me wife "loose" in anything, all I would do is, same as anyone, warn of any potential issues due to drive layout, weather, lack of driver aids or whatever.
As I said in an earlier post, a car is as fast as the driver wants it to be."Not let her loose in one of those"
Why ? any of those cars is only as fast as you drive it, the lack of a penis does not make any difference, if anything, us chaps are more of a liability in fast cars..
She is a grown woman, not a kid, Its like that old Harry Enfield sketch,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT6cB6vMWYU
I would let me wife "loose" in anything, all I would do is, same as anyone, warn of any potential issues due to drive layout, weather, lack of driver aids or whatever.
Even though she has only been driving for 3 years I would let her drive my Gallardo if the insurance company thought she had enough experience of fast cars, unfortunately they don't so they won't let me put her on the insurance unless, I imagine, I pay a small fortune for her.
I have an A45, without aero and divisive colour scheme. I think it has looks, functionality and speed. Will I keep it, no. I have a Mk1 MX-5 that I much more enjoy when going for a drive and as a daily the Merc is complete overkill, I do about 6 miles a day of fairly potholed roads.
Much as I love it, it will be swapped out for something more appropriate for the limited miles I do, I may even go electric...
Just to be clear I don't regret my time with it, just as a caveat to those who are thinking of one to consider what it'll be used for.
Much as I love it, it will be swapped out for something more appropriate for the limited miles I do, I may even go electric...
Just to be clear I don't regret my time with it, just as a caveat to those who are thinking of one to consider what it'll be used for.
akirk said:
I would suggest that the Cayman is a pretty competent car at protecting the driver - helping them learn to drive a RWD car - and no car is too fast if it is not driven fast! So if you have any concerns, buy her a driving course which is focused on understanding how to match driver capability to car / setting
Cayman helping them to drive? It is full of electronics to protect the driver. Rather than the driver learning where the limits are without the safety aids!I do wonder sometimes if people are overly reliant on driver safety aids and then rely on them all the time (rather than driving to the conditions), until it all goes wrong and the electronics are incapable of recovering the situation.
If anything my MX5 taught me a lot about handling and using your backend to feel what the car was doing. In comparison my 640 hides that more until the electronics step in, but even then in 2 years the TC has only stepped in properly twice, but I know for dam certain there has been moments where I have already felt the car moving around unexpectedly and slowed down (or released some of the steering angle).
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff