Megane RS250 vs Audi S3 8P

[MinuteMan]

The most fun car I've had was a Honda Civic Type R FN2, but I missed the turbo shove so I got rid.
The best all-round car I've had was a 2018 Seat Leon Cupra 300 on a lease - this did everything, 45mpg on a run, very decent speakers, manual (so engaging to a degree), and tonnes of lateral grip.

As I only have a budget of around £7-9k, I'm looking for something in-between these two which will be fun to drive as well as quick in a straight line/around corners. I've narrowed it down to:

Renault Megane RS250 - with the Cup pack, however the tuneability of these isn't as good as the VAG rivals.
Audi S3 8P - This would be in manual guise, however I currently drive an 2008 Audi TT which is just so incredibly boring and 'floaty'. I fear the S3 will be the same, even at stage 2 ~360bhp

Any thoughts from anyone who has owned either of the above? Are there any other alternatives that I am missing?

[ZX10R NIN]

If you value the driving experience, it's the Megane everytime also you don't meed to tune the living daylights (330-360bhp) out of the Megane because you'll be carrying extra corner speed.

Now there are two other cars I'd look at:

Focus ST-3 not as good as the Megane but a good car with great tuning potential:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011216...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012207...

At the higher end of your budget I'd seriously consider the Astra GTC VXR it has the same suspension setup as a Cup Chassis Megane although it's not as sweet a setup as the Renault but it is still good & you get an (as well as the Recaro's) LSD as standard.

The other bonus with the Vauxhall is that because of the badge you can get a well looked after one with sensible miles

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010195...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010134...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011206...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012106...

[culpz]

The Megane sounds like what you're after. The Audi will be fairly numb to drive. Tbf, i think most, if not all of the VAG stuff are pretty much the same in that respect.

[snotrag]

Bit older but 5 Cylinder Focus St is a really good compromise between your choices - much more engaging and 'fun' than the Audi to drive, plus (ironically) a much more characterful 5 cylinder engine.
Yet, better built/more solid, less fragile than the Megane.

Avoid the chavved up specials and they are really good cars.

You'd be into a really nice late facelift model at that budget surely.