Audi S3 opinions?

A friend bought a new TTS and let me drive it, I liked it a lot and considered buying a used one and new it's too expensive a vehicle for me. I also decided I need a vehicle with a more daily driver type interior and storage lol. 

I was thinking for a while of returning to AWD cars since I miss my old WRX but I wanted something more like a STI, EVO, Golf R more "next level up" type vehicle this time. USAA claims they can get me an Audi S3 for $38k and I was kind of surprised. This is basically the basic premium plus with no options, I don't feel like I need any of the options for this car the more basic STI would be fine for me even. 

I hear the 2017+ S3 is really good but I just want to make sure i'm grounded when I go test drive one this weekend. Anyone have opinions on this car? 

Can you explain what you mean by “USAA claims they can get me an Audi S3 for $38k”?  Is your insurance company negotiating with a dealer on your behalf?

A friend of mine has an S3.  It's basically a Golf R with a trunk.  Awesome car.  If I had the means and the desire, I could see getting one.

nderwater said:

Can you explain what you mean by “USAA claims they can get me an Audi S3 for $38k”?  Is your insurance company negotiating with a dealer on your behalf?

Basically the USAA has agreements with certain dealerships, only one in Las Vegas for Audi, where they have a pre negotiated price and it's very low. They don't do negotiating on the fly you basically start the process of buying the car through the USAA interface.

In 2012 I bought a WRX using this method and I got the car for invoice price and there was no haggling what so ever when I went to the dealership.

I don't use USAA insurance, I used them as my back account when I was in the military and haven't used them for years for that and they still offer this service to me regardless.

Costco does similar. Costco pricing can often be better than the different employee plans. The s3 is a nice car as mentioned its essentially a slightly nicer and more expensive Golf R. While the Golf R is a slightly more expensive and AWD GTI. All of the GTIs now come with the performance pack that includes the LSD so I could go check out the GTI/Golf R/S3 in person to see if you need to spend the money on the audi for the more fancy interior.

The S3 and Golf R literally are the same engine/trans etc, the GTI is also the same engine mostly with a different turbo and there are swaps to change them to the Golf R turbo

Audi S3 opinion?

The flesh is willing, but the income is spongy and bruised.

Awesome car. I drove the TTRS which is the same platform, just a smidge lighter. If I could afford one I would definitely get one. 

It sounds like the Golf R has nicer dynamics from what press and forums say.  I drove one a few times and really liked it, just decided to go M3 instead.  I like hatches though, I suppose if you don't then the S3 could really appeal.  What's your feel on the Golf R vs S3 debate?

turtl631 said:

It sounds like the Golf R has nicer dynamics from what press and forums say.  I drove one a few times and really liked it, just decided to go M3 instead.  I like hatches though, I suppose if you don't then the S3 could really appeal.  What's your feel on the Golf R vs S3 debate?

Well actually I went to test drive the Golf R today and they had none there and said they are NLA for a while. I test drove the S3 at the same place and enjoyed it quite a bit.

I like hatches and 3 box cars so either body style is fine for me. I wasn't sure about the S3's looks from online images but in person it's nice. I also like the size of it, i've been wanting to get a compact car again..

I read that the S3 AWD system is tuned better than the VW's which is why I wanted to test them both back to back to see if that is a real thing or not.

The dual clutch trans was nice but it was weird to me since I haven't driven an auto in years. I wasn't too sure about how the paddle shifters felt, it reminded me of the bumpers on a Steam controler lmao.

I drove an A3 and was thoroughly underwhelmed, from a design standpoint. It just didn’t feel like a nice place to be. More power wouldn’t help that, for me anyway. 

Based on what we were seeing on A3 prices, $38k for an S3 in an incredible deal. 

How are the repair bills on these things? One thing to always look at, just like in racing, is down the road. Enjoy your 2,000 dollar plastic water jug valve actuator thingamawhut. 

I'd rather have the Golf R, its just so much more versatile since its a hatch back...

After having driven both extensively, I personally prefer the Golf R. You get the added utility of the hatch, and I even find the Golf to be the better (more cohesive) looking car. The S3, while using the same drivetrain, felt much more...subdued...to me from a power delivery perspective. I also felt it was a bit crashy over bumps, but the Golf R kind of had this issue as well. Overall...wasn't too impressed. Probably didn't help that I have a lot of S4/S5 experience as well...the bigger cars just seem much better in terms of ride quality/overall competence.