Do I stay with Audi or Switch to Porsche??

[AndyB-S3]

Afternoon All..

Just a quick wee thread to get a few opinions..

I am torn as to what way to go if all goes to plan for me over next couple months.

I have an S3 just now and seriously contemplating an RS3, have specced a few different options up and also looking 2nd hand but quite liking the idea of going new with a PCP deal. Approx £13k deposit and 18 months on base spec/price was seeing me at £190 a month which is great.. obvs would just have to worry what to do at the end of the term with the final payment n all.. but hey worry about that when it comes.
This is my ideal for RS3:

or quite like this too..

But a friend of mine threw a spanner in the works and suggested I look at a Boxster or Cayman 981. I have since looked at loads and would go for any version with PDK and preferably sports exhaust. All of those combined it really gives the RS3 a run for it's money on the noise front. It works out dearer monthly etc (if went new) but would it hold it's value better than an Audi or it might it even end up similar?.. There are a good few used models kicking about with the spec I would want and value wise look attractive..

This model is £34k but is a 13/62 plate and couple years old....really stunning though!!

One other thing to think on, my wife thinks I would look like a knob in the Porsche.. ok this might be true however would I also look like a knob in the RS3 with it's shouty engine & exhaust..? lol

Any input/advice would be appreciated. Don't be biased now.. hahaah
Cheers,

 

[Terminator x]

Sports car vs "hot" hatch though, it's a bit chalk and cheese isn't it?! If you can get away with 2 seats, small boot etc and all the compromises associated with that then that is probably a no brainer. The RS3 on the other hand is perhaps the ideal mix of comfortable day to day transport with a bit of the Devil mixed in there for when you want to go a bit wild!

TX.

Edit - not Boxster for me though as the hair dresser image is strong! Cayman all the way if you go down that route.

 

[AndyB-S3]

Yes I forgot to mention it is a bit chalk and cheese.. I have no worries for practicality..only have myself and the mrs to worry about..but I just love the noise of the RS3 and seeing as I still love my S3 (on occasion) I have to give it a thought..

 

[RYuill]

That black one is mint .

I would go RS3 as I agree with the hair dresser image thing lol.

 

[RGBARGEE]

Had a Boxster S on hire for 3 weeks when my Audi was damaged by a medical colleague. (Mad ******!).. It was fun but I wouldn't want to live with one as a daily driver. Too cramped and to be honest it didn't make my heart beat if you know what I mean. Lots of unwanted attention too especially as my colleagues loan car was a Ford Ka - source of much amusement, well it was his fault!!

 

[billyali86]

Its got to be the cayman/boxster S. IMO the basic car is not quick to justify the price tag. The boxster pictured above does looking stunning. The current gen boxster/cayman has are really nicely propotioned unlike the last ones

 

[DavidM]

I had a Cayman R prior to the RS3. The Porsche was fantastic however it felt very fragile and unpredictable in UK conditions. It started to spend more time in the garage than on the road due to this. I love my new RS3 it ticks all the boxes but ill be honest the Porsche was one good machine!.

DaveRS3Turbo

 

[Snake Pliskin]

I think DavidM has answered your question !

We could all have gone for a Porsche, but the RS3 ticks all the boxes doesn't it, without the potential look at me image which may not appeal to everyone.

I nearly went for a Cayman back in 2011, but went TTS instead and don't regret it at all.

Would be the white RS3 for me out of those two

 

[Kelza]

Rs3 8v

 

[Rocketer]

As a summercar maybe Porsche otherwise RS3. Several of my friends have Porches and they are looking good always but the practicallity isn't working too well according to me. The biggest problem is that almost every Porsche is too low in the sport segment and as everybody know their are speedbumps, potholes and so on which makes it a problem not to scrape the car and damaging it pretty hard and that will result in huge costs to repair.

 

[AndyB-S3]

Jings.. good job I have time on my hands as this is really difficult..

I love the fact the RS3 has pretty much covered all basis for me, as does my S3. Quick, practical, not shouty and in your face at all.. I have had it almost a year now and one or 2 in the office did not realise it was an S3. lol..

But then I really love the new styling of the cayman/boxsters.. they look (IMO) really classy and ok may shout out KNOB a little but is that a bad thing??.. haha

I am going up to Aberdeen in couple weeks after my holiday next week and will hopefully test drive them back to back and get a good feel for which I prefer.. whilst I am chilling by the pool in 30deg c temps I will be watching plenty videos and looking at reviews etc.. haha

Will keep you all posted. Cheers for all the advice!!

 

[RicoS3]

My tuppence worth...

I'm in a similar situation albeit will be next year.

Loved my old 8P S3, had it's flaws, but was a great all-rounder. Missed out on the previous gen RS3, opting for one big car and one small car for the family (wife and 1 child). My wife and I work for the same company, but needed 2 cars as we worked different hours and had to shepherd the wee one around to nursery and now school (big car) while the other just needed a fun car to get to work (small car).

So, the X5 has been superb, but a tad too thirsty and big. It's being changed tonight for a new X3 for the wife. I will retain the Cooper S until next year when I change back to "my" car.

Now, the Mini has been superb. Yes it's under powered (a mind thing, plenty for back road blasting to work), small, front wheel drive and loves to spin the front wheels under any load and dry conditions, but it still gives me a smile every time I drive it.

I yearn for more power however and a bit more refinement, so currently cars in the mix are new Cayman S (GTS too far a stretch), M2 or the RS3. Heart ruling it would be the Porsche, any time of the day. M2 I really like the sound of the package, but the looks are underwhelming, cockpit not M enough, in fact it's not quite the M car I hoped it would be. Both these are obviously rear wheel drive and way up here in Northern Scotland, the weather can change daily for 6 months of the year and since I stay in the sticks, I'm likely to hit anything from snow, ice, mud, water at any time, 6 months of the year!

So, current choice is the RS3. It's the more shore footed of the 3, has the power, definitely has the sound track, the space for the family (although the X3 will be the family wagon), and room the mountain bike inside or on top if needed.

I've yet to test drive the RS3, just not gotten around to it yet. But I will; I just need to hold off a little longer otherwise I may jump into an order. M2 will be test driven also, but I've almost discounted it for the reasons above. I have test driven the Cayman and it's superb. Sound is ace, quality of the inside great and it looks amazing. The "looking a knob" thing doesn't come into it. Whoever spouts that mince is only jealous.

When I finally get round to it I'll test drive all three within days of each other. As for now, the RS3 is currently in pole position as it's basically the fast, great sounding all rounder that I need right now.

Plenty time for the mid-life crisis and Porsche buying!!

Happy shopping Andy!

 

[AndyB-S3]

Cheers Rico! I will be next year too, but thought I would start looking now and make sure I am certain on my choice!!

Your final sentence has kind of helped my thinking! I may hold off on the Porsche until mid-life crisis comes along and I can properly afford a GTS or GT4 Cayman. haha.

Yeah the RS3 has all the proverbials ticked doesn't it....and tbh the Quattro does help up here when slightly worse weather comes in, probs worse where you are but when we last had it bad I couldn't get my A1 out my drive. haha

Plenty to think on though and I look forward to the search all going well!!

Enjoy your X3 Collection.

 

[billyali86]

You will be saving a looooong time for a Cayman gT4 as no dealerships have stock remaining and they are fetching a £30k premium at the moment

 

[45bvtc]

I love the fact the RS3 has pretty much covered all basis for me. Quick, practical, not shouty and in your face at all..

EXACTLY...

 

[AndyB-S3]

You will be saving a looooong time for a Cayman gT4 as no dealerships have stock remaining and they are fetching a £30k premium at the moment

Hence why I said GTS 1st.. lol By the time my mid-life crisis hits I will have won the lottery anyway so all good.

Looking good @45bvtc !! That number plate shouts out more than the car does though!! lol

 

[billyali86]

Get yourself an rs3 with the sports exhaust and drive around with windows down, you will forget all about the Cayman

 

[AndyB-S3]

That sounds phenomenal Billy!! Giggling like a little kid listening to that!!

 

[billyali86]

That sounds phenomenal Billy!! Giggling like a little kid listening to that!!

I look for reasons to go for a drive without the Mrs just so I can hear it!

By the end of the vid I was 2 streets down and you can still hear it, only realised how loud it actually is from outside after watching that vid

 

[45bvtc]

By the time my mid-life crisis hits I will have won the lottery anyway so all good.

"MID-LIFE" crisis Billy I'm gone 70-years of age and fast approaching 71-years of age and if you ever get behind 3380 H you'll understand how a post 'mid-fife' crisis makes one drive...

GO BLUEY... 4-years on and she's never been overtaken in anger...

 

[AndyB-S3]

I wondered where you had gone..I assumed a couple of streets over but parallel from where you set off only because it was so loud.... if you were further away then jeez oh that is ****** loud!! Have you done anything extra to it or just standard sports exhaust>??.

This is just tempting me to go via the garage on way home tonight to see if they have any allocations left...haha

 

[billyali86]

I wondered where you had gone..I assumed a couple of streets over but parallel from where you set off only because it was so loud.... if you were further away then jeez oh that is ****** loud!! Have you done anything extra to it or just standard sports exhaust>??.

This is just tempting me to go via the garage on way home tonight to see if they have any allocations left...haha

I took the next right after my car dissappeared out of view. You can just about hear me downshifting for the turn

Just the sports exhaust, Billy on here also has sports exhaust but has removed secondary cats, sounds awesome!

 

[AndyB-S3]

The sounds are just epic.. I have watched it about 10 times already..

now what colour to go for... I was all set with Panther as I just love my S3..but having seen a floret silver in the spotters thread that has got me thinking.. dang, it's gonna be a tricky few months deciding on that. lol

 

[billyali86]

Sepang

 

[5pot]

Did someone mention me?

 

[Terminator x]

Too many Billys, I get ****** confused! Are you shifting manually Billy to get the pop, pop, pop on the downshift? I normally leave her in auto and don't seem to hear it that much ...

TX.

 

[45bvtc]

Get yourself an rs3 with the sports exhaust and drive around with windows down, you will forget all about the Cayman

And you can take 3-others with you too and not just one....

 

[billyali86]

Too many Billys, I get ****** confused! Are you shifting manually Billy to get the pop, pop, pop on the downshift? I normally leave her in auto and don't seem to hear it that much ...

TX.

Yes in manual mode, car will not do it much in sport mode

 

[AndyB-S3]

The Billy's are slowly but surely killing me with their noises... haha

 

[RicoS3]

Sepang

Yip, it would be Sepang for me too, with the black pack, mirror caps as well. Tidy looking motor that. Better pics?

You might say it looks like my old S3 below, but the camera always altered Sprint Blue. Most of the time I didn't even like it.

 

[billyali86]

Yip, it would be Sepang for me too, with the black pack, mirror caps as well. Tidy looking motor that. Better pics?

You might say it looks like my old S3 below, but the camera always altered Sprint Blue. Most of the time I didn't even like it.

There you go bud

 

[CraigI]

Porsche, no question. Sounds like an itch you have to scratch, do it while you still can (ie before you actually NEED to drive a hatchback).
You can get a decent spec Boxster S or Cayman S and a cheap, reliable run around for less than a RS3.

Have you posted the same question on a Boxster or Cayman site?
I'm guessing of you had the result would be reversed......

 

[AndyB-S3]

Craig i had actually thought on that.
If i get the new job have applied for then it's working in town so was going to go down the route of a very cheap city car type and then the porsche... just too hard to make this decision. Lol.
Cheers..

Billy the car is looking great!! Dont think you parked far enough away from the kerb tho!! ;-)

 

[billyali86]

Craig i had actually thought on that.
If i get the new job have applied for then it's working in town so was going to go down the route of a very cheap city car type and then the porsche... just too hard to make this decision. Lol.
Cheers..

Billy the car is looking great!! Dont think you parked far enough away from the kerb tho!! ;-)

Lol that was the day I picked up the car, overly cautious, taxi needed to get me to the kerb

 

[CraigI]

Craig i had actually thought on that.
If i get the new job have applied for then it's working in town so was going to go down the route of a very cheap city car type and then the porsche... just too hard to make this decision. Lol.
Cheers..

Billy the car is looking great!! Dont think you parked far enough away from the kerb tho!! ;-)

Having a second car is a luxury, but makes driving it all the more special when you don't drive it every day. I've done this a few times, and it's the best set up - mundane driving in something relatively normal and then something special with character for the ocassional use.
The Porsche will give you a sense of ocassion you will never get from an Audi (R8 V10 excluded).
If you can do, go for it while you can!

 

[Rocketer]

I think you have to compare a new RS3 (4,3s) to a new Cayman GT4 (4,4s). It seems like the best buy is RS3 all day long at least in Sweden where the GT4 is around the double the money (around 1 000 000kr) comparing to RS3 (around 550 000kr) and I can use it during winter (4,5 month in Sweden ): ) also. I am shure you have less months winter in England. Another thing is that the Porsche is more built for tracks and Audi not so depending where you gonna drive it most of the time should also be included. If you compare an old Cayman you should also compare with the old RS3 8p which is much cheaper. Just my opinion how I would think in a situation like this.

 

[AndyB-S3]

Craig i had been toying with the idea of an R8 as the 2nd car... but a mechanic friend of mine advised against them as can be right temperamental... my week in the sun will help my decision I feel. Never know i might even nip to the garages and test drive whilst am there. Haha

Cheers Rocketer, here in Scotland the winters are worse than England but nothing like Sweden tho. If i lived there then it would 100% be an rs3. Appreciate your advice, thank you!

 

[alijnclarke]

Thought i'd come and give my thoughts having cancelled my RS3 order for a new Cayman S. Firstly the two cars aren't really comparable, the RS3 is 'another fast Audi' it's not a great handling car but is very quick and a lot of fun. But it is one of the best cars if you've got kids or need something that can cope with bad weather.

The Cayman (any version) is simply one of the best handling cars on the market.. period. It's also a fast car, despite what people who just look at the 0-60 times say, the six cylinder delivers power in a totally different way to the turbo 5 pot, it's a monster. Also, the PSE (sports exhaust), is a must have if you like loud cars, but it's a very loud car anyway.. there was a chart over on a porsche forum listing the db levels for some supercars, turns out the cayman with pse is louder than a v10 R8! Also, for some reason (which i can explain over pm if you like) the car is loudest when specced with PSE and the sport chrono pack.

For me the cayman is the perfect car, it gets a massive amount of attention and is amazing to drive (and look at). It's not without it's shortfalls however, it's not great in the wet, it's low so you have to be a bit careful and the sound system is awful (I have bose). Boot space is actually very good as you get a massive front boot as well as the rear hatch. Oh and you don't want to know how much the tyres are!

Unfortunately you'll struggle to get a 981 allocation of any kind at the moment

If you want to pm me any questions then i'll happily answer them

 

[billyali86]

Thought i'd come and give my thoughts having cancelled my RS3 order for a new Cayman S. Firstly the two cars aren't really comparable, the RS3 is 'another fast Audi' it's not a great handling car but is very quick and a lot of fun. But it is one of the best cars if you've got kids or need something that can cope with bad weather.

The Cayman (any version) is simply one of the best handling cars on the market.. period. It's also a fast car, despite what people who just look at the 0-60 times say, the six cylinder delivers power in a totally different way to the turbo 5 pot, it's a monster. Also, the PSE (sports exhaust), is a must have if you like loud cars, but it's a very loud car anyway.. there was a chart over on a porsche forum listing the db levels for some supercars, turns out the cayman with pse is louder than a v10 R8! Also, for some reason (which i can explain over pm if you like) the car is loudest when specced with PSE and the sport chrono pack.

For me the cayman is the perfect car, it gets a massive amount of attention and is amazing to drive (and look at). It's not without it's shortfalls however, it's not great in the wet, it's low so you have to be a bit careful and the sound system is awful (I have bose). Boot space is actually very good as you get a massive front boot as well as the rear hatch. Oh and you don't want to know how much the tyres are!

Unfortunately you'll struggle to get a 981 allocation of any kind at the moment

If you want to pm me any questions then i'll happily answer them

Very nice mate, a friends got a Cayman s with a capristo exhaust on it, sounds glorious

 

[msdmjb]

Similarish kind of issue for me, have a 3dr S3 and is only ever me who is in it so don't want 5 doors and only ever want a manual (the S3 was a kind of buy it and use it in the meantime before deciding what I actually wanted but still have it). I really like the idea of the last of the non-turbo Caymans but for me on lazy days I like the turbo S3 whereas when giving it some would prefer the Cayman. I like to try and be anonymous (most people think mine is a standard diesel A3) which kind of rules the Cayman out and where I live there is no doubt a powerful rwd in the damp/cold countryside on late night runs home from the airport might not be ideal, some local high roads are banned to cars without winter tyres.

Where I live in Europe a Cayman would stand out like a spaceship and the order book isn't too bad on new LHD Caymans (excl. GT4), the white one above is stunning and without doubt a future classic.