audi s3 or civic type r dilemma??
Discussion
Hi guys, after lossing thousands of pounds over the years on various cars ive set myself a budget of 6k. Hopefully that will get me a 01/02 plate facelift S3 or an 04 facelift type r. Ive had diesels for the last couple of years and just fancy a change and a bit of fun. I do under 10k a year and it will be used daily.
Anybody with views or experience on these cars, your advice will be much appreciated!!
Anybody with views or experience on these cars, your advice will be much appreciated!!
I haven't owned either, but have two close friends who have / do.
The S3 had it's AWD system fail, then the clutch and eventually got sold on just to get rid.
The other has a Civic Type R and it has been faultless.
I accept that the S3 may well be as reliable as the Type R or vise versa, but that is my experience.
Performance wise, the S3 is quicker by 0.5 seconds or so and is much easier to get more power out of. Best thing to do would be a test drive as the VTEC engine can be marmite and the S3 may not be 'involved' enough.
Nice problem to have though!
The S3 had it's AWD system fail, then the clutch and eventually got sold on just to get rid.
The other has a Civic Type R and it has been faultless.
I accept that the S3 may well be as reliable as the Type R or vise versa, but that is my experience.
Performance wise, the S3 is quicker by 0.5 seconds or so and is much easier to get more power out of. Best thing to do would be a test drive as the VTEC engine can be marmite and the S3 may not be 'involved' enough.
Nice problem to have though!
They're poles apart really.
Civic type R has keen handling and a very revvy engine, though if you don't work the gears and rev it hard it feels a bit 'flat' IMO. The ride is.... Not good. Sporty, firm but on the uncompromising side for British roads. If you intend on going to the track or you know you can live with a harsh ride then it might be the better bet. Reliable too.
Audi S3 - Im guessing it would be the 1.8T in your budget. Nicely built cabin, better ride than the Type-R depending on wheels and if it's got aftermarket suspension. Very capable, pretty fast but the handling is a bit inert and the car feels like a heavyweight - it is.
As they age, they can hand out big bills. They have dual mass flywheels, turbos and a 4WD system after all. They're also thirsty at the pumps, bu then so is the civic type R if it's driven 'properly'. Better at coverig long distances than the type-R, but loses out in handling balance and feedback.
As ever - drive both and see which you prefer. If it was just B-roads and the odd long journey I'd have the Typwriter. If I had to use a motorway every day I'd err towards the S3.
(all of the above is my opinion having driven but not owned both cars!)
Civic type R has keen handling and a very revvy engine, though if you don't work the gears and rev it hard it feels a bit 'flat' IMO. The ride is.... Not good. Sporty, firm but on the uncompromising side for British roads. If you intend on going to the track or you know you can live with a harsh ride then it might be the better bet. Reliable too.
Audi S3 - Im guessing it would be the 1.8T in your budget. Nicely built cabin, better ride than the Type-R depending on wheels and if it's got aftermarket suspension. Very capable, pretty fast but the handling is a bit inert and the car feels like a heavyweight - it is.
As they age, they can hand out big bills. They have dual mass flywheels, turbos and a 4WD system after all. They're also thirsty at the pumps, bu then so is the civic type R if it's driven 'properly'. Better at coverig long distances than the type-R, but loses out in handling balance and feedback.
As ever - drive both and see which you prefer. If it was just B-roads and the odd long journey I'd have the Typwriter. If I had to use a motorway every day I'd err towards the S3.
(all of the above is my opinion having driven but not owned both cars!)
tting me? 
I tested a TypeR and the wife owned an S3 of the period you are looking at.
The S3 for us was pretty flawless in the day to day running, reliability and usability. It's quick but it feels heavy to me.
The TypeR was nimble and fun to drive, but my experience is 5 years old. Test drive them both and see what you like.
For the driving fun go for the Civic for cruising and imagine go for the Audi.
The S3 for us was pretty flawless in the day to day running, reliability and usability. It's quick but it feels heavy to me.
The TypeR was nimble and fun to drive, but my experience is 5 years old. Test drive them both and see what you like.
For the driving fun go for the Civic for cruising and imagine go for the Audi.
doogz said:
Proxy said:
Wait, why doesn't the Golf R32 come into the equasion.
If it were me, this'd be more of an argument between the S3 & the R32 tbh.
Out of those 2 though - I'd take the S3 any day - not a fan of Type R's at all.
You'll struggle to find one under £6k.If it were me, this'd be more of an argument between the S3 & the R32 tbh.
Out of those 2 though - I'd take the S3 any day - not a fan of Type R's at all.
There's one in the classifieds, and it's a Cat D.
R32 isn't in the same league as the S3. The only thing it has going for it is itmakes a better noise.
allblacks said:
Just checked R32's out of my price range!
If there's anything else you can recommend please do so. Though its got to be a hatchback, occasionally have to fit my french mastiff in the back!!
I'm struggling to think of anymore hatches - ST's are a slight stretch, VXR's also. Mk1 RS are a bit too far away. A Golf GTI isn't going to give the same excitment as the Type R or S3 either.If there's anything else you can recommend please do so. Though its got to be a hatchback, occasionally have to fit my french mastiff in the back!!
Going to the older hot hatches like 306 GTI's, but I'm not sure whether you want a newer car, and you'd be hard pushed to find performance like the two mentioned.
doogz said:
Neville, you lost me. I was only commenting on the R32 being out of budget. Or was that just a reply to the OP? And why is a R32 not in the same league as a S3?
Other than the engine, which is larger, but NA, and makes roughly the same sort of power, what else is so different?
Sorry, I may have got my wires crossed re the pricing - thought you were talkin about S3's for some reason...Other than the engine, which is larger, but NA, and makes roughly the same sort of power, what else is so different?
R32 - Have you driven both an R32 and an S3? Back to back?
The R32 feels like what it is - a nose heavy golf with a big engine.
The S3 has better balance, feels more powerful due to the mid range of the turbo engine, is better poised through corners and the interior is a class above the S3. Most of the time you'd be hard pressed to tell that either was 4WD, but the golf especially so.
When you factor in that it's virtually impossible without lots of money to get more power out of the R32, whereas the 1.8T has many tried and tested tuning options, there's no comparison IMO. The S3 is the better car - especially since the OP can actaually afford one!
I have a facelifted S3 that I purchased 4 months ago. It's a one owner car (prior to me) and is virtually unmarked inside or out, it's worn it's 120k very well. I've had a new clutch, DMF and cambelt since I've onwed it, but it's staying with me for some time. You could say it has it's issues, but then most would at this mileage. As long as you go into the purchase with your eyes and wallet open.
As for economy, mid 30s is easily achievable on a steady 70mph run, but will slip to high 20s pottering about.
I'd agree that it's best for cruising, and it would feel slightly overweight compared to a Type R.
As for economy, mid 30s is easily achievable on a steady 70mph run, but will slip to high 20s pottering about.
I'd agree that it's best for cruising, and it would feel slightly overweight compared to a Type R.
Edited by DickSkruttock on Monday 24th January 12:18
Subaru Impreza Wagon?
I ran an EP3 Civic Type-R for about 18 months and after about 3 months I realised I'd made a mistake in buying one: it just wasn't a great all-rounder. Replaced it with an Impreza WRX SL saloon which I never thought was anything less than fantastic.
Found a few on Autotrader in your budget, some have already had the PPP fitted.
I ran an EP3 Civic Type-R for about 18 months and after about 3 months I realised I'd made a mistake in buying one: it just wasn't a great all-rounder. Replaced it with an Impreza WRX SL saloon which I never thought was anything less than fantastic.
Found a few on Autotrader in your budget, some have already had the PPP fitted.
EP3 is a fantastic car - I ended up with two of them as I enjoyed the first so much. The first one had done 90k miles when I sold it and nothing went wrong at all. The facelift cars are better though with a slightly more compliant ride and feel fractionally quicker, but nothing major. I can't comment for the Audi, but suspect they are very good cars, albeit a bit less involving than the Civic.
WeirdNeville said:
They're poles apart really.
Civic type R has keen handling and a very revvy engine, though if you don't work the gears and rev it hard it feels a bit 'flat' IMO. The ride is.... Not good. Sporty, firm but on the uncompromising side for British roads. If you intend on going to the track or you know you can live with a harsh ride then it might be the better bet. Reliable too.
Audi S3 - Im guessing it would be the 1.8T in your budget. Nicely built cabin, better ride than the Type-R depending on wheels and if it's got aftermarket suspension. Very capable, pretty fast but the handling is a bit inert and the car feels like a heavyweight - it is.
As they age, they can hand out big bills. They have dual mass flywheels, turbos and a 4WD system after all. They're also thirsty at the pumps, bu then so is the civic type R if it's driven 'properly'. Better at coverig long distances than the type-R, but loses out in handling balance and feedback.
As ever - drive both and see which you prefer. If it was just B-roads and the odd long journey I'd have the Typwriter. If I had to use a motorway every day I'd err towards the S3.
(all of the above is my opinion having driven but not owned both cars!)
+1Civic type R has keen handling and a very revvy engine, though if you don't work the gears and rev it hard it feels a bit 'flat' IMO. The ride is.... Not good. Sporty, firm but on the uncompromising side for British roads. If you intend on going to the track or you know you can live with a harsh ride then it might be the better bet. Reliable too.
Audi S3 - Im guessing it would be the 1.8T in your budget. Nicely built cabin, better ride than the Type-R depending on wheels and if it's got aftermarket suspension. Very capable, pretty fast but the handling is a bit inert and the car feels like a heavyweight - it is.
As they age, they can hand out big bills. They have dual mass flywheels, turbos and a 4WD system after all. They're also thirsty at the pumps, bu then so is the civic type R if it's driven 'properly'. Better at coverig long distances than the type-R, but loses out in handling balance and feedback.
As ever - drive both and see which you prefer. If it was just B-roads and the odd long journey I'd have the Typwriter. If I had to use a motorway every day I'd err towards the S3.
(all of the above is my opinion having driven but not owned both cars!)
This is pretty much spot on, for fun, dry driving if i didnt mind a stiffly sprung car i`d take the type-r, it is the more fun and more involving car, but for wet weather stuff and if you like some torque in your engine, a nicer interior and better ride then the S3 (the worst thing about this car is the steering)
Driving both and then deciding what you want from a hatch is the best option.
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