2020 a45s vs 2021 mk8 golf r vs any other alternatives

[Squill]

Hi all,
I'm after a hot hatch as a daily, i know the a45s should be in another league, competing with the rs3, rather than the golf r, but the 2020 a45s (non plus model, no aero, no adaptive dampers, no leather, no burmester sound system, no pan roof etc) has depreciated down to around 36k starting price, and a mk8 golf r (also without adaptive suspension etc) comes in at a similar price, maybe 35k+
This leaves me thinking the a45s is going to be a way better buy? Kinda struggling to find reviews on the base a45s though, all the reviews are on the plus model praising the adaptive suspension and all that
Open to other alternatives, did want an rs3 but seeing as a 2017 model is about 35k they seem overpriced so ruled that out

Thanks!

[pb8g09]

RS3 might be overpriced in your mind of course, but I’d read it as perhaps it is the better car of the 3 and therefore more desirable. Unique 5 cylinder engine versus 4 cylinders for example.

£35k does buy a lot of interesting metal if it doesn’t have to be a hatch….

[Squill]

pb8g09 said:

RS3 might be overpriced in your mind of course, but I’d read it as perhaps it is the better car of the 3 and therefore more desirable. Unique 5 cylinder engine versus 4 cylinders for example.

£35k does buy a lot of interesting metal if it doesn’t have to be a hatch….

I guess but considering reviewers like the a45s surely the newer gen a45s is going to be much better than an older rs3? Just seems too much imo for a 6yr old car though i do love the 5cyl
Doesn't necessarily have to be a hatch, just want something small and nimble, practical and easy for a daily, nothing too big and cumbersome, anything you'd recommend instead?

[pb8g09]

I think my only other suggestions would be a Renaultsport Megane and keep the change or perhaps an older M2 if the brief is specifically on the nimble side.

I’m sure the resident experts will suggest some other good alternatives shortly though!

[Squill]

Problem with the m2 is how comparably cheap an m4comp is, so i briefly considered them, then started looking at c63s before coming back to just wanting something small and practical, so hot hatch

[hunt123]

I have no experience of either car OP but do have a mk7 golf R and can say it's a good all round car, small and nimble, practical, quick, surprisingly good mpg. ok i'm not going to do rwd powerslides in it but i'm past that phase anyway. i imagine the a45 amg's are great cars too, iirc a bit quicker than the R as standard, you have the mercedes tax on them though i imagine.

Edited by hunt123 on Monday 31st July 11:59

[The Cardinal]

All great cars. Having owned a bunch of similar cars I'd echo just going for the Golf R mk7, if you want the best balance of performance, emotion, practicality etc.

For me as a 42-year-old dad, I've found in recent years that anything with more performance than my current Golf GTD just isn't safely usable on a public road. But there's a lot to be said for gently warbling around in the company of the RS3's 5-cylinder piped through a factory sports exhaust.

[bencollins4]

Plenty of bias here but is a GR Yaris too small? Probably the pick of the bunch for driving dynamics, although I gather the A45S is very good too, and a much better driving tool than the earlier RS3.

Depends on your priorities as if a nice interior is required, you’ll want to stick with the Germans,

[Squill]

I do love the gr yaris, but i think a bit small, also i fancy an auto for my daily tbh, got a manual too in another car so don't feel the need for a daily anymore. Also annoys me you gotta pick between the convenience and circuit pack, why you can't get the lsd with heated seats is beyond me

[edc]

Mini variant in JCW spec.

[bencollins4]

Squill said:

I do love the gr yaris, but i think a bit small, also i fancy an auto for my daily tbh, got a manual too in another car so don't feel the need for a daily anymore. Also annoys me you gotta pick between the convenience and circuit pack, why you can't get the lsd with heated seats is beyond me

I think they were trying to keep things as simple for themselves as possible, given the already high cost of production. Sounds like you are after a more relaxing experience anyway - the Yaris is no cruiser.

A45S is on my radar for a more relaxing replacement at some point in the future as it’s more focused than any of the competition.

[Squill]

bencollins4 said:

I think they were trying to keep things as simple for themselves as possible, given the already high cost of production. Sounds like you are after a more relaxing experience anyway - the Yaris is no cruiser.

A45S is on my radar for a more relaxing replacement at some point in the future as it’s more focused than any of the competition.

I'm certainly leaning towards the a45s it's just that it's hard to find reviews for the base (non plus) model, since that comes with all the goodies, but it also costs about 6k more than a base used and i can't justify it

[ZX10R NIN]

Squill said:

I'm certainly leaning towards the a45s it's just that it's hard to find reviews for the base (non plus) model, since that comes with all the goodies, but it also costs about 6k more than a base used and i can't justify it

If you're considering the Golf R then why not look at the A35? I'd take the A45 out of it & the Golf R but I'd probably take a loaded CLA/A35 over both:

A35 Premium Plus:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306198...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307139...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306268...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306198...

A45:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306248...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306258...


BUT I'd take this 2020 RS3 over everything listed so far:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306228...

[Squill]

ZX10R NIN said:

If you're considering the Golf R then why not look at the A35? I'd take the A45 out of it & the Golf R but I'd probably take a loaded CLA/A35 over both

Tbh i really hate the aero kit, especially on the lesser a35, would definitely take the mk8 r over the a35, I was pretty much set on the golf r up until i realised a 2020 base a45s could be had for similar money, just hard to find reviews on the non plus a45s

[CG2020UK]

Squill said:

Problem with the m2 is how comparably cheap an m4comp is, so i briefly considered them, then started looking at c63s before coming back to just wanting something small and practical, so hot hatch

An M2 drives very different to an M4 comp.

An M2 is basically a bigger, faster and RWD fiesta ST. It’s just a riot and a practical sports car.

The M4 is more of cruiser/muscle car as well as being quicker and better to live with.

Recommend a test drive of the M2 if going the hot hatch route. Though as going a Golf R vs A45s the M2 it probably will be a bit too full on.

I’m a big fan of the Mk8 Golf R it’s noticeably a step on to drive vs the mk7 generation that I love.

[Squill]

CG2020UK said:

I’m a big fan of the Mk8 Golf R it’s noticeably a step on to drive vs the mk7 generation that I love.

Yeah i took a test drive of the mk8 r and really liked it, just really disliked all the touch sensitive buttons and infotainment wasn't great
And yeah i do think the m2 probs isn't the best daily compared to a golf or a45

[boxxer7]

I had a mk7 R when it first came out and I found it really dull, couldn't wait to sell it after about 12 months, I think I am probably in the minority though.

Sold my M2 comp back in April, brilliant car had it been a manual I would probably have kept it, OG M2 must be worth a look.

[CG2020UK]

Squill said:

Yeah i took a test drive of the mk8 r and really liked it, just really disliked all the touch sensitive buttons and infotainment wasn't great
And yeah i do think the m2 probs isn't the best daily compared to a golf or a45

To be honest it’s poor compared to the A45 and R.

How about the new M240i xdrive some cracking deals on it I was told?

[Squill]

CG2020UK said:

To be honest it’s poor compared to the A45 and R.

How about the new M240i xdrive some cracking deals on it I was told?

I do really like these but used they're starting at like 44k, so a good whack more than the r or the a45s, will check out the deals on new though if there's anything good out there could be a solid option

[Squill]

boxxer7 said:

I had a mk7 R when it first came out and I found it really dull, couldn't wait to sell it after about 12 months, I think I am probably in the minority though.

Sold my M2 comp back in April, brilliant car had it been a manual I would probably have kept it, OG M2 must be worth a look.

I'm in two minds, i don't really need anything too fun since it's just as my daily, definitely wouldn't want manual as I've got another manual cae and autos for daily are so nice. Just think the m2 probs going to be the least comfy, and be the least practical, though I'm sure I'd enjoy driving it