[rjd_F30]

Originally Posted by Rampant

Not so difficult when you consider that the RS3 doesn't have an involving handling, being a numb Audi.

Still, as somebody else mentioned, you wouldn't buy a *new* car and modify it and then call it "good value".

Best investing in a used car if you want to modify.

With that in mind I'd go for a used Evo IX...

Yours Aye

Mark H

"Numb" Audi handling is a generalization that is not generally applicable. I've had some good seat time in hot Audi's (C5 RS6, B8.5 S4, SQ5) and they are very fun to drive. The handling doesn't give you the feedback you might get from an M car, but they handle well in their own unique way.

[Rampant]

Originally Posted by rjdnyy224

"Numb" Audi handling is a generalization that is not generally applicable. I've had some good seat time in hot Audi's (C5 RS6, B8.5 S4, SQ5) and they are very fun to drive. The handling doesn't give you the feedback you might get from an M car, but they handle well in their own unique way.

Yeah, the "unique" way in which they handle is just understeer. Not my idea of a fun drive, but each to their own.
Audi have always used an understeer balance in their cars, to a lesser or greater extent, but always understeer. Particularly after the lift-off oversteer mistake they made with the original TT. It's what Audi would call "safe" handling. And what I would call plain frustrating. And that's not even mentioning the fact that Audi cars are not exactly overendowed with steering feedback - even on the sportier models.

Regards

Mark H

[rjd_F30]

Originally Posted by Rampant

Yeah, the "unique" way in which they handle is just understeer. Not my idea of a fun drive, but each to their own.
Audi have always used an understeer balance in their cars, to a lesser or greater extent, but always understeer. Particularly after the lift-off oversteer mistake they made with the original TT. It's what Audi would call "safe" handling. And what I would call plain frustrating. And that's not even mentioning the fact that Audi cars are not exactly overendowed with steering feedback - even on the sportier models.

Regards

Mark H

Preface: like you said, to each their own, but; Yah, like I said feedback is lacking (still not numb). But sometimes that lack of feedback is enjoyable. To me, it allows you just focus on placing the car and just going fast. It makes you feel like the car is working for you and with you, making the experience pretty damn fun to me. I know that's a very unpopular opinion, as most drivers prefer feedback and a more raw driving experience, but like I said, it's fun in a unique way.

Audi putting the entire engine over the front axle + most RS cars having heavy V8s will inevitably lead to understeer. They are not good track cars, and they are straight up bad autoX, tight and twisty cars. But at 6-7/10s on the street, I don't get particularly mad at the understeer. That is really the only pace you could safely maintain in an RS car anyway, and at that pace the understeer is manageable. On a tight and technical road, I'll take the M car, I am a "BMW guy" after all, but on a longer, sweeping corner type road, I'll take the Audi. Their 'Bahn burning DNA gives you a sense of plantedness that can't be matched on open, sweeping roads.

Again all my opinion, and I'm no Matt Farah either. Just my feelings about the time I've spent in the Audis I've driven.

[VMRWheels]

Originally Posted by Rampant

Not so difficult when you consider that the RS3 doesn't have an involving handling, being a numb Audi.

Still, as somebody else mentioned, you wouldn't buy a *new* car and modify it and then call it "good value".

Best investing in a used car if you want to modify.

With that in mind I'd go for a used Evo IX...

Yours Aye

Mark H

I guess when I said "new", I meant the new chassis (8V). This is the first RS3 that we've seen in the states, so it's new to us. If I could find a used one, for a good price, I'd be hard pressed not to pull the trigger.

The Evo IX would also be a good choice as far as tunability and aftermarket support!

[Alfisti]

At least Audi doesn't have this inherent, horrible, horrible throttle lag. It's just a joke that BMW's have this unless i am in full blown sport mode where the transmission changes like a kicking bull.

Honestly, drove my wifes 35i X3 and a Q5 with the dynamic tranny options and hands down the Audi driveline felt lighter and more responsive.

[BM dnobagaV]

Golf GTI

[Lysol]

New, I'd take a Chevy SS (but would leave it relatively stock):

RWD, V8, Has optional 6sp manual, Comes well equipped for under 48k, PERFECT sleeper (everyone thinks it's just a Malibu).

[mtyl3rr]

2012 Mustang GT if you could find one new. 2018 if not.

Had one (3.7L) for about 5 years and poured a good amount of money in it with mods (should've traded it for a 5.0 and modded that instead).

If I had the 5.0 I would've started with Hellion turbos, Eibach coilovers, and Borla exhaust. Had off-road headers and ATAK catback on the 3.7 and it sounded surprisingly amazing for a V6.

Interesting topic but Mustangs are a great "bang for the buck" car at any level above the V6 (5.0, GT350, GT500). There was a GT350 on the showroom floor of a dealership I checked out before buying my M4. Crazy good price point.

[N55darksoul]

Hellcat...no mods necessary except some super fat rear tires. In the end its the best bang for your buck because getting to 700 HP in anything else is going to cost you more than the 50k that you can pick a used one up for now.