Topic: First Drive: 2018 Audi RS3 Sedan

[tortoise]

..,and if you want to "row your own", use the paddle shifters

Either you get it.... Or ya don't.

Put me in the M2 camp.

[Weels]

Simple solution.

Buy a used TT-RS.  They came with stick.

meh...DCTs are quicker anyway, and if you want to "row your own", use the paddle shifters...either is quicker than any person could actually manipulate a manual gearbox.

And, i hear if you cook a steak in a microwave it's faster than if you bbq it.

[KD]

Simple solution.

Buy a used TT-RS.  They came with stick.

meh...DCTs are quicker anyway, and if you want to "row your own", use the paddle shifters...either is quicker than any person could actually manipulate a manual gearbox.

And, i hear if you cook a steak in a microwave it's faster than if you bbq it.

  

That sums it up for me just perfectly!  In fact, in a sportscar I don't want any Bluetooth, hmi, sat nav, cgi bunk.  Just three pedals, a nice short throw shifter, good seats, sharp steering, a decent power band, and preferably the wind in my hair.   . How quickly it gets me from point a to point b means very little to me.  It's all the visceral stuff that matters.

[quadzilla]

Buy a used TT-RS.  They came with stick.

There is one at VW Cambridge.

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

[mlin32]

Simple solution.

Buy a used TT-RS.  They came with stick.

meh...DCTs are quicker anyway, and if you want to "row your own", use the paddle shifters...either is quicker than any person could actually manipulate a manual gearbox.

And, i hear if you cook a steak in a microwave it's faster than if you bbq it.

  

That sums it up for me just perfectly!  In fact, in a sportscar I don't want any Bluetooth, hmi, sat nav, cgi bunk.  Just three pedals, a nice short throw shifter, good seats, sharp steering, a decent power band, and preferably the wind in my hair.   . How quickly it gets me from point a to point b means very little to me.  It's all the visceral stuff that matters.

There is the Alfa Romeo 4C.........none of that pesky power steering......

[dirtyjeffer]

Simple solution.

Buy a used TT-RS.  They came with stick.

meh...DCTs are quicker anyway, and if you want to "row your own", use the paddle shifters...either is quicker than any person could actually manipulate a manual gearbox.

And, i hear if you cook a steak in a microwave it's faster than if you bbq it.

that analogy makes no sense...a DCT is simply a manual transmission with a hydraulic mechanism in place to do the actual physical manipulation of the gear change for you...whether you are using your right hand to move from 2nd to 3rd gear, or use your right hand to tap the paddle from 2nd to 3rd gear, it's the same...i'm not sure if there's stats out yet, but the RS3 is likely quicker than the M2 as well...it weighs less and has more power.

[rrocket]

PLus you can take out the RS3 when it's raining/snowing and have damn near the same performance....

[Weels]

...whether you are using your right hand to move from 2nd to 3rd gear, or use your right hand to tap the paddle from 2nd to 3rd gear, it's the same...

[tpl]

Simple solution.

Buy a used TT-RS.  They came with stick.

meh...DCTs are quicker anyway, and if you want to "row your own", use the paddle shifters...either is quicker than any person could actually manipulate a manual gearbox.

And, i hear if you cook a steak in a microwave it's faster than if you bbq it.

that analogy makes no sense...a DCT is simply a manual transmission with a hydraulic mechanism in place to do the actual physical manipulation of the gear change for you...whether you are using your right hand to move from 2nd to 3rd gear, or use your right hand to tap the paddle from 2nd to 3rd gear, it's the same...i'm not sure if there's stats out yet, but the RS3 is likely quicker than the M2 as well...it weighs less and has more power.

A DCT is actually 2 manual gearboxes.  The speed comes from the preselection of the next gear in the 'other' gearbox so that the change is just a clutch.     You can confuse a DCT by accelerating hard and suddenly  putting the brakes on and lifting off the throttle. It will have selected  the next gear UP and you will be forcing the next gear ( or even 2 shifts ) DOWN.

The sort of gearbox you are talking about would be exemplified by the BMW SMG which worked just the way you describe.

[dirtyjeffer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRuGPiVAvr0

that's the old RS3 though (and it's the sportback)...the new one is more powerful and a bit lighter.

in any case, i wouldn't base my decision on those three based on track results, since i wouldn't be buying it to race at a track...i'd be buying it (hypothetically speaking, of course) to use a wonderful car i could enjoy driving every day of the year, for many years...considering the numerous horror stories of FGCs in these boards, the Audi is likely the safest bet of them all...it's also the most practical and comes very well equipped for its price...even if the M2 would be a fraction of a second faster while doing hot laps, i don't car...4 doors, AWD, slightly larger size and loaded with great features would win my money.

[Fobroader]

...whether you are using your right hand to move from 2nd to 3rd gear, or use your right hand to tap the paddle from 2nd to 3rd gear, it's the same...

Yeah....and watching porn is almost as good as being with a woman 

[evil_twin]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRuGPiVAvr0

that's the old RS3 though (and it's the sportback)...the new one is more powerful and a bit lighter.

in any case, i wouldn't base my decision on those three based on track results, since i wouldn't be buying it to race at a track...i'd be buying it (hypothetically speaking, of course) to use a wonderful car i could enjoy driving every day of the year, for many years...considering the numerous horror stories of FGCs in these boards, the Audi is likely the safest bet of them all...it's also the most practical and comes very well equipped for its price...even if the M2 would be a fraction of a second faster while doing hot laps, i don't car...4 doors, AWD, slightly larger size and loaded with great features would win my money.

You argue for the DCT because it shifts faster than any human could and yet you don't care about speed and just want enjoyment??   

Clutch = more fun in my books but YMMV.

[micha]

Simple solution.

Buy a used TT-RS.  They came with stick.

meh...DCTs are quicker anyway, and if you want to "row your own", use the paddle shifters...either is quicker than any person could actually manipulate a manual gearbox.

And, i hear if you cook a steak in a microwave it's faster than if you bbq it.

that analogy makes no sense...a DCT is simply a manual transmission with a hydraulic mechanism in place to do the actual physical manipulation of the gear change for you...whether you are using your right hand to move from 2nd to 3rd gear, or use your right hand to tap the paddle from 2nd to 3rd gear, it's the same...i'm not sure if there's stats out yet, but the RS3 is likely quicker than the M2 as well...it weighs less and has more power.

I was obsessing about the M2 until I realized how heavy it is.. Might as well get a used M4 with more power and similar weight (3450lbs vs 3530lbs as per Car and Driver) for the same money.. M4 looks better too.. Or just stick with my 3283lbs Golf R 

[mlin32]

Rear-wheel drive. 6-speed manual. The best setup for fun driving, end of discussion.

Even Jacob Black admits to this. http://www.autos.ca/opinion/monday-rant-save-the-rear-wheel-drive/

I'd buy the M2 if I could get my hands on one (rather limited allocation for dealers). The RS3 is the Audi I'd buy, but I'd never actually buy an Audi.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Over here, from the end of October until the end of March, an M2 would be out accelerated by Outbacks and Equinoxes. That's not an issue with the RS3. Having back doors and a useable back seat is a big plus too.

[quadzilla]

I'd buy a MX5 and pocket the difference for a 6 month vacation.

We all want different things, there is nothing wrong with that.

[dirtyjeffer]

You argue for the DCT because it shifts faster than any human could and yet you don't care about speed and just want enjoyment??   

Clutch = more fun in my books but YMMV.

my "argument" is for my benefit, it is to disprove the others (who talk about it being faster and how important this "speed" is, when it isn't)...if you want the manual because it is "more fun", i get it...that's subjective though...you (and likely many others in here) may find that fun...i found it fun when i was younger, but not any more..considering most of my driving is done in the city, a manual is not fun, it's annoying...if you want to track the car, i get it, but that's not something i'd do (or most others too).

[OliverD]

I was obsessing about the M2 until I realized how heavy it is.. Might as well get a used M4 with more power and similar weight (3450lbs vs 3530lbs as per Car and Driver) for the same money.. M4 looks better too.. Or just stick with my 3283lbs Golf R 

M2 is probably a better "investment" though.

[Fobroader]

Over here, from the end of October until the end of March, an M2 would be out accelerated by Outbacks and Equinoxes. That's not an issue with the RS3. Having back doors and a useable back seat is a big plus too.

Thats why you do the smart thing and have the M2 on summer and leave it in the garage when the winter is prairie-esque and the roads look like Fallujah and drive something you don't care about so thats gets hit underneath, rock chips and bathed in salt.

[dirtyjeffer]

Rear-wheel drive. 6-speed manual. The best setup for fun driving, end of discussion.

Even Jacob Black admits to this. http://www.autos.ca/opinion/monday-rant-save-the-rear-wheel-drive/

I'd buy the M2 if I could get my hands on one (rather limited allocation for dealers). The RS3 is the Audi I'd buy, but I'd never actually buy an Audi.

again, that makes sense if you are buying a car to track it...i'm not talking about that, nor do i think most in here would buy any of these vehicles for that use...i am talking about a fun car to drive that could also be a useful daily driver...i mean hey, if you're just looking for performance period, get a C7 Stingray...similar in price and will bury all the cars mentioned at any track...but i certainly wouldn't spend this kind of money for a garage queen...the RS3 could be a "sports car" you can actually live with as a daily driver...that's why i think its such a great vehicle...not for raw performance or the best track times, but for actual real world driving and enjoyment.