ravenx

...for the first time after I purchased my S3. Boy, am I glad to have chosen S3. What a difference interior design and quality makes. Although I still admire the fabulous sound of the boxer engine and crisp performance figures of the Impreza, there's no way I'm going to buy one until Subaru comes up with major improvements on the built quality and interior design.

An STi or P1 with the interior and quality of S3, that's what I'm after. Let's wait and see the new model which is about to be revealed someday soon...<p><a href="http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/audis3"><img SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/ravenx_glow.gif" BORDER=0></a>

'00 Black S3

Wando

I know its like a Nissan Micra inside, what you need is an RS3 if one ever gets built.

ravenx

<p><a href="http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/audis3"><img SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/ravenx_glow.gif" BORDER=0></a>

'00 Black S3

Wando

An RS4 then perhaps?

ravenx

<p><a href="http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/audis3"><img SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/ravenx_glow.gif" BORDER=0></a>

'00 Black S3

deleonl1

In the US the WRX will be coming out in December or early next year. No S3 here any time soon and Audi will be losing a customer. RavenX, what was the price of the WRX? The price should be pretty good here in the US...an Impreza RS that's loaded with just about everything is only $21k. I would imagine the price would be under $28k for the WRX.

P1

Owning a P1 (276bhp & 255lbft)and being an previous owner of an MTM modified S3 I think I'll add my comments.

Ravenx hits it on the head for me. The running gear, performance and handling of the Scooby, with the interior of the S3

The S3 with 255 bhp and 265lbft (make that over 300lbft on AMD's dyno) cant match the power or handling of the Scoob. The Scoobs stereo cant match the BOSE. The S3 with an aftermarket backbox will never sound as good as the boxer engine with a new backbox. The S3's doors are heavy the Scoobies like lightweight.

The only point to take note of is Audi need to get their build quality and reliabilty to levels that Subaru have. Subaru have taken the JD Power Survey award in the last three years. This is a owners survey of reliablity, dealers etc. The Impreza was 1st in 98,99 and 2nd this year behind the Legacy. The Impreza in reliabilty is the best.

Audi trails somewhat and judging by the A4's Ive bought for the guys at work and my own S3 its justified. All the cars have had problems early on. This Scooby is my 5th on and the only complaint todate has been a broken alarm bracket.

The Audi gives a better perception of build quality (materials, weight etc), but in the real world it struggles.

Still I'll probably go back to the S3 next year when facelifited and the prices here in the UK are realigned. Porche chopped their prices by 10% this week.

Jonathan