How the time flies, my VRS is almost 3 years old, and Im starting to get itchy feet!

anyone have any suggestions?

criteria:

current VRS is just shy of 300hp and 330lbft Torque, so ideally something around that with ability to be tuned for more when I get bored (usually do)

I commute about 24 miles a day in total, with a few 50 mile trips every so often, so doesnt matter if diesel or petrol TBH.

getting around 35mpg avg with up to 40mpg on a run, and with £200 tax per year, the car is very affordable (for the performance), dont mind a small jump but no low 20mpgs or £400 tax!

minimum 4 seats, anything Polo/Fabia sized onwards really, and decent spec/interior too

would like awd/4wd also, I feel 2WD is going to struggle with any more than 300hp in our dismal climate.

doesnt have to be new, but no older than 2011 I think.

current contender is perhaps a Golf R, or perhaps Audi S3........

How about an S4? I know when I went from my stage 1 vRS (for the same reason as you), I looked at the Golf R and S3 and didn't feel the love.

Took the S4 for a spin and was smitten.

£200ish tax and mid 20 - 30mpg isn't bad for 333bhp family lugger.

Even better they are easily tuned to over 400bhp, mine is currently 411bhp & 375lb and is a fairly decent weapon. Stage 2 takes it to just shy of 500bhp (another £1500).

For me its the natural progression from an Octavia vRS

Thats a small criteria

Pooch I would love an S4 (or S5) but getting them in the correct price range could be difficult, you are absolutely correct in that its an almost natural progression, Im off to look at some prices....

S4, S5.

Head says S4, Heart says S5, lol

A5 with the 3.0 TDI. Quattro and S-Tronic/DSG whatever Audi call it. They're 250bhp(ish) aren't they with silly amounts of torque and a simple map should take it towards 300.

Was watching Fifth Gear last night....a used AMG E Class Merc seemed like a bargain.

Just wondering:

 

1. Pooch, what are the running costs involved here?

2. Paul, I have this idea that Merc will charge you through the nose whenever you visit a dealer

 

Other than that the A6 also comes with the V6T, but is not positioned as a sports model, meaning you might be able to get a better bargain?

and what about the M3 saloon or M5?  That is if you are willing to review your mpg policy

S5 coupe over S4 for sure. I've owned both!

Probably although they did mention "use a good independent".

This might be slightly too left field? 

 

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1087147

S5 coupe over S4 for sure. I've owned both!

Had a S5 cab for a couple of weeks last month and didn't like it as much as my S4, felt a bit lardy for my town driving. So horses for courses I think.

Also had a brand new RS4 last weekend, now that I REALLY liked Think I've found my next car.

Just wondering:

1. Pooch, what are the running costs involved here?

Not a lot to tell you as I have only had it 8 months.

Insurance is quite good for me ~£300.

VED is around £200 I think but not due til Feb.

Generally getting around 240-350 miles per 50 odd litres (urban - longer drives). I really don't work out the MPG because lets face it, not great, but I knew what I was getting into from the start. I was told not to buy one if you are worried about filling up at the pumps. Advice I would pass on to any prospective purchaser.

As far as servicing costs - I got two years free thrown in. so nil £'s there aswell.

So to sum up I haven't actually spent anything on it yet, other than a fair whack on go-go juice, and don't forsee anything other than the VED disc and maybe a couple of tyres (£150 each) in the next year.

Still puts a smile on my face

Head says S4, Heart says S5, lol

 

Oh you big traitor :P 

 

Will we get a NI Skoda meet out of you before 'the change'? 

Had a S5 cab for a couple of weeks last month and didn't like it as much as my S4, felt a bit lardy for my town driving. So horses for courses I think.

Also had a brand new RS4 last weekend, now that I REALLY liked Think I've found my next car.

I had an S5 cab also as you know and I didn't like it at as much as the S4. Kickdown feature was nicer as it held on before it let loose. In order of what I've had I'd say:

RS 5

S5 coupe

S4

S5 cab.

VRS stage 1.

Edited 22 October, 201312 yr by Nicky boy

This might be slightly too left field? 

 

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1087147

 

Yep good choice just sold one (not for any negative reasons).

 

You will get 25 - 30 (if you are really "lucky" ) mpg otherwise  from me.

Audi A5 3.0l tdi coupe

Or

Bmw 330d / 335d

thanks for the input guys, looks like Im going to have a hard time replacing the VRS without getting into the 25-30K bracket! I think If I go the TDI route, I would look at the BMWs, but if Petrol Im going to go the Audi route...

thanks for the input guys, looks like Im going to have a hard time replacing the VRS without getting into the 25-30K bracket! I think If I go the TDI route, I would look at the BMWs, but if Petrol Im going to go the Audi route...

 

 

Keep the Skoda and be a rich man with no worries 

 

edit*

 

Or buy mine if you fancy some TDI action  

thanks for the input guys, looks like Im going to have a hard time replacing the VRS without getting into the 25-30K bracket! ..

Yep, sounds about right! Skoda used to be very good value and hard to beat. I think things are not so clear cut with the O3 now though.

I paid a bit more for mine as it was only 3 months old, but someone took the big depreciation hit for me

I worked on the 'how much will it cost me over 3 years', rather than 'how much is the ticket price'. This makes more sense and levels out the market a bit. I reckon mine with cost £12k over 3 years, or £333 / month. Not bad for a fully loaded S4, and not too different from other PCP's (with no deposit) I've heard of for lesser cars

This might be slightly too left field? 

 

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1087147

 

 

FiL has one and it is one of the worst cars I have had the displeasure of being in. It is cramped, uncomfortable, tramlines like a witch, not a pretty car and just is soul-less. All it wants to do is torque steer down the road and it doesn't even feel as fast as it should. 

 

The worst part is that he thinks it is understated compared to say a Golf GTi which was "too blingy....."

AFAIAC; TSI (or TFSI) engines are the way to go.  (specifically the 2nd generation EA888 series)  (and bearing in mind the issues with single lobe cam actuated fuel pumps)

 

If I may,     

 

300 bhp,

an economy of 35 mph,

excellent reliability,

cheap running costs,

easy to mod,

fun to drive...

I think you need to re-evaluate the car you currently own, as the car you currently drive appears to be the perfect answer to your search criteria, difficult to better really.

 

If you have the itch after 3 years, you need to ask yourself:  are you looking somewhere else because you are bored of the understated package a skoda represents?  Or do you have the cash and hence you can afford to browse  (in which case you might be in a position to relax your criteria and hence widen your catchment area)

 

 

(would love to buy your car but N.Ireland is just a little too far, lol)

 

Yep, sounds about right! Skoda used to be very good value and hard to beat. I think things are not so clear cut with the O3 now though.

I paid a bit more for mine as it was only 3 months old, but someone took the big depreciation hit for me 

I worked on the 'how much will it cost me over 3 years', rather than 'how much is the ticket price'. This makes more sense and levels out the market a bit. I reckon mine with cost £12k over 3 years, or £333 / month. Not bad for a fully loaded S4, and not too different from other PCP's (with no deposit) I've heard of for lesser cars 

Yes, I can see sense in your approach and I like it as it gives more insight.

(Just working out the impact this could have on my finances actually...hehe)

 

the 12k over 3 years, okay, does that include the fact you have been given 2 years free service?. bet that doesn't take into account the initial purchase right?

FiL has one and it is one of the worst cars I have had the displeasure of being in. It is cramped, uncomfortable, tramlines like a witch, not a pretty car and just is soul-less. All it wants to do is torque steer down the road and it doesn't even feel as fast as it should. 

 

The worst part is that he thinks it is understated compared to say a Golf GTi which was "too blingy....."

 

Yep & perhaps I think other peoples choice of car is pure cack too but am far to polite to say on this forum.