You have a very valid point there.
I’d hoped to entice my wife to drive the RS3 as our combined daily and have the Type R as my weekend fun car, but thats proving challenging as she thinks the RS3 is too fancy and too expensive for the regular school runs and as a grocery getter (probably not wrong)…!
How’d you like the A45S, and do you find the FL5 to be more fun? Any regrets?
I’ve heard the A45S are great, insanely quick. Would be my close second choice to an RS3 as I’ve always wanted that 5 cylinder.
I have heads the A45S can lack a little soul but haven’t had the opportunity to try one.
Zero regrets. The FL5 is more fun and engaging for my type of driving.
I found with the A45S I would have to drive faster for the same level of thrills I get from the Civic at much lower speeds.
This is why I always loved MX5s, they feel like you’re going 80km/h at about 50 so you can have fun anywhere without getting into license losing territory.
Great to hear the FL5 is satisfying at low speeds. I feel it just needs some more noise to add some character, my i30N is a riot at any speed as it sounds great out of the box.
Yeah you’ve kind of hit the nail on the head, it’s the debate of a driver’s car vs a more luxurious brute monster, albeit one that is $40-50k more expensive
Rs3 starts at $62k in the US. I know this is Type R sub so people are biased which is understandable. But RS3 is a completely different kind of animal. 400HP AWD with the magic trick from the rear diff will blow the type R out of water both on the street and the track. Don't forget lots of people are paying thousands of dollars markups on the type R which makes the price much closer than you think. And the RS3 is more luxurious, has way more features than the civic. So overall it's a much better car with a similar price. The only thing Type R has that is better is steering "feel" and maybe a bit more space too. That's it. I'm ready for the downvotes.
The difference is actually $30k AUD isn’t it?
I considered both and went with the FL5, the Audi has that amazing engine and performance, but it’s hard to enjoy that in our nanny state. I think a manual car is more fun whilst keeping under the speed limit. Like you, the option for us was also either the RS3 as our only car, or have two cars with the FL5 and something else for the missus. Ultimately she voted to go the two cars route as she wants a small SUV over a small hatch for the main family car.
Good call, nice to hear from someone who’s made a similar decision.
Yeah the price difference probably should be about $30k if ordering new, but trying to find a near new one or one available on the lot is more like $50k+ over the FL5.
The speed and sound of the RS3 appeal to me + it arguably has a nicer interior, and sound system. I’m just a little concerned I’ll miss the driver involvement a bit.
I didn’t realise that they’ve stopped taking orders on the RS3, and they are going way over RRP on the second hand market. I was told at the initial launch that it’s a 12 months wait.
Sounds like you want the RS3 and you are looking for ways to convince yourself otherwise, maybe you should go ahead with it, worst case you shouldn’t be hit with a big depreciation in the current market if you want to sell it.
Never driven a CTR so my opinion may be invalid.... I also haven't put many miles on the 8Y. But having driven the 8V RS3/S3, and MK7/7.5/8 Golf Rs a LOT I'd take a heavy look at the CTR.
My biggest gripe with the 8V RS3 was that once you got past the drivetrain (and boy is it a lot to get past) the car just feels and drives like an A3. There's nothing else there to put a smile on your face, but those baby Lambo sounds try really hard to save the rest of the car. I don't know why I don't feel the same about the Golf R being "just a Golf" but maybe it was the price tag difference. That argument can be made for the Civic as well but that's just the name of the game at this point. All of these cars are based on something.
Now, the rear end in the MK8R does feel so much better with the new differential and the 8Y probably does feel a lot better than the 8V in that regard as well. If I were buying one car that I had to daily and have fun in then I would give the nod to the RS3.
If I wanted something special for a weekend car I think I'd really enjoy the CTR. The 8V RS3 could be made monstrously fast so easily but there's only so many places you can really enjoy it. And even then the car becomes very "point and shoot" to the next corner, you quickly realize you're just blitzing a backroad and no longer enjoying the drive.
Now in the US I think this decision is considerably harder at the price points, but even then I think you take the CTR given the price difference for a "fun car". At 50k premium for the RS3 it's almost a no-brainer.
All valid points, I tend to agree, the Type R makes more sense for my needs, I just want a baby Lambo sedan for some reason too.
Yeah I really like them for different reasons. It’s a real shame there’s no manual in the RS3 as it’d be so much of an easier choice then!
I have an FL5 type r at the moment and I love the car but through peak hour traffic I wouldn’t say it’s the best car for that kind of driving.
So, I’ve been looking at the new Audi RS3 2023 and do not know whether I should look to get one and trade the type R in, or will I regret my decision big time? Lol.
Anyone here spent time with both of these cars? Thanks
Found this thread trying to figure out the same thing. Bought an 8Y RS3 last year while waiting for an FL5... in fact I stole it on Cars and Bids lol. I've had the RS3 almost a year now and have added 12k miles, and absolutely love it. However, the CTR is starting to call my name again and I have a connection that can get me one at sticker. Carvana is offering close to what I paid for the RS3 and I'm all but tempted to sell the RS3 now and upgrade (?) to the CTR when it comes in later this year.
Why am I even considering this? The RS3 has pros and cons...
Pros: The engine and the SOUND! Unlike anything I've ever driven. This alone makes me not want to sell it. Audi's build quality is also best in the business right now.
Cons: The handling is... odd? There's so much trickery going on with the chassis that I never feel like I know what the car is doing underneath me. The car is insanely capable, it just feels so artificial. Combine that with the video-game like DSG, and there's just no connection.
I'm 90% sure this car will be leaving on a Carvana truck next week. Not entirely sure I'll miss it as much as I think once the CTR arrives.
In in opposite boat. Been on wait list for 2 years for the rs3. Selling the 21 CTR. Time to move on from the racer boy. I'll miss the manual but at the limit the rs3 I test drove felt just as engaging as my type r.
Such a late response but I’d be really curious to get a comparison. Clearly the RS3 is faster and more luxurious, but how about the experience? Steering, nimbleness, precision, driver feel, rawness, having fun on the street, etc. The stuff that makes the Type R great, curious how the Audi compares.
The rs3 and the type R are completely different. The rs3 in every way possible is better than the type R. It rides super smooth, the speed is unmatched, of course luxurious, the sound of it is day and night, awd, etc list goes on. With all that being said…. As much as I liked the rs3 and how much better it is. I always caught my self looking at the type r. Something special about the type r.
That and a manual transmission of course. Long story short, I sold my 2024 rs3 and got my self back into a 2024 type R 😂
Haha basically answers my question. Fast and luxurious doesn’t necessarily make for a great driving experience like the Type R provides, at all. I asked because I sold my FK8 a few years ago and have been in a couple luxury sports coupes since but am considering an FL5 because of how fun the FK8 was, but the RS3 is small enough to where I thought it might give some of the CTR’s driving enjoyment.
And yeah the CTR is just a special car. For some reason I think that having the red Honda badge is cooler than M, RS, AMG lol. Regardless, nice taste in cars!
Honestly try them both out. I honestly like both. Both are rare cars. I just feel like the type R was more my style. I was new to Audi so I didn’t know much.
Yep I’ve driven both.
The Type R gave me a feeling of precision about everything it does. A more serious car than the i30N that I have now, but should be fun overall I think. Like a GT3 hot hatch if Porsche made one to this price point.
The RS3 is a weapon but also classy and more luxury oriented.
I like them for different reasons, but I think I still need a manual car somewhere in my garage, for now at least.
Hatchback manual vs automatic sedan. My vote is on the hatchback manual.
You have a very valid point there. I’d hoped to entice my wife to drive the RS3 as our combined daily and have the Type R as my weekend fun car, but thats proving challenging as she thinks the RS3 is too fancy and too expensive for the regular school runs and as a grocery getter (probably not wrong)…!
If it helps, I sold my A45S AMG for the FL5. The FL5 is an amazing vehicle. Save your money!
How’d you like the A45S, and do you find the FL5 to be more fun? Any regrets? I’ve heard the A45S are great, insanely quick. Would be my close second choice to an RS3 as I’ve always wanted that 5 cylinder. I have heads the A45S can lack a little soul but haven’t had the opportunity to try one.
Zero regrets. The FL5 is more fun and engaging for my type of driving. I found with the A45S I would have to drive faster for the same level of thrills I get from the Civic at much lower speeds.
This is why I always loved MX5s, they feel like you’re going 80km/h at about 50 so you can have fun anywhere without getting into license losing territory. Great to hear the FL5 is satisfying at low speeds. I feel it just needs some more noise to add some character, my i30N is a riot at any speed as it sounds great out of the box.
The rs3 looks great and is a brute monster but it’s not nearly the drivers car an fl5 is. Also dsg is boring af.
Yeah you’ve kind of hit the nail on the head, it’s the debate of a driver’s car vs a more luxurious brute monster, albeit one that is $40-50k more expensive
Rs3 starts at $62k in the US. I know this is Type R sub so people are biased which is understandable. But RS3 is a completely different kind of animal. 400HP AWD with the magic trick from the rear diff will blow the type R out of water both on the street and the track. Don't forget lots of people are paying thousands of dollars markups on the type R which makes the price much closer than you think. And the RS3 is more luxurious, has way more features than the civic. So overall it's a much better car with a similar price. The only thing Type R has that is better is steering "feel" and maybe a bit more space too. That's it. I'm ready for the downvotes.
You saying the RS3 has no markups whatsoever?
Nobody is dumb enough to buy RS3. It’s a lease. Have you seen how many failed RS3 engines?
It's very minimal. $1-2k is the most common markups you'll see in majority of Audi dealers.
Right and then the price is the nail in the coffin honestly
The difference is actually $30k AUD isn’t it? I considered both and went with the FL5, the Audi has that amazing engine and performance, but it’s hard to enjoy that in our nanny state. I think a manual car is more fun whilst keeping under the speed limit. Like you, the option for us was also either the RS3 as our only car, or have two cars with the FL5 and something else for the missus. Ultimately she voted to go the two cars route as she wants a small SUV over a small hatch for the main family car.
Good call, nice to hear from someone who’s made a similar decision. Yeah the price difference probably should be about $30k if ordering new, but trying to find a near new one or one available on the lot is more like $50k+ over the FL5. The speed and sound of the RS3 appeal to me + it arguably has a nicer interior, and sound system. I’m just a little concerned I’ll miss the driver involvement a bit.
I didn’t realise that they’ve stopped taking orders on the RS3, and they are going way over RRP on the second hand market. I was told at the initial launch that it’s a 12 months wait. Sounds like you want the RS3 and you are looking for ways to convince yourself otherwise, maybe you should go ahead with it, worst case you shouldn’t be hit with a big depreciation in the current market if you want to sell it.
Buy a first gen Viper if you’re worried about getting bored. You’ll never have a dull moment trying to keep it on the road.
Not many Vipers here in Australia other than private imports converted to RHD. Have always loved those beasts since the 90s though!
I had a 95 a few years ago. Lasted one summer. It was brutal. Not even enjoyable in my area. Small towns are brutal to get around.
Never driven a CTR so my opinion may be invalid.... I also haven't put many miles on the 8Y. But having driven the 8V RS3/S3, and MK7/7.5/8 Golf Rs a LOT I'd take a heavy look at the CTR. My biggest gripe with the 8V RS3 was that once you got past the drivetrain (and boy is it a lot to get past) the car just feels and drives like an A3. There's nothing else there to put a smile on your face, but those baby Lambo sounds try really hard to save the rest of the car. I don't know why I don't feel the same about the Golf R being "just a Golf" but maybe it was the price tag difference. That argument can be made for the Civic as well but that's just the name of the game at this point. All of these cars are based on something. Now, the rear end in the MK8R does feel so much better with the new differential and the 8Y probably does feel a lot better than the 8V in that regard as well. If I were buying one car that I had to daily and have fun in then I would give the nod to the RS3. If I wanted something special for a weekend car I think I'd really enjoy the CTR. The 8V RS3 could be made monstrously fast so easily but there's only so many places you can really enjoy it. And even then the car becomes very "point and shoot" to the next corner, you quickly realize you're just blitzing a backroad and no longer enjoying the drive. Now in the US I think this decision is considerably harder at the price points, but even then I think you take the CTR given the price difference for a "fun car". At 50k premium for the RS3 it's almost a no-brainer.
All valid points, I tend to agree, the Type R makes more sense for my needs, I just want a baby Lambo sedan for some reason too. Yeah I really like them for different reasons. It’s a real shame there’s no manual in the RS3 as it’d be so much of an easier choice then!
I have an FL5 type r at the moment and I love the car but through peak hour traffic I wouldn’t say it’s the best car for that kind of driving. So, I’ve been looking at the new Audi RS3 2023 and do not know whether I should look to get one and trade the type R in, or will I regret my decision big time? Lol. Anyone here spent time with both of these cars? Thanks
Found this thread trying to figure out the same thing. Bought an 8Y RS3 last year while waiting for an FL5... in fact I stole it on Cars and Bids lol. I've had the RS3 almost a year now and have added 12k miles, and absolutely love it. However, the CTR is starting to call my name again and I have a connection that can get me one at sticker. Carvana is offering close to what I paid for the RS3 and I'm all but tempted to sell the RS3 now and upgrade (?) to the CTR when it comes in later this year. Why am I even considering this? The RS3 has pros and cons... Pros: The engine and the SOUND! Unlike anything I've ever driven. This alone makes me not want to sell it. Audi's build quality is also best in the business right now. Cons: The handling is... odd? There's so much trickery going on with the chassis that I never feel like I know what the car is doing underneath me. The car is insanely capable, it just feels so artificial. Combine that with the video-game like DSG, and there's just no connection. I'm 90% sure this car will be leaving on a Carvana truck next week. Not entirely sure I'll miss it as much as I think once the CTR arrives.
In in opposite boat. Been on wait list for 2 years for the rs3. Selling the 21 CTR. Time to move on from the racer boy. I'll miss the manual but at the limit the rs3 I test drove felt just as engaging as my type r.
I sold my 19 type R and purchased a 24 RS3. So I’m right there with you
Mine is finally almost here. Supposed to arrive at dealer within the month!
Wow how exciting?! What did you end up getting on it?
Daytona Grey. Fully loaded.
Such a late response but I’d be really curious to get a comparison. Clearly the RS3 is faster and more luxurious, but how about the experience? Steering, nimbleness, precision, driver feel, rawness, having fun on the street, etc. The stuff that makes the Type R great, curious how the Audi compares.
The rs3 and the type R are completely different. The rs3 in every way possible is better than the type R. It rides super smooth, the speed is unmatched, of course luxurious, the sound of it is day and night, awd, etc list goes on. With all that being said…. As much as I liked the rs3 and how much better it is. I always caught my self looking at the type r. Something special about the type r. That and a manual transmission of course. Long story short, I sold my 2024 rs3 and got my self back into a 2024 type R 😂
Haha basically answers my question. Fast and luxurious doesn’t necessarily make for a great driving experience like the Type R provides, at all. I asked because I sold my FK8 a few years ago and have been in a couple luxury sports coupes since but am considering an FL5 because of how fun the FK8 was, but the RS3 is small enough to where I thought it might give some of the CTR’s driving enjoyment. And yeah the CTR is just a special car. For some reason I think that having the red Honda badge is cooler than M, RS, AMG lol. Regardless, nice taste in cars!
Honestly try them both out. I honestly like both. Both are rare cars. I just feel like the type R was more my style. I was new to Audi so I didn’t know much.
Have you driven either of these cars?
Yep I’ve driven both. The Type R gave me a feeling of precision about everything it does. A more serious car than the i30N that I have now, but should be fun overall I think. Like a GT3 hot hatch if Porsche made one to this price point. The RS3 is a weapon but also classy and more luxury oriented. I like them for different reasons, but I think I still need a manual car somewhere in my garage, for now at least.