Comments on: Audi S1 Makes You Want It

By: quasimondo

quasimondo — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 05:15:57 +0000

Oh gawd, that thing is ugly.

By: damian2050

damian2050 — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:36:23 +0000

Something you have got to remember about UK pricing is that compared to the rest of Europe is that the UK has relativley lower tax than other countries. Therefore the motor manufactures, to make up their losses in high tax countries charge more pre-tax for a vehicle in the UK. Look at the amount of imported cars brought into the UK. Then the manufacturers said we will not gaurentee them. The EU then said this is illegal so the manufactures said OK no problem, we will increase the price. Ergo end of the grey import market. For example a Renault Megane Coupe £15000 in Northern Ireland, imported from Republic of Ireland £10000 all taxes paid. Who loses? Not the companies, not the EU but the consumer. Check out how MB etc instructed their dealers in Europe to refuse any orders for RHD vehicles and this caused the EU to react.
Trying to compare US and Europe prices is futile because somehow a vehicle with a base base price of $10000 becomes £20000 or euro 20000.

ps sorry about the spelling

By: Robert Schwartz

Robert Schwartz — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 01:55:24 +0000

I am not sure about the pricing. British prices do not translate into US for a couple of reasons.

First UK prices include about 20% tax.

Second, for continental mfgs. need to make limited runs with RHD. (Japanese home market covers that, but continental companies have limited access).

By: BMW325I

BMW325I — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:40:34 +0000

If that price equated to free for the first 3 year service with approval and the lowest insurance rate in its class it would be a steal. But unfortunately its not the case.

By: Landcrusher

Landcrusher — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:08:40 +0000

If you are going to put on performance equipment so that the price moves that far north, then the performance better be there. Given the price, I can’t see how they sell so many A3’s already.

By: HighlyEvolved

HighlyEvolved — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:39:26 +0000

36k is ridiculous. For that cash I’d shell out the extra 5k and get a 335i

By: Yuppie

Yuppie — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:52:13 +0000

I have an A3, and it’s the smallest thing that I am comfortable in. So no thanks to the S1, maybe an S3 instead?

virages: A2=1000kg chassis? I am so envious.

By: kowsnofskia

kowsnofskia — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:37:17 +0000

All this coin and “technology” for a car that can’t even outrun an Evo or Sti? WTF?

By: SunnyvaleCA

SunnyvaleCA — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:44:46 +0000

The BMW 135i looks better and better all the time.
The money I save with the less expensive BMW can go towards making up the difference in fuel economy.

By: chuckR

chuckR — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:44:23 +0000

I have a ‘99 A4, ‘04 A4 and ‘02 A6. The new ‘09 A4 is the old A6 in size complexity and price. I’ve been looking at A3s but I would surely look at an A1 or S1. Audis have done pretty well in 2008 despite being high priced. Just make sure you really want one to avoid the outsized depreciation hit.

They couldn’t sell fewer of these than they do of that ugly wart Q7.

By: fredtal

fredtal — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:29:05 +0000

I paid 22 for a use A3 and all my big car/truck friends think I’m nuts as it is. Face it Americans think small cars are economy cars.

By: autonut

autonut — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:24:57 +0000

This is very angry looking parody of Mini. You have to posses a unique combination of being both rich and stupid to desire this thing.

By: boombox1

boombox1 — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:16:14 +0000

These types of cars are great to lust for but very difficult to actually purchase and own.

$36K base for a hatchback that has little real-world usability and probably visits the dealer every month seems like quite a barrier for most consumers.

By: JEC

JEC — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:04:33 +0000

I’d probably take an A3 2.0T instead and save a few thousand, and have room for my skis. Something about a turbocharged and supercharged VW mill scares me – how is that engine going to hold up in 5 years, after they hit the used market and rack up some miles?

By: kovachian

kovachian — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:36:56 +0000

virages :
Perhaps it’s just resentment on my part that I can only afford the hot hatches of the Twingo and 500 variety.

What’s wrong with those cars? Have you seen the shit Americans have to contend with?

By: maximum bob

maximum bob — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:30:44 +0000

So it’s nearly twice the cost of a GTI with identical peformance and economy numbers? Brilliant!

By: guyincognito

guyincognito — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:10:20 +0000

Yeah but it will also weigh 3800lbs.

By: Vega

Vega — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:50:11 +0000

$36K? It seems the “direct translation of car prices from foreign currencies”

FYI: The spec-comparable UK R32 to the $33K US version is over 26k GBP.

By: Edward Niedermeyer

Edward Niedermeyer — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:44:40 +0000

virages: My bad, obviously. Text amended.

By: Robstar

Robstar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:37:43 +0000

36k with german repair prices…? Thanks, I’ll pass.

If I was going to spend that much, I’d rather throw down a couple more $K and get an elise.

By: virages

virages — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:36:02 +0000

That would be Alfa MiTo not Alpha…! To be more precise say “Alfa Romeo”

Otherwise, I’m not to thrilled with the car, a hot hatch, even in europe, shouldn’t cost $36K or 30K€ or what ever… that’s real sports car territory. But seeing the competition, I guess there is a market for that kind of car. Perhaps it’s just resentment on my part that I can only afford the hot hatches of the Twingo and 500 variety.

As for the technology 1.4 TFSI sounds good, The 7speed dual clutch transmission sounds super, but I’d prefer a clutch. But what I would like to know is how much this thing will weigh. As a new owner of a slightly used A2 1.6FSI, I am loving the 1000kg chassis.

By: bleach

bleach — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:33:27 +0000

That is some serious coin for a hot hatch. If the R32 already gets skewered for its $33K starting point, I don’t see how this will do better despite the badge.

By: kovachian

kovachian — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:26:02 +0000

$36K?!

Thanks Europe, but no thanks. You have fun with that little bugger.