Ah I’m not the only one! I dibn’t do the common cars, nor did I see anything likeable in ‘hot hatches’. So while others went for Capris or RS Escorts and then giving way to Golf GTI etc., I chose Audi 100S Coupé, and stuck with it (or rather a couple) from late 70s through to early 1990s: faster than most in its day, more comfortable, more space, cornered like on rails, and wonderfully reliable. Good looks too, visually almost a clone of the late 1960s Aston Martin DBS. Later a flirtation with a ‘spaceship’ Citroen CX led to (with a nod to pcd & Rochard) a Saab 9000 Turbo (one of the original full pressure turbo models) a very understated car, and for those not in the know very nondescript to look at, especially with turbo badge removed. A car I wish I hadn’t given up on at 220,000 mikes running perfectly but rusting around the sunroof. Nowadays my GTI alternative is a 2001 Audi TT quattro 2L 230bhp.
No, nothing ever tempted me to hot hatches, but it is interesting to see how polular it has been with members.
I had this Audi S3 on back to back demo for a week 225BHP,4WD a superb motor car the previous week I had a Audi TT with the same drive train it was like being bolted to the road.
I did the same demo and went with the TT back in 2000. I’d set my heart on a Mitsubishi Evo 6 but changed my mind on the test drive. Fast and amazing handling to be sure but sitting in traffic i felt a bit of a tit with the big rear ‘look at me’ spoiler. The interior was rubbish too. The S3 was rather more reserved in appearance and more to my liking but having all the mechanical gubbins in the prettier TT body did it for me, so i bought a TT225. Mine had the ESP upgrade fitted but i chose not to have the rear spoiler.
Not one to leave my cars alone, this was fettled by AMD up near Bicester. It was remapped, had a Milltek exhaust fitted, twin 100cell race cats, suspension lowered and a Porsche 993 brake upgrade. Apart from the slightly bigger tailpipes, a lower stance and the Red Porsche callipers peeking out from behind the alloys it looked pretty standard - just how i like it. Great fun, quick and utterly sure footed whatever the conditions - great brakes too. In its modified form, one of my favourite cars.
I’ve always hankered after a Lancia Delta Integrale Evo11 but I always thought I couldn’t afford to keep it on the road with the reliability issues that were well known. I wish i took the plunge now as they go for anything up to £80k these days for a well cherished example. Sweet car and fabulous to drive.
Sat in a very new red Mk1 golf GTI as a kid whilst in the showroom waiting for my father whose VW 411 LE (you may have to google this car!) was in for service. I asked if we could have a GTI next, I was ignored! :0)
Okay, can we all just quit with the GTI etc. talk and pics now!!! I miss mine and want another one…oh the pain, the agony…guess I will have to sell off all my Naim bits then. Nah!
Early trip to the local shop for essentials. The roads were as abnormally quiet as the car park and it would have been nice just to drive somewhere, anywhere …
I had a Mk3 or Mk4 model which was rubbish and should never have been allowed to display the GTi badge. I think VW improved things after this barge which wasn’t a patch on the earlier models.
Very nice! I like those wheels. That is one thing I haven’t really cared for on the US versions, our wheels do nothing for me really, and they certainly can make or break the looks.
Thanks Frazeur - must admit they do look nice on the car. They are 18 inch rims - could have paid extra for 19 inch but glad I didn’t. I’ve only done 22k miles over 8 years in it. Since retiring I use public transport more often these days.
