Have to agree with Uncle Buck,i've been driving 22 years owned many cars and have to say the s3 is one of the best handling cars i've driving for a long time and that includes my last car porshe 911 ,not the speed but handling wise.[wrote it off on a back lane doing 60mph done the same in my s3at 70mph no probs at all].

I think we should just leave it to Liverpool2 and he can make his own decision, after all, these things are very subjective and if we all thought the same way we'd only be discussing one gen of coupe. Fortunately were all looking for something different and will therefore have different likes and dislikes. Just don't like to see someone put off the chance to get behind the wheel, of what might be to them, the best car they've ever driven.
Uncle Buck

And all Kevnbex said was that in his opinion the 2.0l Siii wasn't as good round the corners as his 1.6l gen3 (and that could have been down to the tyres), he didn't say the Siii was rubbish handling.

All I know is that if I got the chance I'd hire one just to see how it goes

ok guys thanks for the info sorry to start a war on here but in my opinion lol
if i do choose to go for it i will let you all know what i think and macker lets save our aggresion for the man united fans

Can I just say that as probably the most qualified person on here...(ie. I've driven as my main car, a 2.0SIII and before that a 1.6Gen3, since march 2002!)...and they both handle the same!!
They're essentially the same car underneath!

The only difference IS the tyres!
In this country the SIII wears Kumho's which are pile of sh** in the wet. I've been wearing mine down deliberately, so I can get some nice new alternatives .....ones which will actually navigate bends when I want them to!