Hey guys.. (also posted in the S5 section to get a less biased outlook )

I'm looking hard at an Audi in the next 6-8 months, but I'm having so much trouble making a decision. I currently own a 2014 VW CC, and I'm happy with it as a daily, but I'm really ready to move on and get a second car. I previously had a MK6 VW Golf R, which was excellent, but I decided to get out of it before the MK7 came out (probably a good idea considering all of the good press it's getting).

Here's my situation and why this is difficult for me:

- If I'm buying a second car, it absolutely must be a manual transmission. Period. This limits my options. If I'm replacing my CC it's not important (it's currently a DSG).

- I'm really impressed with the MK7 Golf R (a good friend just purchased one), and the S3 has therefore come on my radar as it's essentially the same car underneath. Instead of buying an S5 I've been thinking of trading my CC for an S3, and hopefully this will scratch the itch of replacing my Golf R long enough for other options to come available in 2-3 years.

- The car I lust after the most, the Audi S5, is nearing its model run end and will be replaced in the next 18-24 months by the B9 model, therefore it compares poorly to other cars in its same class.

- The other car that I REALLY want is the MKIII TTS. However, from what I've read all journalists are saying that Audi is refusing to bring this car to the US with a manual transmission.

So my options are:

1) Buy a current S5 once the 2016 becomes available, which will be end-of-summer or early Fall. The S5 is gorgeous, comes with a manual transmission and is at the end of its model run so there may be incentives and value packages available, plus the platform has been well sorted by this point. Issues with the S5: Weight and power. The S3 is faster for nearly $10,000 less...

2) Trade my CC on an S3 in DSG as a daily, and hope that this will be enough of a car for me to wait 2-3 years and possibly look at the new TT-RS (possibly a manual?) or B9 S5, the latter which is supposed to be 200-300 lbs. lighter.

3) Hold on for the slight, remote possibility that the upcoming MKIII TTS will be available with a manual transmission.

P.S.: Financially, none of these options present an issue. Obviously trading for an S3 would be the best option out of these three financially, as it would not incur another large purchase, but none of these options would force a financial stretch.

What do you guys think?

 

I say:

4) Hold out hope that Audi brings the recently launched RS3 to the U.S. And buy that.

 

Surprised no one brought up the RS3 on the Reddit thread they also posted this question on.

 

realllllly strange to shop 3 different types of vehicles
sedan
coupe
and
2 door hb

S3 drives like a four door version of the TT, but it's not going to seem as fun.
there is nothing like a TT, but you have to be comfy with the sightlines from inside the cabin.

the S5 is big/heavy and feels like it, it's absolutely terrible on mpg, worse than you can imagine.
but who cares about that!
it's still a great car.

you really need to drive all three, in some variation, on and off the highway, in the twisites....
at speed... to decide which type of vehicle you want.