[JerseyM3]

As someone who has a 2022 RS3 and owned a 2020 RS3 previously, let me give you my take and dispell and agree respectfully with some of the three pages of half truths, truths, and far out fake news that I've read about the car.

First, there's no difference from the 22 thru 24 8Y generations except some options like different rims, interior/exterior trim.. etc. They all have the same power, and drive train. So, if costs are an issue, you can look at a 22 RS3 and save a few bucks.
Next, anyone comparing performance between anything Golf to the RS3 is high on something. Raced them. Alot. Its over in the first 60 foot and it pulls like a freight train to RL. You will handle most muscle cars with relative ease stoplight to stoplight. TRUST me when I say these cars are faster than you think. The AWD system is the difference. Draggy 0-60 times are in the 3.4 to 3.6 range stock. They dyno at about 368awhp which is about 415- 420 or so at the crank. Not the 401 audi rates them. Someone said but there are tuned Rs and M240's ones out there that are faster... Sure. But if your mother had a weiner she'd be your father. So it makes no sense bringing that up because its a different ballgame when talking mods. If you want to argue whats the better platform for mods then id even say its a toss up. The i5 starts to get maxed at about 650hp on stock internals. Yeah, a $500 mod list on an M240 will get you faster than a stock RS3, BUT what happens when I spend about the same on a JB4 for the RS3? Again, not a valid argument. And it seems the wife likes mods so there you go.
Someone said can't take curves in an RS3 (8Y).. highly untrue. The latest iteration is very a capable carver. I'd even say better than an M2 performance wise because of Quattro but probably not as pure a driving experience compared to the M2. Audi may have overly refined things here making the feedback a bit numb.

There is little if any understeer now, or "Audisteer" as some might say. Audi changed the handling characteristics bigtime with the torque Vectoring rear. Yes it's nose heavy. The staggered tire setup with 265s in the front is odd but it does the trick keeping the front planted. Plus in its highest performance setting I can swing the rear out all day long. Try that in the 8V RS3 and you'll plow thru the corner. You can mash the throttle around a turn and it powers thru like a champ. Its like the ECU/TCU knows what your doing and powers the right wheels at the right time. The one annoyance is the tire size. There's not a lot of options for 265-30-19 and 245-35-19 fitment. Some guys have squared their setup and added a thicker rear rollbar which is said to be a monster improvement mod. But in stock form 30 sized tire wall is brutal for tire life long-term. Expect sidewall bubbles.
The brakes are amazing. You can find ones optioned with CC but I don't think it's necessary.
I agree there is an understated presence to the RS3. Might even say bland. You almost need to know what it is when it pulls next to you or you'd just think it's another A3 with fancy calipers. I'm not one for wild or outlandish styling but I wish Audi would make the RS3 a little more aggressive looking. Say what you want about the M2, but from the rear that car looks menacing.
The interior follows the exterior in styling; Understated, but quality is good, seats are very comfortable but not suited for track days as i feel like I move around too much. I think Audi dipped a bit by not using the finer materials at least compared to the last gen. Theres a little less Alcantara, more plastic and less leather. Audi has company internal issues. I've posted a thread about this earlier and it's affecting quality. I will say I've had no issues with build quality whatsoever. No water pump, tstat issues, or anything else. Those are more prevalent in the previous gen RS3s.
I think a proper comparison for your list should be the M2, M340, C43s and the Alfa G. These are all closer in performance. The downfall for Audi is they don't offer CF buckets in the US like euro is getting, and no real color choices in the interior other than some upholstery stitching, and some painted trim on the vents. The facelifted RS3 has an even trickier rear diff., stickier tires and in my opinion a nicer looking front and rear fascia with a nice CF option. But the waiting list for it is crazy and dealers are marking them up. Plus, Audi is holding up delivery due to tariffs so who knows when we will see the latest ones his US shores.

Ok, I sound bias and I probably am. The RS3 is a unique car. There's really nothing else like it. The i5 sound is pure gold and I don't know how you can get bored with something that sounds like a mini lambo. Throw on a DP, jb4, intake a little E85 and you are right at that 575-600hp mark. Unfortunately, there is no flash tune available yet for the 8Y RS3s but there's some beta testers running 10s in the q right now so its coming. All that said, and with an AWD system that you can daily in any weather to me makes the RS3 a great choice. Is it the best choice, well that's up to you.