RS3s are starting to get pretty affordable.
It's at a point now where it's becoming cheaper to buy a clean used RS3 and do bolt ons instead of a new R and a decent big turbo setup.
Maybe I’ve become a bit desensitized to the platform/power, but IMO it seems like the TTRS/RS3 has gone the way of the GTR; ie: if you’re not an Alpha 1,000+hp, then you’re garbage. Mid-600hp and mid-10’s is easy with a tune and a couple bolt on’s. But now you’re driving a 10sec $70,000 car that‘s in a class between the GTI’s/R’s and boosted V8’s. It’s expected that you’ll destroy the less expensive fun/modded cars (Focus ST/RS, GTI, etc), and in my experience they won’t even try to race me once they see the ’RS3’ tag. But you’re not making enough power to go run with the big boys (modified, boosted V8’s - not STOCK ZL1/Hellcats, they’re slow lol).
I used to not have any problems finding someone to race on the streets in my Golf R, but it’s nearly impossible in the RS3. If I’m super lucky, I’ll run into a modified SS or GT that thinks they’re fast - but even that’s far and few between