Sports sedans are still alive and well today, despite the market's over saturation with SUVs and crossovers. Buyers can get their hands on models like the BMW M3, Cadillac CT-5-V, and, of course, the Audi RS3. There are plenty of options with luxurious interiors, high power outputs, and great handling. Audi's current lineup consists of a few luxurious SUVs, their high-powered variants, a station wagon, and some electric vehicles, but the brand didn't forget about its sedans.However, those models are all quite expensive to buy new. We know it can feel risky to buy a used German luxury sports car, but buying a first-generation RS3 might be worth the risk. Money aside, the first-generation RS3 sedan is a well-balanced machine that can be a fun daily driver, or you can tune its award-winning engine for even more power as a sleeper sedan that nobody expects. In this article, we'll discuss how much an early Audi RS3 sedan is worth today, what makes it so special in the first place, a couple of rivals from its time, and more. First-Generation Audi RS3 Sedan Values AudiThe chart above shows an average of what buyers can expect to pay for a 2017 RS3 — the first model year available in the United States. It takes data from multiple listings into account, but it's important to realize that used car prices vary heavily depending on multiple factors. The number of miles on the odometer can affect how much a car is worth, as well as the number of previous owners, any modifications, and how well the previous owner took care of the car.We recommend inspecting the car's cosmetic condition, and we highly recommend having a professional take a look at the mechanical side of things before handing your money over. As a side note, know that modifications do not necessarily increase a car's value, in fact they usually decrease it instead.The table above shows what the rest of the first generation is worth today, according to the same price trends data gathered by CarBuzz. In general, the model hovers consistently around the $37k to $38k mark. If you have a sub-$40,000 budget, then this might be the best bang for your buck. Audi's Performance Engine Of The Year AudiWhy is a nine-year-old Audi still worth nearly $40,000 in average condition? Well, most of it comes down to the fact that it's powered by one of the best engines the brand has ever produced. The 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder has earned an Engine of the Year award for nine years in a row. From 2009 through 2018, this engine beat the competition in a variety of tests. Engines in this competition are tested for harshness, vibration, noise, power output, torque, and technical relevance. Noise is an interesting criterion to test, since it's not all about volume — this 2.5L excelled in the category due to its unique number of cylinders and firing order, which provides a note unlike most others. 2017 Audi RS3 Sedan Specs AudiWhen implemented in the first-generation Audi RS3 sedan, the automaker's award-winning five-cylinder is tuned for 400 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. With all that power being sent to both axles via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard quattro all-wheel drive, it can sprint to 60 miles per hour from a standstill in just 3.9 seconds. It's typically limited to a top speed of 155 mph in accordance to an agreement made among German auto manufacturers in the late eighties through the late nineties, but, like some other manufacturers, Audi offered a package that increased its limit to 174 mph. Finding examples with that package installed can increase its value today. What Else Makes The RS3 Sedan Special AudiWhile the RS3's five-cylinder engine is the star of the show, it can't win races without support. The rest of the car is carefully engineered to the same capacity, otherwise all that engine hype would be lost. Audi gave the first RS3 fully-independent suspension, so it grips the road surface in every condition. Its quattro AWD system sends most of its power to the rear wheels, and can sense when to transfer power to the front wheels in an instant when the rear tires lose traction.With all that power and acceleration, it's just as important to stop in time. Pictured above is a front brake caliper from the RS3's first generation; the model came standard with this eight-piston front brake caliper setup to stop on a dime. How The RS3 Sedan Has Changed Ian Wright/CarBuzz/ValnetBuying a used RS3 is a great opportunity to find power and balance on a budget, but those who can afford a brand-new model are in for a treat. The model entered its most recent generation for the 2022 model year. We had a chance to drive a 2025 model, and found it relentlessly agile with plenty of personality. It still uses the same engine, but Audi tuned it for 401 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Combined with other upgrades like a new torque splitter to divide up the power between the rear wheels depending on which direction you're turning, new dampers, and more, the current RS3 is quicker and more fun than ever."...the torque splitter is way more entertaining in the Dynamic and RS Performance modes, shifting the power between the back and front, which, along with the brake-torque-vectoring system, makes the RS3 ridiculously agile in tight, twisting sections of road. To complete the performance package, the transmission is as quick as it is smooth — and it is silky smooth. Then the brake upgrade, once warmed up, means late and confident braking."- Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz This Segment Doesn't Have Many Competitors 2017 BMW M2 BMWSince there aren't any compact sports sedans from BMW, the brand's closest rival to the RS3 is the M2 coupe. The first-generation M2 coupe was introduced for the 2016 model year, and was on sale through 2022 while getting a single facelift in 2019. It might only have two doors, but it makes for a close rival to the RS3. Its inline-six-cylinder engine makes 365 horsepower and 343 lb-ft of torque, which gets sent to the rear wheels via either a standard six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic transmission. It can reach 60 mph in about four seconds before reaching a top speed of 163 mph. One drawback to the 2017 model is that it wasn't available with all-wheel drive. 2017 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Mercedes-BenzThe closest rival from Mercedes-Benz comes in the form of the 2017 AMG CLA 45, which is a four-door coupe. This model's turbocharged four-cylinder is tuned for nearly the same output as Audi's five-cylinder, which lets it sprint to 60 mph in an estimated 4.1 seconds. Even though it's typically limited to 155 mph, buyers could opt for a package that increased its top speed to 167 mph. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels as standard. The best part about this model today, though, is that buyers can find it for an affordable price compared to the RS3. The 2017 Audi RS3 Sedan Is Relatively Affordable Today AudiThe oldest Audi RS3 sedan was sold for the 2017 model year, then its generation continued until the 2020 model year. Used-car buyers today can find them for around the $40,000 mark, which makes it more expensive than its closest rivals from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. That said, the RS3's five-cylinder engine, big brakes, and standard all-wheel drive might make it a more desirable contender that we feel is worth its asking price.Sources: Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz