Thinking about an Audi A3

[Brillo]

Took the Mrs. to Audi dealer, she really liked the 2.0 turbo with sports pkg.

Any owners or thoughts on the US A3 turbo version?

TIA

[techweenie]

Go for it.

:-)

[craigster59]

Originally posted by techweenie
Go for it.

:-)

I have had my A3 since July (PM's to Techweenie before the purchase) and couldn't be happier with the performance, feel and comfort of the vehicle. Definitely go for the "Sport" package and the 2.0T. You can't find a comparable car in the price range with the amenities and boy, can it haul a$$. The one thing I wasn't looking for but ended up getting because it was on the car I wanted on the lot was the navigation. Audi has one of THE best navigation systems, and if you can swing the price it's worth considering.

[dd74]

I don't own one, but I've seen a few - they're very cool. Evidentally the 3.2 auto does 0-60 in 5.9 seconds. But I'd rather have the 2.0 and stir my own box...so to speak.

[ChrisBennet]

The least expensive A3 is $30K for the 2 wheel drive model. (The 2 I looked at were $34K at my local dealer.) You could get an A4 for about the same money.
-Chris

[dd74]

Originally posted by ChrisBennet
The least expensive A3 is $30K for the 2 wheel drive model. (The 2 I looked at were $34K at my local dealer.) You could get an A4 for about the same money.
-Chris

An A4 and A3 are completely different cars, though. The A3 is much sportier - and faster.

Plus Audi messed up on the A4: it's fairly ugly now IMO.

[techweenie]

Originally posted by ChrisBennet
The least expensive A3 is $30K for the 2 wheel drive model. (The 2 I looked at were $34K at my local dealer.) You could get an A4 for about the same money.
-Chris

Well, you need to come out here and buy one then. Mine was just over $23K.

[jfw834]

Originally posted by ChrisBennet
The least expensive A3 is $30K for the 2 wheel drive model. (The 2 I looked at were $34K at my local dealer.) You could get an A4 for about the same money.
-Chris

my A3 is the base model and had been a demo or something, got it with 3k on the clock. Price was about 23k. Bought it at RUSNAK in december and am VERY happy with it. The build quality, noise level, and ride are unsurpassed at this price range. Plus the performance is sick!

I can't agree more that the A3 is MUCH more fun to drive. I was gonna get a better deal on the A4 in a lease, but the longer wheelbase, heavier car didn't do it for me. The exhaust note is even louder on the A3, and you also get 17in wheels standard. only 16s on the A4. Also, you get the same rear seat room in an A3 as in the A4 thanks to the engine mounted sideways. was a clear choice for me. also, FWIW Road and Track tested the 2.0T and got it to do 0-60 in 6.1sec. Audi has advertised 6.7 i think. Car and driver did it in 6.5. 5.9 is not a significant difference to give up the 6 spd manual.

The options can jack the price up very quickly like if you get sport and sunroof packs it is already over 30k. I saw a 3.2 at the auto show that was decked out to the tune of 38K! IMO, it was not 12k better. I feel like I got a smoking good deal on a fun little hatch and couldn't be happier!

only other issue is resale value...the A3 will not do well as all small hatches in the US don't. the A4 would be a smarter short term purchase. unless you need a very large trunk, go for the A3....but both cars are best in class IMHO.

[dd74]

Like I said, I like the A3. But I also like the upcoming GTI. Do you guys think the two cars are fairly similar? Is the Audi's build quality known to be better than the VW's, -- I mean, seeing they're cousin cars, so to speak.

FWIW, $23K is about what the GTI is, I think.

[techweenie]

Originally posted by dd74
Like I said, I like the A3. But I also like the upcoming GTI. Do you guys think the two cars are fairly similar? Is the Audi's build quality known to be better than the VW's, -- I mean, seeing they're cousin cars, so to speak.

FWIW, $23K is about what the GTI is, I think.

The new GTI and the A3 are the same platform, AFAIK.

[RallyJon]

I don't get it. Audi comes up with a new "small" wagon, positioned under the A4/S4, and--with quattro--it weighs as much as my '01 S4 Avant. They had the formula right for a little while. Now the little Audi is >3600 lbs and bigger ones head towards two tons and beyond.

I hope the S4 lasts forever, cause I don't see Audi building anything in the same class that can hold its shorts anytime soon.

[techweenie]

Originally posted by RallyJon
I don't get it. Audi comes up with a new "small" wagon, positioned under the A4/S4, and--with quattro--it weighs as much as my '01 S4 Avant. They had the formula right for a little while. Now the little Audi is >3600 lbs and bigger ones head towards two tons and beyond.

I hope the S4 lasts forever, cause I don't see Audi building anything in the same class that can hold its shorts anytime soon.

Boy, you guys on the East coast not only pay more, your A3s weigh more! Mine is 3300 lbs or so.

I don't think the quattro is out yet, but AFAIK, it comes with a 3.2 and should probably weigh about 3400.

[Carrera3.5L]

Originally posted by techweenie
The new GTI and the A3 are the same platform, AFAIK.

They are. My company bought a GTI from Germany last March that we have had for a year. Until recently when VW began releasing US spec models, it was the only one in private hands. It's made the show and magazine circuit. Car made 185 whp and 200 ft/lb of torque right off the boat. After a custom APR chip with our 3" T321 exhaust and cold air intake, the motor makes 215 whp and 249 ft/lb of torque.

Ours is a euro-spec car with 11.3:1 CR and thus needs 93 octane to live. It pinged like crazy (even stock) with 91 octane we have here in California. US spec GTI's have 10.3:1 CR.

Road & Track tested our car 0-60 in 5.92 seconds. This was on a sweltering 90° day with Santa Ana winds and huge 19" wheels.

We are in the process of finishing up our manifold/turbo upgrade where we plan in the 250-275 whp range without sweating it.

http://www.autotech.com/projectcars_mk5.htm

Our GTI weighed right around 3,000 lbs (also a non-sunroof model) before we stripped a little over a hundred pounds out of it.

The A3/GTI are great little cars, much improved over the prior Mk4 platform. Local dealer here has a GTI with DSG for $25,800.

Ralph

[dd74]

All do respect, Ralph but...

According to the Volkswagen engineer I spoke to at the LA Auto Show, who worked on the 2.0 FSI engine in the Mk V GTI, there is no difference between the Euro and U.S. models in the engine or drivetrain. The only difference between the models are the springs, which on the U.S. model raise the car a sixth of an inch.

Though Automobile magazine doesn't mention compression, they do say "...not much has changed," though they also substantiate the suspension change.

Here's the article:

http://automobilemag.com/auto_shows/naias_2006/0602_volkswagen_gti/

And here's the car:

[craigster59]

I was in the market for a used A4 Avant or Allroad. Prior to making a deal on an Allroad, I asked the salesman to test drive the A3, there was no comparison. Since then 1 friend who bought an A4 Cab is kicking himself for not getting an A3, 1 friend bought an A3 and 2 friends are contemplating an A3. It's been one of Audi's biggest sellers in Europe for years and has been "price pointed" for sale in U.S. and Canada. I feel it's one of the better car deals out there.

[techweenie]

Originally posted by craigster59
I was in the market for a used A4 Avant or Allroad. Prior to making a deal on an Allroad, I asked the salesman to test drive the A3, there was no comparison. Since then 1 friend who bought an A4 Cab is kicking himself for not getting an A3, 1 friend bought an A3 and 2 friends are contemplating an A3. It's been one of Audi's biggest sellers in Europe for years and has been "price pointed" for sale in U.S. and Canada. I feel it's one of the better car deals out there.

I went to the dealer for a used A4 Avant. But not only did they not have any, the equivalent sedan prices were very high. So I figured if I could find a used Avant, it would be stupid money.

The A3 had been out just a few days... I'm pretty happy. I've done a couple round trips to Vegas averaging 85-90 and just a hair under 26 mpg. I'm sure if I could manage to sustain legal highway speeds, I could hit 30 mpg.

[StevoRocket]

I've had my A3 2.0T Quattro Sportback Mauritius blue since March last year, done 9500 miles. Handles superbly, ride firm but compliant, used no oil, ran it in for 1800 miles and then did a trip to Florence, Tuscany, Nice and back to Le Mans 24 hours. (29 to the UK gallon)
Brilliant on wet roads and very relaxing to drive. Has a Bose sound system with a cassette player and 5 stack cd in the dash. Great for connecting the Ipod.
Its as big inside as the old A4 model except for the trunk area.

cant load a picture - keep getting this message

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[ChrisBennet]

Here are the prices from the local dealer:

[RallyJon]

I don't think the quattro is out yet, but AFAIK, it comes with a 3.2 and should probably weigh about 3400.

You're absolutely right. It should weigh about 3400. That's why it's so frustrating that it weighs 3660 lbs.

[techweenie]

Well, mine weighs 3382, according to everything I've seen.

That's what attracted me to the A3, over a Toureg, which was available on lease for nearly $100 a month less, but weights 5500 lbs.

My A3 weighs about the same as a 997.