New daily car: Audi A3 Quattro or VW GTI?

[cstreit]

The wifey and I are looking to add a daily driver to our stable that does better than the 12MPG average of the 5.8L Durango.

Currently the top contenders are the VW GTI and the Audi A3 Quattro. Both sporty 5 door hatchbacks, both German, both snazzy. I'm sure there are opinions out there between these two that will help us make up our minds as we like them both. Discuss?!

[dewolf]

Golf...hands down

Neighbor had an Audi A3 for a while. It spent more time at the dealers than it did in their driveway.

[peppy]

I like the Audi, but I have never driven either.

[MattKellett]

Something to consider is that they are both available as tdi's (diesel).

Not as fast as a gti, but pretty torquey all the same and great mpg's.

[peppy]

The A3 TDI has the sport package option.

[porsche4life]

Nostatus had an A3... I think he loved it...


A TDi A3 would be my choice.

[FastCarFan]

Wait for the 2012 Golf R. AWD, 266-hp turbo 4. I am seriously thinking about one to replace my beloved 2004 R32.

[cstreit]

Not going to buy new so the new model (while attractive in AWD) is not really an option.

I like the larger car feel of the A3 though of the two we've driven, one gearbx was sluggish (shifted too early) and the other had launch issues (jerked upon initial throttle tip in from a stop). The GTI has always been one of those cars I'd like to own. I think the A3 may suit me better now (as I have the 993 RS Replica for fun driving) as a daily/comfort car.

[FastCarFan]

Want to buy my 2004 R32 when the Golf R comes out? I even have a set of winter tires & wheels for those nasty Chicago winters. Just kidding.

[craigster59]

Had an A3, 2.0T zero problems. Traded it in with 175k on the clock. The 2.0 is a great engine. A pleasure to drive. It's been available overseas for years, USA for the '06 model. I miss that car.

[sc_rufctr]

They're much the same if you ask me but the AUDI has more of that luxury thing about it.

So for that reason it would be the AUDI.

[scottbombedout]

We tried the Golf and the A3, the A3 just felt superior. 13 months in and its never missed a beat.

[obrut]

GTI all the way - with the DSG. I had one as a daily driver for 18 months - fast, great fun and practical if you get the 4 door.

I struggle with the price premium of Audi - given the common VW componentry.

[Neilk]

I was looking at the Audi online configurator and apparently in the US, you can't get a TDI in stick, not sure about the GTI though.

[MotoSook]

Tough call on the two, esp. if you're buying used. I'd lean toward the GTI for used jus because I think their build quality holds up better.

Good luck.

[Vintage914Racer]

My wife and I considered both cars when we were shopping a year or so ago. I've always been a GTI guy, in fact my first car was a golf, but we ended up going with the A3. If it were my primary car I would have leaned more towards the GTI, but since it is my wife's daily driver the added luxury of A3 helped us make the decision. We did give up a little bit of sportiness, but again given it's the wifes car that isn't a big issue. You can't beat quattro in the midwest either.

We haven't had a single issue with the car and once my wife is sick of it I intend to take it over and drive it into the ground.

[willtel]

Usually if you compare the GTI to the A3 the GTI will have more options for the same money. I'm not sure if that matters much on the used market.

I had an '06 GTI with a 2.0 that was junk, 8 unscheduled dealer visits in 24k miles. Never again.

[nostatic]

I owned both - '07 GTI w/DSG (bought after my moto accident), then an '06 A3 w/stick bought CPO. I actually regret selling the A3, and if I had more spare cash I'd consider getting back into one, but with the DSG. The guts of the cars are the same. I find the Audi to be a bit more refined and they know how to do interiors, though with a few odd ergonomic issues (like the parking brake hitting the armrest.

I had great luck with both cars - each had a CEL come on and it was dealt with in a day by the dealer with no muss/no fuss. If you can find a CPO Audi I think that is the best bang for the buck. Only other downside on my A3 was the sport seats were a bit tight across the shoulders.

[cstreit]

Wifey just drove a '10 GTI with the Autobahn and Sport package. Think we have a winner in that one. She said the build quality, auto gearbox and handling as well as seats, etc.. were all nicer in the GTI.

[cstreit]

We bit on the GTI.....

Pics coming later this week.