I have a 2000 S4 which I love dearly but she's getting old and I think it's time for something new. I love sport wagons and given my love of Audi the A3 seems like the perfect choice. I like the 2.0T model and it's pretty affordable.

Jacob

 

After driving an A3 3.2, I can totally understand why you want one. Before I bought my 2004 A6 2.7T, I was really wanting a brand new A3 3.2.

Just an FYI, if you wait for the 2009 model year, you'll be able to pick up an A3 2.0T with Quattro. I have no idea why anyone would buy a non Quattro Audi. May as well buy A VW.

 

Ya I don't really want the 3.2 (mostly because I like boost and I don't think it's worth the extra cost) but I didn't like the 2.0T because it lacked Quattro. I've also heard rumors that the 2.0 TDI might come here soon. If that has Qattro then I'm all over it.

 

We had an 2005 S2000, and traded it in for a brand A3. We chose the S Line, with the 2.0T, so it's pretty much fully loaded etc. Has DSG also.

If you have any specific questions....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jdm_ekcivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Just an FYI, if you wait for the 2009 model year, you'll be able to pick up an A3 2.0T with Quattro. I have no idea why anyone would buy a non Quattro Audi. May as well buy A VW.</TD></TR></TABLE>


The 2.0Tq is DSG only.... doesnt do much if you want it with a stick. Having looked hard between the GTI and the A3 2.0T (which I suppose is a fancy GTI, the 3.2 is effectively an Audi R32) it depends what you're after.
I took delivery of mine in January... its a fantastic little car, its sporty but comfortable, its quick out of the box, its only downside is that gas milage is not the best. Its fine on the highway (it can do 32ish) but in the city its horrid (around 20). The motor is very torquey, but its really missing the high end kick to keep it going. The motor almost acts like a diesel in that respect... there's little point carrying the motor past 5000ish RPMs (it really needs a K04... which conveniently, are starting to come out in kit form)
Getting parts is somewhat easy depending on what it is. Getting Euro parts for it isnt nearly as plentiful as some of the other cars are... but most of it can be had if you're willing to wait. 3.2 parts are slowly working their way out now ...R32 has a bit of pull there I think. Since the guts are all shared with the GTI and GLI, power stuff is easy to get, and everyone makes it.
Do be aware though... that by waiting for 09, they're switching from the BPY motor to the CCTA engine (its still a 2.0T but there's some big differences).... its being predicted that stuff like software will need to be worked for it, so if you plan on instantly modding, you might have to wait.

It just depends what you want to do with it. I'm happy with it, it looks and feels a fair bit more grown up than the VW, if you want to avoid the rolling sofa effect, you almost have to go with the S-line package... but its worth the money for the better looking bumpers and the sport seats (its 3.2 standard anyways).
Since they dont seem to sell particularly well.... you usually can get your hands on one for a pretty good price.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Boilermaker1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The 2.0Tq is DSG only.... doesnt do much if you want it with a stick. Having looked hard between the GTI and the A3 2.0T (which I suppose is a fancy GTI, the 3.2 is effectively an Audi R32) it depends what you're after.</TD></TR></TABLE>

After driving both the A3 with DSG and a GTI with DSG, I hate to say this, but I'd pick it over the stick anyways. I was looking at the 3.2 because of the Quattro. Definitely a very nice car. The better interior space of the A6 won out in the end. I also was looking at an 01' S8 as well, but that sold very quickly.

 

After driving my B5 S4, I can't imagine why you'd want an A3 if horsepower is a concern.

 

My mom has an A3 3.2 quattro. Only thing she doesn't like is it gets pretty crappy gas mileage like 20-22ish freeway and takes premium gas. She also doesn't like the fact that the entire roof is a sunroof. It's a peppy car, backseat headroom blows tho, and IMO the interior isn't that comfortable.

My mom also looked at the R32 but passed because it's only a 2-door. I think the r32 may also be a little quicker but it was my mom who drove the cars not me so I dont know. I do know that's it's pretty damn quick, especially when you manually downshift and floor it.

I guess you could say it's affordable...Even the 2.0T's we saw at the dealer were going for like 25+. But used is probably another story.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by michael O &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">She also doesn't like the fact that the entire roof is a sunroof.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Really? That was one of the things I like most about the A3.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jdm_ekcivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Really? That was one of the things I like most about the A3.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yea I liked it too but she's kinda different when choosing cars. It's just an A to B car for her and she only bought the A3 cuz she wanted a small, peppy, AWD, wagon and the a3 was the only one she fit in and pretty much the "best" car that included all of the features mentioned above.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jdm_ekcivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Just an FYI, if you wait for the 2009 model year, you'll be able to pick up an A3 2.0T with Quattro. I have no idea why anyone would buy a non Quattro Audi. May as well buy A VW.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Which you really kinda are...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by -Gary- &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Which you really kinda are...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Maybe I'm tired, but what?

 

VW and Audi are under the Volkswagen Auto Group umbrella.... Its like Infiniti/Nissan, Lexus/Toyota, etc... An Audi is a fancy VW, not to mention the A3 is a GTi in audi trim.

 

balllin.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Boilermaker1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">VW and Audi are under the Volkswagen Auto Group umbrella.... Its like Infiniti/Nissan, Lexus/Toyota, etc... An Audi is a fancy VW, not to mention the A3 is a GTi in audi trim.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm aware of that. My comment referred to FWD Audis, not Quattro Audis. I mean that if you were looking at FWD Audis, you may as well save the money and buy a VW for less money.