Audi A3 (US-spec model)

Viggen · May 12th, 2005, 07:51 AM

http://www.imagasin.no/bil/images/040819_AudiA3Sportb_468x300.jpg

The local Audi dealer in my town recently recieved a couple of new A3 five-door hatchbacks and I went to check them out.

Their demo car is an entry-level model with almost no options, 2.0 FSI, six-speed manual, FWD. MSRP US$25,460. The other car wasn't ready as it still had its protective shipping cover on, but it was equipped with the new automatic DSG gearbox.

Good: The 2.0 FSI is a fantastic engine. Very quick, responsive, and loads of torque. No turbo lag at all. This maybe a better engine than the 1.8T. The ride and handling seems to be firm, not overly stiff and harsh, and body roll was minimum around corners. Steering feedback was quite responsive, even at low speeds.

Bad: The car was literally stripped-down with no sunroof, xenon headlamps, and auto climate control. The interior trim wasn't something I'd expect from Audi, as it uses lots of hard plastic. The steering wheel felt really cheap and plasticy. It had good-quality cloth seating surfaces, but the seats themselves I could use more thigh and bolster support. US-spec cars don't have quattro (as least not yet), but it will be going to be an expensive option.

I really wanted to like this car a lot, but it was quite a let down. The only thing that the A3 has got going for it is the 2.0 FSI engine, and the car looks stunning in person, even in red paint. But in terms of value, it's overpriced and under-equipped. If anything, the MkV GTI seems to be the more appealing car for me price-wise, but I'm still weary about reliability issues and VW dealer service nightmares.

I'll show more interest next time when they bring over the S3 three-door hatch.

andyhui01 · May 12th, 2005, 07:58 AM

somehow that reminds me alot about the Golf GTI... I really like it images/smilies/thumbsup.gif

freakster_991 · May 12th, 2005, 08:34 AM

i always enjoyed the presence of the A3... its so much better than an A class or the 1 series

Cruzz563 · May 12th, 2005, 08:38 AM

Don't count on them bringing any 3 door version over for at least two years...if ever. images/smilies/dry.gif

And I agree with freakster about it's presence.

Viggen · May 12th, 2005, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruzz563

Don't count on them bringing any 3 door version over for at least two years...if ever. images/smilies/dry.gif

Which is too bad. The A3 would've been on my shopping list if it came in three-door hatch and a lower price point. Five-doors are pretty nice, but I don't really need it.

Right now, my heart is set on the Mini Cooper S, but I'm still waiting for the MkV GTI and the next-gen Mini with the new turbocharged engine.

Leppy · May 12th, 2005, 11:29 AM

Sounds like the states always get short handed on imported car models...

Cruzz563 · May 12th, 2005, 01:25 PM

We always do, more so for the European models, Japanese and German ones not so much. images/smilies/smile.gif

Alfa is coming back next year tho! images/smilies/thumbsup.gif

freerider · May 12th, 2005, 02:22 PM

I love the A3 too(3-doors also favo). That price isn't that bad. And it's true, Audi's have great interior and all, but only if you pay a lot of cash for it. Options are really expensive (same with bmw, mb). That's just sad. You can double the price of the car just with options.

Greetz Johan

Renesis · May 12th, 2005, 02:24 PM

It's too expensive for what it is but it's an awesome car, I just love it.. sat in one and it fit me like a glove... but I'd go with a GTi and save some money instead

haha604 · May 12th, 2005, 04:22 PM

The A3 is a fantastic car. I personally feel that its interior is way better than the new 3 series'. What bothers me about the car is its price though. When you load up the options on an A3 you might as well get an A4 instead for the same price.

oliB · May 12th, 2005, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viggen

Right now, my heart is set on the Mini Cooper S, but I'm still waiting for the MkV GTI...

I've driven both and both of them are great fun to drive!

The Mini feels a bit more go-kartish as it is ~200 pounds lighter than the Golf, but for such a small car (I'm referring to the Mini) it is still quite heavy and overpriced IMO. Furthermore the Mini is far less practical than the Golf, it's only a four-seater, there is virtually no room in the back and the trunk is ridiculously small.
To some people the Mini is a girl's car, so it would be somewhat embarrassing if you drive it as a guy... I don't care/agree though! images/smilies/tongue.gif

The Golf also feels very nimble, it is more powerful with far more interior and trunk space than the Mini. It gives you definately more bang for your buck! I'd say on the twisites it even is more fun than our (much more expensive) Golf IV R32...

To put it in a nutshell, I'd go for the Golf MkV GTI!
After all, it's Top Gear's & Fifth Gear's car of the year not for nothing... images/smilies/smile.gif

cya
Oliver

PS: As for the A3, it may have more "prestige" than a Golf but then again it is more expensive and not necessarily a better car.

bahnstormer · May 15th, 2005, 05:26 PM

too bad is fwd aka fag wheel drive =\

Raven18940 · May 15th, 2005, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bahnstormer

too bad is fwd aka fag wheel drive =\

You better watch your mouth there sony boy. images/smilies/mad.gif

bihus · May 15th, 2005, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raven18940

Quote:

Originally Posted by bahnstormer

too bad is fwd aka fag wheel drive =\

You better watch your mouth there sony boy. images/smilies/mad.gif

You've got my backup on that. images/smilies/ph34r.gif

Phix · May 15th, 2005, 07:07 PM

Mark V GTI fo' sho' would be nicer. It's purpose is sports tuned, after all. Plus, I think the MkV's looks are better than the A3s.

Dr. Woo · May 17th, 2005, 09:54 AM

I prefer the A3's styling, but the GTI's overall package is what sells me.

I, too, was unimpressed with its interior...but as an entry-level luxury brand car, it's still leaps and bounds ahead of the 1-series' cheap plastic.

May 12th, 2005, 07:51 AM	#1
Viggen Joined: Mar 17th, 2004 Last Online: August 21st, 2007 Location: Seattle, Washington USA Posts: 355 Car: Saab 900 and VW GTI MkV (saving, only $24K to go!) Rep Power: 0	Audi A3 (US-spec model) The local Audi dealer in my town recently recieved a couple of new A3 five-door hatchbacks and I went to check them out. Their demo car is an entry-level model with almost no options, 2.0 FSI, six-speed manual, FWD. MSRP US$25,460. The other car wasn't ready as it still had its protective shipping cover on, but it was equipped with the new automatic DSG gearbox. Good: The 2.0 FSI is a fantastic engine. Very quick, responsive, and loads of torque. No turbo lag at all. This maybe a better engine than the 1.8T. The ride and handling seems to be firm, not overly stiff and harsh, and body roll was minimum around corners. Steering feedback was quite responsive, even at low speeds. Bad: The car was literally stripped-down with no sunroof, xenon headlamps, and auto climate control. The interior trim wasn't something I'd expect from Audi, as it uses lots of hard plastic. The steering wheel felt really cheap and plasticy. It had good-quality cloth seating surfaces, but the seats themselves I could use more thigh and bolster support. US-spec cars don't have quattro (as least not yet), but it will be going to be an expensive option. I really wanted to like this car a lot, but it was quite a let down. The only thing that the A3 has got going for it is the 2.0 FSI engine, and the car looks stunning in person, even in red paint. But in terms of value, it's overpriced and under-equipped. If anything, the MkV GTI seems to be the more appealing car for me price-wise, but I'm still weary about reliability issues and VW dealer service nightmares. I'll show more interest next time when they bring over the S3 three-door hatch. __________________ Jeremy's an antique, the Hamster just squeaks, James is such a geek, and I really want to know who the Stig is... - McFly

May 12th, 2005, 07:58 AM	#2
andyhui01 Joined: Jun 4th, 2004 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 20 Posts: 8,515 Car: 00' Subaru Forester GT LFS Status: Rep Power: 28	somehow that reminds me alot about the Golf GTI... I really like it __________________

May 12th, 2005, 08:34 AM	#3
freakster_991 Joined: Nov 29th, 2004 Last Online: December 19th, 2008 Location: Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia Posts: 589 Rep Power: 17	i always enjoyed the presence of the A3... its so much better than an A class or the 1 series __________________ phreaq inc. ® i cant spell....get ovr it..

May 12th, 2005, 08:38 AM	#4
Cruzz563 Cruzz563\|work Joined: Dec 8th, 2003 Last Online: November 16th, 2008 Location: Houston, Texas, The States Age: 24 Posts: 2,657 Rep Power: 25	Don't count on them bringing any 3 door version over for at least two years...if ever. And I agree with freakster about it's presence. __________________ In the USA, 100% of the Federal Income Tax Money goes to paying interest on the national deficit, and nothing else. Where's the law that says we have to pay?

May 12th, 2005, 01:25 PM	#7
Cruzz563 Cruzz563\|work Joined: Dec 8th, 2003 Last Online: November 16th, 2008 Location: Houston, Texas, The States Age: 24 Posts: 2,657 Rep Power: 25	We always do, more so for the European models, Japanese and German ones not so much. Alfa is coming back next year tho! __________________ In the USA, 100% of the Federal Income Tax Money goes to paying interest on the national deficit, and nothing else. Where's the law that says we have to pay?

May 12th, 2005, 11:29 AM	#6
Leppy Joined: Aug 29th, 2004 Last Online: February 20th, 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia. Posts: 1,776 Rep Power: 19	Sounds like the states always get short handed on imported car models...

May 12th, 2005, 02:22 PM	#8
freerider Joined: Jan 5th, 2005 Last Online: January 1st, 2009 Location: Belgium Posts: 464 Rep Power: 0	I love the A3 too(3-doors also favo). That price isn't that bad. And it's true, Audi's have great interior and all, but only if you pay a lot of cash for it. Options are really expensive (same with bmw, mb). That's just sad. You can double the price of the car just with options. Greetz Johan

May 12th, 2005, 02:24 PM	#9
Renesis Lazier than Viper Joined: Nov 27th, 2003 Last Online: December 29th, 2008 Location: Quebec, Canada Age: 21 Posts: 9,677 Car: 2007 Pontiac G5 GT LFS Status: Rep Power: 30	It's too expensive for what it is but it's an awesome car, I just love it.. sat in one and it fit me like a glove... but I'd go with a GTi and save some money instead

May 12th, 2005, 04:22 PM	#10
haha604 Joined: Dec 28th, 2003 Last Online: February 13th, 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 1,051 Rep Power: 22	The A3 is a fantastic car. I personally feel that its interior is way better than the new 3 series'. What bothers me about the car is its price though. When you load up the options on an A3 you might as well get an A4 instead for the same price.

May 15th, 2005, 05:26 PM	#12
bahnstormer Joined: Jan 5th, 2004 Last Online: August 25th, 2008 Location: NJ, USA Posts: 1,449 Rep Power: 0	too bad is fwd aka fag wheel drive =\ __________________

May 15th, 2005, 07:07 PM	#15
Phix Joined: Oct 31st, 2004 Last Online: August 3rd, 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 625 Rep Power: 0	Mark V GTI fo' sho' would be nicer. It's purpose is sports tuned, after all. Plus, I think the MkV's looks are better than the A3s.

May 17th, 2005, 09:54 AM	#16
Dr. Woo Joined: Jan 3rd, 2005 Last Online: June 27th, 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,126 Rep Power: 0	I prefer the A3's styling, but the GTI's overall package is what sells me. I, too, was unimpressed with its interior...but as an entry-level luxury brand car, it's still leaps and bounds ahead of the 1-series' cheap plastic. __________________

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