Audi A3

[DeeZee]

What does the STR crew think of this vehicle I can get great deals on Audi's through my work (way below dealer cost). Drive back and fourth to work and my bike will fit in the back. Also better MPG than my F150 4x4 Super Crew


http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/n...s/Audi_A3.html

[DownHillPhil]

It's a sweet car... very cool, stylish, functional.

Can you get me a bro deal on an A3? Like for 20 grand?

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by DownHillPhil

It's a sweet car... very cool, stylish, functional.

Can you get me a bro deal on an A3? Like for 20 grand?

I would.

[AlphaMog]

I like those cars, good size not too big not too small and good styling. If they can accept a tow hitch you could put 1 1/4 Thule/sportswork rack. Roof rack would work too but I personally think the hitch racks are better to work with.

[VTVic]

Nice cars. I also like the Audi 5...saw one on the 210 the other day...very stylish.

[ryandood]

I really like the way the A3 looks. I've read that it drives nicely too. But, to me, I really would not consider the car even if I could easily afford it. The car is basically an expensive GTI which isn't a bad thing because the GTI is a good car but I'd be hard pressed to pay a premium for the changed symbol. It being a GTI is also has it'd downsides. Pick up the Consumer Reports annual car issue or look online and you will see that VW/Audi/ most euro manufacturers have pretty poor reliability. If you plan on just keeping the car for the lease time then you can negate this issue but if you plan on keeping the car for any longer than that I'd steer clear purely because of the reliability issues.

It really bums me out that euro manufacturers have bad reliability because I think they make some of the better driving/styled cars out on the market. I just can't convince myself that it's worth paying for the extra repairs on a car when there are other, more reliabile choices out there. Why Audi of all manufacturers has to have bad reliability? I mean R8 = love...

[rmb socal]

I just got my wife a used 2007 A4 2.0T Avant wagon, and its sweet! Its fast and handles really well. I would like to try the A3, smaller vechile with the same motor would scream. I actually like to steal it and do runs to the grocery store now! We got it for a steal and Audi was offering 2.8% financing when we picked it up on their certified used vehicles. I couldn't pass it up. Though in the long in mantinance will be expensive on this car, much more then my Toyota. Audi parts are expensive. Also keep in mind, if you pick up a T model, you have to run premium fuel. Bt we are also getting 30 mpg. Just get it, you'll love it!

[2wheel_lee]

Although I don't have an opinion about the A3, I can say that I'm sure you will severely miss your truck. If you live an active outdoors lifestyle, those little play cars just don't cut it. You may like the better mileage, but you'll hate the usefulness - or lackthereof - of a little car. Mark my words.

[autoduel]

My brother and sister in law both got one. Nice, quick, especially the DSG. Couldn't remember what gear I was in when driving though.
What ever happened to the ~240hp V6 version they were planning to release?

[rmb socal]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Although I don't have an opinion about the A3, I can say that I'm sure you will severely miss your truck. If you live an active outdoors lifestyle, those little play cars just don't cut it. You may like the better mileage, but you'll hate the usefulness - or lackthereof - of a little car. Mark my words.

Agreed, I couldn't run this as my only vehicle. I need my truck, I don't think I'll go truckless again. IF you can do both you have the perfect setup.

[ryandood]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Although I don't have an opinion about the A3, I can say that I'm sure you will severely miss your truck. If you live an active outdoors lifestyle, those little play cars just don't cut it. You may like the better mileage, but you'll hate the usefulness - or lackthereof - of a little car. Mark my words.

While little hatchbacks are not as useful as a large pickup truck, they are still very versatile cars. You would be amazed at how much stuff you can put into these little cars.

[surlygal]

The A3 is on my very short list of what will be taking the Armada's place

[northshore]

Paging FooFighter!

If I recall, it's basically the Jetta or Golf chassis. I can't remember which one. Plenty of chassis flex and you can get more value for your dollar with something like a MazdaSpeed 3 IMO.

[Au575]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

What does the STR crew think of this vehicle I can get great deals on Audi's through my work (way below dealer cost). Drive back and fourth to work and my bike will fit in the back. Also better MPG than my F150 4x4 Super Crew


http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/n...s/Audi_A3.html

That's the wife's daily driver. 2.0T w/ DSG. Great car; one of my favorites of the many cars we've owned (including many more expensive autos). 44K miles and not a single problem.

With the "sport" suspension (maybe what they call the S-Line now) it handles fairly well, but still has some classic Audi understeer and torque-steer. For daily driving - not an issue.

Consistently gets 30 MPG but with enough pick-up to properly dispense of (many) SUVs in the on-ramp drag race.

I have put my bike in the back, so one will fit, but I typically use our roof rack. Bolt-on hitches are available, too.

I'd stay away from the "sky-roof" - complaints about rattles and leaks. Otherwise, I haven't heard of other consistently problematic options.

Lemme know if you have any other questions.

[Rascal]

The wife has an 06 2.0T and she loves it. While it isn't as good as my WRX - when driven hard, it is a fun car to drive. the DSG is a great tranny and the 2.0 can be easily bumped up in HP if you're into that.Now for the bad. In 60k miles, she's had two a/c failures and one window failure. that said, the dealer was great and both times she got a new A4 as a loaner - which wasn't as good of a car imho.from our experience, it's a quick, fun car to drive. get's decent mileage, good tire and brake wear. good fit and finish.we have it optioned with the sky sunroof and the sport package. should have got bluetooth...

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by ryandood

While little hatchbacks are not as useful as a large pickup truck, they are still very versatile cars. You would be amazed at how much stuff you can put into these little cars.

Uh huh...sure. I used to have a Honda Accord wagon. I carried or towed a heck of a lot with that, but it just couldn't meet my needs.

Here's how I roll. This was this last Sunday morning at Gooseberry Mesa. Fully self-contained (even with an on-board air compressor and 3 gal air tank and 1200 watt inverter). I can go a lot further out than any compact car. Because I can keep everything inside at night, everything is fully secured. I can also hop into the cab and quickly go (which I needed to do one time when I parked in a wash in Death Valley when I woke up to a mild flash flood). We carry a table, large cooler, chairs, stove, and just a ton of stuff. Oh, and I still got 20+ mpg. And don't think that because the truck is so big that it's not fun to drive - about 500 hp/950ft-lb torque make for a fun drive (when I turn up all the electronic boxes).

I can't knock the A3 (I don't know anything about it), but the OP will regret not having his truck (assuming he's replacing it with the A3). Since the A3 seems like a good chick car, perhaps the OP could get it for his wife and keep the truck?

[FisherFanHye]

Awsome Cars. I love Audi. I used to have a convertable, and I'm sorry I don't have it anymore. My mother's lease is finishing and I was showing her A3s and A4s. Get a S3 or even a RS3 (if you have the money).

P.S You said your work allows you to get a good deal, Can that good deal extend to others?

[Team Smitty]

I’m in the market for a new car and the A3 is at the top of my list. My wife drives a Mazda6 Sports Wagon and I drive a Silverado 4x4.
I don’t know what car I will go with, but the one thing that is for sure is that the truck will stay.
I’ve had many different cars and motorcycles over the years, but there has always been a truck in the stable.

[ryandood]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Uh huh...sure. I used to have a Honda Accord wagon. I carried or towed a heck of a lot with that, but it just couldn't meet my needs.

Here's how I roll. This was this last Sunday morning at Gooseberry Mesa. Fully self-contained (even with an on-board air compressor and 3 gal air tank and 1200 watt inverter). I can go a lot further out than any compact car. Because I can keep everything inside at night, everything is fully secured. I can also hop into the cab and quickly go (which I needed to do one time when I parked in a wash in Death Valley when I woke up to a mild flash flood). We carry a table, large cooler, chairs, stove, and just a ton of stuff. Oh, and I still got 20+ mpg. And don't think that because the truck is so big that it's not fun to drive - about 500 hp/950ft-lb torque make for a fun drive (when I turn up all the electronic boxes).

I can't knock the A3 (I don't know anything about it), but the OP will regret not having his truck (assuming he's replacing it with the A3). Since the A3 seems like a good chick car, perhaps the OP could get it for his wife and keep the truck?

Looks like an awsome setup. Sometimse I think a truck would be awsome to have for things like this cuz it just looks like so much fun. I never said a little car could hold as much stuff as a pickup, just that they are useful little buggers.

I actually want to try something similar to what you did. Just the idea of being entirely self-contained and going around and riding whereever I want sounds so cool.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Although I don't have an opinion about the A3, I can say that I'm sure you will severely miss your truck. If you live an active outdoors lifestyle, those little play cars just don't cut it. You may like the better mileage, but you'll hate the usefulness - or lackthereof - of a little car. Mark my words.

I left this part out. My wife drives a full size SUV we can use for camping etc...