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Audi allroad vs ?? Have I Omitted Any Car?

9 messages,  Last post on Jun 12, 2006 at 11:28 AM

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What is this discussion about? Audi allroad quattro, Audi A3, SUV

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#1 of 9 Have I Omitted Any Car? by ccd1

May 12, 2006 (9:23 am)

I'm shopping for a car that gets decent gas mileage, has good utility, is sporty and costs less than $30k. I'd prefer a full time 4wd system but that is optional as I live in DC and really only need it a few times a year.
 
My list has come down to 3 vehicles: Audi A3 2.0, the RAV4 Sport V6, and a used Infinity FX35. The Audi is the sportiest of the group and the RAV4 probably has the greatest utility with the FX35 being the best blend of the two, but also the worst gas mileage and I can't get it new for under $30k. Any candidates I've omitted? My heart is still with the A3.

#2 of 9 Re: Have I Omitted Any Car? [ccd1] by kurtamaxxxguy

May 12, 2006 (9:42 am)

Replying to: ccd1 (May 12, 2006 9:23 am)
I'm in the same boat as you, ccd1.
 
While I too like the A3, there are no Audi dealers near me and those which are closest (25-30 miles) have short service and sales hours and poor alternate transportation.
 
Do you have a good Audi dealer nearby?
 
Also, what about the Subaru line? Granted, their interiors aren't all that nice, but their AWD works well and the 2.5 is reputed to solve the turbo lag subies have been plagued with for so long.

#3 of 9 Re: Have I Omitted Any Car? [kurtamaxxxguy] by ccd1

May 12, 2006 (3:41 pm)

Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (May 12, 2006 9:42 am)
We have plenty of dealers in the DC area, but the supply of A3s is going down. I want something nicer than the Subaru and I know my wife does. She likes the RAV4 and ridicules the A3 as just a VW bug. Don't ask me why she thinks this because the A3 looking nothing like the bug. I want to drive the A3 again and then drive the RAV4 V6 Sport and the FX35.

#4 of 9 my guess is... by kurtamaxxxguy

May 12, 2006 (5:38 pm)

ccd1, '06 allocations are apparently drying up and the '07's have not yet arrived. So Audi dealers could be running dry for awhile.
 
Toyota like any other car vender has trouble with first year reliability of a new model. I'd give the new Rave4 at least a year to gel. Then again if you have an outstanding Toyota dealer that may not be as big an issue (ours are not that great).
 
Hopefully Audi will make sure the dealers are well, but not over, stocked with A3's for '07.
 
Incidently, I got to drive the 3.2 twice during a recent Audi show in LA. Comments are over in the A3 forum. What I saw pretty much gels with Edmunds and C&D, though I could not drive anywhere as fast as they could as event was in choked urban area.

#5 of 9 Re: Have I Omitted Any Car? [ccd1] by allhorizon

Jun 05, 2006 (1:31 am)

Replying to: ccd1 (May 12, 2006 3:41 pm)
I would buy a Forester XT anytime over a RAV4. Much better handling, way better performance. You may also want to consider the Legacy GT wagon (auto only, unfortunately).
 
On the other hand, a FWD 4-door GTI (arriving at the dealers as we speak) may be all you need/want.... and may save you quite a bit of money, even with leather and sunroof, compared to the Subarus...
 
Then there is the extravagant R32 coming up soon... unfortunately, looks like DSG and 2-doors, only. What a shame.

#6 of 9 Re: Have I Omitted Any Car? [allhorizon] by kurtamaxxxguy

Jun 05, 2006 (8:06 am)

Replying to: allhorizon (Jun 05, 2006 1:31 am)
AllHorizion, has VW decided to bring the R32 here for '07? They have been waffling back and forth on that for quite a while now.
 
If so, will be interesting to see how the R32 impacts the Audi A3, which supposedly __is__ the R32 with 2 more doors and Audi dress interior?
 
As for Subaru wagons, the Impreza WRX's a good small performer, especially the STI variant.

#7 of 9 Re: Have I Omitted Any Car? [kurtamaxxxguy] by allhorizon

Jun 05, 2006 (11:10 pm)

Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Jun 05, 2006 8:06 am)
All indications are that the R32 will definitely be arriving in the US, as a 2-door with DSG, and with the same 3.2VR6 as in Europe or in the A3. Ward's Autoworld puts it at July 2007. Personally, I think it could actually arrive a bit earlier than that.

#8 of 9 Re: Have I Omitted Any Car? [allhorizon] by kurtamaxxxguy

Jun 06, 2006 (3:49 pm)

Replying to: allhorizon (Jun 05, 2006 11:10 pm)
thanks for the update.
 
Do you think the A3 3.2 sales will drop off once the R32 is back? Of course it depends on what VW actually charges for R32 (in any event VW dealers should be in ADM heaven over it).
 
Will also be interesting to hear if R32 is more compliant over bad roads than 3.2 is.

#9 of 9 Re: Have I Omitted Any Car? [ccd1] by mwearl

Jun 12, 2006 (11:28 am)

Replying to: ccd1 (May 12, 2006 9:23 am)
The Acura RSX would also meet your given criteria. The type-S is quite sporty. I drove a Honda Prelude for years (similar chassis to RSX) and never had any handling problems in the DC winters. I'm planning on buying an A3 in about a month, so I'm currently monitoring the A3 on-line stock at several dealerships in the DC metro area. There are several around, mostly with the sport package, a few base manuals, a couple with premium package.
  Just a side note, Subaru Foresters, Legacys, and Outbacks are going for 2-5K under MSRP in the DC area right now (with rebate), makes them a very good bargain and cheaper than most comparable vehicles.

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