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Wagons Audi A3 Audi A3 Test Drive - What Do You Think?
22 messages, Last post on Oct 24, 2006 at 8:28 PM
You are in the Audi A3 Forum. Your Host is kcram
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fourrings, was your test Audi equipped with performance tires? Just a change in tires could change how the car rides...some mags have commented the A3 gets really loud with performance rubber. European Car seems to be echoing Car and Driver, which said pretty much the same. I wonder if the 3.2, which Audi told me uses the R32 engine and drive train, with Audi mods, more QC, and interior, was Audis' quick way to offer drivers an A3 Quattro without extensive re-engineering? Incidently, The VW R32 sold out very fast here and apparently remains in high demand with little depreciation. Perhaps the Golf Mk6, due soon, will spawn the A3 Quattro using Audi's latest technology.
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Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (May 10, 2006 10:35 pm) Best Regards, Shipo
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Well, I drove the A3 yesterday. It was a base model, no options. We took it on a windy road in the foothills, a perfect place to test drive this car. The sales guy really liked to push it, thought I'm sure we were never near it's limits. I never thought I would say this, but I like the 2.0T engine. This is the first turbo engine that I have ever been able to say that about. It's very responsive and whatever turbo lag is there is not an issue with me (a first for me). Handling is impressive, with a very tight feel to the car overall. The 6-speed manual seems geared just right for the engine, much like I observed with the last generation Jetta with VR6 and 6-speed manual. I like the interior (mostly), controls, and base stereo. Now, the downside. The center console armrest must be folded up when driving the manual. The sliding armrest in the new Jetta is a much better design and I don't know why they didn't just use it in the A3 too. There's a big blank rectangular area in the center of the instrument cluster where the computer info would be (base model doesn't have it). The base model has a cheap plastic gearshift knob and plastic steering wheel with no radio controls, just like the new Jetta VE. You have to get the Sports Package or Premium Package to upgrade this. The Convenience Package (with trip computer) is only available if you order a car. You can't get the Sports Package without leather. I could go on but you get the idea. So, the bottom line for me is that I wouldn't buy this car due to the equipment and options packaging. If it was just for the power train, I'd go for it. Now, if the new Jetta GLI is equipped like the last gen Jetta GLI, I'd be interested in that.
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Replying to: mazda6s (Apr 10, 2005 4:41 pm)
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Replying to: corvette (Apr 10, 2005 5:53 pm) |
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Replying to: shipo (May 11, 2006 5:46 am) i test drove an '06 premium packaged a3 yesterday myself and noticed that going over bumpy roads, there is quite a bit of road noise. however, since i've been driving a lowered prelude on 18" wheels, the noise hardly bothers me at all 
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was wondering if someone could clear up 2 things. 1) does the opensky really reduce the headroom in the a3? 2) does the opensky really increase wind noise noticeably when traveling at highway speeds? thanks in advance.
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Replying to: absoludely (Sep 05, 2006 8:32 am) No, I drove both (one with and one w/out) and didn't notice any change in wind noise. I bought an 06 A3 2.0T DSG w/Opensky & Sport package back in March and honestly the biggest problem with Opensky is the stupid latch/clip for the sunshade that is poorly made and has broken three times already. Other than that, 7500 miles and the car has been flawless. Happy shopping. |
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Test drove the A3s, both the 2.0T and the 3.2. I MUCH preferred the 3.2. The 2.0T in sport mode was fine, but the 3.2 in sport mode was an entirely different animal. The car just wanted to fly. I also preferred that the 3.2 comes pretty much loaded, while you have a myriad number of options with the 2.0T. The other thing I liked about the 3.2 is that it isn't a turbo. The 2.0 has a high boost turbo and I wonder how long it will last. I tend to keep my cars a long time. Compared to the Volvo V50, the Audi is more of driver's car while the Volvo struck me as a better all weather car and had a little more space. It also had some nice touches (in terms of convenience) that were missing from the Audi, like the flap to hold groceries. While I prefer the Audi, the issue gets back to price. The Volvo dealer would deal on price (to the tune of $3k) which makes the car around $5k cheaper than the A3 3.2. Not sure the Audi is worth that kind of difference.
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Replying to: ccd1 (Feb 18, 2006 4:58 pm) THe 3.2's added weight didn't give it any noticeable boost in power, almost the opposite. Of course, anyone considering them should test drive them both. I was set to spend more, but chose the 2.0 and didn't feel I was compromising AT ALL.
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