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Hatchbacks Volkswagen GTI 2007 GTI vs Audi A3
99 messages, Last post on Jul 16, 2007 at 8:37 AM
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In my opinion I believe the 5-door GTI looks lots more attractive than the 3-door version. The Audi looks good in blue/gray and I would avoid white. Similarly, I would opt for the 18" wheels with either of these brands of cars. The VW is available with either summer performance tires or all-season radials and is specified at time of purchase. Audi is only available with summer performance tires on the larger rims...which seems silly if one is purchasing the Quattro model in northern parts of the country.
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Replying to: bluejays (Dec 11, 2006 8:18 am) As an aside, Audi is offering financing at 3.9% or so while VW has it set around 7.2% at this time. That might also factor into a decision for some, depending on what the banks are offering for a similar loan. ~ Blue Jays ~ |
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The A3's with manual seats use the older VW design that, as you raise seat heigth, tilts your backside up and slides you into the dash. C&D magazine once compared this to sitting in a martini glass. VW apparently replaced that design for '07 (seat moves forward as it lifts, but doesn't tilt much). I found it in the GTI and the Passat. Sad to see Audi still using the old design in their '07. However, the Audi Power seat (which is standard in the A3 3.2, I believe), has plenty of helpful adjustments.
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Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Dec 11, 2006 6:15 pm) Yes, I recall that "martini glass" description from Car & Driver magazine. They fortunately seemed to have "eventually" found a comfortable driving position during the course of their testing. I would also opt for leather for either of these cars because I strongly believe it is a much easier surface to maintain. If one opts for heated seats, there is no "downside" at all to leather, unless you're vegan. It might have been mentioned about the R32 earlier in this thread...it's going to arrive here as the R32 and not the R36 many people expected. It will be a 2008 model year and will be available solely as a three-door, six-cylinder model in bright blue with anthracite gray interior. If there is a car that VW should make available as a five-door model, it's the R32/R36 series! They should also offer it in a calmer, less "boy racer" color as well...perhaps silver with a black leather interior. The people who can afford this kind of car likely desire something a bit more low-key. ~ Blue Jays ~
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Hi All- Everyone has built a sample GTI and taken a test drive with Helga, right? I'm surprised they haven't included the five-door model there yet. It's worth a look to see how a car might look as ordered. ~ Blue Jays ~ |
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Replying to: bluejays (Dec 11, 2006 8:18 am) Disregard my previous post above about All-Season vs. Summer Performance tires on the Audi 18-inch rims. My local dealer misinformed me because I found the following passage in the "small print" in the A3 literature: "...These tires are designed for optimum performance and handling in warm climates. They are not suitable for cold, snowy, or icy weather conditions. If you drive under those circumstances, you should equip your car with all-season or winter tires, which offer better traction under those conditions. We suggest you use the recommended winter or all-season tires specified for your car or its equivalent. These high-performance tires also have a lower aspect ratio that aids performance and handling; however, in order to avoid tire, rim, or vehicle damage, it is important that the inflation pressure is regularly checked and maintained at recommended levels. Please also remember in making your selection that, while these tires deliver responsive handling, they may ride less comfortably and make more noise than other choices. Finally, these tires may wear more quickly than other choices. For more information on all of these topics, please consult the owner's manual, your local dealer, or call 1-800-FOR-AUDI. All-Season tires are standard in Canada, a no-cost option in the U.S. Performance tires are standard in the U.S., a no-cost option in Canada..." So there you have it. I'm going to send a note to my local dealer to advise them of this correction. Really, who wants to purchase a new car and have to obtain new tires right off the bat?  ~ Blue Jays ~ |
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Replying to: bluejays (Dec 11, 2006 8:00 pm) The Audi A3 3.2 is essentially the "5 door" R32, so, to avoid cannibalizing Audi sales, I doubt VW will ever offer an R32 with 5 doors. I hope VW gives the R32 more suspension compliance than Audi does with their 3.2. The 3.2 I drove cornered nicely but was no fun on rough roads. Sadly, VW insists on dark interior colors for all their sports vehicles. Dark interiors don't work well in S. Calif as they get hot and the plastics out-gas. Audi at least offers light interiors as an option. I also wonder if VW will stick with the iron block V6 Audi uses in the 3.2, or will switch to a newer aluminum block engine. Both cars are pretty heavy frontwise.
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Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Dec 12, 2006 10:19 am) Good point about the "cannibalizing" that could potentially occur between the two manufacturers. They have to give people what they want while simultaneously remaining "unique" in the marketplace. That said, they could likely make the R32 more attractive to a broader range of potential consumers. Even if it was restricted to three doors, a moderate selection of interior and exterior colors (as you suggested) would be reasonable. Folks in the 120* desert don't want a dark car with a dark interior! Quattro and the normally-aspirated powerplant seems to be an attractive lure...that is what is pulling me towards the Audi vehicle. Simultaneously, there is something about revisiting the wonderful GTI of my youth in Volkswagen's latest offering. The GTI would definitely be lighter, more flickable, and has larger cargo capacity. What is your opinion of their turbocharged engine? Do you think it would be a negative or do you believe modern VW turbos are reliable? Thanks for the interesting dialogue about these two cars...talking things out with other Audi/VW enthusiasts will definitely make this decision a little easier. ~ Blue Jays ~
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Hi All- A few more for your viewing pleasure:   ~ Blue Jays ~ |
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Replying to: bluejays (Dec 12, 2006 11:50 am) Bluejays: I like the A3 a lot more than the GTI, but the base price is US$3,000 more for the A3. Am I right? The GTI is fully loaded as it is. You'll be paying more basically to get the same car, but with a different exterior and some interior appointments, but it is basically the same car. It's almost like decicing between a Cobalt and a G5 with the exception that the A3 has a more valuable brand appeal than the GTI and looks more refined. Some four door keep their re-sale value more than two-doors, however. For me it comes down to what car will make you happier? In what car would you like to be seen more? What car to you want to see in your garage more? I would had gone for the A3 even if I would pay more for the same car. Contrary to my impression, the cargo space in the GTI is bigger. I would have testified that the A3's was bigger. The difference according the Edmunds is significant believe me. That gives the GTI some more practicality, but the A3 would win my heart anyway. Car purchases are generally irrational decisions. The real deciding factor come to the "it" factor that makes it ultimately irrational. It seems irrational to choose the A3 over the GTI value-wise, but like I said car buying is irrational. I dumped a perfectly good Subaru Forester AWD Turbo paid for and got a new Speed3. That was an irrational decision, but I am happy with it. Actually, my wife, who is smarter than I am took over my Subie.
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