So, I've seen a couple on the road...and after awhile it started to grow on me.

Sadly, there were none I could drive

Impressions:

Interior is very nice...and I am not a fan of older audi interiors. Its was nice and easily laid out. Seats were pretty comfy.

Rear is very roomy. plenty of legroom. rear armrest folds down and is very wide. has sturdy cup holders that spring out, and rear "center console storage"

Surprisingly.....it also has a rear center pass through, and nice big one....kinda odd for a wagon with fold down seats.

With the 60/40 rear seats folded down its a nice roomy hauler. The seats dont fall flush...they have a slight incline to them...that kinda sucks, but cant be dealt with.

They didnt have any with Nav or the panaoramic roof so i cant comment on them.

Exterior

Nice in person, larger then I would have thought, but it keeps growing on me.


OK, now the cons:

First of all FWD...I dont want another FWD car. And (and yes dealers dont always know) I was told the quattro model would have the 3.2 V6 ONLY.....that sucks.....cause I would want the 2.0T and chip it.

The packages...there is a sports package and a premium package. The sports package DOES NOT have power seats...not even power driver seat.
And the premium package only has a power driver seat.

I'm sorry but for a 30g car you shoudl get power seats standard. That is just greedy and piss poor.

So, you have to give up a power seat for the sport suspension. I think that sucks. I could deal with it, but that sucks. This isnt an STi or EVO where you arent buying a car to have luxo features.

So, those are my impressions...since they didnt have one I could drive.

Bottom line.... I really liked what I saw, I have some problems with this being a luxury car. I do want to drive one, but I want to see what the bimmer 1 series will have to offer.

 

http://forums.audiworld.com/lrqc/msgs/39865.phtml

 

on the quattro and v6 only. Sounds like the dealer is trying to get you to jump into buying early.

 

sadly from what i read, quattro will not be offered with the 2.0t here.

Other bad news, Quattro 3.2 A3 wont be offered in a manual but can get DSG.

Quattro A3 will be out in Dec 05, if you really want it.

Also heard it will be 35k-39k for a quattro A3 3.2

 

Actually, according to the dealer that I spoke to, the A3 quattro will only INITIALLY be offered with the 3.2 V6 and the DSG tranny. There is still the chance that the MT will be available and also the quattro for the 2.0T further down the road (possibly as a mid model cycle addition).

 

Ah audi, always ruining a good thing for me

 

Even though I still havent driven it..I'm liking this car more and more....which is huge cause I never really care for Audi.

But their release choices piss me off, and as does the price...this thing is really over priced.

Again, we'll see what the 1 series brings us....at least rwd for sure.

 

Along with the usual bloated BMW pricetag...

 

agreed...but in some cases it is worth the price. A good performing V6 with rwd...as opposed to a bloated slow v6 with quattro and no stick shift.

Prices probably wont too different from eachother, but i think the bimmer will offer more. at least more of what i want.

 

True, but for that kind of money, you might as well consider the upcoming Lexus IS or the current Infiniti G35. I just don't think I could throw away that much money on a "brand."

 

I am going to have to give this a serious look once the V6 + Quattro version come out...

 

A3.. mmm

LOVE AUDIS

id take an A8 W12 over an S55 or 760.
or an A6 over 5 and E Class
same with A4 and its competitors

and fuck all other supercars, ill take an Audi Le Mans.. its been my favorite car since ive seen the sketches

 

without knowing what features you are looking for in a vehicle, have you considered the SAAB 9-2X? i don't even need a car right now, but $6000 manufacturer's rebate off the Aero version...wow!

 

OK...so, I played hookey from work today

just got back from a different dealer who did have some cars to drive.

I got to see the car with nav (nice!) and the open sky system (VERY nice!)

I'm writing my test drives in reverse order.

2nd test drive....I drove a base A3 with 6spd stick. blah. drive was ok. power is ok. handling is a little piggish... cloth interior SUCKS.....its like its made out of wool. Not impressed. The stick shift does not feel good. notchy, long throws, odd placement....just wasnt comfortable driving it.

1st test drive. A3 sports package with DSG & paddle shifters. They didnt have any 6spd sitck in stock with the sports pkg.

WOW! This car has some oomph. Its not balls out fast, but its got pick up when you need it. I'd say the car has some real power...and chipped...wow...Very quick. And the DSG is Silky smoothy with great response, and i like the paddles.
The sport suspension is NICE! I took some corners and the cheap stock tires were squeling but the car was not slipping not being taken anywhere near to its limits. I had the traction control on...but its handled really well. I put the wheels right where I wanted the everytime...pretty impressive from the little fwd wagon. I also didnt notice the fwd as much I do in honda/acuras. proably just cause im so used to driving hondas setup.

So...I have to say..im one of the biggest anti-automatic tranny people on the board. I LOVE HAVNG A CLUTCH.

But the dsg with paddles was so impressive in the car compared to the stick shift......if i were to get this car....i'd seriously be in a huge self debate about going with the dsg system over the stick.....it was that much more of a nicer driving experience.

 

Well, im not seriously looking right now. But if my returning to working freelance actually takes off this time...I might need some that carry more cargo..and i dont want an SUV or truck. So, I'm cosidering hatches...the one car i never even gave 2nd glances to in the past.

If i was going to consider an 9-2x id just go ahead and get a wrx wagon...better suspension. Not out of the realm of possiblities...just was really curious about the A3

 

i hear ya...but, fyi...my sister is actually at a Saab dealership right now. they're offering a base Aero in manual for $20,700 after the rebate. far less than a WRX wagon.

 

not bad...but how would you have to spend after the fact to get the suspension decent. I've heard its way too soft on the saab...not a big saab fan either.

but if the time really comes to look into a car like this i'll definately check it out.

just was interested in the A3. why did the manual have to suck.....

 

Oh and what dealer is she at?

I went to Rusnack last night, cause that where I drove the S4 and they were cool...this time they flat out sucked. So I went up to keyes audi and they were pretty cool.

 

not sure, didn't ask, but carsdirect.com has it for $21,500...so it sounds reasonable that just about any dealership will offer close to, if not lower.

 

why dont you get the big hot dog mobile to make you feel better about your son having a bigger penis than you

 

And the family guy quotes continue

 

are you crazy you'd take a A8 over even the next gen 7 series.
you'd take a A6 over a 545i(which for it's class it's quick) true it isn't as fast a M5 but for 60 grand it's no "dog"
you'd take a A4 over a 3 series that just got redesigned this year. BMW's motors (at least in the USA) do not have forced induction like some motors A4 and A6 so therefore you'll have more matience and the motor will wear out sooner.
now about the A3:the price of the little thing is crazy 35-39 grand. you can either get a Sti for around 30 grand(true it's not as fancy as a Audi A3) but it will smoke a A3 plus the parts available for the Sti is MUCH greater.

 

whats the next gen 7 like? you mean the slightly resdesigned one? fuck that. i love the A8

when the new 3 coupe comes out, then yes, but not the sedan.

and yes, id take a 4.2 A6 anyday of the week over a 545.

 

Are YOU crazy? The A8 looks gorgeous compared to the ugly turd that is the 7-series. Plus, having power means nothing if you can't figure out how to change the station on the radio.

And the same goes for the A6 over the 545i. The A6 may not be as fast, but even with the AU grille, still looks leaps and bounds better than the 5-series. Plus, with the Infiniti M and Lexus to choose from, the 545 falls even farther down the list.

As fo the 3-series, with the incoming Lexus IS, the already better G35 (except for the interior), and a variety of other viable options on the market, there are much better cars to be had for the money. As for the motor wearing out sooner, unless you're keeping your car for a long time, it's hardly something worth worrying about.

I do agree that the A3 is overpriced a bit, but it has its specific audience. And comparing an A3 to the STi is like comparing limosine to a rocket powered radio flyer wagon. Yes you can go fast, but you sacrifice something for it. Not everyone is looking for pure speed and can handle the rough ride, loud noises, and shabby interior.

 

I will agree the A3 is a little overpriced. But I can carry a lot more cargo in it then a STi...and while its not balls out fast like a STi, its not slouch either. And I bet its even more fun when chipped. Not to mention the A3 is currently fwd vs awd of a STi and 200hp vs 300hp stock. Its apples and oranges....hell, its apples and walnuts. There is no comparing the two. A luxury hatchback....vs.....a balls out race car.

The ONLY advatage I see the new 545 having over the new A6 is a stick shift option. Sadly, the new 5 have not gone over well with me. too big, and the interior or too much of a waste. I could almost forgive the exterior...but i dont love it either. The A6 has the superior design here in and out.

New 3....its ok. the 325 is very boring to drive (i drove one) and its base at most dealers (cause most dealers include the premium pkg) is as much as a loaded A3.

And how did you get the A3 to 39k??? 36k at the most fully loaded with the DSG tranny.

I like the new 7, and the A8 so it would be a toss up. woul dhave to drive them both.

And your comment about the turbos and maintenance...dude, serisouly...

c'mon water...think a little here.

 

Also...the 3 does not compete with the A3....the 1 series will do that. And im interested what the 1 series will have to offer ( a better stick shift and RWD for sure)

 

since it's a only 200 HP maybe as far as performance numbers a regular WRX is better to compare a A3 to. even though it's 227 hp.

 

nope.

youre comparing cars (unless you mean the wagon) to a hatchback. and AWD to FWD.

And i was shocked at how much umph that 200hp has. Nothing wrong with the wrx wagon, I really like. autoX a super modded one a couple times...but the audi is just money.

 

SAAB 9-2X Aero...OTD cost of $21,300 w/the cold weather package. my sister just signed the papers.

 

wont give up on the saab.