Topic: CD Article: 2006 Audi A3 3.2 quattro

[Autos_Editor]

Test Drive:

Sharing the same platform as the new VW GTI and Jetta, the 2006 Audi A3 3.2 quattro "is an impressively fast car" that's "packed with technology," says Laurance Yap.  "But it's priced in territory where it's competing against larger, more luxurious cars, including Audi's own A4," he notes.    More...

[tpl]

Really neat but..... at that price including options one could just about get a 325xi or a base 330xi.
As a person who hates automatics I do realy want to try that dsg gearbox tho'.

[Shnak]

Is the A4 bigger at all than the A3? Interior space seems to be about the same from what I can tell... and why is the A4 considered more luxurious than the A3? And I'd take a GTI before an A3, simply because the A3 is miniscule inside with its lowered roof.

[toolatecrew]

The price for such a small car simply makes me  . I read the article I might see one srive down the street although its not that different from a 2.0T to really notice but That's all I'll ver think about it again.

50 K I guess there must be some rich people who don't care what they spend but I'm not one of them.

[Howswedeitis]

Audi has got a lot of nerve to sell essentially an AWD version of a Golf for that price!
Yes it's nice and yes it performs well although it's surely not as balanced as say a 3 series
BMW (handling wise) so it's hard to argue that it represents a better value than competing offerings
from even the likes of Saab. This is a 35-40k car at best, trying to sell it as anything other than that
will ensure it sits on the dealer lot until big discounts can be had.

[a4_tom]

Audi dealers won't stock 3.2Q in dealer lots. These are usually customer sold-orders. From what I've seen from my area, Audi doesn't have any problem selling a $50k hatchback.

[Howswedeitis]

Audi dealers won't stock 3.2Q in dealer lots. These are usually customer sold-orders. From what I've seen from my area, Audi doesn't have any problem selling a $50k hatchback.

Having worked in sales at a VW/Audi dealership (albeit in 1989-1990) you're probably right...
The 3.2 is way over priced and so yeah they won't stock more than a showroom model
or two...

[ghost]

3660lb for this A3 makes it quite the porker! It's even heavier than a 325ix. at 54k, I'm looking at used 996s!

[chrischasescars]

Is the A4 bigger at all than the A3?

The A3's wheelbase is 3-ish inches shorter than the A4's, so I imagine that cuts into rear-seat space some.

[Shnak]

The A3's wheelbase is 3-ish inches shorter than the A4's, so I imagine that cuts into rear-seat space some.

Nope.

A3's rear legroom: 34.8 inches http://www.automotive.com/2006/12/audi/a3/specifications/index.html
A4's rear legroom: 34.3 inches http://www.automotive.com/2006/12/audi/a4/specifications/index.html

[Howswedeitis]

3660lb for this A3 makes it quite the porker! It's even heavier than a 325ix. at 54k, I'm looking at used 996s!

Ya darn right for that price a used Porsche 996 sounds like a verifiable bargain. The A3 is a glorified
VW Golf (not that there is anything wrong with that) but hey let's be realistic here...it's way
overpriced!

[davidm]

It's basically an A4 Avant with the trunk cut short.  We sat in an A3 at the point we owned the A4 Avant and it felt very similar in cabin space, but much reduced in cargo space.

Capilano Audi/VW had one near identical to the one in this test.

[a4_tom]

A3 Sportback's size is similar to B5 A4 Avant. There are many differences between Golf/GTI and A3, even many of their parts numbers are different. Not to mention their driving characteristics are totally different.

[tpl]

Fascinating!   Lots of people above are saying that if a car is small it cant be expensive... or thats how it reads anyway.

Be very glad you dont live in euroland.

Now I agree that the A3 is too expensive and I have not checked if the price differential for Canada vs the USA  is more than that reflected in our 6% duty and exchange rate.   But is does have to be different from the USA version ( metric) and different from the euro and USA version ( bumpers) and a very small market... some fancy Audi's mainly the RS series we didn't ever get because of those factors so there is some excuse for it being expensive.

[lebowski]

I agree that the a3 3.2 is overpriced, but i also agree that size does not beget greater value or a premium feel. Case in point: a mini cooper S is worth every penny more than less expensive Ford Crown Vic (do they still build that thingr?). But it's the same old story with us North Americans, bigger always being better.

My cousin just bought the 2.0t fwd A3 with DSG, and while not a screaming bargain, the car looks and drives beautifully, and seems to be worth the $39000 she paid for it. The A3 really does seem to be a great city car for a driving enthusiast with an active lifestyle.

The problem with the A3 is the uplevel 3.2q. Specifically, stepping up to the 3.2q represents a relatively marginal increase in performance for a substantial price premium ($15k) over the 2.0t. The quattro is the inferior haldex version, the weight distribution is slightly worse, the gas mileage is slightly worse...am i missing something here? price independent, i'd surely pick it over the 2.0t. Actually, price independent, i'll go for the S4 avant. But in the real world, for extra thrills for $15k, there's a sweet used miata at a nearby dealership that i'd be picking up instead. and maybe i'll spend a week heli-skiing with the change left over.

Lebowski

[ghost]

u'd be wise in picking up the miata. in say 2 years down the road, ur miata would still give you  . while your cousin's car will give the Audi mechanic the  and her 

[lebowski]

yeah, you're right about that ghost. i figure whenever audi's and VW's are being discussed, there's a general consensus that their reliability and maintenance costs out of warranty are brutal. the cars are lease-only, so far as i'm concerned.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

The 3.2 Q DSG is a tad pricey I'd agree. Needs to chop a good $4,000 off the MSRP to bring it back in line.

Nice car, but that low roof really is a shame once inside. It's the complete opposite of the feeling while in a B-Class, and I can see why the B is so hot in the market in comparison.

[unclewinky]

Ok...ok...gang let's all play nice. I have owned a 2000 VW GTI 1.8T since new and have be very happy with the car, Unfortunately it is time for an upgrade and I do not like the new mark 5 version of the GTI (too small in the cargo department).

I test drove and considered the Mercedes B class, Volvo v50, BMW 325xi touring and the Audi A3. SIMPLE>AUDI is the smallest, SEXIEST and least expensive period..."for anything in this price range, it MUST be horny looking, winner=Audi"

"u'd be wise in picking up the miata. in say 2 years down the road, ur miata would still give you  

FYI> Audi offers full service warranty for four years including tune-ups/oil changes. No one else does. Only Volvo offered better financing.

I just purchased an A3 with all the bells & whistles. This decision did not come lightly and if I didn't require a hatchback design (prerequisite> i move "gear" everyday). I would of purchased the Audi TT in a heartbeat.

[JSCC]

Is the A3 that much larger than a GTI?

Why not an A4 Avant?