Audi A3 3.2 and VW R32 and a Leon K1

9designs2

9designs2

9designs2

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Test drove a 05 A3 3.2 and an 03 Plate R32 today.....
Quite liked the newer feel of the A3.... The V6 is so smooth and free.

Anyone have experience of advise on them..... Asking price is 11k.

Also tried a Leon K1, much more expensive, left me a little dissapointed though. Lacked mid range punch and a bit dead on the steering.
 
Last I looked, the 3.2 A3's were cheap too (relatively speaking). Guess they're shunned by the general public due to thirst, but overlooked by performance enthusiasts for the R32 or something with da body kitz, innit.

I didn't think they reviewed particularly well, though? But if you preferred it over the R32, then that's all that matters.

Current petrol prices could be on your side, too - with the prices rocketing, people don't want thirsty small cars so you could be in a position to drive a good bargain. I've been watching the 147GTA market and there's been a raft of cheap ones appearing since the petrol prices have started creeping up...
 
The K1 would probably be the cheapest to run, but i'd take the A3 out of those, i'd discount the Golf for the reasons Fox mentioned unless you can find a good example for a low price.
 
The Golf and the A3 are up at the same price !!!! No idea why.... I'm coming from years of Diesels, and wanted a change as I'm only doing 30 miles a day now.

Not looked at Alfa prices lately......
 
Yep, it's a Cupra with a "look at me" body kit.... and does remap well.... and the one I drove needs it, sluggish in the mid range.
 
Maybe there was something wrong with the K1? Wouldn't have thought it would feel sluggish in the midrange.

Looking at things objectively the A3 is possibly the best car but from testimony from friends it has a real thirst for something that performs like a warm hatch. In this day of rising fuel costs maybe it isn't the smart buy. Same applies to the Golf obviously.

However the Golf has real road presence and good looks. The K1 also has road presence whereas the A3 is nice looking, classy but these days ubiquitous and anonymous.

If it was me I'd probably want the Seat (price dependent) and then go and buy the Audi because of pressure from the missus (she'd drive it more than me):rolleyes:
 
I wouldnt want to spend £12k and end up with a Seat.

Lot of money for a cheap plastic hatch that. Definately the Audi.
 
I see what you're saying but I like Seats in spite of some bad plastics. Fact is that new/newish car costs are very high these days...or maybe I'm just getting tight.

Maybe he should ditch his plans and just buy an E39 530 Sport? (the pinnacle of motoring) ;)
 
9designs2 said:
Yep, it's a Cupra with a "look at me" body kit.... and does remap well.... and the one I drove needs it, sluggish in the mid range.
Click to expand...

Where are you defining the mid range? If it's the same engine setup as the S3, the turbo doesn't really wake up until 3000rpm or so, but don't forget that is midrange on an engine that will do 7000rpm.

If you've been driving turbodiesels, that would come as a bit of a shock, but the actual engine characteristics are similar, the rev range is just much bigger.
 
Begbie said:
So the only major differences are that the golf looks better and has hadlex 4wd? Or does the A3 also have that?
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A3 has Haldex as well. Golf looking better is merely subjective, perhaps more importantly is the fact the Golf is a previous generation car to the A3.

A bit like comparing a 2002 A4 with a 1996 Passat...
 
Begbie said:
So the only major differences are that the golf looks better and has hadlex 4wd? Or does the A3 also have that?
Click to expand...

The A3 also has the Haldex 4WD. The looks thing is highly subjective. There are also likely to be some suspension differences and the interior will be better in the Audi but (unless the original owner hit the option list hard) the spec is likely to be slightly less.

Edit: there may be differences (I'm not 100% sure) between the haldex versions under discussion if we're talking MKIV golf and 8P A3.
 
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The A3 3.2 is of course the most likely A3 to have had an options list raiding though, being that it was the range topper until 2007.
 
Out of those three, the A3.
I have always liked the Mk4 R32 but for that price it's far too expensive.

Whilst the Leon will be newer for the money, I don't think I could ever get on with the swathes of cheap plastic in the Mk2..
 
Such debate !!! :-))))
Well the Audi was streets ahead of the Golf for the internals, much newer feel and quality, the Golf felt old and dated inside.
The A3 is also an S Line so has the bigger wheels than normal. Spec was quite high. Half Leather, BOSE stereo (not sure I would ever live that down over in the HiFi forum lol). Cruise control plus the usual standard electric toys.
It also felt slightly stiffer on the suspension............. I liked it, but it's a bit anonymous. Guess I would like something that looked a bit more purposeful.

Not sure I get the cheap plastic comments against the Seat, they all have swathes of plastic what ever the badge.


The Golf being an older generation doesn't look anything special to me either.... Sorry.


They also have a Civic Type R, current angular model. Inside of that had the best quality and feel about. Superb seats. Not driven it, it's up at 14K ish..... Though I am tempted, expecting a completely different driving style, all revs and no low end.....as my Celica T Sport, sorry the ex-wifes T Sport :rolleyes:


Finally took a Mk1 Focus RS out this morning... Was sadly not the best example, been messed about with, extra gauges, whooshy dump valve and snorty exhaust..... :D
Like the R32, showing it's age inside, feeling dated etc.... Though it was the shortest test drive I think any dealer has given me !!! and was wet, it did feel very eager...... Never been a big fan of the original Focus styling and interior, it left me with the feeling that the RS would make a great second car/project.
Maybe I should just wait till the Mk2 version gets a bit cheaper :D

Oh well it's fun trying these cars, not sure how much progress I'm making, maybe just confusing myself hahahaha
 
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