![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
This is where the A3 really starts to make sense but make sure you buy a decent warranty with that DSG box!
Tell me about Audi A3s
- Thread starter ringo747
- Start date
This is where the A3 really starts to make sense but make sure you buy a decent warranty with that DSG box!
The entire discussion is about car generations, it was surely obvious that he would be aware that there are models prior to 2003?
Think I fancy the sound of the 2.0 T FSI after reading through more info on these. Seems like good fun to drive but getting decent mpg if driven easy too.
I guess Golf GTIs are something to compare to but are they not way overpriced.. even more so than the A3?
I guess Golf GTIs are something to compare to but are they not way overpriced.. even more so than the A3?
[TW]Fox;16980808 said:
Point is, it's largely the same as the A3/Golf but for the same price you'll get a newer and/or better specified one for the same money. Just an option to throw out there.
You haven't said in as many words, but I agree Leon doesn't have the 'premium' hatchback look or feel about it though in the same way an A3 does.
A good question.
As you are all no doubt aware, I am not a hatchback fanatic. I dont think I have ever explained why.
I find they firstly offer very poor value for money and are a compromised design - compromised in the name of practicality. Which means its rather odd they seem to have 'cool kudos' whereas a saloon is seen as 'practical and boring' given the entire point in a hatch is practicality. People tend to buy hatchbacks out of perceived need (Oooh, I need the practicality! Even though 75% of them wont ever fold the seats) or perceived shortcomings of alternative bodystyles (oooh, I couldnt possibly have an A4, its too big! Its only me in the car! What do they think will happen, the car police will arrest them for wasting space?).
But, that said, there are some hatchbacks I like, or at least recognise that they are suitable for others.
These are:
Ford Focus - when bought at the right money, its an ideal economical car.
VW Golf - Yes, really. It all falls apart when people spend stupid money on them but assuming the price is right its a Focus that trades driver appeal for interior quality.
Audi A3 - A Golf but.. with a better badge.
Facelift 1 Series - Provided you have a bag to place over your head for when you look at the gopping exterior, it's a great to drive nicely built premium hatch with a fantastic engine range. Prefacelift ones are cheap and nasty.
There are a few others that are 'ok' but they are probably so boring I cant even remember them. Obviously the Mondeo.
Infact the Mondeo is my favourite hatchback as its really amusing to see people refuse to buy one because they 'want a hatchback'
[TW]Fox;16981694 said:Infact the Mondeo is my favourite hatchback as its really amusing to see people refuse to buy one because they 'want a hatchback'
I sent 2 Mondeo hatches to my gf yesterday, and she "didn't want a saloon". She didn't realise they had hatch variants.
Still, the Mondeo hatch is 60cm longer than an A3/Focus.
[TW]Fox;16981694 said:There are a few others that are 'ok' but they are probably so boring I cant even remember them. Obviously the Mondeo.
Infact the Mondeo is my favourite hatchback as its really amusing to see people refuse to buy one because they 'want a hatchback'
The problem is.. Is mine a performance saloon or a hot hatch? "performance hatchback" doesn't sound right
We'll let women off because they are special but for blokes... so what?
So after looking around at A3s I just can't see the sense in forking out up to 19k (09 black edition) A3s so instead am looking at something else that is much cheaper and also more fun to drive.
Spending less on the car leaves more to fund the running of it. Looking at the Focus ST as a nice upgrade to the Fiesta. Anything else worth considering for around 12/13k'ish?
A3 seems nice machine but just way too pricey for too little fun.
Spending less on the car leaves more to fund the running of it. Looking at the Focus ST as a nice upgrade to the Fiesta. Anything else worth considering for around 12/13k'ish?
A3 seems nice machine but just way too pricey for too little fun.
[TW]Fox;16981694 said:
Can I ask why you think the facelift 1 series are so much better?
Hardly anything changed on them, at all, they have the rubbish new steering system on them. They have the rubbish stop start system (great on a bigger car, think it's pointless on a little hatchback)
There's less of a smiley face on the facelift ones admittedly, but it was just the lights that noticeably changed.
The interior door cards changed didnt they? But other than that, the interior stayed pretty much the same, oh wait, chrome dials...
None of these changes make the pre facelift "cheap and nasty". I'd have mine over a facelift any day of the week. Simply because of the steering, it's horrible