Audi A3 buying advice please

-westy- · 22 Dec 2006 at 22:49

Right then,

my sister is after an Audi A3, either the 1.8 or 1.8T, around an S plate.

What kind of money would she be looking to pay for one of these, and kind of things should she look for, problems etc?

Thanks

[TW]Fox · 22 Dec 2006 at 22:52

Get a Leon instead. Same car, even the dashboard is the same, but becuase it doesnt have that Audi badge you'll get a much newer car for the money.

Tesla · 22 Dec 2006 at 22:55

[TW]Fox said:
Get a Leon instead. Same car, even the dashboard is the same, but becuase it doesnt have that Audi badge you'll get a much newer car for the money.

A lot of people say the interior is the same, including paradigm, I have no reason to not believe you but I have never been able to find pictures of the two "same" interiors.

Just curious, not trying to put any sort of doubt on yours and paradigm's previous advice.

[TW]Fox · 22 Dec 2006 at 22:57

-westy- · 22 Dec 2006 at 23:12

This is my sister we're dealing with, she's got her heart set on getting one :rolleyes:

So advice about the car in question please

zain · 22 Dec 2006 at 23:17

Don't know much about A3s before 05 but lol @ the Leon, seems to be the same few saying them comments - do the people who say it own an A3. Oh no, they just "drove" or "saw" one - :S

[TW]Fox · 22 Dec 2006 at 23:18

zain said:
Don't know much about A3s before 05 but lol @ the Leon, seems to be the same few saying them comments - do the people who say it own an A3. Oh no, they just "drove" or "saw" one - :S

Whats your point?

zain · 22 Dec 2006 at 23:19

[TW]Fox said:
Whats your point?

That the comments are laughable.

[TW]Fox · 22 Dec 2006 at 23:20

zain said:
That the comments are laughable.

Why not expand on why you think that - a discussion on the why they are laughable and the relative merits of each suggestion would prove very useful for anyone who might be considering buying either car.

paradigm · 22 Dec 2006 at 23:22

zain said:
Don't know much about A3s before 05 but lol @ the Leon, seems to be the same few saying them comments - do the people who say it own an A3. Oh no, they just "drove" or "saw" one - :S

They ARE the same though. Not the new shape, but the old one. I test drove multiple S3's before getting the Leon, and they are THE SAME interior.

As for you Ben, try and convince her to get a Leon Cupra. However, if you cannot, just make sure that the belt has been changed if its done 75k ish, and check for oil pressure warning lights (not necessarily a problem as such, but the sensors tend to go faulty, causing them to come on when the car and outside temp is cold), this could be a bartering point.

Be advised that the original coil packs are prone to failure also, so ask if they have been replaced ever during the car's life, odds are if they have, they will probably last a while.

zain · 22 Dec 2006 at 23:23

[TW]Fox said:
Why not expand on why you think that - a discussion on the why they are laughable and the relative merits of each suggestion would prove very useful for anyone who might be considering buying either car.

There is not much to expand on really, I know they are the same company and have some of the same parts but overall the A3 is better. Not just in looks but in quality too.

*edit*

Para - as I said I don't know much on the A3s before 05, my bad if you think I was comparing them.

paradigm · 22 Dec 2006 at 23:24

zain said:
There is not much to expand on really, I know they are the same company and have some of the same parts but overall the A3 is better. Not just in looks but in quality too.

And what exactly do you base this "theory" on then? you will find that all of my dash parts have the audi OOOO symbol stamped onto them, do you want me to go take pics?

The interior quality is THE SAME.

[TW]Fox · 22 Dec 2006 at 23:24

zain said:
There is not much to expand on really, I know they are the same company and have some of the same parts but overall the A3 is better. Not just in looks but in quality too.

No, it's largely the same. Note we are not talking current shape of either car - but Mk1 A3 v Mk1 Leon. The dashboard is.. the same. It's made from the same materials, the quality is the same.

You sound like an A3 owner desperate to convince himself the extra cash for his posh badge was worth it

paradigm · 22 Dec 2006 at 23:25

zain said:
Para - as I said I don't know much on the A3s before 05, my bad if you think I was comparing them.

Well as we are talking S plate A3's, and old shape leon's, you might actually want to compare like for like.

MK1 A3 and MK1 Leon are THE SAME interior, same floorpan, and same engine range.

zain · 22 Dec 2006 at 23:26

[TW]Fox said:
You sound like an A3 owner desperate to convince himself the extra cash for his posh badge was worth it

Scroll up

Indeedy I am, not the old shape. I hear the odd few comments from Volkswagen/SEAT owners and after I looked into both (newer models) I kind of think 'get your eyes tested!, wouldn't say that if you had one!'

willd58 · 22 Dec 2006 at 23:57

zain said:
Scroll up

Indeedy I am, not the old shape. I hear the odd few comments from Volkswagen/SEAT owners and after I looked into both (newer models) I kind of think 'get your eyes tested!, wouldn't say that if you had one!'

As has been repeatedly said, were talking about the old ones, I think your bias has blinded you a bit here mate.

Oblivious · 23 Dec 2006 at 00:09

zain said:
That the comments are laughable.

Your comment actually applies to your own comments, and nobody elses.

Good day

willd58 · 23 Dec 2006 at 00:14

Oblivious said:
Your comment actually applies to your own comments, and nobody elses.

Good day

Ooooooooooooooooooohhh
Zain, do you need some lotion for that

SICK BURN YOU JUST RECEIVED!!!!

zain · 23 Dec 2006 at 00:24

Too much to drink or easily amused? Either way...k

Bes · 23 Dec 2006 at 01:03

-westy- said:
This is my sister we're dealing with, she's got her heart set on getting one

So advice about the car in question please

Tell your sister she is nuts if she gets an older, higher mileage Audi A3 over a newer and lower mileage Leon Cupra. This is pretty much the ultimate real- world example of badge snobbery.... I have driven both (and own the Leon Cupra) and they are virtually identical.