CD Article: 2009 Audi A3 2.0T Quattro S-Line Premium

[CD_Editor]

         
Test Drive:


Perhaps the most impressive features of the A3 are its wonderful drive-train and chassis dynamics, says Senior Editor, Paul Williams.  "Believe me, even die-hard manual shifters won't miss a foot-operated clutch once they sample this (double-clutch) transmission," he reports.  
 More: View the photos | All the Test Drives

[Honda Owner]

This car does not have the dashboard of a $43,000 car. The Genesis has a much nicer interior for the same money.

[rrocket]

I really like this car.  But it is terribly over-priced.....

[tpl]

Same wiper stalk as in the GTI, same problem with the wipers in heavy snow.
IMHO a much uglier interior.

[lebowski]

I don't mind that it's expensive and laden with options, because there's always a VW GTI if you want a more lightly-optioned version, but the lack of a manual transmission in this car is still a deal-breaker.

[carcrazy]

I've always liked the A3, but yes, I think it's overpriced.

[tortoise]

I love the A3.  I find it looks worlds better than the GTI, much more classy.  At $31,000 it seems like a reasonable deal.  At $42 I'd be willing to get a sedan and the 3-series.   

[evil_twin]

Love this car if it just had a proper manual.  Pricey certainly, but not out of line if you look at the costs of a fully optioned (and thus comparable) C30 or V50.  135i is a little different being RWD and much more performance-oriented.

Rumors of VW coming out with a GTI-R to replace the R32 with a more powerful turbo 4 and quattro....but that likely won't be out for years and I'm sure it too will only come with DSG.

[soj]

To be honest I was wondering how it was that our reviewer managed to write this entire article without once mentioning this car's twin, the GTI.  Being of suspicious mind I immediately thought it was because the Audi was a poorer value than it's VW sibling, i.e.: you were paying for badging and little more.  Some research proved me wrong, comparing apples to apples (6 speed, 2wd only, leather added to the VW) it turns out the price is almost identical and actually slightly in favour of the Audi but then you don't get the sunroof that goes with the leather on the VW it appears.  Irrespective, it's a lot closer than I thought it would be.       

[tpl]

A basic A3 2.0 QUATTRO with DSG is about $37k    Thats a long way north of a GTI with DSG at $31k

For me if one was not going to get Quattro why not just get the GTI

[tortoise]

Looks?  Audi badge? Similar Price (for FWD models)?

[evil_twin]

A basic A3 2.0 QUATTRO with DSG is about $37k    Thats a long way north of a GTI with DSG at $31k

For me if one was not going to get Quattro why not just get the GTI

Because an A3 2.0 FWD is relatively equal in price to a GTI with the leather upgrade??  (apples to apples)

Not to say I'd definitely choose the A3 or anything, the GTI is quite awesome as well.  But it's not like they're charging OODLEs of dollars more for the Audi badge on comparable configurations.

[tpl]

Tortoise I don't think it is so similar when one picks identical machines.    I don't think you can get Xenons on a basic  fwd Audi only on the Premium.

Don't get me wrong.   I had an A4 Quattro and would buy another... make that WILL buy another when $1cdn = 1Euro  or at least quite a lot closer.

[sailor723]

I think it all comes down to..... Strong Euro=overpriced European imports.

You can sum it up as "nice car but too much money"