[matt747]

A mate at work has just bought this car which I had a drive in earlier today..

I assume this model would be about the closest that Audi offer to the MKV GTI. The A3 looks quite understated in this colour; it haredly shouts it's performance potential. Acceleration seemed quick but somehow not as quick as I expected? Interior was usual high quality but seems quite plain alongside GTI. DSG gearbox quick & smooth; paddle shift nice but controls too close to column stalks. Two negative points; spec not great(lots of small things missing that even a MKV SE has fitted) and the ride...way too hard for me. On a typical country B-road the car jolts too much imo. Cornering was good but nothing special. Steering quite communicative but probably over-light. I will have to drive a MKV GTI to see how the 2 cars compare..

 

[oxford]

I have test driven both and MUCH prefered the GTI, however it could just be me!

 

[Uzi9]

Totally agree about the GTi over the A3. The A3 felt quite numb. I would rather have an A3 TDI than an A3 TFSI but I would sooner have a GTI. An A3 just looks like any other A3 whether it is a 3.2 or 1.6.

 

[GreenBeast]

looks lovely. i want i want i want

what is the earliest year to get that look? is it just 05?

 

[Irish]

Outside Greenbeast a 03 A3 could look like that...They could even give you bloody different wheels on the 2.0T.

 

[klauster]

how does this compare price wise with the GTI??

 

[oxford]

About 3 k more I believe?

 

[GreenBeast]

cheers irish

 

[matt747]

Quote: posted by oxford on 22/03/2005 09:20:38

About 3 k more I believe?

List price for above A3 was ?22,675 but mate paid @?21,500 on a PCP. List price for Golf GTI DSG(incl met)..?21,655. Dealer offered only @?500 discount so cost would [email protected]?21,150. Hence almost the same price..

 

[jasew]

I'm currently trying to decide whether to go for a new A3 2.0T Quattro S-Line or the MKV GTI.

Matt747, your mates car is a standard sport, be it 2.0TDI. 2.0 FSI or the 2.0T only the engine is different, if you s-line spec, then you've got 18" alloys black headlining etc all to make the car feel more 'sporty' if you like. Price wise i can have a deal on the s-line with xenons and lots of other spec for only ?200 over a GTI with some options.

Personally I prefer the A3 interior over the MKV even the GTI, the new plastics are just not upto the Audi standard, although I agree the A3 does look quite dull inside, if you go for dark seats.

My decision will be made once i get behind the wheel, i owned an A3 for nearly a year and im test driving a GTI next week, so I'll have to see!

 

[Simon-S3]

Jasew,

Audi must be trying very hard at the moment because I can get an A3 Sportback 2.0TDI Sport with zenon, met and FCAR for 280 quid more than a Golf 5dr 2.0 GTTDI with met, zenon, FCAR and the 17 inch wheels.

Much as I like the Golf it really is a no brainer for me, just got to pick a colour and wait for delivery!

 

[hmi1750]

Simon-S3>> where from? I would be interested in the spotback if I could get a deal on it.

 

[Simon-S3]

First started with drive the deal (www.drivethedeal.com) and then played off a couple of dealers.

I think I`ll have to take a car that`s in stock to get the maximum saving but there you go.

 

[marriedblonde]

You could hardly describe the s-line interior as dull...

 

[oxford]

Out of interest J how much did that A3 cost you? (ball park)

 

[marriedblonde]

List price on mine with all the options was about ?24,100 IIRC and I paid just under ?22k for it. Phone round the audi dealers and ask them t0 price match the web people, thats what I did.

J.

 

[oxford]

Thats really a very good deal! well done. Mint

 

[marriedblonde]

But they will all tell you they don't need to sell cars at that price... [] []

 

[oxford]

They all say that