[ZMan]

Hi,

please could someone offer me some advice on my dilema?

I have read all the GTI reports and it is obviously a great car. However I also like the equivalnet enngined A3. Unfortunately to get the same engine as the GTI you have to opt for either DSG or quattro. I don't particularly want either bit I'd opt for the DSG if I went for the A3.

The A3 hasn't had anything like the same press coverage although I susepct it will drive very similar to the GTI (any views please??), but as a result I can get one much quicker and with up to ?2K discount - something unheard of at the moment with a GTI.

A few plus points for the A3:-

- better qualty interior

- a black rather than grey interior

- the badge?

Plus points for the Golf:-

- recognised as one of the best drives about at the minute

- better residual value?

- some nicer design touches internally, eg better map reading lights, armrest, etc

Decisions, decisions.....any help/advice warmly appreciated!

ZMan

ps. as the wife has a 1.6SE Golf MK5 I should probably have something different!

 

[Irish]

It won't drive as well as GTI...

A3 hasn't got black interior either it's just a better looking more expensive looking grey.

If you leave the A3 fairly standard it will keep its residuals as well as the GTI.

There's just something about the GTI, the A3 is the best all around car I've owned don't get me wrong, it gets plenty of looks on the road, goes well, handles well for a fat bumd car too!

But if I were you and the only thing saying A3 over GTI to you is the dashboard then I'd go for the GTI.

 

[Uzi9]

I cant actually remember from my test drive if the A3 2.0l TFSI sportback seats were any good. I absolutely love the GTI seats - very supportive. Anyone got any opinions on the A3 seats?

 

[Irish]

I have leather in mine and the bolsters are nice and big but they don't hug you like the GTI. They go away from the back of the seat as opposed to straight out in the GTI.

 

[Uzi9]

thanks Irish, do you know if the TFSI or sportback have the same seats as you or are they different.

 

[SuperMario.Dave]

imho,the biggest difference is likely to be the steering,I just don't get on with Audis,the steering just feels lifeless,but thats just me i think

 

[Irish]

Well the seats I have I have seen in the A6 too so I think they're the across the board Audi sports leather seats with the two tone colour.

 

[JON_XL]

I sold my A3 TDI Dsg S-Line to move over to the golf, The main reason being change of Job (lot less miles. I loved the A3 and as a whole car i think it was significantly better on the golf, I bought the golf as a toy to play with on trackdays and for that purpouse it suits me down to the ground but if you are looking for a car to use on a daily basis the A3 would be my choice. The DSG Gearbox was just the thing for soaking up daily commutes and it still had the capacity to bring a smile on a friday night. I would suspect that the A3 like the 3.2 will also have the launch control on the DSG software which is always amusing.

 

[jodeci]

Id go for the A3 2.0T Quattro over the golf the main reason being the future potential of tuning is limited in the FWD golf. Im sure there will be 280BHP+ chips out for the golf in the next yr or so but I would be worried about all that power going through the front wheels.

Unless they bring out a 2.0TFsi 4 motion I wouldn't be keen on one, with Quattro there is far more potential in future chipping/tuning 300+Bhp could be possible from this engine with not too much expense. I would expect VW to bring out a 4 motion 2.0 in the next couple of yrs with a 250Bhp chip, that would be the car to wait for.

In terms of residuals you'll always loose a lot when buying a new car, it depends on how long you wish to hold onto it for, if your looking at keeping it a few years then perhaps a sport back would hold its value better, I know there will always be GTi buyers but you'll always have more people looking for a used 5 door estate over a used hot hatch.

 

[Uzi9]

Quote: posted by jodeci on 30/03/2005 11:51:26

Id go for the A3 2.0T Quattro over the golf the main reason being the future potential of tuning is limited in the FWD golf. Im sure there will be 280BHP+ chips out for the golf in the next yr or so but I would be worried about all that power going through the front wheels.

Unless they bring out a 2.0TFsi 4 motion I wouldn't be keen on one, with Quattro there is far more potential in future chipping/tuning 300+Bhp could be possible from this engine with not too much expense. I would expect VW to bring out a 4 motion 2.0 in the next couple of yrs with a 250Bhp chip, that would be the car to wait for.

In terms of residuals you'll always loose a lot when buying a new car, it depends on how long you wish to hold onto it for, if your looking at keeping it a few years then perhaps a sport back would hold its value better, I know there will always be GTi buyers but you'll always have more people looking for a used 5 door estate over a used hot hatch.

I'm not so sure about there being more people looking for a used 5 door estate than a used hot hatch. (also, the sportback is hardly an estate)

 

[jodeci]

Perhaps that?s a different debate if a 5 door car has better residuals over a 3 door or if audi hold value better than VW.

Going on the old A3 the 5 door sportback equivalent 1.8T they go for more than the 3 door 1.8T A3, however it was a more expensive car new. I had a friend in Bristol selling the 5 door old A3 and he had guys selling the 3 door models calling him asking about the interest, he sold it in less than a week seemed to take longer for the 3 door models to sell, perhaps mrk iv Gtis didn?t have the same problem.

Id be more keen on a 4WD setup in terms of performance with this engine, as the future tuning potential is still better with balanced power distribution than a front wheel drive car.

Its still too early to say if the new Gti will hold value better than a 2.0T Quattro A3 but my guess is it would as the two cars would be worth the same in 3-4 yrs and the A3 is more expensive new.

 

[kenl]

The 5 door A3 would be a lot rarer so maybe that is why it was easier to sell.

 

[SuperMario.Dave]

I reckon the GTi residuals will be far better than the Quattro,its a better car for a start and has cult appeal.

 

[jodeci]

Better - Better how?

 

[stumpy]

what car a few months ago put the golf in front of the a3 and bmw1.

havent looked for comparison reviews since getting the golf so dont know what the latest reviews are?

if you own 1 or the other we all like to think we got the best car!!

but if we were right in the head we would all drive skoda's

 

[stumpy]

what car a few months ago put the golf in front of the a3 and bmw1.

havent looked for comparison reviews since getting the golf so dont know what the latest reviews are?

if you own 1 or the other we all like to think we got the best car!!

but if we were right in the head we would all drive skoda's or seats

 

[SuperMario.Dave]

better got the Gti owner,

 

[Irish]

Supermario you do really make some sweeping statements sometimes.

Some people prefer the understated looks of the A3 and the quality interior it has over the Golf.

I reckon they will be pretty much the same residual wise to be honest.

Yes the GTI is a lovely car but it's just a GTI, not an Enzo.

A lot of it is to do with supply and demand and anyone can walk in and buy a new GTI, there is nothing limited about them and will be available for years to come - same as the A3 Quattro.

 

[Uzi9]

The GTI may have cult appeal but the A3 clearly has a broader appeal across the population. To be honest I like it this way.

 

[SuperMario.Dave]

Irish

its not a sweeping statement at all,i am specifically saying that in my opinion the GTi will have better residuals than the A3.I don't dispute some people prefer the A3, where did I say otherwise? So where is the sweeping statement? i also believe the Gti to be the better car,some people may not,but tahts my opinion,now sweeping at all.So in conclusion i believe the Gti to have the best prospects for residuals.Hopefully that is specific enough for you.A bbs is about putting forward an opnion,it would be boring otherwise,and thats mine,for better or for worse[]