[Irish]

Ok guys - getting a drive in the Golf GTI tomorrow.

First things first, I won't have the A3 a year until April so if I do decide to change I won't be ordering until Feb.

What I want to get opinion on is what I should do.

My car is a 04 A3 2.0 TDI sport with xenons, climate, full heated leather, arm rest, 6 CD in dash changer, heated mirrors and 5 star alloys in ebony black. It has 11K on the clock.

The GTI would be diamond black, 3 dr with xenons, possibly leather (I like the cloth trim), climate and 18s.

What would you do?

EDIT: Here's my interior and and GTI interior to compare.

 

[Tony D]

I'd be tempted to keep what I had Irish.... your A3 sounds like a lovely spec car.

I especially say this because I went to the dealer yesterday to look at and enquire about a new GTi and they told me outright no discount whatsoever would be availble on it.... its a poor attitude to take I think, especially when have spent ???'s with them on used cars and a new car already.

Perhaps I should change dealer!

 

[cjp2k]

Well its up to you! what do u think is nicer to drive, you have got a perfect audi with no problems... u could buy the golf and get a real duff one (like mine []) Also fuel would play a role for me, 11k in 8months is a fair amount of miles and the diesel will obviusly be cheaper on the fuel

I would personally stick with the A3, but only you can decide on what you want to do, also how much are you gonna have to pay to change??

 

[Irish]

How much will I have to pay to change? Full whack. Never own my cars.

 

[Chris]

I would stay put too mate.

You know, i read what Tabs said the other day about the A3 2.0TQ... and had a look. For what your gonna pay for a slightly specced GTI you CAN have a Quattro 2.0T A3...... a much nicer all round car IMO.

 

[MikeP]

Stick with the A3!! They're basically the same car except for the engine, plus I think you have a nicer spec in the A3 at the moment with leather and xenons. Yhen you can save the money for other things... (a house, the gf, home entertainment etc etc!)

 

[col.mc]

if your thinking of a mk5 and i see that you do high miles, why not keep the A3 til the GTI TDI comes out. at 11k youre only beginning to see the best of the 2.0tdi,

 

[Prash]

are u all crazy !? Get the new GTi without a doubt !

 

[Irish]

I just think the GTI looks so much sharper than the A3.

At the stealers there was an A3 waiting to get a PDI and the GTI made it look a bit dated and "fat".

 

[Tony D]

Ah well then.... seems like you have already made you mind up in your own mind!

 

[asketi]

If it were me, I would wait for the Diesel GTi.....

 

[Irish]

I haven't really...just what I'm thinking at the moment, that's why I'm asking.

 

[marriedblonde]

Personally I would stick with the A3, I was very tempted to go for the new Gti to replace my R but after sitting down and thinking about the 2 cars I opted for the A3 2.0Tdi DSG S-line, I did spec the A3 up but I think the A3 will hold it's money better be cheaper to run

J.

 

[JamesR]

I debated a similar problem for months this year, before deciding on the GTi. If you were debating Golf GT Tdi or A3 Tdi, A3 would win, but there is something special about the new Gti.

I really like the A3, quality car good engine, I would also consider the A3 quattro 2.0 T S Line as an option, as by the time you have speced up the Gti then you may be able to get the S line for the same.

Something else to consider, are they going to change the front of the A3 to update it to the same as the sportsback?

 

[Irish]

See for me the only change would be fuel, insurance and tax would be the same...

 

[Wish]

Irish,

I have now driven the GTI again (loaned for the day) and you know ive had the exact same car as your audi too.

First off the GTI is a fantastic car, nothing wrong with it at all.

But having been driving one all day, it remineded me sooooo much of the Audi.

If i were you i would stick with what you have got. I changed cos i hated the fact i was driving a diesel, and felt so self consious of the fact it was a diesel.

The power of the GTI is not as quick as you may think, the lack of turbo lag makes it all a much smoother driver and you are touching 100 before you know it and realise it !

Stick with the Audi for now !

 

[fatbob]

Liking the A3 mate - nice car!

 

[Stevoraith]

Makes more financial sense to stay with the Audi.

Even if you keep it for another year you will have reduced the amount you owe by more than the amount it depreciates, so you sill effectively have more money to go towards your next car.

I really like the new GTI but if I was in your position I wouldn't think it would be worth it.

 

[mh]

keep the a3 you wouldn't be gaining anything by swapping

i love the idea of the 2.0T quatro does anyone know when the new S3 is comming out ?

 

[KuniD]

If I we're in your shoes, I'd stick with your Audi for another year or so ~ By that time the GTI's had a chance to iron out any problems + the Recaro's will be available (and if you do a lot of miles, the GTI-D should be out.)

But the boys make a good point - the choice between a 2.0T Quattro S-Line and a Mk5 GTI is VERY hard []

Either way I'd wait until next Sept at least. Who knows you might have a new S3 in the lineup to tempt you by then []