Audi A3 review in C/D

[TBR]

The two VP's I mentioned are both over 50...

Would I buy an A3? Probably not. I prefer sedans or coupes.

Whatever, I give up. I personally imagine that the two cars would appeal to the same crowd, but I might be wrong.  

[Raza]

I like the A3.  But I'll agree with others, and with C&D - it seems to get expensive really quick when you start to option it out.

I'm not comparing it so much to the A4 as much as to the TSX (both 4-cyl, both FWD).  I don't know, it's just that the TSX comes loaded for $28k, while the A3 seems to get expensive quick.

The TSX costs as much as my E320 in a comparable lease.

[Raza]

The two VP's I mentioned are both over 50...

Would I buy an A3? Probably not. I prefer sedans or coupes.

 

[SJ_GTI]

The two VP's I mentioned are both over 50...

Would I buy an A3? Probably not. I prefer sedans or coupes.

Whatever, I give up. I personally imagine that the two cars would appeal to the same crowd, but I might be wrong.

Yay, I win!!!!

 

[SJ_GTI]

The two VP's I mentioned are both over 50...

Would I buy an A3? Probably not. I prefer sedans or coupes.

<_<  

[Raza]

The two VP's I mentioned are both over 50...

Would I buy an A3? Probably not. I prefer sedans or coupes.

<_<

 

[TBR]

The two VP's I mentioned are both over 50...

Would I buy an A3? Probably not. I prefer sedans or coupes.

Whatever, I give up. I personally imagine that the two cars would appeal to the same crowd, but I might be wrong.

Yay, I win!!!!

Maybe so, but I still have a whole lot more posts than you do . You should be proud of yourself, I believe this is the only time I have fully given up (occassionally I will let my foe have a point or two, but have never given them all up).  

[mazda6er]

The two VP's I mentioned are both over 50...

Would I buy an A3? Probably not. I prefer sedans or coupes.

Whatever, I give up. I personally imagine that the two cars would appeal to the same crowd, but I might be wrong.

Yay, I win!!!!

Maybe so, but I still have a whole lot more posts than you do . You should be proud of yourself, I believe this is the only time I have fully given up (occassionally I will let my foe have a point or two, but have never given them all up).

I believe you fellas are forgetting that I was the one arguing against TBR, and Mtl_A4 just supported my position. So technically, I win and Mtl_A4 gets an assist.  

[BMWDave]

The two VP's I mentioned are both over 50...

Would I buy an A3? Probably not. I prefer sedans or coupes.

Whatever, I give up. I personally imagine that the two cars would appeal to the same crowd, but I might be wrong.

Yay, I win!!!!

Maybe so, but I still have a whole lot more posts than you do . You should be proud of yourself, I believe this is the only time I have fully given up (occassionally I will let my foe have a point or two, but have never given them all up).

I believe you fellas are forgetting that I was the one arguing against TBR, and Mtl_A4 just supported my position. So technically, I win and Mtl_A4 gets an assist.  

Lol, the arguments between me and TBR never really end....we both say the others position is stupid and we leave it at that

So this is a great victory, lol  

[TBR]

The two VP's I mentioned are both over 50...

Would I buy an A3? Probably not. I prefer sedans or coupes.

Whatever, I give up. I personally imagine that the two cars would appeal to the same crowd, but I might be wrong.

Yay, I win!!!!

Maybe so, but I still have a whole lot more posts than you do . You should be proud of yourself, I believe this is the only time I have fully given up (occassionally I will let my foe have a point or two, but have never given them all up).

I believe you fellas are forgetting that I was the one arguing against TBR, and Mtl_A4 just supported my position. So technically, I win and Mtl_A4 gets an assist.  

Lol, the arguments between me and TBR never really end....we both say the others position is stupid and we leave it at that

So this is a great victory, lol

That is because we are both hard headed . Besides, the only times we have agreed to let things rest have involved styling issues which are a bit different.  

[BMWDave]

The two VP's I mentioned are both over 50...

Would I buy an A3? Probably not. I prefer sedans or coupes.

Whatever, I give up. I personally imagine that the two cars would appeal to the same crowd, but I might be wrong.

Yay, I win!!!!

Maybe so, but I still have a whole lot more posts than you do . You should be proud of yourself, I believe this is the only time I have fully given up (occassionally I will let my foe have a point or two, but have never given them all up).

I believe you fellas are forgetting that I was the one arguing against TBR, and Mtl_A4 just supported my position. So technically, I win and Mtl_A4 gets an assist.  

Lol, the arguments between me and TBR never really end....we both say the others position is stupid and we leave it at that

So this is a great victory, lol

That is because we are both hard headed . Besides, the only times we have agreed to let things rest have involved styling issues which are a bit different.

Yup.  I'll try to be less hard headed in the future  

[TBR]

The two VP's I mentioned are both over 50...

Would I buy an A3? Probably not. I prefer sedans or coupes.

Whatever, I give up. I personally imagine that the two cars would appeal to the same crowd, but I might be wrong.

Yay, I win!!!!

Maybe so, but I still have a whole lot more posts than you do . You should be proud of yourself, I believe this is the only time I have fully given up (occassionally I will let my foe have a point or two, but have never given them all up).

I believe you fellas are forgetting that I was the one arguing against TBR, and Mtl_A4 just supported my position. So technically, I win and Mtl_A4 gets an assist.  

Lol, the arguments between me and TBR never really end....we both say the others position is stupid and we leave it at that

So this is a great victory, lol

That is because we are both hard headed . Besides, the only times we have agreed to let things rest have involved styling issues which are a bit different.

Yup.  I'll try to be less hard headed in the future

Nonsense, my ppd would go way down if you quit arguing with me and vice versa.  

[BMWDave]

The two VP's I mentioned are both over 50...

Would I buy an A3? Probably not. I prefer sedans or coupes.

Whatever, I give up. I personally imagine that the two cars would appeal to the same crowd, but I might be wrong.

Yay, I win!!!!

Maybe so, but I still have a whole lot more posts than you do . You should be proud of yourself, I believe this is the only time I have fully given up (occassionally I will let my foe have a point or two, but have never given them all up).

I believe you fellas are forgetting that I was the one arguing against TBR, and Mtl_A4 just supported my position. So technically, I win and Mtl_A4 gets an assist.  

Lol, the arguments between me and TBR never really end....we both say the others position is stupid and we leave it at that

So this is a great victory, lol

That is because we are both hard headed . Besides, the only times we have agreed to let things rest have involved styling issues which are a bit different.

Yup.  I'll try to be less hard headed in the future

Nonsense, my ppd would go way down if you quit arguing with me and vice versa.

All right, I'll keep it up!  

[Raza]

You are all useless!

:angry:  

[MX793]

Anybody else find it a little odd that they included the Mazda3 hatch as competition for this car in their little comparison charts?  I wouldn't exactly consider the Mazda quite in the same league, especially in performance.  It's little 160 hp motor is a bit outgunned by the competition here.  It's surprisingly competitive in content, though.  That stripped Audi is no better equipped than a Mazda3 hatch with the safety package, which runs a good $6K USD less.  That's not to say the A3 is necessarily overpriced.  Being a full second quicker to 60 and in the 1/4 mile is worth some extra dough.

[Raza]

The Mazda3 does not compete with the A3.  No way.

[thewizard16]

The Mazda3 does not compete with the A3.  No way.

I tend to agree. The A3 is marketed at a different group that is likely to be buying a Mazda3, and I think the options list and price reflects that.

[TBR]

The Mazda3 does not compete with the A3.  No way.

I tend to agree. The A3 is marketed at a different group that is likely to be buying a Mazda3, and I think the options list and price reflects that.

I will even agree with that.

[SJ_GTI]

The two VP's I mentioned are both over 50...

Would I buy an A3? Probably not. I prefer sedans or coupes.

Whatever, I give up. I personally imagine that the two cars would appeal to the same crowd, but I might be wrong.

Yay, I win!!!!

Maybe so, but I still have a whole lot more posts than you do . You should be proud of yourself, I believe this is the only time I have fully given up (occassionally I will let my foe have a point or two, but have never given them all up).

I believe you fellas are forgetting that I was the one arguing against TBR, and Mtl_A4 just supported my position. So technically, I win and Mtl_A4 gets an assist.  

Lol, the arguments between me and TBR never really end....we both say the others position is stupid and we leave it at that

So this is a great victory, lol

That is because we are both hard headed . Besides, the only times we have agreed to let things rest have involved styling issues which are a bit different.

Yup.  I'll try to be less hard headed in the future

A Mazda 3s Hatch competes with the A3 in the same way a Legacy competes with the A4. Basically a similar package for a lower price.

The Volvo V50 and Saab 9-2x are probably the closest competitors on the US market for the A3. The V50 is the same chassis as the Mazda 3 but a bit more uplevel, and obviously the 9-2x is just a fancier Impreza. The A3 itself is, mechnically, a spiffed up Golf.

[TBR]

The two VP's I mentioned are both over 50...

Would I buy an A3? Probably not. I prefer sedans or coupes.

Whatever, I give up. I personally imagine that the two cars would appeal to the same crowd, but I might be wrong.

Yay, I win!!!!

Maybe so, but I still have a whole lot more posts than you do . You should be proud of yourself, I believe this is the only time I have fully given up (occassionally I will let my foe have a point or two, but have never given them all up).

I believe you fellas are forgetting that I was the one arguing against TBR, and Mtl_A4 just supported my position. So technically, I win and Mtl_A4 gets an assist.  

Lol, the arguments between me and TBR never really end....we both say the others position is stupid and we leave it at that

So this is a great victory, lol

That is because we are both hard headed . Besides, the only times we have agreed to let things rest have involved styling issues which are a bit different.

Yup.  I'll try to be less hard headed in the future

A Mazda 3s Hatch competes with the A3 in the same way a Legacy competes with the A4. Basically a similar package for a lower price.

The Volvo V50 and Saab 9-2x are probably the closest competitors on the US market for the A3. The V50 is the same chassis as the Mazda 3 but a bit more uplevel, and obviously the 9-2x is just a fancier Impreza. The A3 itself is, mechnically, a spiffed up Golf.

I don't see the V50 competing with the A3 at all because it is more of a true wagon.  

[Raza]

Give me an AWD V50 R for 34K with a stick shift and I'll buy it over the Audi anyday.  

[Raza]

The two VP's I mentioned are both over 50...

Would I buy an A3? Probably not. I prefer sedans or coupes.

Whatever, I give up. I personally imagine that the two cars would appeal to the same crowd, but I might be wrong.

Yay, I win!!!!

Maybe so, but I still have a whole lot more posts than you do . You should be proud of yourself, I believe this is the only time I have fully given up (occassionally I will let my foe have a point or two, but have never given them all up).

I believe you fellas are forgetting that I was the one arguing against TBR, and Mtl_A4 just supported my position. So technically, I win and Mtl_A4 gets an assist.  

Lol, the arguments between me and TBR never really end....we both say the others position is stupid and we leave it at that

So this is a great victory, lol

That is because we are both hard headed . Besides, the only times we have agreed to let things rest have involved styling issues which are a bit different.

Yup.  I'll try to be less hard headed in the future

A Mazda 3s Hatch competes with the A3 in the same way a Legacy competes with the A4. Basically a similar package for a lower price.

The Volvo V50 and Saab 9-2x are probably the closest competitors on the US market for the A3. The V50 is the same chassis as the Mazda 3 but a bit more uplevel, and obviously the 9-2x is just a fancier Impreza. The A3 itself is, mechnically, a spiffed up Golf.

The Subaru Legacy doesn't cost that much less than the A4.  The Mazda3 is under 20K.

[MX793]

The two VP's I mentioned are both over 50...

Would I buy an A3? Probably not. I prefer sedans or coupes.

Whatever, I give up. I personally imagine that the two cars would appeal to the same crowd, but I might be wrong.

Yay, I win!!!!

Maybe so, but I still have a whole lot more posts than you do . You should be proud of yourself, I believe this is the only time I have fully given up (occassionally I will let my foe have a point or two, but have never given them all up).

I believe you fellas are forgetting that I was the one arguing against TBR, and Mtl_A4 just supported my position. So technically, I win and Mtl_A4 gets an assist.  

Lol, the arguments between me and TBR never really end....we both say the others position is stupid and we leave it at that

So this is a great victory, lol

That is because we are both hard headed . Besides, the only times we have agreed to let things rest have involved styling issues which are a bit different.

Yup.  I'll try to be less hard headed in the future

A Mazda 3s Hatch competes with the A3 in the same way a Legacy competes with the A4. Basically a similar package for a lower price.

The Volvo V50 and Saab 9-2x are probably the closest competitors on the US market for the A3. The V50 is the same chassis as the Mazda 3 but a bit more uplevel, and obviously the 9-2x is just a fancier Impreza. The A3 itself is, mechnically, a spiffed up Golf.

The Subaru Legacy doesn't cost that much less than the A4.  The Mazda3 is under 20K.

Loaded up it gets to about $23K, still significantly less than a similarly equipped A3.  A couple thousand less than a stripped A3.

[Raza]

Yeah, if the Mazda3 competes with the A3, then the Z4 competes with a 360 Spider.

[thewizard16]

Yeah, if the Mazda3 competes with the A3, then the Z4 competes with a 360 Spider.

Kindof extreme, but I agree with the sentiment. Cars that provide the same thing for significantly cheaper really only work as competitors in the ultra lux arena. In the normal to entry lux area, it doesn't work as well, I think. Otherwise you'd be cross shopping Sebrings and SLKs, or Sonatas and A6s. They can have a lot of the same features at a lower price, but that doesn't make them competitors. (Yes, I know those aren't ideal match-ups for proving my point, but I didn't feel like putting much effort into it.)

[BMWDave]

Yeah, if the Mazda3 competes with the A3, then the Z4 competes with a 360 Spider.

Kindof extreme, but I agree with the sentiment. Cars that provide the same thing for significantly cheaper really only work as competitors in the ultra lux arena. In the normal to entry lux area, it doesn't work as well, I think. Otherwise you'd be cross shopping Sebrings and SLKs, or Sonatas and A6s. They can have a lot of the same features at a lower price, but that doesn't make them competitors. (Yes, I know those aren't ideal match-ups for proving my point, but I didn't feel like putting much effort into it.)

Well said.

[Raza]

You know, I'd venture that the Mini Cooper S somewhat competes with it.  Somewhat.

[BMWDave]

You know, I'd venture that the Mini Cooper S somewhat competes with it.  Somewhat.

Only the fact that they are both luxury minded hatches...the Mini is way down on passenger space to the A3, and it also costs a lot less.

[ifcar]

I'm not sure exactly who said what, but I'm with whoever has said that the Mazda3 does compete with the A3. Fun-to-drive stylish hatchbacks are not especially common, and pricing isn't that far apart.