Comments on: Dubspeed Driven Road Test - 2006 Audi A3 3.2 S-Line quattro DSG: A TT in Practical Clothing

By: Keith Keller

Keith Keller — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 00:23:05 +0000

I ordered my A3 S-Line in December 2005 and took delivery in March 2006. Longest 3 months of my life but worth every minute. I ordered mine to get a red one (like pictured) but without the Open Sky option. I wanted to be able to get 2 6 footers in the back seat (my sons) and the Open Sky ate too much into rear headroom for their comfort. Plus, I don’t car for the back roof look on any car other than Lava Gray or Black.

I think the car is fantastic and frankly for the performance, handling, design, interior materials, German build quality, quattro, DSG, electronic power steering, adaptive HIDs, leather, Symphony/Bose sound system, etc. etc. etc., I’m not sure you can find another car with these attributes for this price. I bought it because it’s a bargan for what you get. And besides, in Wisconsin, were I live theres no substitute for quattro.
Never Follow.

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 21:27:55 +0000

I just traded in a 2005 M3 SMG ZCP for an A3 3.2 and so far, I could not be happier. The DSG is the best auto tranny I’ve ever driven and the SMG is the worst. The A3 rides better, steers better, has better brake feel (easier to modulate), accelerates…er, worse, but I don’t care. This is my winter snow/rain car and while it may be expensive at ~$40k, the fact remains it undercuts my M3 by over $20k and the enjoyment behind the wheel is lightyears ahead.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 06:38:48 +0000

Yes, this car can be expensive, mine was a special order, in a blue color that is not normally available on the A3 (+2500). It has every option available, except the rear side air bags, so the MSRP was at 44k. Luckily, I was able to deal somewhat, but it is still a pricey car (I could have got a well equipped 330). But, my A3 is different, and it is the only one like it in the US due to the exterior color, and a special 2 tone gray interior.

A3 Rocks!!

By: Matt D

Matt D — Mon, 08 May 2006 19:23:32 +0000

I purchased this car fully loaded witgh exception of Navigation for $36,000 from a dealership in downtown Los Angeles,California. The car is awesome with exception of sunshade which broke inside week one. The dealer fixed it but I have recently had the open-skye retinted to cut down on the glare. But the main issue is with a vibration which occurs in the car at aboyt 80 mph. bUT THE CAR IS FANTASTIC AND I AM HAPPY WITH IT IN ALMOST ALL RESPECTS.

By: Bob P

Bob P — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 06:15:49 +0000

dive into a cloveleaf at 60mph and you’ll be sold. wussies stay away! This is the most fun you can have in a 4 door wagon! (or most TT’s)

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Sun, 09 Apr 2006 23:05:14 +0000

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By: ccd

ccd — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 13:43:08 +0000

Also, as you correctly point out, options is part of the problem and there is no easy solution. You can theoretically save money by getting a stripped down 3.2 with no options. However, at least in my area, you won’t find such a car. The only way to get a base 3.2 is to order it and dealers in my area offer few discounts on an ordered car. So you have a choice between a car with options for which they may be substantial discounts or a base car where you have to wait 3 mos with little discount. The second point is that the base car is $34k. I don’t want a stripped down car that costs $34k!!!

The typically optioned car in my area comes in around $37-38k (basically every option except high perf tires and nav system). I can load the RAV4 from my previous comment with every option available (except maybe nav) and it costs $10k less.

Do I like the A3 better than the RAV4? Yes. Do I like it more by $10k? Probably not.

By: ccd

ccd — Wed, 08 Mar 2006 19:56:16 +0000

The issue with the A3 is pricing, as you point out. Whether it’s worth the price depends on how you view the car. As an Audi TT with added cargo space, it makes sense. If you have to have the Audi hallmark DSG and quattro, it makes sense. If you have to have outstanding handling, it also makes sense.

But if high tech toys and handling are not pre-eminent in your mind, then there are CUVs that offer an alternative at a much lower price. For example, a 2006 RAV4 6 cylinder, Sports version, 4WD is about $10k less. For that savings I get more utility, good but not great handling, fewer high tech toys, and a fast but slightly slower car (0-60 about 1 sec slower). The Mazda CX-7 may prove to be an even niftier alternative.

Opinions will differ on whether the A3 is worth the extra money, but if the car were $5k less expensive, it would be MUCH easier to justify purchasing the A3 3.2, IMHO.

By: mchow

mchow — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 06:05:28 +0000

fantastic little car, but a bit overloaded with the options. give it to me in the 2.0T flavor and we have a definite winner.