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Audi A3 Prices Paid and Buying Experiences
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Comments
In checking Edmunds, it seemed that the numbers could not be accounted for just by dealer demos. If you get around 20% off the new price for a used A3 with 5-7k miles, I would say that is a great deal. According to Edmunds, 1st yr depreciation is $6-7k.
Very little info on A3 Reliability so far. JDPOWER, CU are blank. Maybe next year
3 used A3s
65 new A3s
Expand to 300 miles and the number of used A3s jump to 10, so the market is not flooded with used A3s, but there are a bunch sitting on lots.
New flash: I heard that for 2007, there will be a 2.0 S-line. Sounds like the S-line will have the stuff in the Sports and Premium Packages and these packages will no longer be available. Overall, it sounds like the options on the S-line will be very similar to the ones on the 3.2 so the difference between the 2.0 S-line and the 3.2 will be quattro and a bigger engine. Be interesting to see how Audi prices the 2.0 S-line.
i just picked up a beautiful lava grey A3 that is being shipped to me from CT, to CA.
i found it on www.autotrader.com. it was being sold from a Lexus dealer in Greenwich.
it has every freaking option that you could ask for except for blue tooth. only 6700 hundred miles on it, and i stole for only $27,500.
with shipping tax & lic. my total for this beauty was $31,000. they faxed over to me the original sticker that was on the car, and it read $35,000.
cant wait to get, and roll!!! these cars are sweet, and are definetly worth the extra money compared to the mazda3. you are just getting way more car, and way more LOOKS as you cruise
Your car sounds like it is loaded and I would expect the best used car deals to be on loaded A3s. I would LOVE to snatch a used 3.2 with low miles, loaded, with $7.5k of MSRP.
not to mention that you can get the chip which will give the 2.0 a boost of HP to 250.
the great seller on either car for me was the warranty for 50k. if you think about all the money you are saving on normal maintenance, these cares are SWEEEET DEALS!
I'd say 3.2s are getting scarce, probably because no one had that many to begin with.
200 HP 2.0T vs. 160 HP 2.3 motor in Mazda 3.
Looks like to me an improvement of 25%. Therefore, based on Engine alone, I'd multiply 1.25X20K to figure out if the A3 is worth it. Comes out to only 25K.
6 speed DSG vs. 5 speed Auto .... I'd give Audi about 1K for that difference.
Interior materials..... hard to believe the Audi is more than another 1K better.
Fit and Finish, build quality, again, maybe 1K.
Therefore, I'd price a well optioned and loaded A3 at 28K. Unfortunately, Audi missed the price mark by about 2 to 3 thousand.
However, they are both fully loaded and MSRP over 40K!
Now if you compare the Elise with other sports cars, then you can understand why some people think it may be a bargain at $40-50k.
i have not even talked about the DSG, which has received nothing rave reviews. how can you compare the powerplants & the DSG vs the mazda tip-tronic?
there is no comparison. not to mention that it is a German built car, and we know how solid they build vehicles, no?
Plenty of other forums here to compare cars.. you can even start a new one, if you like.
Thanks,
kyfdx
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I'm only half convinced this is half legitimate.
I would say its their way of making $500 profit when they sell at invoice. So, if a dealer is willing to sell at their so called invoice which is already $500 higher than Edmunds' invoice, then I'm OK with it. It may go to Audi, but its not really part of invoice, its more like overhead costs. But I've checked around, and every Audi dealer in all of southern CA swears its part of their invoice cost.
I'm currently shopping down a CPO A3 2.0 and trying to get a handle of what I should expect as a reasonable price. The car is equipped as follows; DSG, premium package, cold package, sound package, moro blue pearl in color, and it has about 12k miles. The model is too new to price a used one out on Edmunds, so I'm asking you fine folks.
bought it online from CT, and is being shipped to bay area CA. i paid $31,000 total which included S/H, tax, lic, and reg, and fangdanled a 2% loan on it...life is good!
i should have it tomorrow or monday at the latest, and i just cant wait to fire up this bad boy car!
Edmunds lists invoice at $29,049. The car looks perfect, save a tiny ding (smaller than a dime), which they say they'll fix. Also, because it's certified pre-owned, it comes with an additional 2-year warranty (beyond the 4-year).
I'm inclined to wait for one with an open sky, but I'll be paying at least $3,000 more. What do you think?
i got the lava grey, with 6700 miles and all options except for the blue tooth for 27,500.
i think you should keep looking, i think you can do better.
I've been told that Audi is discontinuing the four years of free maintenance starting with the 2007 A3s, which I believe are due late summer (?). Do oil changes and periodic services add up to that much anyway?
If your short, and your back seat passengers are midgets, then this shouldn't matter to you.
I did well this last weekend. I'm excited I just got a brand new (well, 80 miles) A3!
Ocean Blue, Sport Package, DSG (no further costly options)
invoice was sale price, which is basically $500 over invoice on Edmunds (advertising/association/port prep fees). $27,657.
I think they did this in part because of end of month sale (papers say 3/31/06, but I didn't ACTUALLY take delivery until 4/2/06).
oh, btw, I'm only 5'8" and my two kids are 3 & 1 year(s) old...so, I guess you could call 'em midgets.
My A3 is Black, Sports Pkg, DSG, OpenSky & Sirius MSRP 30,190. I paid a little more than you did...$28,650, but I was very happy with the deal.
(and yes, I need to change my name (tslbmw) cuz I traded in my problem riddled 330i for this sweet ride)
Remember, you basically traded metallic paint for less expensive enamel paint, but also paid more for Opensky and Sirius.
Getting Opensky is another $1,000, anyway you cut it.
2.0T DSG black + premium package.
invoice = $27013
my price is $27043
out the door is $29500
am i paying it too high? just want to make sure.
thanks.
We are looking between three cars: the Volvo S40, Honda Civic Hybrid w/ Navi.. and the Audi A3. We LOVE the audi.. but the price is a problem. Has anyone bought a 2006 for under 25k? We're not really into all the options, just the basics!
Thanks!
i paid 27,500 for mine, and it had 6700 miles. i just love this car! it drives let a wet dream, (pardon the french). the DSG is incredible . there is no shortage of power in this little 4 banger either. its very responsive, and bolts by slower traffic in a heartbeat.
my wife is starting to give me trouble about how much time i am spending with my new ride..LOLOL :surprise:
this car is practical, gets decent MPG, beautifully designed....OHHH, and did i mention its FUN, FUN, FUN to drive...A3 ROCKS!!
-Bruin
One post asked if these fees are negotiable. Others speak of "invoice" as if that is what the dealer actually pays the manufacturer. Come on folks, I am surprised at you for asking such questions and believing such myths.
But I suppose if "every dealer in all of Southern CA swears it's part of their invoice cost" it must be true. We all know how honest and ethical this group is.
Thanks for the tongue in check humor. I got a chuckle out of it. I know you guys are not serious and are pulling my leg when you imply that you actually believe these stories.
That is why I got my A3 right at their "supposed" invoice. I was willing to pay up to $500 over Edmunds' invoice, and their fees were $500 or less. Therefore, I was only willing to pay what they claimed invoice was, and that is what I did pay. No more.
This may not be the forum for A3 satisfaction discussions, but I am curious to know how you like yours. Which engine did you buy? The A3 is under consideration for my wife when she replaces her allroad.
Thanks for your reply.
I'm thinking of purchase a base A3 with DSG, Murano Green, Beige Cloth, rear side airbags and no other options. Has any have a good experience with an Audi dealer in the Bay Area, CA?
Thanks.
I love the car (especially how it drives and handles, though I haven't been able to drive it much as its frustrating to adhere to the break-in period which is 650 miles (I'm at about 450), but it did/does have some quality control/fit and finish issues that are disappointing.
1) Loose plastic panel on the left rear pillar right behind the rear door on the side of the top part of the seat back (maybe that's where they hid the Lojack transmitter???) can't think of any other reason how they'd overlook this loose/ill fitting plastic piece. It won't clip/notch back in easily, and I'm surprised I didn't notice it myself.
2) ugly brown/rusty-looking line (about 1/4" thick) across one of my dual exhaust tips (across the whole length visible)
3) Small scratch finish defect on glove box plastic panel (hard to notice since its facing downward and usually in the shadows).
4) Light hairline scratches all around the right front passenger door around the door handle (how'd the paint get all scratched up?, but only noticeable in bright sunlight).
5) Small but distinct hairline scratch (1/4" long) on aluminum door handle on the interior of the right front passenger door.
6) Now this one is really nitpicky, as you have to look at the right angles and with the right lighting to see this hairline scratch on the aluminum trim on the driver's side front door (the upper trim piece panel near the window).
7) Detailing/cleaning job was so-so prior to delivery (Downtown LA Audi)
I might be forgetting something else.... as I don't have the actual list I'm making to keep track of so that I can take it to an Audi dealer and have them fix all of these defects/imperfections (less number 6, that one I did notice prior to delivery and it dissappeared for the most part when they cleaned it). I hope that Audi can correct all of these little fit and finish flaws. Any one of these is nothing, but since the list is adding up, it is getting very frustrating that a brand new car has so many fit and finish problems. You would NEVER EVER see a Honda with fit and finish like this. So much for the so-called German/Audi fit and finish quality reviews.
It's also a quality control issue.
All that being said, I think it is a great car, fun to drive as all hell (and I haven't even really driven it very spirited yet as still breaking-in), great engine, great DSG tranny, great gas mileage for a first tank (I'd estimate 26 MPG with 85% highway driving, but some acceleration/down shift tests, but not 100% throttle of course, and not maintaining anything over 5,000 RPM). I love the looks, style, and Ocean Blue color. I love the handling, no body roll, and the Dunlop performance tires refuse to squeal! They just grip and grip! Very grippy.
So far.... I'd say its a 8.5 to 9 out of 10. Let me judge it a month from now again.
2.0T DSG Sport
Lava Gray/Gray
Convenience
Open Sky
Cold Weather
Bluetooth
12 miles
Paid: $30,060 + $99 dealer fee, tax, and tags.
Edmund's invoice is $29,786 (seems about $80 too low) and I think the $495 for PDI and regional advertising is legitimate, so $29,786 + $495 = $30,281. Even with the dealer fee, I feel like I came out well.
I bought at Criswell Audi in Annapolis, MD after talking to a number of dealers in the D.C. metro area. The Criswell people were laid back, friendly, prompt, and straightforward; I highly recommend them.
(Another dealer, HBL in Virginia, was aloof and did not adhere to a written estimate that they gave me.)
The car is a blast. This 600 mile break-in period is lasting much too long for my taste...
Also, any word on when the 2007s will be coming out?
Thanks
And how does this "S version" of the A3 differ from the 2.0 T S_line version?
A side note: Most of the "other" A3 forums speak of nothing but re-chipping the engines to get out every last HP. In some cases the results are shredded trans or half axles. But the chipping goes on.
I really wonder if the service techs and dealers catch this sort of thing.
Also, if they do catch the chip, your warranty is voided, Not worth it IMHO
A3 2.0 DSG Lava Grey
Premium Package
Open Sky
Premium Sound
Bluetooth
Multiple dealers in the San Francisco Bay Area are offering $200-$300 under invoice, including (depending on circumstances):
* San Rafael
* Oakland
* San Francisco
* Palo Alto
* Burlingame
Now is the time to buy since they need to get rid of the '06s to make room for the '07s.
Good luck!
- What is the best deal you can give me?
- I want the car for $xx,xxx.xx?
- I want it for $xxx under invoice? (will dealers ever tell you what the invoice price is?)
I hope to be in my A3 soon, I just don't want to be screwed by a dealer. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Consumer Reports makes this suggestion: Never negotiate down from the window sticker. Ålways negotiate up from the "real" dealer price. The "real" dealer price is not invoice, but the true price paid to the manufacturer after any dealer holdbacks (manufacturer incentives offered to the dealer) are deducted by the dealer from the so-called invoice. This information is not easy to get but it can be done. Consumer Reports will provide it for a nominal price (worth it, by the way). KBB.com will give you a fairly good idea what the invoice price is with the options you want, but will not tell you of any dealer holdbacks that are in effect. These can vary from dealer to dealer.
Your first suggestion "What is the best deal, etc.?" should never be spoken and I assume you are not serious. The salesman's reply to such a statement will often be something like this: "How much are you willing to pay?" This does not justify a response. Another trick they will try, once you have made an offer, is to say "Is that the best you can do?" This simply means they want you to negotiate with yourself. Do not fall for that either. Always be prepared to walk out the door if you believe you are being taken advantage of. Do not fall in love with a car or you are bargaining from a position of weakness.
Go in with a price in mind that you have given a good deal of thought to and be firm. This forum will provide good information from contributors with similar experiences. Take the time to read previous posts. As we near the end of a model year, good deals should be coming. If you can wait until the end of summer, the deals should even get better.
Good luck to you.
Some schleps pocket nearly all of it, others try to give the customer something back in way of better service or support.
The good and bad of the USA Automotive situation is the dealer, whether a standalone or part of a chain like Autonation, is an __independent businessperson__. And (sadly) the auto manufacturers expects the __dealer__ to perform all service and support for the product.
Also check the BBB, Chamber of Commerce, and other local sources to see how many complaints a given dealer may have outstanding, and/or whether there is a record of problems with customers. This is not foolproof, but can help weed out outright crooks.
Maybe a few dealers will sell a little under invoice on 06's to clear them off the lot. 07's will be here in late July to early August.
Since people seem to define invoice differently "$300 under" doesn't tell us as much.