This is a luxury sporty car (sedan, wagon, convertible), not some petite roadster/coupe with an oversized engine. It is not a Porshe/Ferrari, it never pretended to be one, its customers never asked for one when stepped into a dealership.
Either you don't understand its purpose or your expectations are completely outlandish - could you tell me of one similarly sized and equipped (i.e. safety and ammenities) luxury sedan/wagon/4seat convertible weighing 3100 lb? What is weight of M5 or AMG55, by the way?
Well lads, after long and serious reflection, and a number of test-drives, I have abandoned the quest for the A3 (or A4 Avant, or the G35 coupe for that matter). I still love the little thing, but after driving and calculating, be all and end all is I find my little IS wagon to be a more enjoyable package.
Driving impressions were certainly very good. DSG is the wave of the future and no two ways. I'm betting a knock-off is forthcoming from at least one major mfr in the new two years. Between the A3 3.2Q and an A4 Avant 3.2 S-line, I have to give the overall handling nod to the Avant. To me, it seemed to carve almost as quickly, but had significantly better composure over uneven surfaces in curves. I prefer the size of the A3 though. Substantially.
Money played a role here. Were the same lease terms available for the A3 3.2 as were on the A4, I might have pulled the trigger. But frankly, neither one of the cars offered any significant driving or ownership advantage over my current car, other than the smell of fresh materials, which is a heady fragrance to me. The residual on my car is also far lower than its market value, so I don't feel at all dicey about picking up that tab.
sorry to jump in your little discussion but i coudlnt help it when you guys are not understanding what the other is saying.
i guess blueguy is saying that s4 is not really a sports car in an ideal sense. ideal being some exotic ferrari under 3000lbs. of course, weight is the enemy of handling. in this sense he is right. am i right blueguy?
you, on the other hand, have a very relistic comparison! and you coudl not be any more right yourself. can anyone show you a better car in the s4 category in terms of weight? no! so, in its own family s4 is the king of the hill. some might like the m3, come the amg35. but these are subjective. when we are taking about weight in this family, all are similar to each other and the cars are very sporty and fun.
i guess i can come up with a joke. the mack trucker tells his volvo trucker buddy that his truck handles better than the volvo. suddenly the freightliner trucker is offended and jumps into the conversation saying that his truck is the lightest -- by 500 lbs -- so his is the best. on the next table in the diner are two guys, owners of an m3 and and s4 evesdropping on their conversation and grining...
I didn't mean to offend. To each his own. I'm offended by the girth of the S4/M3 Cab/MB's cruddy whatever. I don't find porky cars fun...no matter how fast they are. My current car's overweight and my next car (should be landing on these shores in June) is grossly overweight (and very well could get leaseswapped out of my life).
The A3 3.2 quattro - many agree with me about this - is too heavy, thus making it feel numb and sluggish (much like the S4 and M3 cab).
Enjoy what you have. Or in my case, regroup and find something you like more.
I liked the normal A3. A lot. If that car were RWD I would have bought one to replace my 330i. I'm still intrigued by the A3 Q 2.OT. If it comes to be, I will take a look.
But... I've found it very hard to make the super performance Dunlop 225/45R17 Traction AA tires utter a sound, a squeal, or anything else in my 2.0T front drive set up with DSG.
I knew that 200 HP with 207 lb/ft of torque is a lot to ask from a FrontTrak vehicle. But.... thats why I opted for the sport package with grippier tires and a dropped & stiffer suspension. Those All-Seasons were too easy to spin.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
Thanks so much for setting him straight- the S4 is amazing. Although I'm disappointed that the RS4 Cabriolet isn't "allowed" to come to America, I'll be content with the '09 S4 or S5 (whatever they call it) Cabriolet. Audi will probably add around 30 horsepower to the next one, and the A5 spyshots I've seen look absolutely gorgeous- the best D'Silva designs yet.
Audi's on a roll, and thank god they're not in Infiniti's position. Infiniti revamped their entire lineup within 3 years, which means that they'll all get stale (which is happening right now), and then they'll all be redesigned. Repeat the process. That's why Infiniti is probably going to redesign their cars earlier than most other companies. The G35 has been out for four years, and the new one is coming out in autumn.
Personally, I think Audi takes too long with redesigns- please bring the new A4 out earlier! It will pose a much bigger threat to the IS and 3 that way!
No worries. Audi would never put that 1980 silver plastic crap in their cars. Nissan has really lost it. Now, if Sony would drop that crap and get back to black Tv's :shades:
I'm still intrigued by the A3 Q 2.OT. If it comes to be, I will take a look.
Same here. Also, make sure to take a look at the new R32 when it comes out, next year. On the track, it really shines. Of course, as we have discussed before, it has a very different fun factor than RWD vehicles.
Bright red, eh? Talk about rare (pun intended). I'm taking the little mule down to the detatilers to have some of its little minor boo boos (stone chips and pings) made all better. Then I'm having some clear protector put on the nose. After all, I own it now...
Also have the TRD (horrid acronym BTW) sway-bars on order, and I think I'll finally throw the 255's on the back and the 225's up front, which (of course) means a rim change.
New car, schnew car...
Interesting note: payoff was $17,415; book (NADA retail) is $26,578. Not shabby.
I don't think Audi drivers would like the Maxx. In '07 all Maxxes get a little more HP, variable valve timing and more upper end rev range and Hydraulic power steering. It's also supposed to be discontinued after 2007,
The Maxx cruises quietly, gets decent mileage, has comfortable seats (Saab uses same seat mfr)and a lot more room for legs (no huge center console). But it's heavy (3600 lbs or so), has somewhat rubbery ride, leans in turns, and more plasticky interior.
Maxx works well as an everyday workhorse, especially on rough roads in my area, but a drivers car it isn't.
Yesterday, as I was driving home from work, I noticed a bright red A3 2.0T passing in the other direction.
Not just any A3 2.0T! This particular specimen had a gorgeous aftermarket bodykit, a double-exhaust (one on each side) that wasn't coffee-can shaped, and fabulous (BBS?) rims. Of course, because it was speeding in the other direction, I didn't get a good look at it.
Thank god there are other A3 enthusiasts out there! I believe red is the A3's most popular color, but I have seen a few blues like my own, a white, and some greys.
No, I wouldn't say jittery or even testy. I would simply say, probably based on wheelbase alone, that the extra 3" of the A4 Avant's stance makes it feel more planted in bumped curves. "Planted" is a confidence builder.
You do give up some of the ultra-sharp feel, though. Not very much, but enough to notice. The A4 was an S-Line pkg, BTW.
The Edmunds and C&D reviews of the A3 3.2 both complained about the extra weight the V6 and Quattro added. Doesn't Quattro add around 2 - 300 lbs to any given Audi's total weight?
Fingers x'ed Audi will offer an A3 to drive at their event in LA.
Regardless of Haldex or Torsen, the addition of Quattro would not be the issue, even though lighter is better. This is because neither adds all of the weight in the one place you don't really want it: the nose.
The V6 adds however many extra pounds it carries directly to the nose of car. That, I think, would be the bone of contention.
Not having tested a 2.0T, I can't comment on that difference. I wouldn't be interested in an Audi without Quattro, so I didn't waste my time or the salesguy's.
Apparently V6 in the A3 has an iron block; not good for weight distribution (the Maxx I drive has same problem despite its Opel/Saab suspension).
Someone here mentioned the Alum block V6's were either wrong layout or too wide to fit in current A3. Maybe next gen A3 via Golf MK6 will have enuf space?
The VR6 is a bit on the heavy side, but I would say all the other (in part, safety) components in the car are where the weight problems arise. That's why the new TT uses aluminum where it counts (almost everywhere except the back).
If I remember correctly, Haldex adds about 180lbs. The AWD R32 and A3 have pretty reasonable weight distribution, they even have the battery in the back. Remember, these are Haldex - not TorSen - AWD; so they have better traction with some extra weight on the front wheels. A stock R32 beats a lot of other cars on the track, so for 99% of consumers it has about all the handling you could ever make use of, plus the built-in safety of AWD and very slight tendency to oversteer. I suspect the quattro A3 handles pretty close to that (probably a notch softer and slower).
The A3 2.0T, which I have as a winter car beside my quattro S4 Cabriolet, is significantly better in the snow.
I personally don't think the 3.2 quattro is worth the extra $8,000- its performance advantage is less than minimal (the 2.0T is more tossable and feels lighter on its feet), and the quattro is really not worth the money. Although it's odd to have an Audi without quattro unless you have an A4 Cabriolet, the A3 is plenty good in the snow.
By the way, my S4 has winter tires- just to let you know.
'06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330 Sport
It's completely fine if no one wants to do this, but I'm pressing my luck.
If any of you are kind enough, would you mind starting an account on Autospies.com and letting me use it? For some reason, for the last year the site has rejected my password- and I keep trying to get another one through e-mail but they seem to be ignoring me.
The site has terrible bloggers, and I would like to write real posts like we do here- to show them how not to be jack@$$£$.
Again, no one has to do this- it would just be a huge favor, and I would do something similar for you if you so requested.
At a 2 day track event I was at a guy was running his A3 3.2. I don't know if it was the car or the driver but people were blowing by him all day. I'm guessing it was mostly the driver...
I ran across a thread a while back (elsewhere) started by a guy who'd breathed on his 2.0T DSG (both the suspension and the engine), stating that he was having great success AutoXing that little beastie. IIRC, the single most effective mod that he'd made (other than the "chip" that is) was a new rear sway bar. He made some comment that the new bar almost made his A3 feel like a RWD car. I'm not at all sure I understand how/why that could happen but never-the-less, his track times and placings seemed to be very competitive.
Rear sways on VWs dynamically change the character of their FWD cars. It's a differently world when you slap a thick sway on a FWD VW chassis. Wouldn't surprise me.
"Rear sways on VWs dynamically change the character of their FWD cars. It's a differently world when you slap a thick sway on a FWD VW chassis. Wouldn't surprise me."
Interesting. The last FWD VW that I had (with a sporting nature that is) was my 1979 VW Scirocco. That car had a "Torsion Beam Independent Rear Suspension". The beam kind of operated both as the pivot point for the trailing arms as well as a gonzo anti-sway bar. I remember hot-footing it around what were then called "Gymkhana Courses" on three wheels (the inside rear would lift an inch or two) due to the stiffness of that rear beam. :shades:
Note to self: If I get an A3 2.0T, buy a big fat rear sway bar. ;-)
There's no such thing as the 3.2T- it's a 3.2 V6, naturally aspirated; therefore, the 2.0T has more potential horsepower because you can make much more difference with a stage 2 chip on a turbo engine than you can with a V6.
And, the 3.2 also has FSI- so that can't be counted as a 2.0T advantage.
Finally, the 3.2 comes with quattro standard. I think that would be an advantage!
The 3.2 is definitely not worth the extra $9,000. The A3 2.0T has been tested getting a 0-60 time in 6.1 seconds, which is quicker than the 3.2. The average for the 2.0T is 6.4 seconds. The DSG transmission is a dream.
no offense but your friendly local salesman could fall into two categories:
1. He's poorly informed - common among all car salespeople. 2. He's telling you that because he wants to move 2006 product. Even if you're not buying, saying the 07s will have AWD could be enough to delay another person's sale.
When it comes to salesmen - unless he's a friend outside of the buying experience - if his lips are moving most of what he says is geared toward closing a deal today or very soon.
esf wrote: And, the 3.2 also has FSI- so that can't be counted as a 2.0T advantage.
Unfortunately, not. The 3.2VR6 of the Euro Passat, and the US 3.6VR6 are FSI, as well as the Audi V6s - but not the 3.2VR6 of the A3 nor that of the R32. Tough to keep up, I know.
I agree with the other things you said. Still would love to see the 2.0TFSI in AWD version in a car other than the Passat...
Thnx for correction on 3.2 - will forget the T after 3.2.
If 3.2 has FSI then the Audi A3 info on Audi website needs overhaul, as there is no mention FSI for 3.2. Car and Driver also claims the 3.2 engine is Port fuel injection, not FSI (they list 2.0 T as having FSI). Another auto web site mentioned the 3.2s' engine came from the older Audi TT and the VW R32 (port fuel, not FSI). Edmunds claimed engine was FSI.
Did Audi switch engines during the '06 run? Did Edmunds get a prototype?
(also, it's about the same price as a higher-end Passat, which is a bargain for the class. In fact, the A4 is the least expensive, and probably best all-rounder, in the class)
(also, it's about the same price as a higher-end Passat, which is a bargain for the class. In fact, the A4 is the least expensive, and probably best all-rounder, in the class
Not after recent price increases and when they discontinue 4 year maintenance program - it's like adding about a grand to the sticker. BMW will get much more attractive at that moment.
Freudian mistake? I am waffling back and forth between VW and Audi for my Golf replacement. Don't need a large car, since I already have the Passat wagon. Every-so-often the A4 crosses my mind, but I just love hatchbacks and wagons - and the premium on the A4 wagon is just outrageous, especially, after you add sunroof and heated seats to the quattro. By the time I am done, Edmunds' TMV comes out $2,000 more for the wagon, at close to $36,000 for the manual 2.0TFSI. Too much for a smallish, almost base level wagon, AWD or not. Makes the Passat 3.6 look quite attractive for those who need a larger car. Definitely makes the Legacy GT look good (albeit that one does not come in manual, any longer).
By the way, the 2.0TFSI AWD is just an educated guess (also called unsubstantiated rumor) for the Passat, at this point. But don't forget that there was a very small numbers of 1.8T 4Motion Passats, when everyone (including myself) had given up.
We have been thru this before, the premium on the 3.2 more like $5,000. Your $9k figure is WAY OFF! If you outfit a 2.0 comparably to the way the 3.2 comes stock, that is the difference which is bad enough.
There won't be any significant price increase- and I guarantee you that BMW will go the way of Audi and Mercedes-Benz, and discontinue their free maintenance program.
It is quite stupid, if productive, but my three Audis haven't had any problems of note- so I think they can afford to make a few customers angry. My wife's next car could be a BMW or Mercedes-Benz (among others), and I'd like to see the reliability difference.
'06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330
Funny that you didn't mention the A3 once in there- though I'm sure it's implied, for this is an A3 room!
It depends on how you look at sedans. Supposedly, the A4 sedan has more trunk space than the A3 with the rear seats up- quite a shock to me.
Still, Audi makes a beautiful wagon. Usually the most stylish and sporty in class, and they offer practicality to boot. The new A6 Avant is quite a sight to behold, especially those jewel-like rear lights, which add tremendously to the effect.
Comments
This is a luxury sporty car (sedan, wagon, convertible), not some petite roadster/coupe with an oversized engine. It is not a Porshe/Ferrari, it never pretended to be one, its customers never asked for one when stepped into a dealership.
Either you don't understand its purpose or your expectations are completely outlandish - could you tell me of one similarly sized and equipped (i.e. safety and ammenities) luxury sedan/wagon/4seat convertible weighing 3100 lb? What is weight of M5 or AMG55, by the way?
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Driving impressions were certainly very good. DSG is the wave of the future and no two ways. I'm betting a knock-off is forthcoming from at least one major mfr in the new two years. Between the A3 3.2Q and an A4 Avant 3.2 S-line, I have to give the overall handling nod to the Avant. To me, it seemed to carve almost as quickly, but had significantly better composure over uneven surfaces in curves. I prefer the size of the A3 though. Substantially.
Money played a role here. Were the same lease terms available for the A3 3.2 as were on the A4, I might have pulled the trigger. But frankly, neither one of the cars offered any significant driving or ownership advantage over my current car, other than the smell of fresh materials, which is a heady fragrance to me. The residual on my car is also far lower than its market value, so I don't feel at all dicey about picking up that tab.
Great car, but RWD wins, IMO...
i guess blueguy is saying that s4 is not really a sports car in an ideal sense. ideal being some exotic ferrari under 3000lbs. of course, weight is the enemy of handling. in this sense he is right. am i right blueguy?
you, on the other hand, have a very relistic comparison! and you coudl not be any more right yourself. can anyone show you a better car in the s4 category in terms of weight? no! so, in its own family s4 is the king of the hill. some might like the m3, come the amg35. but these are subjective. when we are taking about weight in this family, all are similar to each other and the cars are very sporty and fun.
i guess i can come up with a joke. the mack trucker tells his volvo trucker buddy that his truck handles better than the volvo. suddenly the freightliner trucker is offended and jumps into the conversation saying that his truck is the lightest -- by 500 lbs -- so his is the best. on the next table in the diner are two guys, owners of an m3 and and s4 evesdropping on their conversation and grining...
The A3 3.2 quattro - many agree with me about this - is too heavy, thus making it feel numb and sluggish (much like the S4 and M3 cab).
Enjoy what you have. Or in my case, regroup and find something you like more.
DL
I knew that 200 HP with 207 lb/ft of torque is a lot to ask from a FrontTrak vehicle. But.... thats why I opted for the sport package with grippier tires and a dropped & stiffer suspension. Those All-Seasons were too easy to spin.
Anyway... I thought of you the other day... Saw a bright red Sportcross.. stunning!!
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Audi's on a roll, and thank god they're not in Infiniti's position. Infiniti revamped their entire lineup within 3 years, which means that they'll all get stale (which is happening right now), and then they'll all be redesigned. Repeat the process. That's why Infiniti is probably going to redesign their cars earlier than most other companies. The G35 has been out for four years, and the new one is coming out in autumn.
Personally, I think Audi takes too long with redesigns- please bring the new A4 out earlier! It will pose a much bigger threat to the IS and 3 that way!
Rant is over,
DL
Same here. Also, make sure to take a look at the new R32 when it comes out, next year. On the track, it really shines. Of course, as we have discussed before, it has a very different fun factor than RWD vehicles.
Bright red, eh? Talk about rare (pun intended). I'm taking the little mule down to the detatilers to have some of its little minor boo boos (stone chips and pings) made all better. Then I'm having some clear protector put on the nose. After all, I own it now...
Also have the TRD (horrid acronym BTW) sway-bars on order, and I think I'll finally throw the 255's on the back and the 225's up front, which (of course) means a rim change.
New car, schnew car...
Interesting note: payoff was $17,415; book (NADA retail) is $26,578. Not shabby.
The Maxx cruises quietly, gets decent mileage, has comfortable seats (Saab uses same seat mfr)and a lot more room for legs (no huge center console). But it's heavy (3600 lbs or so), has somewhat rubbery ride, leans in turns, and more plasticky interior.
Maxx works well as an everyday workhorse, especially on rough roads in my area, but a drivers car it isn't.
Good info, as always.
And of course, keep the sport options available for those who want them.
Not just any A3 2.0T! This particular specimen had a gorgeous aftermarket bodykit, a double-exhaust (one on each side) that wasn't coffee-can shaped, and fabulous (BBS?) rims. Of course, because it was speeding in the other direction, I didn't get a good look at it.
Thank god there are other A3 enthusiasts out there! I believe red is the A3's most popular color, but I have seen a few blues like my own, a white, and some greys.
Preferences?
You do give up some of the ultra-sharp feel, though. Not very much, but enough to notice. The A4 was an S-Line pkg, BTW.
Fingers x'ed Audi will offer an A3 to drive at their event in LA.
The V6 adds however many extra pounds it carries directly to the nose of car. That, I think, would be the bone of contention.
Not having tested a 2.0T, I can't comment on that difference. I wouldn't be interested in an Audi without Quattro, so I didn't waste my time or the salesguy's.
Someone here mentioned the Alum block V6's were either wrong layout or too wide to fit in current A3. Maybe next gen A3 via Golf MK6 will have enuf space?
If I remember correctly, Haldex adds about 180lbs. The AWD R32 and A3 have pretty reasonable weight distribution, they even have the battery in the back. Remember, these are Haldex - not TorSen - AWD; so they have better traction with some extra weight on the front wheels. A stock R32 beats a lot of other cars on the track, so for 99% of consumers it has about all the handling you could ever make use of, plus the built-in safety of AWD and very slight tendency to oversteer. I suspect the quattro A3 handles pretty close to that (probably a notch softer and slower).
Are A3 3.2 Quattros viable competitors for the WTIs' and the EVO's out there?
I personally don't think the 3.2 quattro is worth the extra $8,000- its performance advantage is less than minimal (the 2.0T is more tossable and feels lighter on its feet), and the quattro is really not worth the money. Although it's odd to have an Audi without quattro unless you have an A4 Cabriolet, the A3 is plenty good in the snow.
By the way, my S4 has winter tires- just to let you know.
'06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330 Sport
If any of you are kind enough, would you mind starting an account on Autospies.com and letting me use it? For some reason, for the last year the site has rejected my password- and I keep trying to get another one through e-mail but they seem to be ignoring me.
The site has terrible bloggers, and I would like to write real posts like we do here- to show them how not to be jack@$$£$.
Again, no one has to do this- it would just be a huge favor, and I would do something similar for you if you so requested.
will be interesting to see what it's like (reserved a place a month ago)!
Best Regards,
Shipo
2.0T advantages?
FSI.
Wider torque curve.
Less front end weight.
3.2T advantage?
More potential horsepower.
Interesting. The last FWD VW that I had (with a sporting nature that is) was my 1979 VW Scirocco. That car had a "Torsion Beam Independent Rear Suspension". The beam kind of operated both as the pivot point for the trailing arms as well as a gonzo anti-sway bar. I remember hot-footing it around what were then called "Gymkhana Courses" on three wheels (the inside rear would lift an inch or two) due to the stiffness of that rear beam. :shades:
Note to self: If I get an A3 2.0T, buy a big fat rear sway bar. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
Bummer. :sick:
And, the 3.2 also has FSI- so that can't be counted as a 2.0T advantage.
Finally, the 3.2 comes with quattro standard. I think that would be an advantage!
The 3.2 is definitely not worth the extra $9,000. The A3 2.0T has been tested getting a 0-60 time in 6.1 seconds, which is quicker than the 3.2. The average for the 2.0T is 6.4 seconds. The DSG transmission is a dream.
1. He's poorly informed - common among all car salespeople.
2. He's telling you that because he wants to move 2006 product. Even if you're not buying, saying the 07s will have AWD could be enough to delay another person's sale.
When it comes to salesmen - unless he's a friend outside of the buying experience - if his lips are moving most of what he says is geared toward closing a deal today or very soon.
And, the 3.2 also has FSI- so that can't be counted as a 2.0T advantage.
Unfortunately, not. The 3.2VR6 of the Euro Passat, and the US 3.6VR6 are FSI, as well as the Audi V6s - but not the 3.2VR6 of the A3 nor that of the R32. Tough to keep up, I know.
I agree with the other things you said. Still would love to see the 2.0TFSI in AWD version in a car other than the Passat...
If 3.2 has FSI then the Audi A3 info on Audi website needs overhaul, as there is no mention FSI for 3.2.
Car and Driver also claims the 3.2 engine is Port fuel injection, not FSI (they list 2.0 T as having FSI).
Another auto web site mentioned the 3.2s' engine came from the older Audi TT and the VW R32 (port fuel, not FSI).
Edmunds claimed engine was FSI.
Did Audi switch engines during the '06 run? Did Edmunds get a prototype?
A 2.0T AWD Passat can be had here in the U.S.? I didn't know that. :confuse:
Best Regards,
Shipo
Maybe for 2007 it will be on 2.0T as well?
Ha I'm sure you just forgot.
(also, it's about the same price as a higher-end Passat, which is a bargain for the class. In fact, the A4 is the least expensive, and probably best all-rounder, in the class)
Not after recent price increases and when they discontinue 4 year maintenance program - it's like adding about a grand to the sticker. BMW will get much more attractive at that moment.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Ha I'm sure you just forgot.
Freudian mistake? I am waffling back and forth between VW and Audi for my Golf replacement. Don't need a large car, since I already have the Passat wagon. Every-so-often the A4 crosses my mind, but I just love hatchbacks and wagons - and the premium on the A4 wagon is just outrageous, especially, after you add sunroof and heated seats to the quattro. By the time I am done, Edmunds' TMV comes out $2,000 more for the wagon, at close to $36,000 for the manual 2.0TFSI. Too much for a smallish, almost base level wagon, AWD or not. Makes the Passat 3.6 look quite attractive for those who need a larger car. Definitely makes the Legacy GT look good (albeit that one does not come in manual, any longer).
By the way, the 2.0TFSI AWD is just an educated guess (also called unsubstantiated rumor) for the Passat, at this point. But don't forget that there was a very small numbers of 1.8T 4Motion Passats, when everyone (including myself) had given up.
It is quite stupid, if productive, but my three Audis haven't had any problems of note- so I think they can afford to make a few customers angry. My wife's next car could be a BMW or Mercedes-Benz (among others), and I'd like to see the reliability difference.
'06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330
It depends on how you look at sedans. Supposedly, the A4 sedan has more trunk space than the A3 with the rear seats up- quite a shock to me.
Still, Audi makes a beautiful wagon. Usually the most stylish and sporty in class, and they offer practicality to boot. The new A6 Avant is quite a sight to behold, especially those jewel-like rear lights, which add tremendously to the effect.
April Sales Figures (for A3)
for April '06; 746
for April '05; 128
year to year change for month of april; 482.8%
April '06 Year To date; 3093
April '05 year to date; 175
year to year change; 1667.4%
Audi did not break the A3 sales down by models.
Audi also mentioned the RS4 sports sedan intro will follow the Q7, the former of which is the star of their Streets of Tomorrow program.
I hope posting this info does not violate any Edmunds policies.