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The Mazda 3 seems to have that feel as well, but like the A3, is too small in the rear quarters.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Is a Nissan Murano SE getting too big to handle well?
Is a Volvo V70 too soft?
As for Audi A4 Avant , I thought the back seat was no larger than A3 - just the cargo hold.
14 November 2005
AUDI ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR THE 2006 A3 3.2 QUATTRO S-LINE
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The highly acclaimed 2006 Audi A3 line-up will receive a formidable addition in mid-November: the A3 3.2 quattroÒ S-line. Audi’s premium compact will now have even more sporting pretensions with a high-power V6 engine, quattro all-wheel drive, and aggressive exterior styling. The 2006 A3 3.2 quattro S-line will be available at a base price of $33,980 ($44,990 in Canada). A destination charge of $720 is not included in the base price.
The heart of the new A3 3.2 quattro S-line is the narrow-angle 3.2L V6 engine producing 250 hp at 6300 rpm and 236 ft.-lbs. of torque from 2800-3200 rpm. A 6-speed Direct-Shift Gearbox transmission is standard, as is Audi’s legendary quattro all-wheel drive. This drivetrain propels the A3 3.2 quattro S-line from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds, and through the quarter-mile in 14.4 seconds.
A standard sport suspension and 17-inch Excalibur 5-spoke alloy wheels with 225/45 all-season tires ensures that the A3 3.2 quattro S-line has a dynamic ride with sporty handling. Optional 18-inch 20-spoke alloy wheels with 225/40 performance tires are available for drivers who demand the ultimate in traction.
The exterior styling has been changed to distinguish the A3 3.2 quattro S-line as the sportiest of A3s. The front bumper now features larger air intakes that terminate into a new lip spoiler. The rear bumper has been restyled to feature a sporty and more pronounced lower valence. These features, along with the 17 or 18-inch wheels, gives the A3 3.2 quattro S-line an outwardly aggressive road presence that matches its driving dynamics.
Other standard features on the S-line package include fog lights, roof spoiler, S-line badging, alloy air vents and door inlays, leather clad sport seats with special stitching and a power adjustable driver’s seat, 3-spoke multi-function steering wheel with alloy shift paddles, BoseÒ Symphony audio system with an in-dash 6-disc CD changer, illuminated vanity mirrors, and driver and passenger reading lights.
I can't wait to compare this car with the new Saab 9-3 Sportcombi Aero. From the photos, I like the Saabs exterior and the Audi's interior.
Dave in VA
DL
Just give me Quattro on the 2.0T with a stick-shift, and I'll be happy..
regards,
kyfdx
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Honestly, an over-nannied, pudgy IS350 in white with a "cashmere" (shouldn't that be Kashmir?) interior, sport package and some SSR GT7s with Goodyear F1s may do me proper after all. I hate the thought of losing a wagon, but hey, a guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do...
However, the hatchback market has traditionally been in the $15K to $20K range. Perhaps add $1.5K for AWD, add another 1.5K for a better engine. Subaru has been raising the prices recently, and with heated leather/moonroof your WRX wagon is >$27K. Add another $3K audi name plate tax and you are at $30K. But $35-40K? Where is the market for that?
Sad thing is, VW/Audi will lose $5K with me on this type of marketing strategy, and I am sure I am not the only one. I think at this point, I'd rather get a FWD $25K 5-door GTI than the FWD A3, and definitely not this thing. I would spend $30K for a Haldex AWD 2.0TFSI A3 - but my patience is running out, on that. They better hurry up and offer that before/when the 5-door GTI is released in June - else Audi loses my purchase. Of course, if they cancel or delay the 5-door GTI (or Golf 2.0TFSI), VW/Audi loses all of my money...
Dave in VA
Best Regards,
Shipo
don
MSRP = $39,450
Inovice = $36,605
TMV = $38,801
I likely will not buy until May so I'm hoping go get one for around 37K? What do you think, wishful thinking?? $40K for an A3 is just way to much.
Dave in VA
I am a big Audi fan. I had driven almost all except S4, and A3. The A3 was amazing. Great gearbox and steering feedback. I have always dreemed of an S4 but after driving it, it seemed a little long in the tooth. Very fast, but the most annoying thing was the gigantic bus sized steering wheel, and kind of notchy gear box. Maybe the next gen S4 can catch up, but I thought the driving dynamics of the little A3 were superior. Just my 2 cents..
One thing I missed on the options list was the NAV, and I don't see it on the standard features list either. Macular degeneration maybe? kyfdx might be right and codgerdom may be upon me...
$36K-$37K doesn't sound so bad to me for a 250-horse quattro hatch assuming some of that can be negotiated away, and by May (sooner probably) I think that will be likely.
BTW, I checked insurance for the A3, IS350 and for fun the G35 coupe (just thinkin' here) and the A3 is substantially lower than the IS, and a fair deal lower than the G. The repair cost index on the IS is high. Very high, according to State Farm. It may color my decision downstream...
Reasons include 4 doors vs 2, 4 years of free audi service, styling, interior luxuriousness.
We put 58,000 miles on ours and it both rode and handled quite well, but it is a big vehicle. It weighs just under 4000 pounds which isn't bad for a vechicle this size.
The CVT makes it very quick.
The A3 costs as much has a well equipped G35 coupe. Just not worth it.
Oh well.
Back to the hunt for a 325i replacement.
I like the extra doors, Audi styling, Audi interior, Quattro and the pleasure of not having to interact with VW of USA.
I thought this thing would bag out at $38K sticker. At $36K-$37K assuming some wiggle room, this looks OK. I think the run will be short, though, and would prefer to see a 2.0TQ.
Reality is that for a seriously sharp, suitably plush, sporty and fairly potent wagon (which is the best form of automotive transport after all) that isn't part of the Supersize America Plan, there aren't that many great options. The Subarus are potent and AWD, but butt-stinking ugly (IMO of course) and haven't yet hit the entry lux plateau, the 9-3 Combi is FWD only and SAAB's not exactly known for extreme sport handling. The VW's aren't quite as sharp and give you FWD only in this size.
There will be price resistence on the 3.2 though. I will be surprised if the deals aren't fairly tasty by March.
Leather and most other goodies are available as well. Take a second look at it, it is not miles apart from the A3 in terms of styling or luxury. It has a bigger boot, to boot. Main differences in my opinion are (i) dealer/service experience, (ii) free maintenance, and (iii) likely lower insurance costs for A3.
But, alas, to get AWD you need to get the R36 --- you can't get it for the 2.0TFSI; same story as A3.
Nothing really to discuss about the car you want. Just order it through your dealer and drive home 3 months later.
I would suggest trying out a Jetta GLI and if that works, perhaps wait for the Golf or GTI rather than the Beetle.
Sorry to hear the A3 has this as well.
No done deal of course, but I see very little else that satisfies so many preferences. Funny thing is that I'd look at virtually anythng in a RWD wagon of the same size, but they simply don't exist in this country anymore. I'm angry at BMW for insisting on upsizing the 3 and not bringing the 330 version, and truly pissed at Lexus for not offering a new IS350 wagon.
What's a guy gotta do to get a "real" car these days anyway? Move to the UK?
:sick:
Good example of what I'm talking about, though, Ivan. If it was RWD, I think I'd pull the trigger anyway, deficiencies be damned.
Remember that post I just put up about price resistance? They just made a liar out of me.
Either they'll produce a 2.0TQ by May, drop the 3.2Q price by May, start offering some tasty lease deals by May, or this boy's buying something else come May!
Definitely smoking something...
1. Currency exchange. For years dollar was high, which gave them good profits and pricing flexibility. It's over now, they have no choice but stick it out. Evidence - compare with European prices and A3 still looks like a steal here for same configurations.
2. Greed, i.e. attempt of pulling "domestic" - overprice it, catch a few suckers first, then add incentives on as needed basis. We all know how it ends, but they haven't tried it yet (you never believ until you do it yourself).
3. Desperation. With VAG in dire straights (Audi being only profitable division), they try to take as much as possible.
4. They want to kill it, but have an appearance of trying. Overpricing is the best way.
5. Stupidity. They are dumb - they don't get it and never will. It's another version of Pheaton.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Audi may be profitable overall, but the US is a sore point because of the exchange rate.
For my configuration, they are a good three grand over what I would be willing to do. The car is nifty, but for that kind of money?
ouch...I was just on the BMW site configuring a 330i (not going to buy one anytime soon), and my ideal came out to just around 40,500. Not that these automobiles are comparable but in price they are.
Regarding the asterisk (*) after my configured price, that is my derived MSRP because the Audi system will not let me configure the car with the Convenience Package (and Bluetooth) AND the Bi-Xenons for the Sport Package. Could they really be that dumb? Yeesh! Note to self: Stop by one of my two local dealerships and ask about this. If it's really true, then this is an absolute show stopper for me.
Best Regards,
Shipo
I much prefer five doors to four.
I much prefer the smaller size.
I can't get an E90 wagon with the power plant of choice.
I love the DSG.
I love the Open Sky option.
I much prefer the Audi interior.
I don't care much for Bangle's work, subtle as it may be on the E90 by comparison.
But $40K? Oy.
1) The E90 comes equipped with RunFlat tires (annoying but I could live with the extra expense), and no spare tire. Yikes! I drive plenty of places where such a tire (i.e. any of the OEM offerings on the E90) cannot be had at a moment's notice, and if it does happen to be available, we're talking $$$.
2) No dipstick. I thought my days of crawling under cars to change the oil were over when I bought my Pela oil extraction device.
In spite of the A3's various shortcomings (no RWD option, no power memory seats for the SP, and possibly having to decide between Bluetooth and Xenon headlights), I'm thinking that the A3 is a winner in a head-to-head comparison with the E90, even at like prices.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Actually, that's the million dollar question. I've heard from any number of normally reliable sources that, "Audi is about to reinstate their ED program, details to follow..." Unfortunately I've been hearing that for nearly three years and so far at least, no ED program. :-(
I'll check around again and report back.
Best Regards,
Shipo
For those of you on the car of the year forum {where I've been trying to log on to for days now} there are some saying that the Mini should have got best sport compact over the A3. I say drive it before making judgments. It is one of the funnest cars I've ever driven.