tlionhart
18-05-2010, 02:57 PM
I have some spare time right now and I'm incredibly bored so decided to right an overall review on the A3 hatchback. (newer version) This is from personal experience with pros and cons.
I currently own the A3 in my signature. A full spec A3 1.4 Sline. Ok it doesn't have sat nav or leather...At the time I payed circa to £24000 for the car, that was back in DEC 08-March 09 when the car was ordered and delivered. Now you could pick the same spec up for £22000 or less! Spending how much I payed in the beginning would ultimately give you a 100% fully spec car. WHY? Because Audi have now compressed packages. For example with the 'sound system pack' you get the bose and the ipod connection. For the comfort pack you get the cruise control, rear sensors and light pack. Which of cause all adds up. I previously owned a 1.6 sport. This isn't a great car in comparison and most certainly I dislike driving an A3 that is SE trim. The S-Line really is a superior car in comparison to the SE. Wheels, trim, sporty-ness...The 'sport trim' would be a better buy. The s-line is 10mm lower than the sport so you don't compromise comfort. Value for money? Not so sure, because ALL audi models (except the A1) have those LED lights at the front as standard. Whereas on the A3 you have to pay £575 for them! However the only advantage of this, there aren't many cars out there with the A3 led lights and it certainly makes the car a head turner. If your maximum budget can afford the SE spec only, forget it. Go for the A1 instead. You will get more car for your money. Unless you don't care and just need a big car, but not a big car as in the size of an A4/A6, etc. Sorry if im annoying anyone with an SE A3...ok it is a nice car, but the interior really is plastic and just boring. I'd rather have a VW golf instead. As mentioned this review is in my opinion.
The A3 however (hatchback 3-dr) is a car aimed at someone who wants a big car, but not too big. similar cars; ford focus, V.astra. As in 5-dr cars are too big, but you want more metal. A car larger than the A1, Ford fiesta, V corsa or the mini. The sportback (5-dr) is aimed at someone who wants an A3 but needs 5-DRS. Perhaps you have children or a baby. This car is best suited for you. However the driver doesn't want a 5-dr car that is a estate or saloon.
Then there is this 'S3'. Same car basically as mentioned but with a bit more trim, but with a vast amount of BHP. Someone who wants a hot hatch. Similar cars are Golf R, R32, Ford ST, etc. This carries a £27k+ price tag.
What I like about the A3 hatchback. PRO's
-practical car for the town
-big boot space
-easily foldable seats in the rear
-Good choice of engines. Available in petrol or diesel.
-very sporty, but not aggressive exterior design
-smart interior design and not tacky.
-comfortable, especially with the lumber support and heated seats. (optional extra)
-very fuel efficient.
-get it now whilst they are selling some extras as packages rather than individually, thus increasing the cost of the car
-not expensive to tax/insure.
-customisable interior. Such as door inlays, seat colouring, centre console trim, steering wheels and gear knobs.
-Quattro available
-servotronic steering standard on all models
-good choice of colours available
-plenty of room in the back.
-If you do opt for the LED/xenon lights they are at a reasonable price
-Parallel assist. Really does make parking easier. Includes front and rear sensors. Additional sensors detect the car at the sides and controls the steering wheel. All you do is control the gas applied.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sS_WQ8EZKc
Excuse that blokes laughing. P.S Not me or my car, just a video I found on youtube.
What I dislike about the A3 hatchback. CON's
-fault design with the arm rest. When the handbrake is on and the arm rest is down fully. They meet. Wearing the leather on the handbrake.
-Price is steep and the car is basic. No matter what trim you go for. The S-line is £19445 and thats just the car. Just adding a sat nav to that is £1500! So once you get adding extras you could be looking at a very expensive hatchback. Whereas there are other cars on the market that offer everything for £15000!
-Led headlights are an optional extra
-not as many extras on the car available/exist. For example keyless entry. Most cars have this now. Models like the A4/A5 have lots of technology on them. Side assist, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, MMI (those little computers in the dashboard you see on the A4/A5/A6 where the sat nav is)
- A3 always last to have the alloy updates. What I mean by this, Audi release an alloy design on a top spec audi. R8, RS model then they eventually over time feed this to other audi models.
-not all optional extras available in the UK.
-S-line can be quite bumpy on rubbish roads. However this is because the car sits 10mm lower than the other trims. It has an 's line suspension'. If you rather have comfort over design then SE or sport are models to consider.
Conclusion:
The A3 is a fab car in my opinion. If you want a car with technology the opt for the A4/A5 instead. Hopefully the next generation A3 will have all the toys. The A3 can be a big car for a lot of people, especially for 17/18yr olds who have recently passed a driving test. Having to judge the distance of the back and especially the front, has a huge bonnet, almost close to a saloon car. Then consider the A1. Whatever A3 you consider to go for, you won't be disappointed.
I currently own the A3 in my signature. A full spec A3 1.4 Sline. Ok it doesn't have sat nav or leather...At the time I payed circa to £24000 for the car, that was back in DEC 08-March 09 when the car was ordered and delivered. Now you could pick the same spec up for £22000 or less! Spending how much I payed in the beginning would ultimately give you a 100% fully spec car. WHY? Because Audi have now compressed packages. For example with the 'sound system pack' you get the bose and the ipod connection. For the comfort pack you get the cruise control, rear sensors and light pack. Which of cause all adds up. I previously owned a 1.6 sport. This isn't a great car in comparison and most certainly I dislike driving an A3 that is SE trim. The S-Line really is a superior car in comparison to the SE. Wheels, trim, sporty-ness...The 'sport trim' would be a better buy. The s-line is 10mm lower than the sport so you don't compromise comfort. Value for money? Not so sure, because ALL audi models (except the A1) have those LED lights at the front as standard. Whereas on the A3 you have to pay £575 for them! However the only advantage of this, there aren't many cars out there with the A3 led lights and it certainly makes the car a head turner. If your maximum budget can afford the SE spec only, forget it. Go for the A1 instead. You will get more car for your money. Unless you don't care and just need a big car, but not a big car as in the size of an A4/A6, etc. Sorry if im annoying anyone with an SE A3...ok it is a nice car, but the interior really is plastic and just boring. I'd rather have a VW golf instead. As mentioned this review is in my opinion.
The A3 however (hatchback 3-dr) is a car aimed at someone who wants a big car, but not too big. similar cars; ford focus, V.astra. As in 5-dr cars are too big, but you want more metal. A car larger than the A1, Ford fiesta, V corsa or the mini. The sportback (5-dr) is aimed at someone who wants an A3 but needs 5-DRS. Perhaps you have children or a baby. This car is best suited for you. However the driver doesn't want a 5-dr car that is a estate or saloon.
Then there is this 'S3'. Same car basically as mentioned but with a bit more trim, but with a vast amount of BHP. Someone who wants a hot hatch. Similar cars are Golf R, R32, Ford ST, etc. This carries a £27k+ price tag.
What I like about the A3 hatchback. PRO's
-practical car for the town
-big boot space
-easily foldable seats in the rear
-Good choice of engines. Available in petrol or diesel.
-very sporty, but not aggressive exterior design
-smart interior design and not tacky.
-comfortable, especially with the lumber support and heated seats. (optional extra)
-very fuel efficient.
-get it now whilst they are selling some extras as packages rather than individually, thus increasing the cost of the car
-not expensive to tax/insure.
-customisable interior. Such as door inlays, seat colouring, centre console trim, steering wheels and gear knobs.
-Quattro available
-servotronic steering standard on all models
-good choice of colours available
-plenty of room in the back.
-If you do opt for the LED/xenon lights they are at a reasonable price
-Parallel assist. Really does make parking easier. Includes front and rear sensors. Additional sensors detect the car at the sides and controls the steering wheel. All you do is control the gas applied.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sS_WQ8EZKc
Excuse that blokes laughing. P.S Not me or my car, just a video I found on youtube.
What I dislike about the A3 hatchback. CON's
-fault design with the arm rest. When the handbrake is on and the arm rest is down fully. They meet. Wearing the leather on the handbrake.
-Price is steep and the car is basic. No matter what trim you go for. The S-line is £19445 and thats just the car. Just adding a sat nav to that is £1500! So once you get adding extras you could be looking at a very expensive hatchback. Whereas there are other cars on the market that offer everything for £15000!
-Led headlights are an optional extra
-not as many extras on the car available/exist. For example keyless entry. Most cars have this now. Models like the A4/A5 have lots of technology on them. Side assist, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, MMI (those little computers in the dashboard you see on the A4/A5/A6 where the sat nav is)
- A3 always last to have the alloy updates. What I mean by this, Audi release an alloy design on a top spec audi. R8, RS model then they eventually over time feed this to other audi models.
-not all optional extras available in the UK.
-S-line can be quite bumpy on rubbish roads. However this is because the car sits 10mm lower than the other trims. It has an 's line suspension'. If you rather have comfort over design then SE or sport are models to consider.
Conclusion:
The A3 is a fab car in my opinion. If you want a car with technology the opt for the A4/A5 instead. Hopefully the next generation A3 will have all the toys. The A3 can be a big car for a lot of people, especially for 17/18yr olds who have recently passed a driving test. Having to judge the distance of the back and especially the front, has a huge bonnet, almost close to a saloon car. Then consider the A1. Whatever A3 you consider to go for, you won't be disappointed.