A3 vs GTI? (longish)
02-15-2006, 01:57 AM
#24
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$5050...
<center><img src="http://www.jimmypribble.com/temp/a3vsgti.jpg"></center><p>Your post almost perfectly echoes my sentiments and conclusions. If I bought a GTI, I would buy the stripper - literally no option boxes checked. But I think the A3 looks better and I enjoy my Audi dealer experience, blah, blah, so I did the very best that I could to build a fair A3 to compete with my GTI stripper. The spreadsheet above is what I got.
Just to show I'm a swell guy, I decided not to ding the A3 with the $675 it would cost to get a trip computer, which is standard on the GTI. I also pretended that I wouldn't order the ultra-rare metallic paint, for which Audi charges $450 and VW charges nothing. I also didn't account for the $90 extra that Audi charges to deliver the car. See? I'm nice. Besides, that should easily offset the free maintenance (but not for long).
But even after being nice, it's $5050 extra to get the A3. If one wanted leather sport seats in the GTI, the difference would fall to $1890 and the internal debate might be more lively. But at $5050...well, that buys lots of performance mods, HomeLink visors, fuzzy dice, speeding ticket fines, and any other number of things to help ease the pain of having to set your own climate control. No contest for me, but YMMV according to your own desired specs for a car.
Jimmy
Just to show I'm a swell guy, I decided not to ding the A3 with the $675 it would cost to get a trip computer, which is standard on the GTI. I also pretended that I wouldn't order the ultra-rare metallic paint, for which Audi charges $450 and VW charges nothing. I also didn't account for the $90 extra that Audi charges to deliver the car. See? I'm nice. Besides, that should easily offset the free maintenance (but not for long).
But even after being nice, it's $5050 extra to get the A3. If one wanted leather sport seats in the GTI, the difference would fall to $1890 and the internal debate might be more lively. But at $5050...well, that buys lots of performance mods, HomeLink visors, fuzzy dice, speeding ticket fines, and any other number of things to help ease the pain of having to set your own climate control. No contest for me, but YMMV according to your own desired specs for a car.
Jimmy
02-15-2006, 11:31 AM
#25
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Base 5-door GTI will cost only about 2K less than
A3...
Base GTI has standard xenons, fogs, nice steering wheel and stiffer suspension.
Base A3 has standard dual zone climatronic, free maintenance, bigger cargo space, better paint (6 coats on A3, 4 coats on VW).
Overall GTI may offer better value but not by much.
I always thought I would have purchased 5 door GTI instead of A3 (if I could wait that long)... until I saw it parked next to my A3. The GTI looks too racy and flashy for my taste. Well, I am 36 and maybe too old for a GTI...
I do prefer more understated and classy design of Audi.
Base GTI has standard xenons, fogs, nice steering wheel and stiffer suspension.
Base A3 has standard dual zone climatronic, free maintenance, bigger cargo space, better paint (6 coats on A3, 4 coats on VW).
Overall GTI may offer better value but not by much.
I always thought I would have purchased 5 door GTI instead of A3 (if I could wait that long)... until I saw it parked next to my A3. The GTI looks too racy and flashy for my taste. Well, I am 36 and maybe too old for a GTI...
I do prefer more understated and classy design of Audi.
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