Am I the only one...
10-02-2007, 12:43 PM
#11
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Sure...
First two are A3 2-door, second two are A3 Sportback
<img src="http://marc.quinlivan.googlepages.com/AudiA3_023.jpg">
<img src="http://marc.quinlivan.googlepages.com/AudiA3_028.jpg">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/scottiecoop/DSC_0110-2.jpg">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/scottiecoop/DSC_0108-1.jpg">
<img src="http://marc.quinlivan.googlepages.com/AudiA3_023.jpg">
<img src="http://marc.quinlivan.googlepages.com/AudiA3_028.jpg">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/scottiecoop/DSC_0110-2.jpg">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/scottiecoop/DSC_0108-1.jpg">
10-02-2007, 12:58 PM
#12
AudiWorld Super User
ok
2.0TQ A4 is not a fun ride. I drove a loaner for 2/3 days. It's NOTHING like a 2.0T in an A3. Did you ever test drive an A3 with the 2.0T?
The open sky system is not avail for the S3, maybe b/c as you indicated, it's heavy.
I understand your statement: "I didn't buy an Audi for the mileage statistics". But that is just icing on the cake.
To repeat... Lighter motor, more HP, more TQ. And all of it useable. It's smooth, crazy power from 1800rpms. So what is there left to debate? Am I missing something?
Where do you live? I'm gonna drive over and let you drive my car
And to be clear, this is NOT just a 2.0T owner talking smack about the 3.2. I have been test driving just about every German car priced $30-60k for 3 months.
3.2Q A3
2.0TQ A3 + $500 ftw IMO
The open sky system is not avail for the S3, maybe b/c as you indicated, it's heavy.
I understand your statement: "I didn't buy an Audi for the mileage statistics". But that is just icing on the cake.
To repeat... Lighter motor, more HP, more TQ. And all of it useable. It's smooth, crazy power from 1800rpms. So what is there left to debate? Am I missing something?
Where do you live? I'm gonna drive over and let you drive my car
And to be clear, this is NOT just a 2.0T owner talking smack about the 3.2. I have been test driving just about every German car priced $30-60k for 3 months.
3.2Q A3
2.0TQ A3 + $500 ftw IMO
10-02-2007, 01:37 PM
#14
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No, I didn't test an A3 2.0T. My 2 must-haves were DSG+Quattro....
That left me with TT or A3 with 3.2 as only options. I briefly considered an S4, but really wanted DSG, 'cause that's the way I am. :-) I also like the A3 as a car anyway, body and all that, more than the S4.
I'm in California, so I guess I won't be driving your car. I'll make a point to steal some time in an A3 2.0T next time I can. I have a coupla friends who have them, and then there's always the NorCal A3 crowd....
OK, you almost got me convinced. I would almost definitely take an S3 over my A3 3.2Q. I still like the sound of that R32 engine. :-)
I'm in California, so I guess I won't be driving your car. I'll make a point to steal some time in an A3 2.0T next time I can. I have a coupla friends who have them, and then there's always the NorCal A3 crowd....
OK, you almost got me convinced. I would almost definitely take an S3 over my A3 3.2Q. I still like the sound of that R32 engine. :-)
10-02-2007, 02:27 PM
#17
AudiWorld Super User
A3 vs. 911, R32, M3, A4 blah blah. "Icing on the A3 cake" (last paragraph)
2008:
2.0T TT dsg
3.2Q TT dsg
2007:
2.0T A4 tip
2008:
R32 dsg
2005:
M3 smg
2003:
911 C4S tip
Findings: the dsg tranny is exactly what we thought: The best manumatic evvaaaarrrr Tipronic and SMG, ughhh.
Furthermore, the DSG in the R32 felt "more@home" in the R32, than in my A3 2.0. But it felt like it was more than 200lbs heavier than my car. And I couldn't find any tq until I got the rpms up. That said, the car was new, so I didn't want to abuse it.
The M3 / smg was terrible. The gas pedal should be removed (at least very briefly) while shifting. F1 Ferrari shifting, basically. It was clunky. DSG has ruined me forever. Lack of road-feel.... not what I was expecting.
The TTs were sweet on the eyes. But I don't want the stigma that comes with this car, nor the horrid blind spots or the lack of luggage space. I mean, not even my golf clubs would fit. Let alone my hockey/goalie bag. Hahahaha!
The 2.0T feels way better in the TT than the A4. The A4 I drove felt like I was driving on sand. Shifted oddly too. In the TT, the 2.0T felt like my car.
The C4S. Not enough power for the dollar. I think it was rated at 315hp. Had an exhaust on it. Sounded very nice. Handled really well. Sits way too high. I hate VW/Porsche/Audi for this. They don't need to be slammed but jeez, no lift-kits please!
Obviously, NO practicality in the nine eleven. Something I need. It was tip, which was better than smg, but still no-dsg.
I was considering dsg/smg/tip cars b/c I could trade with my gf, if I needed the cargo space. Only recently, I decided against this. I have to live with the reality that owning an M3 or any other true sports car, I would get a 6mt, and also a beater for hauling gear + snow events.
Our A3s are not sports car. We make them sporty IMO. Don't get me wrong. My car is amazing right now. I had to spend a lot of money to get the suspension/power/handling I wanted. It's really quick. Although it's fwd, it feels very well planted and has amazing grip. Excellent road-feel. Three of my friends with Quattro couldn't believe the rides I gave them. It feels tight, planted, and extremely responsive thanks to Revo - HPA - Michelin.
I can't seem to find anything to replace the A3 with, that warrants spending twice what my A3 is worth. Flat out, the newer (to me) cars didn't feel twice as nice. And they certainly didn't provide anywhere near the practicality of an A3.
<b>And the icing on my A3 cake is:</b>
1. With a few mods, the car performs like a S3. High-5 second 0-60. 100mph Quarter mile (even with a horrid 2.36 60-foot, riding on my old tires.
2. But... it's still a great commuter and even moves a lot of gear (b/c of the hatchback + seat fold).
3. It's not an alcoholic. Only sips 19 city / 26-28 highway being naughty / 30-35 on the highway being nice.
2.0T TT dsg
3.2Q TT dsg
2007:
2.0T A4 tip
2008:
R32 dsg
2005:
M3 smg
2003:
911 C4S tip
Findings: the dsg tranny is exactly what we thought: The best manumatic evvaaaarrrr
Tipronic and SMG, ughhh. Furthermore, the DSG in the R32 felt "more@home" in the R32, than in my A3 2.0. But it felt like it was more than 200lbs heavier than my car. And I couldn't find any tq until I got the rpms up. That said, the car was new, so I didn't want to abuse it.
The M3 / smg was terrible. The gas pedal should be removed (at least very briefly) while shifting. F1 Ferrari shifting, basically. It was clunky. DSG has ruined me forever. Lack of road-feel.... not what I was expecting.
The TTs were sweet on the eyes. But I don't want the stigma that comes with this car, nor the horrid blind spots or the lack of luggage space. I mean, not even my golf clubs would fit. Let alone my hockey/goalie bag. Hahahaha!
The 2.0T feels way better in the TT than the A4. The A4 I drove felt like I was driving on sand. Shifted oddly too. In the TT, the 2.0T felt like my car.
The C4S. Not enough power for the dollar. I think it was rated at 315hp. Had an exhaust on it. Sounded very nice. Handled really well. Sits way too high. I hate VW/Porsche/Audi for this. They don't need to be slammed but jeez, no lift-kits please!
Obviously, NO practicality in the nine eleven. Something I need. It was tip, which was better than smg, but still no-dsg.
I was considering dsg/smg/tip cars b/c I could trade with my gf, if I needed the cargo space. Only recently, I decided against this. I have to live with the reality that owning an M3 or any other true sports car, I would get a 6mt, and also a beater for hauling gear + snow events.
Our A3s are not sports car. We make them sporty IMO. Don't get me wrong. My car is amazing right now. I had to spend a lot of money to get the suspension/power/handling I wanted. It's really quick. Although it's fwd, it feels very well planted and has amazing grip. Excellent road-feel. Three of my friends with Quattro couldn't believe the rides I gave them. It feels tight, planted, and extremely responsive thanks to Revo - HPA - Michelin.
I can't seem to find anything to replace the A3 with, that warrants spending twice what my A3 is worth. Flat out, the newer (to me) cars didn't feel twice as nice. And they certainly didn't provide anywhere near the practicality of an A3.
<b>And the icing on my A3 cake is:</b>
1. With a few mods, the car performs like a S3. High-5 second 0-60. 100mph Quarter mile (even with a horrid 2.36 60-foot, riding on my old tires
. 2. But... it's still a great commuter and even moves a lot of gear (b/c of the hatchback + seat fold).
3. It's not an alcoholic. Only sips 19 city / 26-28 highway being naughty / 30-35 on the highway being nice.
10-02-2007, 02:31 PM
#18
AudiWorld Super User
btw I only have 25k miles on my car.
I am shopping around, but only b/c I bought the A3 in the week of June 2005. That is 2.5 years ago. I get the itch my friend, and sometimes I have to scratch it. It's a sickness isn't it!
10-02-2007, 04:48 PM
#20
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Very interesting read! Thanks for taking the time!
I know what you mean about the TT. I fell in love with it on paper and in pics... until I sat in it. Didn't even take it for a test drive. We had a 2002 TT for a few years and I forgot how impractical they are. If it just had more interior storage space I could deal with it. Not even the trunk space but more storage in the front seat area would be nice. It's just too sparse for what it is... an EVERY-DAY sports car.