Inquisitor

Thanks again for the responses- much appreciated!

Inquisitor

She loved the A3 for all the power in a small package and the great handling (we threw one around at the last "Streets of Tomorrow" event), plus we both really enjoyed the sound of the engine. And of course, Audi interiors are always very impressive.

Only comparative drawbacks were a 1) very small amount of cargo space; 2) literally about

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(Honestly, I think that's about right)

behind me in the rear (I'm 6'3"), which seems really impractical since we already have my small car; and 3) the very close price point to the X3.

I think she likes the A3 better, and for driving characteristics I agree, but I have to say that I prefer her in a bigger car.

Anyway, that's what we're wrestling with. But, given that it's going to be her car, I think we'll soon be members of this board as well.

RS4saloondrivr

it handles very well, better than a lot of cars. Personally I prefer the A3 because its smaller and I like the styling and I really like audi interiors, but then again I get to use the X3 when I need to. It depends on how much room you need. On paper the interior dimensions seem pretty close but in real life the X3 seems quite a bit bigger inside.

821 dtw (Greg)

ditto... my wife got her X3 and I my A4 Dec 05

April

Does she carry a lot of large things in the car?<ul><li><a href="http://www.topgear.com/drives/A4/A0/roadtests/01/01.html">http://www.topgear.com/drives/A4/A0/roadtests/01/01.html</a</li></ul>

Sactoken

I have a 2004 X3 and am probably going to trade it in on an A3 2.0T DSG. I just took my first test drive yesterday. I had a couple of 3-series before the X3, and getting a 325 service loaner earlier this year reminded me how much I missed the fun-to-drive factor. They're really different vehicles. The X3 performs well for an SUV, but it is big, tall, and heavy, so it's not going to feel sporty like a car. Plus it has a poor ride quality, which further hurts how it drives (but that's supposed to be somewhat better now). And, to me, it's ugly.

I'd probably be looking at the 328 now, but equipped the way I'd want it, it would be $6-10k more than the Audi. Plus, I like having a hatch instead of a sedan (one reason I went for the X3).

I was really impressed with the A3. I love its looks, inside and out, and the engine/transmission were amazing. It definitely feels smaller and nimbler than the X3. You sit low in the A3 and high in the X3.

I think it comes down to whether you want the roominess of an SUV or the sportiness of a car.

fa590

how impossible....x3 has a better back seat....A3 is far more fun to drive...it comes down to the individual.

fa590

sad to say, but the x3 is far mor practical (however it is oddly very uncomfortable for real long haul driving)