Shopping A3 2.0T S-Line vs. GTI 4-door...
12-18-2006, 12:16 PM
#15
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Yep... for some reason, I really dig the GTI's steering wheel. The R32 has a good one, too.
For some reason, that steering wheel is a big deal for me. 
It adds to the sporty-feel of the car overall. It's more comfortable, too.
It adds to the sporty-feel of the car overall. It's more comfortable, too.
12-18-2006, 12:32 PM
#16
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Not 100% comparable to what you are looking at, but...
We rented a 2-door GTI with DSG for a weekend when we were looking for a new car to replace our minivan. We already had our A3 2.0T DSG, so we had a good opportunity to compare them side-by-side over a few days. In a nutshell:
1. The GTI had the cloth seats, which were horrible, in our opinion.
2. The GTI's base stereo was also pretty horrible, sounding much like the radio I had in my old 96 Chevy Impala SS.
3. The steering wheel on the GTI seemed less comfortable to use than the one on the A3.
4. The GTI and our A3 did not have the sport package, but we felt that they handled fairly much the same, with the GTI having a slightly stiffer ride.
5. The GTI interior also felt a notch below the A3 interior in quality of materials and design.
6. We preferred the aesthetics of the A3 over the GTI. (The S-Line adds even more style to the A3.)
In the end, it reaffirmed my decision to get the A3 when it came out, and it made it clearer to us that we wanted another Audi (hence, the A4 was purchased a few months later).
Good luck. I think both cars are good and you do get more bang for your buck with the GTI. But in the end, it's what puts the smile on your face that counts.
1. The GTI had the cloth seats, which were horrible, in our opinion.
2. The GTI's base stereo was also pretty horrible, sounding much like the radio I had in my old 96 Chevy Impala SS.
3. The steering wheel on the GTI seemed less comfortable to use than the one on the A3.
4. The GTI and our A3 did not have the sport package, but we felt that they handled fairly much the same, with the GTI having a slightly stiffer ride.
5. The GTI interior also felt a notch below the A3 interior in quality of materials and design.
6. We preferred the aesthetics of the A3 over the GTI. (The S-Line adds even more style to the A3.)
In the end, it reaffirmed my decision to get the A3 when it came out, and it made it clearer to us that we wanted another Audi (hence, the A4 was purchased a few months later).
Good luck. I think both cars are good and you do get more bang for your buck with the GTI. But in the end, it's what puts the smile on your face that counts.
12-18-2006, 12:43 PM
#17
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I feel much the same way...
...although I'd get leather in the GTI. I do think those cloth seats are rather ugly.
The steering wheel comfort issue is personal preference, I suppose. I may prefer the GTI in this area. I think the A4 has the same 3-spoke wheel as the A3, so I have some experience with that. (We also have a 2006 A4 Avant.)
I'd likely replace the stereo in either car, so while I agree the stock audio is not that great, it won't be an issue for me in the long run.
I really like how both cars look, so I think it may come down to price in the end. That could change, though.
The steering wheel comfort issue is personal preference, I suppose. I may prefer the GTI in this area. I think the A4 has the same 3-spoke wheel as the A3, so I have some experience with that. (We also have a 2006 A4 Avant.)
I'd likely replace the stereo in either car, so while I agree the stock audio is not that great, it won't be an issue for me in the long run.
I really like how both cars look, so I think it may come down to price in the end. That could change, though.
12-18-2006, 12:55 PM
#19
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Drove both - GTI interior had way more rattles/creaks, etc
Note, the a3 I drove did not have open sky. Just about everything about the GTI interior was a step-down from the Audi. Add to that the probably higher-resale on an Audi vs a VW, and I'm definitely leaning a3.
I also like the a3 styling better.
I had an a4 in the past and loved Audi Assurance free maintenance. It's an option now, but at least it's an option. I don't think there's an equivelant vw option.
The flat-bottom steering wheel in the gti is sweet though.
I also like the a3 styling better.
I had an a4 in the past and loved Audi Assurance free maintenance. It's an option now, but at least it's an option. I don't think there's an equivelant vw option.
The flat-bottom steering wheel in the gti is sweet though.