A3 or A4 Avant (Decisions)
11-27-2007, 11:28 AM
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A3 or A4 Avant (Decisions)
I am working on a deal on the following:
An A3 3.2, Open Sky, Misano Red with Black, Xenons or,
An A4 2.0T Avant, Tip, Dolphin Grey with Black, S-Line, Tech Pkg
Apart from the lack of carrying capability of the A3 vs the A4, Which would you choose?
Which is best for the day-to-day driving?
The A4 seems to hold it's value a bit better but that's not my answer. Passion, Appeal, Maintenance Costs?
Cheers.
An A3 3.2, Open Sky, Misano Red with Black, Xenons or,
An A4 2.0T Avant, Tip, Dolphin Grey with Black, S-Line, Tech Pkg
Apart from the lack of carrying capability of the A3 vs the A4, Which would you choose?
Which is best for the day-to-day driving?
The A4 seems to hold it's value a bit better but that's not my answer. Passion, Appeal, Maintenance Costs?
Cheers.
11-27-2007, 11:37 AM
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How much room do you want?
A3 3.2 gets pretty damn expensive for what it is. A4 2.0T avant is a nice compromise on power but it's still a great little engine, plus you get the torsen quattro system vs the haldex in the A3.
I find better value in the A4 2.0T, especially if you go for the avant. A3 will be nimbler through the corners but the A4 will handle just fine especially sideways around snow covered corners
I find better value in the A4 2.0T, especially if you go for the avant. A3 will be nimbler through the corners but the A4 will handle just fine especially sideways around snow covered corners
11-27-2007, 11:41 AM
#3
Depends what you like. The A3 changes directions faster, but loses about 12 inches
of hatch space (passenger space is nearly identical). The A4 will have better resale if you are keeping it 3 to 4 years or less.
I got an A4 loaner (both my A3 and the loaner were 2.0T) and have to say it felt pretty doggy after driving the A3.
I got an A4 loaner (both my A3 and the loaner were 2.0T) and have to say it felt pretty doggy after driving the A3.
11-27-2007, 11:59 AM
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Re: How much room do you want?
Space is not an ongoing concern.
I drove both. The A4 2.0T seem to have a lot more engine noise as compared to the 3.2.
Which is better,the Quattro or Haldex?
Residual values for comparison is over $5,000 less for the A3 on comparably priced cars.
I don't race or track. Looking for the car that will make me look back each time I park.
I drove both. The A4 2.0T seem to have a lot more engine noise as compared to the 3.2.
Which is better,the Quattro or Haldex?
Residual values for comparison is over $5,000 less for the A3 on comparably priced cars.
I don't race or track. Looking for the car that will make me look back each time I park.
11-27-2007, 12:06 PM
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Well quattro is a marketing term, it's basically torsen or haldex?
Torsen - heavier, engine in front of the axle (improved with the new platform for the next generation A4), mechanical so torque is distributed immediately to the front or rear axle.
Haldex - electronically controlled, reactive, primarily FWD until something like 15 degrees of slip then torque is adjusted between the front and rear, lighter, smaller and thus engine can be transversely mounted.
In the end though, I think the majority of the Audi drivers, whether it be using haldex or torsen, can't really tell for everyday driving.
To me, A4 avant looks a lot better than the A3. Especially in white and windows tinted!
Haldex - electronically controlled, reactive, primarily FWD until something like 15 degrees of slip then torque is adjusted between the front and rear, lighter, smaller and thus engine can be transversely mounted.
In the end though, I think the majority of the Audi drivers, whether it be using haldex or torsen, can't really tell for everyday driving.
To me, A4 avant looks a lot better than the A3. Especially in white and windows tinted!
11-27-2007, 12:41 PM
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And the A3 is just a heavy VW Golf with soft suspension
The A3 is hopeless in North American configuration. Buy a VW GTI and save a bunch. The A3 doesn't handle, doesn't go and is smaller than the similarly priced A4, what's the point?
The A4 is much the better car if you need that five door wagon.
Now if we could get the S3 which has Quattro (haldex actually but if its good enough for Audi to call it quattro it should be good enough for us) then that would be a much better buy than the S4.
The A4 is much the better car if you need that five door wagon.
Now if we could get the S3 which has Quattro (haldex actually but if its good enough for Audi to call it quattro it should be good enough for us) then that would be a much better buy than the S4.
11-27-2007, 12:47 PM
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On the passion and appeal side...
I've spent a lot of time driving my dad's A4 1.8T Quattro Sport Avant, and I've test driven the A3 2.0T pretty extensively. To me the A4 has more of an "expensive car" feel...hard to quantify, but feels more like all of the mechanical elements are operating as one. The A3 does feel a bit lighter and more tossable, somehow doesn't feel as unflappable or special.
The big disclaimer I need to put on this is that the A3 I drove was a 2.0T non-sport...the A3 3.2 S-Line may feel substantially different!
The big disclaimer I need to put on this is that the A3 I drove was a 2.0T non-sport...the A3 3.2 S-Line may feel substantially different!
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11-27-2007, 02:30 PM
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Can't speak to the 2.0T, but our A3 3.2 is more fun than our A4 1.8T
It turns in quicker & accelerates quicker. DSG is a real trip - I love it. It's also practical, as my wife loves it because she can drive it like an automatic. Also on the practical side, our son likes it better because it has a little more leg room (but less its narrower, which would matter if he weren't 10).
