Thinking about an A3...which model?
Discussion
My wife will soon be taking and hopefulyl passing her driving test. We were planning on getting a Mini Cooper as the insurance was OK for her, and it would be OK for me to drive too. But the tiny boot is putting us off so my thoughts have turned to a 3 door A3. How would a 1.6 compare to the Cooper? Or would a TDi be a better bet? We won't be doing a lot of miles in it, but it would be nice to have an alternative "weekend away" car to the TVR, so good motorway performance is important for me, but so is suitability for her.
Any advice? Looking at around £7.5k so an early current shape model is proabbly on the cards.
What about running costs, reliability etc? Any help or info much appreciated.
Cheers
Any advice? Looking at around £7.5k so an early current shape model is proabbly on the cards.
What about running costs, reliability etc? Any help or info much appreciated.
Cheers
We had a brand new A3 1.6 Sport on a 55 plate, terrible car slow, thirsty didn't handle etc etc Oh and I kept knocking my knee on the centre console.
There's plenty of interesting cars available in this current market within your price range. I would advise doing a local search on the Autotrader and see what's available and go and take a look at a few.
There's plenty of interesting cars available in this current market within your price range. I would advise doing a local search on the Autotrader and see what's available and go and take a look at a few.
Edited by gti-ted on Friday 28th November 10:41
My O/H has the 1.9tdi through work - it's not fast and the engine is a bit like a tractor. Boot space is very good and generally it's quite a nice car, her next work car will be the A3 1.4T (I am intrigued to see how that engine feels!)
The 1.6 is meant to be pretty slow (I haven't driven one).
The 1.6 is meant to be pretty slow (I haven't driven one).
1.6, 1.6 FSI and 1.9 TDI are all awful, as are all the SE models. Walk away.
2.0T, 2.0TDI 170 and 3.2 are very nice engines, S-Line is the best handling of the bunch although (as with anything modern) not exactly feelsome.
I'm driving a 3.2 quattro S-Line S-Tronic at the moment and it really puts a smile on your face, massive grip and neutral on the limit with just a tiny lift.
2.0T, 2.0TDI 170 and 3.2 are very nice engines, S-Line is the best handling of the bunch although (as with anything modern) not exactly feelsome.
I'm driving a 3.2 quattro S-Line S-Tronic at the moment and it really puts a smile on your face, massive grip and neutral on the limit with just a tiny lift.
The 1.6, 1.6 FSI and 1.9 TDI A3s are not "awful". None of them will match a Mini Cooper for performance, but they are decent enough, especially the TDI which has a lot of torque making it nice and punchy mid-range.
For £7.5k, I'd probably go for a 1.9 A3 or a Golf MK5 Sport with the same engine. The 2.0 is great, but it costs more to run and insure, and for that money you would be looking at high-mileage cars.
What you really want is one with the 1.4 TSI engine, gives the best of both worlds but don't think you would get for £7.5k.
For £7.5k, I'd probably go for a 1.9 A3 or a Golf MK5 Sport with the same engine. The 2.0 is great, but it costs more to run and insure, and for that money you would be looking at high-mileage cars.
What you really want is one with the 1.4 TSI engine, gives the best of both worlds but don't think you would get for £7.5k.
Golfs are better cars than the A3s at your budget level. Feel lighter and much nicer to drive and not so drab inside.
Another car to look at is the Seat Altea - same car really and way cheaper (and nicer to drive). You will even get a nice 2.0tdi sport for your budget. They look like an MPV but are the same size as the other 2 and handle like a sports car. Looks are like it or hate it but read the reviews and everyone who has one loves it. 50 + mpg and brilliant motorway car too.
We have an Altea 2.0TDI sport and a Mk5 GOLF GTI 2.0T so this is based on actual experience.
(Have a Griff 500 too!)
Another car to look at is the Seat Altea - same car really and way cheaper (and nicer to drive). You will even get a nice 2.0tdi sport for your budget. They look like an MPV but are the same size as the other 2 and handle like a sports car. Looks are like it or hate it but read the reviews and everyone who has one loves it. 50 + mpg and brilliant motorway car too.
We have an Altea 2.0TDI sport and a Mk5 GOLF GTI 2.0T so this is based on actual experience.
(Have a Griff 500 too!)
Edited by JKY on Thursday 27th November 14:34
Edited by JKY on Thursday 27th November 15:00
Mk 1 A3
I recommend the facelift model post 2001
1.9 TDi(Make sure it has leather interior & climate control)
It would be best to get 1.8 Turbo quattro. Its group 15 insurance. 180bhp
No point getting a 1.6, 1.8 or 1.8t. Easy to drive so will not be aa problem for your o/h
Mk II A3
2.0 turbo, quattro if you can afford
2.0 diesel quattro
I recommend the facelift model post 2001
1.9 TDi(Make sure it has leather interior & climate control)
It would be best to get 1.8 Turbo quattro. Its group 15 insurance. 180bhp
No point getting a 1.6, 1.8 or 1.8t. Easy to drive so will not be aa problem for your o/h
Mk II A3
2.0 turbo, quattro if you can afford
2.0 diesel quattro
J400uk said:
The 1.6, 1.6 FSI and 1.9 TDI A3s are not "awful". None of them will match a Mini Cooper for performance, but they are decent enough, especially the TDI which has a lot of torque making it nice and punchy mid-range.
For £7.5k, I'd probably go for a 1.9 A3 or a Golf MK5 Sport with the same engine. The 2.0 is great, but it costs more to run and insure, and for that money you would be looking at high-mileage cars.
What you really want is one with the 1.4 TSI engine, gives the best of both worlds but don't think you would get for £7.5k.
I've never driven the A3 of golf personally, but have a few friends who've driven various versions of both. They say the 1.6 petrol(s) are pretty sluggish and that you have to get the right version of the 1.9tdi. One mate got the 105bhp version and says it's very sluggish and not great for the motorway (he drives to spain a couple of time a year)For £7.5k, I'd probably go for a 1.9 A3 or a Golf MK5 Sport with the same engine. The 2.0 is great, but it costs more to run and insure, and for that money you would be looking at high-mileage cars.
What you really want is one with the 1.4 TSI engine, gives the best of both worlds but don't think you would get for £7.5k.
Are you looking for something german, or could it be anything 3 door?
To be honest I'm starting to be drawn back to the Mini now, despite the piddly boot. The reality is we don't often have other passengers, but sometimes might need to take one other person to the airport, so would have to fold down a seat to fit the luggage.
It doesn't have to be German, but there's not many small cars out there that catch my eye, and that would be entertaining for me to drive and sensible enough for a newbie. The Fiat 500 is just too cute, Toyota Yaris or Nissan Micra too old-ladyish, Polo - possibly but no comparison to the Mini IMO. Fiesta - a possiblity but not something i would want to do any long distance in.....
See my dilemma?
It doesn't have to be German, but there's not many small cars out there that catch my eye, and that would be entertaining for me to drive and sensible enough for a newbie. The Fiat 500 is just too cute, Toyota Yaris or Nissan Micra too old-ladyish, Polo - possibly but no comparison to the Mini IMO. Fiesta - a possiblity but not something i would want to do any long distance in.....
See my dilemma?
mondayo said:
J400uk said:
The 1.6, 1.6 FSI and 1.9 TDI A3s are not "awful". None of them will match a Mini Cooper for performance, but they are decent enough, especially the TDI which has a lot of torque making it nice and punchy mid-range.
For £7.5k, I'd probably go for a 1.9 A3 or a Golf MK5 Sport with the same engine. The 2.0 is great, but it costs more to run and insure, and for that money you would be looking at high-mileage cars.
What you really want is one with the 1.4 TSI engine, gives the best of both worlds but don't think you would get for £7.5k.
I've never driven the A3 of golf personally, but have a few friends who've driven various versions of both. They say the 1.6 petrol(s) are pretty sluggish and that you have to get the right version of the 1.9tdi. One mate got the 105bhp version and says it's very sluggish and not great for the motorway (he drives to spain a couple of time a year)For £7.5k, I'd probably go for a 1.9 A3 or a Golf MK5 Sport with the same engine. The 2.0 is great, but it costs more to run and insure, and for that money you would be looking at high-mileage cars.
What you really want is one with the 1.4 TSI engine, gives the best of both worlds but don't think you would get for £7.5k.
Are you looking for something german, or could it be anything 3 door?
Gavstar said:
To be honest I'm starting to be drawn back to the Mini now, despite the piddly boot. The reality is we don't often have other passengers, but sometimes might need to take one other person to the airport, so would have to fold down a seat to fit the luggage.
It doesn't have to be German, but there's not many small cars out there that catch my eye, and that would be entertaining for me to drive and sensible enough for a newbie. The Fiat 500 is just too cute, Toyota Yaris or Nissan Micra too old-ladyish, Polo - possibly but no comparison to the Mini IMO. Fiesta - a possiblity but not something i would want to do any long distance in.....
See my dilemma?
The minis are fantasic, great fun to drive and very well built cars. As you said its just whether or not you could put up with the small boot size.It doesn't have to be German, but there's not many small cars out there that catch my eye, and that would be entertaining for me to drive and sensible enough for a newbie. The Fiat 500 is just too cute, Toyota Yaris or Nissan Micra too old-ladyish, Polo - possibly but no comparison to the Mini IMO. Fiesta - a possiblity but not something i would want to do any long distance in.....
See my dilemma?
Have you considerd the Audi A2? £7,500 would buy you a nice example, with the much sought-after 1.4 TDI 90 engine. Extrememly economical, dosent look that fast on paper but pulls like a train and could keep up with a mini. Advantage is the footprint isnt that much bigger than a mini, but its got back doors and a bigger boot. They are also quite rare, minis are a very common site today.
e.g. http://www.cargiant.co.uk/Audi/A2/details-405118-A...
Edited by J400uk on Friday 28th November 12:15
I've got an 07 1.9 tdi as company hack. Not the fastest thing on earth but it's plenty quick enough as a company car. Will cruise at illegal speeds comfortably. 1st gear doesn't seem long enough to me for when you want to really tear off from the lights or a junction lol. From a tax perspective I think a 118d is a better bet. You can always chip the 1.9tdi id you so wish.
I've got an 07 1.9 tdi as company hack. Not the fastest thing on earth but it's plenty quick enough as a company car. Will cruise at illegal speeds comfortably. 1st gear doesn't seem long enough to me for when you want to really tear off from the lights or a junction lol. From a tax perspective I think a 118d is a better bet. You can always chip the 1.9tdi id you so wish.
I had a MINI - which was great, although as you said the small boot is a problem, then I bought an A3 - a 2.0T S-Line and within a couple of months hated it - ride was rock hard but the car had zero feel so you couldn't really drive it properly, looked good though, practical and well screwed together - I had it for 9 months and bought another MINI to replace it.
esuuv said:
I had a MINI - which was great, although as you said the small boot is a problem, then I bought an A3 - a 2.0T S-Line and within a couple of months hated it - ride was rock hard but the car had zero feel so you couldn't really drive it properly, looked good though, practical and well screwed together - I had it for 9 months and bought another MINI to replace it.
Interesting.....and the fact is a 2.0T is not realistic for my missus as a first car. Looks like the Mini is still the favourite.
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