Audi a3 petrol sub £2k, what to look for?

[V1nce Fox]

Looking around 2k mark, ideally 3 door, must be petrol.

Any experts on here know what to look out for on these?

[anonymous-user]

A different car.

You'll thank me later.

[FourGears]

Why an Audi A3?

[757]

Can't see it being a huge risk but then never owned one, personally would get a petrol Vauxhall or Ford of equivalent size car in petrol form, but compared to a diesel one surely be ok.

Chains can give issues from what I've heard, but many probably don't.

[LankyFreak]

stickleback123 said:

A different car.

You'll thank me later.

[anonymous-user]

FourGears said:

Why an Audi A3?

The imagine.

[Deranged Rover]

Make sure the indicators work. They're on a stalk on the side of the steering column.

[GreatGranny]

For that money all, if not most will have one high miles and been abused and run on a budget.

If you are open to other cars I'm sure they'll be plenty of suggestions for better cars.

Focus

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210090...

Civic

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210200...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211041...

C70

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209129...

308

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210030...

[V1nce Fox]

FourGears said:

Why an Audi A3?

Want something small, 3 door, german(ish), petrol, manual and no smaller than 1.8. It’s a second car and for occasional mini adventures.

A3 is nicest looking within those parameters but not a deal breaker.

Was really looking for advice from people who’ve owned one about what to look for when viewing them.

[ZX10R NIN]

V1nce Fox said:

Want something small, 3 door, german(ish), petrol, manual and no smaller than 1.8. It’s a second car and for occasional mini adventures.

A3 is nicest looking within those parameters but not a deal breaker.

Was really looking for advice from people who’ve owned one about what to look for when viewing them.

Why Germanish?

At 2k I'd say a Hyundai coupe is good buy as well as smart looking:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209240...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210130...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206096...

[V1nce Fox]

Needs to be a hatch not a coupe shape.

Again, i’m really looking for advice about the specific car in the thread title from people who may have owned one.

[Carguy44]

For that kind of money I would be looking at something like a Honda Civic FN2

[ZX10R NIN]

Stick to the 2.0FSI engine if you don't want any issues.

[stevemcs]

stickleback123 said:

A different car.

You'll thank me later.

Yep, completely agree.

Go and buy a Focus

[The Cardinal]

You might have more enthusiasm and detailed input on the Audi, VW, SEAT & Skoda sub-forum.

Just 1% of the A3s on Autotrader are petrols below £2k, so I think we have to assume that this is the bottom end of the market. You'll be looking at 8P era (2003-2012) A3s and realistically 1.6 FSI and 2.0 FSI (non-turbo) models at the earlier end of that. For example:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211031...

If you are handy and can fix niggles like worn trim, old suspension etc, then I think one of these could possibly spruce-up into a decent buy. The oily bits are generally shared with Mk5 Golf-related products, so are well supported if not hugely cheap parts wise.

[georgeyboy12345]

stickleback123 said:

A different car.

You'll thank me later.

This.

Trust me, I’ve been there. You really don’t want to.

[anonymous-user]

georgeyboy12345 said:

stickleback123 said:

A different car.

You'll thank me later.

This.

Trust me, I’ve been there. You really don’t want to.

For shed money you have to be mad to go VAG now, which is sad as they used to be the go to for the shedman in need who didn't mind the rain coming in sometimes, and a £2k A3 will be a total dog.

For £2k I'd be maybe looking at Astras and Focuses for cheap parts and repairs, ideally naturally aspirated petrol, or if I could find one in budget something Japanese. The Civic from 2006 ish that looks like a slug (FN2?) with the 1.8 seems a good shed buy right now.

I don't mean to be insulting, I buy cars like this all the time, but a £2,000 budget makes you a bottom feeder and if you don't want it to end in tears you shouldn't be buying on looks and image, you should be laser focussed on pragmatic issues of bork risk, parts price, ease of repair, and what's available.

[Sunday Drive]

I’ve owned 5 A3’s over the years - 04, 07, 10, 13, 18 plates.

They were all solid, reliable cars.

The 04 and 07 models both suffered with failed rear wipers. This was a common fault.

I also believe the pre 2013 models suffered with ESP unit issues.

Generally solid cars though. I’d opt for a 2.0 auto personally with as many options as possible. They are a dull car so make it comfortable and dull.

[georgeyboy12345]

stickleback123 said:

georgeyboy12345 said:

stickleback123 said:

A different car.

You'll thank me later.

This.

Trust me, I’ve been there. You really don’t want to.

For shed money you have to be mad to go VAG now, which is sad as they used to be the go to for the shedman in need who didn't mind the rain coming in sometimes, and a £2k A3 will be a total dog.

For £2k I'd be maybe looking at Astras and Focuses for cheap parts and repairs, ideally naturally aspirated petrol, or if I could find one in budget something Japanese. The Civic from 2006 ish that looks like a slug (FN2?) with the 1.8 seems a good shed buy right now.

I don't mean to be insulting, I buy cars like this all the time, but a £2,000 budget makes you a bottom feeder and if you don't want it to end in tears you shouldn't be buying on looks and image, you should be laser focussed on pragmatic issues of bork risk, parts price, ease of repair, and what's available.

Agreed. 2 grand might not even get you into an 8P model in this market, you'd probably be looking at an older 8L.

The 8P's were bad enough with water ingress issues, which then usually get into the electrics and screw everything up.

Petrol engines (especially the 1.8 and 2.0 T) have well documented problems with very poor fuel economy, high oil consumption, coil pack failure, timing chain failure that destroys the engine, turbo failure is not uncommon either. At 2k the clutch and flywheel will need doing, if you go for a DSG the flywheel and clutch pack will likely also be goosed, which will cost you a load more money.

If you want an Audi A3, spend at least £6k on a 2013 or newer 8V model.

As others have said, if you want to spend only £2k, get something more sensible like a Ford Focus or Honda Civic.

[V1nce Fox]

All useful info thanks. I don’t normally work around this type of car anymore so a little out of touch but definitely not inexperienced in working on things. I’d perhaps inaccurately assumed the a3 was a solid car which would age well, even at this price.

Will revisit civics as well.