number17

Hi all,

Potential new owner here.

As my MkIV Golf 1.8T is getting old (approaching 200k km) I've been looking for a replacement. Having thoroughly enjoyed the Golf, naturally I looked at used MkV 4 Dr GTI's as a natural replacement.

The more I looked though, the more I realize used A3's make more sense than GTI ...
- Having driven GTI and A3 back to back, I'd say A3 with sports package is 90% as sporty as the GTI, but offers more bells and whistles for the same kind of $$

- For the same price, I can get an used A3 with roughly the same mileage with leather and sports package as compared to a MkV GTI without leather ... and there are more choices for A3!

- The A3 also offers a bigger trunk and slightly more room in the backseat


So I'm almost settled on the A3 ... I'm just waiting for the right combo (6MT, premium package, sports package) with the right mileage and right price to come up.

I just got a couple questions I need help from you guys though ...


- How is the car's maintenance cost, especially past 100,000 km?

- I presume other than panels and outside parts, the A3 is really a VW under the Audi skin and uses VW parts, which are a little cheaper than Audi parts?

- Is there a big difference between the 'sports suspension' and without?

- I recently came across a 07 A3 with S-Line which unfortunately is about $5k over my budget. What exactly does the "S-Line" have though? As far as I know, it offers just the HID, the front and rear ground effects (hardly noticeable IMO) and a bunch of S-line badges around the car if compared to a 06 equipped with Sports and Premium packages. Not sure that's worth the $$. Granted, the 07 S-Line also has a much lower mileage ... but $5k on a used car ~ $20k is a lot to justify for.

- Any particular area I should watch out for for used Canadian A3's?


Thanks in advance! And hopefully I can join you guys as A3 owners soon!

black on black

Hi number17

Last year around the same time I made the same decision as you and never regretted it one moment.

I was also considering the GTI but wanted a 4 doors. I think the A3 looks better than a 4 door GTI. Plus as you said, you get more bells and whistles for about the same price. One I really like is the sky roof.

I suggest getting a certified vehicle. The very first weekend a coil pack failed and was replaced by my dealer at no cost. I guess it was just bad luck, I didn't have a problem since then. I also got a better financing rate since it was certified.

I have the premium package but not the sport suspension. As a matter of fact, I'm getting the H&R sports spings installed next Thursday to reduce that gap.

After one year, I'm still excited about driving my car every morning. Welcome to the club

number17

Thank you so much! I basically made an offer on a 2006 used A3 already, with sports package and prem package. If the inspection goes through ok, i should be an official owner in a few days!

I'll post the pic's then!

afretes

It can't be both Premium and Sports, it's one or the other.

number17

oh really? I didn't know that cos it says it's got both ... but that's the used car sales guy talking ... so if it's got the leather seats, dimming mirror etc then it wouldn't have the sports suspension?

afretes

Sport Package

Leather Seating Surfaces
Multifunction Leather 3-Spoke Sport Steering Wheel w/ Alloy Shift Paddles3
Sport Seats
Sport Suspension
Roof Spoiler
Radio Button in Alloy
Aluminum Belt Line Trim
17-Inch 16 Spoke Bi-Color Cast Alloy Wheels with 225/45 R17 All-Season Tires

Premium Package

Leather Seating Surfaces
Multifunction Leather 3-Spoke Steering Wheel
Power Front Driver Seat (Includes 4-Way Power Lumbar)
Homelink
Storage Package
Trip Computer
Auto-dimming Interior Mirror
Light/Rain Sensor
Aluminum Belt Line Trim
17-Inch 16 Spoke Silver Cast Alloy Wheels with 225/45 R17 All-Season Tires

number17

Thanks a lot Alex, but I believe these are not for 2006?

Cos on my car it has homelink, auto dimming interior mirror, light and rain sensor, but I don't have power seat.

I also have rear spoiler.

The biggie is sports suspension though... and I hope I have that, though I've been pretty happy with the car's suspension through the test drive.

black on black

Look for the test drive of the 2006 Audi A3 2.0T on canadiandriver.com. It's all explained there.

I would post the link but am not sure if we're allowed.

black on black

If your mags are bi-color you have the sport package. Looks like that's what you might have since you don't have the power driver seat from the premium package.

afretes

Those are part of the Convenience pkg. It sounds like you have the Sports pkg. Do you have the bi-color wheels?