Filmophile

I own a 2002 GTI and have test driven a 2006 A3 2.0T and an MKV
platform Jetta GLI and I looked closely at the MKV GTI at the car show.
Although I'll admit that there are areas where it's obvious the A3 and
GTI weren't intended for the same customer, it's also very obvious to
me that what Audi wants as much (or more) than anything else is for
their GTI customers to buy an A3 when they're "more grown up" and ready
to take a step upward into the next (slightly) higher price bracket. If
the GTI were available worldwide only as a 2-door and the A3 only as a
4-door than I'd agree more with you folks, but I'm still seeing a lot
of overlap. Besides, I can get a fully loaded Jetta GLI with leather,
power/heated seates, navigation, premium sound, auto climate control,
moonroof, the 2.0T engine and a DSG transmission for under $30k, so
unless I'm either really attached to owning an Audi or really attached
to owning a hatchback, why buy the A3 2.0T over the GLI? It's even
worse when you examine the 5-door GTI because it's got all the features
AND the 5-door hatchback body.

Peter, although I agree with you that the A4 is adequate, I can also
say that when driven back to back with the G35x that it tends to feel
slightly weak under the hood. Why it is they don't use a 3.5 FSI motor
or the Passat's 3.6 is something I don't completely comprehend.

Filmophile

I own a 2002 GTI and have test driven a 2006 A3 2.0T and an MKV
platform Jetta GLI and I looked closely at the MKV GTI at the car show.
Although I'll admit that there are areas where it's obvious the A3 and
GTI weren't intended for the same customer, it's also very obvious to
me that what Audi wants as much (or more) than anything else is for
their GTI customers to buy an A3 when they're "more grown up" and ready
to take a step upward into the next (slightly) higher price bracket. If
the GTI were available worldwide only as a 2-door and the A3 only as a
4-door than I'd agree more with you folks, but I'm still seeing a lot
of overlap. Besides, I can get a fully loaded Jetta GLI with leather,
power/heated seates, navigation, premium sound, auto climate control,
moonroof, the 2.0T engine and a DSG transmission for under $30k, so
unless I'm either really attached to owning an Audi or really attached
to owning a hatchback, why buy the A3 2.0T over the GLI? It's even
worse when you examine the 5-door GTI because it's got all the features
AND the 5-door hatchback body.

Peter, although I agree with you that the A4 is adequate, I can also
say that when driven back to back with the G35x that it tends to feel
slightly weak under the hood. Why it is they don't use a 3.5 FSI motor
or the Passat's 3.6 is something I don't completely comprehend.

Filmophile

I own a 2002 GTI and have test driven a 2006 A3 2.0T and an MKV
platform Jetta GLI and I looked closely at the MKV GTI at the car show.
Although I'll admit that there are areas where it's obvious the A3 and
GTI weren't intended for the same customer, it's also very obvious to
me that what Audi wants as much (or more) than anything else is for
their GTI customers to buy an A3 when they're "more grown up" and ready
to take a step upward into the next (slightly) higher price bracket. If
the GTI were available worldwide only as a 2-door and the A3 only as a
4-door than I'd agree more with you folks, but I'm still seeing a lot
of overlap. Besides, I can get a fully loaded Jetta GLI with leather,
power/heated seates, navigation, premium sound, auto climate control,
moonroof, the 2.0T engine and a DSG transmission for under $30k, so
unless I'm either really attached to owning an Audi or really attached
to owning a hatchback, why buy the A3 2.0T over the GLI? It's even
worse when you examine the 5-door GTI because it's got all the features
AND the 5-door hatchback body.

Peter, although I agree with you that the A4 is adequate, I can also
say that when driven back to back with the G35x that it tends to feel
slightly weak under the hood. Why it is they don't use a 3.5 FSI motor
or the Passat's 3.6 is something I don't completely comprehend.