Is the A3 the car for me?

[crewkip]

I currently own a 2006 4x4 TRD off road Toyota Tacoma. But gas prices here in Cali are starting to kill me. I get maybe 16mpg on a good tank. I am contemplating purchasing a new car and selling the truck off.

The A3 and A4 are the only cars that come to mind that are both sporty, good looking, and will probably get a 25 mpg avg. I have driven the B7 A4 and like it, but it's a bit boring for me.

Financially I probably would not come out on top with this. Making up for the taxes alone would take awhile. Just curious if anyone has been in my situation, made the plunge and are glad they did.

[Jagaer]

Generally selling an asset to save money on a recurring cost does not make sense. However there are other factors which affect the equation. (life, repair costs, financial situation)

Ex. Your Tacoma is worth $30,000 (I am pulling a number out of my a$$, as I am too lazy to look it up on cars.com)
The new A3 is $35,000

The Tacoma gets 16mpg
A3 gets 25 mpg -> 9 mpg better mileage

Assuming you drive 20,000 miles per year
Tacoma = 1250 gallons of gas
A3 = 800 -> 450 gallons less gas. At $5 / gallon it is $2250

The Tacoma has already had 2 years depreciation, the A3 is still going to undergo its major hits. Unknown: How much the Tacoma will depreciate in the next 2 years, as I am betting it will be more than historically due to weakening demand.

So the A3 is $5000 more debt than the Tacoma, will depreciate more in the next 2 years, and save $2250 per year in gas.

Assuming all the random crap the above, and a decent interest rate: You would need to keep the A3 for 5+ years to have it make sense financially.

[.:R2theT]

I am contemplating purchasing a new car and selling the truck off.

Are you only concerned with what you are spending on gas? Because it doesn't make sense to spend thousands to save hundreds. Or are you wanting better gas milage from an environmental standpoint? Then philosophically this makes some sense but not the best sense, as you could get a much better milage vehicle than the A3.

The only way this would make sense is if you could get what you owe on the Tacoma in sale or trade and only then get the A3. I think I would just wait it out.

We have the 3.2q A3 which is a VR6. We maybe(big maybe) get 20 mpg around town. We could save a few bucks if we got a 2.0tq that is available this year but that is penny-wise and pound-foolish. Ultimately, we will probably keep this A3 and hope AoA brings over the A1(Shooting Brake) hopefully in an S1 flavor.

Have you considered a Mini Cooper? The Ss are pretty sporty and get like 36 mpg freeway!

[tpliquid]

werd em up. waste of money just to save a few hundred bucks.

[crewkip]

I don't owe anything on the Tacoma. It's worth about $24k. I would try to find a used A3 in a similar price range.

I think keeping the A3 for 5 years shouldn't be a problem. I would pay for the A3 in cash, no financing.

[drew138]

Only makes sense IMO if you can sell you Tacoma for more than what you buy an A3 for.... Also, these aren't great in the gas mileage department anyway. I get sub 15 in the city. SF,CA. But I'm hard on the accelerator in "S" mode.

[lilken21]

I don't owe anything on the Tacoma. It's worth about $24k. I would try to find a used A3 in a similar price range.

I think keeping the A3 for 5 years shouldn't be a problem. I would pay for the A3 in cash, no financing.

Good luck trying to get 24K for your truck -- SUV and truck resale values are going down south in a hurry -- 24K might be doable.

Buying the A3 does not make good financial sense since there are better cars for your money (financially). The reason you buy the A3 is because you know you're gonna love it and will still love it 5 years down the road (since that's what your projecting). IMO, any reason outside of "I LOVE THIS CAR" is just plain trying to make yourself feel less guilty.

Anyway, I just got my A3 this weekend and all I can say is I LOVE LOVE THIS CAR and I'm so happy I got it instead of the other hatches I was looking into (MKV/R32, Mini Clubman JCW, WRX STI, Mazdaspeed 3). Those other cars are faster than or as fast as my A3 3.2 but none of them is as luxurious.

I know the A3 is the car for me (obviously) -- it is for you as long as it puts a smile on your face and you can't wait to drive it everyday.

[tpliquid]

I wanted to drive mt A3 today but I carpooled to work instead. Got the PCV valve fixed now the car drives hella lot faster.

[Maverick]

you don't want to sell your truck now. poster #2 has a great point.

if you can afford it, buy a nicely used B6 A4 and drive it around.

i don't think the gas price will bounce back to what it was last year, it will never happen. therefore, there is never a good time to selll your truck. sell when the economy gets better but maybe gas price will be a lot higher than now. it's a tough call

[lilken21]

if you can afford it, buy a nicely used B6 A4 and drive it around.

x2 -- as long as you don't care about cupholders

[dummptyhummpty]

if you can afford it, buy a nicely used B6 A4 and drive it around.

*Cough*

[marcus1701]

b6 a4 doesn't have the wonderful 2.0L motor nor DSG. An A3 I think is a fine choice and has great practicality with 4 doors and a rear hatch. It sounds like you want to save money on gas and at the same time get a new car. Sell your truck now because gas prices are not getting any lower....they can only go UP!

[speedydragon]

for 24k..I'd look at a brand new MK V GTi or a used mini S

[Ben@SpeedBarn]

Another big question would be why did you buy the truck in the first place. Did you get it to haul stuff, or just to drive around like a car? If you use it like a truck, then that is even more of a reason to suck up the extra cost of gas and keep it. Although the A3 is pretty sweet!

[crewkip]

Another big question would be why did you buy the truck in the first place. Did you get it to haul stuff, or just to drive around like a car? If you use it like a truck, then that is even more of a reason to suck up the extra cost of gas and keep it. Although the A3 is pretty sweet!

Bought the truck because I wanted the truck. I 100% could get away with a smaller car. I rarely haul or tow stuff. It's nice to have the space but that was back when gas prices were sub $3.50.

[Jagaer]

You sound convinced of the A3, which is good. Selling the truck private may yield better prices, but since demand has dropped severely check the trade-in value as well. The next question should be:

1. I want to buy new to customise my car and have the complete warranty, but take the depreciation hit. (You can probably get a pretty good deal because the 2009's are coming with 2.0TQ)
2. I can buy used to save some money and still be happy with the car. (If you are picky and can ship, you can find any type/colour combination that has been made)
3. I can wait until 2009 and get the 2.0TQ. (Finally a true Audi with Turbo and Quattro, but only DSG)

[velocipedio]

I currently own a 2006 4x4 TRD off road Toyota Tacoma. But gas prices here in Cali are starting to kill me. I get maybe 16mpg on a good tank. I am contemplating purchasing a new car and selling the truck off.

The A3 and A4 are the only cars that come to mind that are both sporty, good looking, and will probably get a 25 mpg avg. I have driven the B7 A4 and like it, but it's a bit boring for me.

Financially I probably would not come out on top with this. Making up for the taxes alone would take awhile. Just curious if anyone has been in my situation, made the plunge and are glad they did.

Buy an A4 Avant (wagon) with S-line. More space than the A3, better suspension, and Torsen AWD instead of Haldex.

Even with a quattro model, you should be able to get 24mpg around town and about 33-34 on the highway with conservative driving.

[dreamcar=rs4]

If i were you I would go for a new or even used GTI. It is lighter and significantly cheaper than the A3. (Also both are FWD)

[RyanS3]

tacoma to A3, wow. I hope you can swing it, you will love the car.

[Subaru71]

Bought the truck because I wanted the truck. I 100% could get away with a smaller car. I rarely haul or tow stuff. It's nice to have the space but that was back when gas prices were sub $3.50.

DUDE I went through the exact same thing. Except I used to have a Frontier, up until about 6 months ago, when I bought my B7 A4.

I want my truck back.. I was just like you, rarely haul or tow stuff..

In fact, I'm looking toward another new frontier (not to replace my a4) more to take the mileage strain off it, I drive it too much for it being leased.

Gas mileage is a big concern, and from that point of view its definitely worth it, but I also am a car salesman, and I know resale value for trucks are just shit.

plus you'll probably miss your truck like I do...

[QwaktastiK]

Buy an A4 Avant (wagon) with S-line. More space than the A3, better suspension, and Torsen AWD instead of Haldex.

Even with a quattro model, you should be able to get 24mpg around town and about 33-34 on the highway with conservative driving.

i agree with everything said by velocipedio. the A4 is a superior car for it carries a better AWD system, a 6 speed option, and more space (if you need/want it). But to some, the A4 Avant is too big, and that would be perhaps the only way to justify the DSG + Haldex downgrade of the A3.

[RyanS3]

need update on this.

[duglas]

I sold my Stage 3 S4 and bought an A3 to save money on gas..

so I save $300 a month but spend $600 a month on a car payment..

But I drive 2500 miles a month.. 2 month old A3 and it is going for its 5K check on Monday..
Average mileage is 27.4, S4 was 17MPG..

[dustind]

Thought I'd toss in my two cents since I almost got a Tacoma myself.

For years I've always wanted a Dbl Cab Tacoma, but first we had to have a kid, then we had to buy a house, then we had to get a mini-van, etc. So by the time I finally went to get a Tacoma, the gas prices had gone over $2.50 a gal and it was just not as feasible given the amount of driving I do for work. Luckily I had always loved Audi's in secret.

Well I just bought an A3 last weekend. And while my brother is still giving me crap for not getting the truck of my dreams (and boy it's a nice truck), I very happy about my new A3. Especially getting 30+ MPG on the way back home from the dealer. The fit, finish, and ride is just so much nicer then any toyota. And while its damn hard to compare a Tacoma to an A3, I gotta say I think I'm gonna have more fun in my A3.

[.:R2theT]

i agree with everything said by velocipedio. the A4 is a superior car for it carries a better AWD system, a 6 speed option, and more space (if you need/want it). But to some, the A4 Avant is too big, and that would be perhaps the only way to justify the DSG + Haldex downgrade of the A3.

Subjective much? The A3 is hardly a downgrade from the A4. I love Haldex and the DSG is perfect for city driving. Do I love a manual? Sure but it doesn't work for my day-to-day life. At the time we could have got whatever Audi we wanted, we chose the A3. Your tastes are not my tastes and they aren't necessarily valid for anyone else! And yes the A4 is too big. The A3 reminds me so much of B5 in terms of size, just perfect.

[a4dc89]

glad your thinking about getting rid of your tacoma, i previously owned a toyota and it was a really poor experience in both service and reliability in comparison to my a4.

a used a3 would be a really good inexpensive option if you dont need awd

[QwaktastiK]

Subjective much? The A3 is hardly a downgrade from the A4. I love Haldex and the DSG is perfect for city driving. Do I love a manual? Sure but it doesn't work for my day-to-day life. At the time we could have got whatever Audi we wanted, we chose the A3. Your tastes are not my tastes and they aren't necessarily valid for anyone else! And yes the A4 is too big. The A3 reminds me so much of B5 in terms of size, just perfect.

Not being subjective...just simply listing the pros and cons.
i have an R32 with Haldex AWD and 6 Speed Manual.
My fiancee's B6 A4 is superior in the rain, sleet, or snow with it's Torson AWD.
like I said, i'm not knocking the A3, I'm simply listing what the OP wanted to know...the pros and cons of each vehicle.

[.:R2theT]

Not being subjective...just simply listing the pros and cons.
i have an R32 with Haldex AWD and 6 Speed Manual.
My fiancee's B6 A4 is superior in the rain, sleet, or snow with it's Torson AWD.
like I said, i'm not knocking the A3, I'm simply listing what the OP wanted to know...the pros and cons of each vehicle.

There are many that would disagree with you about the Haldex being inferior. If that is you OPINION, then super. But I think to state your opinion as fact does little to help someone make an informed decision.