Thinking about buying an A3

**xxForgedxx** · 11-01-2008 06:34 PM

I lately have been very set on buying a German car. There are many other fun cars but something is missing. I am no stranger to fast cars so I am reluctant to buy an A4/A3 in case it won't meet my power, handling and reliability needs. I've been told that Audi is light years ahead in terms of reliability/maintenance but I've also been hearing that for a while and am still worried. I have some questions about the A3 that I hope someone can answer for me.

-How much does an A3 go for on the used market and with how many miles?

-How much power can these cars make before they start loosing drivability by becoming a hassle to maintain and repair?

-What are the best power mods for this car and how much WHP will it put down with them, I am looking for the most power without having to worry about crap breaking. For how much $$$?

-How well do these cars handle? What mods if any make this car a very good twisties car and what does it compare to?

-I do not think I am interested in the 2.0T because it's only available in FWD. I would be buying a different car if I were to put up with FWD

-How tough is the transmission, clutch, transfer case etc? I don't need drivetrain headaches

Does this car sound like a good idea for someone who wants German with as few quirks as possible, without being just another GTI or A4 on the road?

**fusionx** · 11-01-2008 09:19 PM

Ill try my best to answer a few of these for you. Most people on here prefer the 2.0T because you get more power out of the mods and most say its a quicker faster car. FWD isnt that bad, its just when you try to put a lot of power to the ground its really hard to make it stick but its not that bad. So heres my review on the 2.0T

-How much power can these cars make before they start loosing drivability by becoming a hassle to maintain and repair?

Right now my car is stage 2 (chip stage 2 software + downpipe) and I haven't had any problems with it so far. Two things that could happen down the road are a PCV fix and a diverter valve fix, which are both cheap easy fixes. My friend currently has stage 3 in his car which is an upgraded turbo and many other things and I haven't heard of anything big braking on his car yet but thats defiantly a riskier route. You shouldn't have any problems with stage 2

-What are the best power mods for this car and how much WHP will it put down with them, I am looking for the most power without having to worry about crap breaking. For how much $$$?

Chip stage 1: ~$500 (REVO) approx 40-50 HP and 40-50 TQ (don't quote me on that)
stage 2: ~+$50

Downpipe: ~$300+ (mine was $500 (AWE) ) - You need a downpipe to get the Stage 2 software (approx 30+ hp , dont quote me on that either haha)

I think those are probably the easiest power mods unless you want to go into the upgraded turbo level which is close to $6000 and will most likely put you close to 390-400HP

Like I said, the only problems you might run into with these mods is a broken PCV and divertervalve (both under 100$ )

-How well do these cars handle? What mods if any make this car a very good twisties car and what does it compare to?

I have lowering springs ( H & R sport springs - 400$ installed ) and that helps A LOT with eliminating body-roll. I also picked up a rear sway bar ( H & R adjustable for around 300$ installed? ) and that thing eliminates almost all the body-roll you have left after the springs and your car turns into a fun as hell go-kart hahaha.

-I do not think I am interested in the 2.0T because it's only available in FWD. I would be buying a different car if I were to put up with FWD

Mods in the 3.2 don't do half as much as they do on the 2.0T. Go drive both and you might feel why most of us like the 2.0T better

Does this car sound like a good idea for someone who wants German with as few quirks as possible, without being just another GTI or A4 on the road?

heres a couple things I can say to describe the a3
- small and compact but lots of room,
- very fast and quick, once you get the springs and the sway bar the thing feels like you could take a sharp turn at 100 haha.
- mods arent too expensive and they give a lot (2.0T)
- over the gti, its got a lot more luxury and class to it
- I looked at all 3 cars and I liked the A3 wayy better

hope this helps!

**mikevets68** · 11-01-2008 10:44 PM

ID have to agree with my Fusion. Ive been in his car and trust me it is pretty fast! If your looking for something different and classy with mods that are effective and not too pricey the A3 is the way to go!

**xxForgedxx** · 11-02-2008 09:03 AM

Does it come with xenons standard?

**xxForgedxx** · 11-02-2008 09:32 AM

It's just difficult to chase after a FWD audi 2.0T when you can spend a little bit more and just go with an A4 quattro 2.0T in manual.

**fusionx** · 11-02-2008 11:38 AM

Xenons are not standard :-/ at least they weren't when I got my A3 in 07. I mean here in socal quattro isnt a big deal, im sure where you live it might be

**xxForgedxx** · 11-02-2008 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by fusionx

Xenons are not standard :-/ at least they weren't when I got my A3 in 07. I mean here in socal quattro isnt a big deal, im sure where you live it might be

I've worked with high hp FWD, tractions a bitch. Boo on the no xenon

**dustind** · 11-05-2008 04:14 PM

Just bought mine in August and I love it. I looked at lots of other cars, mostly with hatch's. I even considered the A4 Avant and the BMW 3 wagon, in the end the A3 2.0T was the best for what I wanted. It's small but roomy as fusionx mentioned, and the fit and finish is way better than the GTI. I have no mods on my car and the sucker is fast! Not fast enough for my son who screams to go faster but it'll get you a ticket if you don't watch out.