CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the extra info. Actually, our RX330 is a FWD model so eventhough I would like the Quattro, I can live with the FWD especially since I'm supposed to be saving money by selling the RX and my weekend toy. Also, I'd probably get the non navigation car as well since Audi does not offer navigation in Hawaii yet. Doesn't matter to me as I have a full blown Apline A/V system that is coming out of my RX330 that I could put in the A3 if I got this car. I already priced one out on the Audi website and a 2.0T with the options I would have to have still came out under $30K. That is not bad at all. I tried it with the 3.2 V6 version and it came out to $37K so forget that one.

mmarshall

Yes...like I mentioned in my review, the 3.2 is a ripoff, staring at almost 34K without options....and, of course, it is mandtory if you want AWD...fortunately you don't.

You're making the right decision, IMO, getting the non-NAV model..Not only are you saving money but you have much easier-to-use controls as well.

The " build-your-own " features on manufacturer websites are good for theoretically, on paper, seeing what the exact car you want ( within the company's packaging restrictions, of course ) would list for, independent of dealer markups or discounts....I use them quite often myself when helping people decide which new vehicle is best for them........but you may or may not actually find that exact car in stock on a dealer lot with exactly the colors and options you want. In some cases you can order one, put down a deposit, and wait for delivery. Other times the exact car you want may be available at another dealership and can be shipped or driven down. Other times you're out of luck....you have to choose from what is available on the lot or is shortly arriving on the transporter. Whether you can order the exact car you want or not depends on a number of factors.....the location of the assembly plants, what time of year it is and if the factory is re-tooling for new models, supply-and-demand, and, of course, the manufacturer's own marketing policies.

jaydunn

Thank you for another excellent review. I don't agree, however, about the Nav/MMI system being overly complex. I have it on our A4 and after the first day or two it seemed logical and intuitive-it's just an lcd screen with a scroll wheel, menu driven with a back button if you don't like your choice. I like the way it replaces the many multi-function buttons and ***** on our Lexus.

mmarshall

I made a point of mentioning, in the review, that the MMI was not as complex as I-Drive. It IS complex, though, by my standards......I'm quite conservative in that area and tend to believe in conventional *****, switches, and levers.
As a somewhat inactive pilot, ( though still licensed ) I was also that way in the air. I learned to use analog flight instruments and never did like the digital stuff....I found it confusing and distracting.

doug_999

I have to agree MMarshal - the MMI system is really nice (and better than the I-Drive which believe it or not, I really like except for the speed).

Also you commented that it has unreliable electronics - I don't think this is a fact however.

I personally never drove an A3, afraid I would like it too much.

however, as always, a very nice write-up. Thank you.

mmarshall

Virtually all European-designed cars, especially German-designed ones, have electrical systems that are in general less reliable than domestic, Japanese, or Korean ones. Whether that qualifies as " unreliable " or not in your view, of course, depends on what you consider " reliable ".
In general, I consider Toyota / Lexus, Honda / Acura, and Subaru to be the industry leaders in reliability. By those standards, Audi electronics are unreliable.

In fact, take a look at this CL thread: This could well have been caused by a short in Audi electronics.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=225526

doug_999

Whoa.... nobody knows what caused that. Normally cars are shipped with their batteries disconnected. This easily could have been arson and to suggest that it was cause by a short in Audi electronics is conjecture.

spwolf

When I drove A3 last time it was way to stiff and uncomfortable for me... I guess I am not used to those sports/hard/narrow seats. I just wanted to get out of the darn thing. Looks great though.

Another thing to note is that cheap Audi's interiors, while looking and feeling great, wear sooner than on their premium models. My Friends 2002 A4 has many parts of interior peeled off, despite him taking care of it.

spwolf

of course, nobody knows.

But, batteries are NOT disconected while shipping. Rather, there is one fuse that controls many of car's interior electronics that cause drain on the battery, and it is never entered into its slot in the fuse box in the factory, it is stored on the side, and when dealer does their PDI check, they put it in. Car is completly usable since they have to move it around by driving it, things like ESP, ABS, Radio, HVAC, etc, do not work though.