Audi A3

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $29500.00 from Millennium Audi

Year / Model Reviewed:
2008 A3 5dr

Strengths:
Great tech in the engine, very nice stereo (standard), best driving fwd car I've ever driven. S-Tronic (DSG) transmission is quirky, but very cool. I like the body styling - sort of a cross between a CUV and a hatchback. Terrific build quality - all body panels straight, all of the doors close with a pleasing thud, beautiful paint, all interior panels straight. Quiet interior, very smooth switchgear, especially on the steering wheel. Bluetooth option is very nicely thought out. No squeaks or rattles anywhere. Very nice underside - plastic panels make it more aerodynamic.

Weaknesses:
sometimes mistaken for expensive GTI. All season tires take away too much of the handling prowess. standard floor mats are fragile. interior materials in trunk area are fragile. bluetooth setup could use more documentation.

Summary:
Very smooth driving and good handling (standard model). Fairly quick (2.0T), good gas mileage (25mpg combined). I broke the engine in using Motomans technique, so, it doesn't use any oil, has very good power and gets very good mileage. The climate control works as advertised (good!). This car is easy to own/drive/like. Almost never see another one on the road, so, to me, thats a plus.

Similar Products Used:
Honda Civic SI, VW GTI, Mazdaspeed 3, Acura TSX.

Price Paid:  $27000.00 from Iowa

Year / Model Reviewed:
2006 Audi A3

Strengths:
Drives nicely when it's working.

Weaknesses:
Reliability is terrible.

Summary:
I've owned this car almost 4 years and reliability has been a constant problem. Over the last 6 months, it has gone back to the dealer 7 times for various problems with the injection system and with electronics. It drives nicely when it's working but the repeated trips to the dealership have completely soured me on it. If you enjoy quiet afternoons sitting in the waiting room of your dealership, this is the car for you. If not, then save yourself a lot of money and aggravation and get something else.