My first Audi A3, but which one?

[ajspurs]

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Hi guys, basically I'm looking for an automatic audi A3 with a budget of around £7000, I've seen 2 options but as I'm a new driver and pretty new to cars in general so I'm not sure what the best option is. It would be my first car too so don't want to go higher than 1.6 for obvious reasons.

There have been two that have grabbed my attention, an Audi A3 1.6 SPECIAL EDITION 3DR TIP AUTO, or an Audi A3 1.6 SE 5dr S Tronic 2008. Which would be the better option? I'm just thinking maybe some know something that I don't and will say 'no, don't buy that because of this, or this because of that etc.'

The 2008 one has a newer facelift too and I'm wondering, I believe these don't come in a 3 door version? Do they appear quite long in size like the 5dr version of the older facelift models?

Thanks for any insight and opinions.

 

[Lowkeykamz]

I don't think the 5dr looks as good as the 3dr, but personally changing from a 5dr car to a 3dr, it is a real hassle that I'd rather avoid

 

[Sevv]

cant you get an S3 8P 07 model for that price ? or am i mistaken... you could always go for a 2.0 TFSI quattro A3 8p2

 

[ajspurs]

I don't think the 5dr looks as good as the 3dr, but personally changing from a 5dr car to a 3dr, it is a real hassle that I'd rather avoid

Neither do I mate, they are just slightly different models and I'm personally not sure how the newer facelift one looks in a 5 door in person.

08 A3 5dr








07 A3 3dr

cant you get an S3 8P 07 model for that price ? or am i mistaken... you could always go for a 2.0 TFSI quattro A3 8p2

I'm not sure mate, although the cheapest S3 I've seen has been around £14,000, maybe because I've searched automatic only? I'm not sure though. I think the insurance will be too high for me though in a 2.0 + litre car.

 

[Lee23]

Consider a 1.4TFSI... I have one myself, quicker than the 1.6, great mpg, low insurance, low tax, plus with it have that little turbo you can get them mapped to around 160-165 bhp

 

[buz]

I think it all depends on whether you're going to change/mod anything? If yes then the 3 door is probably a better platform. I'm personally not a fan of the 5 door sport back as it looks just too big but out of the two cars you have shown us then the 5 door looks the nicer. That 3 door just looks very basic and not very eye catching, again that's just my thoughts.

Good luck and enjoy the search.

 

[ajspurs]

Consider a 1.4TFSI... I have one myself, quicker than the 1.6, great mpg, low insurance, low tax, plus with it have that little turbo you can get them mapped to around 160-165 bhp

I would definitely consider one but they're just a bit hard to come by, the 1.4's. The very few I have seen have been just a bit out of my price range too unfortunately.

I think it all depends on whether you're going to change/mod anything? If yes then the 3 door is probably a better platform. I'm personally not a fan of the 5 door sport back as it looks just too big but out of the two cars you have shown us then the 5 door looks the nicer. That 3 door just looks very basic and not very eye catching, again that's just my thoughts.

Good luck and enjoy the search.

Not really, the only thing I would consider is maybe a spoiler on the 5 door if that's possible just to make it a bit sharper and sportier. Yea I'm really split, the 5 door definitely seems to have more to it but my only worry is that it's a bit too big in appearance. The good and incredibly lucky thing is that I'd seen it on Autotrader and it's literally down the road from me so am taking a look this morning. And thanks, even though I just want the car ASAP I have enjoyed looking around!

 

[leeds2592]

As said by a few people already, I would go 3dr over 5dr everytime as I think they look better and don't really have rear passengers that often. If you do ferry people around in the back often or need to get a baby in and out the back then a 5dr would probably be the best bet for you.

If I was you, I'd decide whether you want a 3dr or 5dr and then look for cars in your price bracket. And if you want a spoiler etc, then it's not the end of the world if the car you get doesn't have them as they can be added if needs be.

 

[ajspurs]

As said by a few people already, I would go 3dr over 5dr everytime as I think they look better and don't really have rear passengers that often. If you do ferry people around in the back often or need to get a baby in and out the back then a 5dr would probably be the best bet for you.

If I was you, I'd decide whether you want a 3dr or 5dr and then look for cars in your price bracket. And if you want a spoiler etc, then it's not the end of the world if the car you get doesn't have them as they can be added if needs be.

Yea I don't really have a need for 5 doors at all and I also generally prefer 3 doors but I just for some reason all of a sudden prefer the newer facelift. Anyway, I just went to see the 5dr and it was beautiful, really really liked it and will probably go for it now. Only has 29,000 miles on it and is just down the road which makes the process so much easier. Only thing now is to sort out my insurance and hopefully get it looked at by an audi specialist and see if everything is alright with it before buying.

Actually what would you guys recommend I do in terms of getting someone to look at it before I buy it? Is an AA inspection enough? Do Audi offer some sort of mobile inspection? I'm in Southampton if that helps.

 

[ajspurs]

Well I found out the one I went to see had been written off so I want to rule that one out!

The search continues, although at least I know what I want now, am favouring the newer FL 5dr over the older facelift 3dr at the moment.

 

[Mikemc]

not fancy a 2.0tdi ?