I think if I was in that position I would tend to do the same. At the moment I am only 18 months away from drawing my company pension (at 60) and having had all sorts and sizes of cars over the years I cannot see me ever wanting more than an A3. My current A3 is just what I want, 3-doors, hatchback, reliable, excellent quality interior, comfortable for long continental journeys, economical, reasonable to insure, very pleasant to drive, especially with the DSG (now called S-tronic on the new TT). What more could I want - perhaps the 170bhp version but my 140bhp seems quick enough.
Tax has never been a problem for me as all my cars have been purchased with my own money and as I current only work part-time I do not even pay any income tax.