CTC Review: 2009 Audi A3 2.0T

[CD_Editor]

Day 1:

Click Image to Enlarge

I didn't realize until I jumped into this week's tester how I have been starving for automotive fun!  I had to think back to the last time I drove a small, sporting vehicle, and geez -- it was quite awhile ago!  The last test vehicle I had that wasn't a truck, SUV or family sedan was back in September, when I had a pair of Boxsters for a week.  This week I am behind the wheel of the 2009 Audi A3 2.0T, something I think qualifies as small and sporty.  More...

[Turbo Bob]

I like this car, but the only thing that puts me off an Audi is that everyone I know who has owned one has had problems of some sort, ranging from small electrical items to very expensive fixes...

[Jack]

Nice urban runabout but I've avoided the Audi brand because our local VW/Audi dealers were indifferent at best, and had a bad attitude at worst.
Mind you, I used to own a VW.  I often wondered if I would've been treated better if I had rolled in with the pricier brand.

[2hondas1BMW]

The A3 is a great vehicle, but 44K!? 

[roscoe]

Nice urban runabout but I've avoided the Audi brand because our local VW/Audi dealers were indifferent at best, and had a bad attitude at worst.
Mind you, I used to own a VW.  I often wondered if I would've been treated better if I had rolled in with the pricier brand.

That's a shame you weren't treated better. I have heard from other people that the combined VW/Audi dealerships can be like that. If you're ever in the London, ON region, Leavens VW are great to deal with. Mind you, they only do vee-dubs. Maybe that's why they're nicer!

As an aside, last year I test drove an 2008 Audi A3 and in the same day a 2008 VW GTI, which mechanically is pretty much the same car as the Audi. I ended up buying the GTI, but not because of price. Since then, I've put in about $5K in APR mods and now I'm producing 300 hp and 370 lb-ft. Whatever car you go with, make sure it has a 2.0T in it!! It is truly an amazing powerplant and way more flexible than the 3.2-litre (a fine engine in its own right, but not overly customizable).

[dougjp]

I've read that the suspension in the A3 is an overall disappointment compared to the GTI, A4 and even the Jetta 2.0T. Harsh yet not yielding handling improvements because of that. I wonder if you could address this?

[roscoe]

I've read that the suspension in the A3 is an overall disappointment compared to the GTI, A4 and even the Jetta 2.0T. Harsh yet not yielding handling improvements because of that. I wonder if you could address this?

Personally, I wouldn't say that the A3 was "disappointing," just different from the GTI. Suspension was indeed one of the factors that weighed into my decision to go with the GTI over the A3. I found that the A3's suspension, while very sporting and spirited, was teeth-chattering. You feel every imperfection in the road - through your butt.

I ended up getting sport springs added to my GTI after purchasing it. These lowered the car by 1.5" at all four corners, which did sacrifice a minimal amount of ride comfort. Even with this modification, however, my GTI is still more forgiving than a stock A3.

In terms of everyday drivability, the GTI is more comfortable, and not just because of the suspension, but also the seats. I found that the side bolsters on the A3 seats are too narrow and therefore fatiguing during longer drives. I'm not a big guy, but even I found that the A3's seats kind of 'pinched' the lower body.

Again, I don't want to sound as though I'm bashing the A3. I'm not. I think it's a great car, but it all comes down to what you want in a daily driver: ride comfort or stiff handling? In my opinion, the GTI with Eibach springs is an excellent balance between the two.

[lebowski]

Great that they're finally offering quattro with the 2.0T. I know the issue has been beaten to death, but it bears repeating: this car needs - NEEDS - a manual. DSG is fun, but it ain't the real thing. That's why i'm skipping this car and shopping for a used A4 2.0T wagon.

[carcrazy]

The A3 is a great vehicle, but 44K!? 

The base model, which is still very well equipped, is $37K (before fees and taxes).

[evil_twin]

Great that they're finally offering quattro with the 2.0T. I know the issue has been beaten to death, but it bears repeating: this car needs - NEEDS - a manual. DSG is fun, but it ain't the real thing. That's why i'm skipping this car and shopping for a used A4 2.0T wagon.

Agree completely.  An A3 2.0T quattro MANUAL would be right near the top of my wanted list next year....unfortunately, they choose to only offer DSG with quattro.

[VWGTI]

I too, compared the two A3 vs GTI and ended up with the GTI.  I still love the A3, but the main reasons why I went with the GTI vs the A3 is because the rear seat room in the GTI seems to be roomier but the A3 has more boot space, I valued the rear seat room.  Price was a factor for me.  I have to admit, the A3 was more distinctive (doesn't look like a normal rabbit) and the prestige of driving an Audi over VW had it's appeal but that's only for the people that don't know much about cars.  Either way, they are both great cars, again the A3 is the GTI with a suit.  The only reason for me to go to the A3 would have been the quattro, but I could live without the quattro.

[Loudpedal]

I like this car, but the only thing that puts me off an Audi is that everyone I know who has owned one has had problems of some sort, ranging from small electrical items to very expensive fixes...

Likewise.   Even so, defying reason, the A3 is on my shortlist to replace my '01 Infiniti G20t.   The style, functionality, economy, fun to drive nature--and most importantly DSG, is what put it there.  

Having reviewed a number of the mags long term tests of the A3 (Car and Driver, etc), they all glow over the car.  They report few if any problems and indicate that several of their own staffers have (or intended to) purchase an A3 for their own personal vehicle.    

[Giant Dwarf]

Great that they're finally offering quattro with the 2.0T. I know the issue has been beaten to death, but it bears repeating: this car needs - NEEDS - a manual. DSG is fun, but it ain't the real thing. That's why i'm skipping this car and shopping for a used A4 2.0T wagon.

Agree completely.  An A3 2.0T quattro MANUAL would be right near the top of my wanted list next year....unfortunately, they choose to only offer DSG with quattro.

Me too... until I remember the series of electrical and hardware gremlins that afflicted my '04 A4 and the miserable experience I had with VW Credit for my lease.  The dealership experience was superb, but ownership of the Audi fell waaay short of my expectations. 

There are too many other great choices out there for me to go back to Audi again now.

[asalvari]

Hello

can anyone shed some light on what is the purpose of "window trim" ? I meant I know what is "window trim" but hell I have no idea why its better/worse then a regular paint.
Thanks

[BernardP]

The base 2.0T FWD 6-speed manual A3 is $ 31800. It has everything that is useful and needed, including leather, but no Xenons, Sunroof or pricey/semi-useless electronic gadgetry. The base suspension is softer than the too-harsh Sport suspension.

Considering that the GTI is going to be replaced in September 2009, and the A3 the following year, getting a 2009 A3 is not a bad move.

[vdk]

You gotta admit it looks amazing in white w/ the black roof and dark wheels... 

Probably not the best bang for the buck, but a great little car nonetheless, I think of it as more of a Mini w/ less go-kart handling but more luxuries and such

[Jaeger]

Let's just say that I would spend 44k differently.  Just about every VW / Audi owner I know - including a couple in my family - has a tale of grief to tell: poor reliability, costly and time-consuming repairs, indifferent sales and service staff, etc.  Paying good money to buy that kind of grief does not add up for me.

I remember when my Dad was shopping for a midsize sedan and asked his next door neighbour if he could take his Passat out for a spin.  The guy said "Sure, as long as you promise that when you're done, you'll drive it off a cliff!"  He then proceeded to regale my Dad with all the various and and sundry things that have gone wrong with the vehicle, and how almost nothing could be repaired same-day, but most often required several days in the shop.  Pops now drives an '08 Accord - boring as hell, but he's not living at the dealership.

VW gets way too much of a pass from the automotive press for their horrible reliability, IMHO.  Just because nothing broke for the week the writer had the car is no reason to ignore what could be a real negative issue for potential buyers.  

Jaeger

[Vmango]

I like everything about the A3. Well, not thrilled about the price, nor lack of a manual tranny - but hey, it still remains on the short list for the next car.

I'm just always left thinking "could I not do more with this much money"?

I also find when you starting adding the options you'd pretty much want for sure, it starts putting itself in a class with much better cars.

[dave]

I think the A3 2.0T is a fantastic little package.  Sporty, luxurious, and practical (4 doors/awd).  It looks great in white on black and the new LED headlights are a nice novelty for '09.

Still, like many have already said, the lack of a manual made it easy for me to scratch off my list last year.  I've sampled the DSG in the GTI - fun, but over time, I'd be longing for a real manual.

The as tested price is a little hard to swallow.  $44k?  For that kind of money, there are a lot of options with a lot more "sport" (but a little less practicality) 

[Ron]

I own an A3 3.2 and I like it a lot.  The balance between ride comfort and handling is excellent and the 3.2 has the lowered suspension!  Yes, the service costs are too high but so are the other luxury dealers; maybe a good old fashion recession will bring down the high labour prices one day.  It may not be the most reliable car out there but who cares, because it reminds me of the old days of driving around the Go-Kart track all-day without some frantic track attendant jumping in front of me yelling STOP!