Alight guys---I have been on here for awhile now…and I have been going through the paces with the A3…the pics are pretty great of the new one and as it gets closer I am getting more and more excited. Like a lot of you, the new A4 equipped for 37k is out of my price range for a car. Also this summer I am buying a used boat so I do not want to spend tons on a car. My 2001 A4 is a great car, but I guess I am just itching for something new and hey the pastor told us to get something new for Easter! Hahhah

Anyway, I still am not decided on whether I will wait for Quattro. My feeling is if I wait and get the options I want I will be over 30 again. I only payed like 27, 500 for my car in 2001 so that does not seem like a smart idea. Plus I am into modding and currently have my car chipped. Turbo kits for the 3.2 are expensive so doing that to the V6 is not in my price category. I love the feeling of the WOOOOSH when I accelerate with the chip and if I can get near 250hp with MTM and a smaller sylish car that would be awesome! I am liking the sport package that comes with roof spoiler and 17s for under 30! I am also liking the sport seats!! My only thing would be to drive it in the rain and see if I could stand it compared to my Quattro. OH WHY WHY will you not bring a 2.0 quattro? Anyway I do not really need maps because my commute is not far and never had zenons so dunno how big a deal that would be to me. Does it really make the road way clearer???? Also the dealerships say spring? It is spring now! When do they come!! Anyone have a pic of the sport seats for the A3? Similar to S4?

Anyway I have a silver audi now and the pics of the Lava Grey at night have me exited. So for my pick I want Lava Grey A3 sport with DSG. Should be around 26, 27 if my calcs are right.

I too am planning to purchase a new vehicle in the Summer/Fall and the A3 is the top of my list. I am only 22 but i am getting a good job soon and i wanna get rid of my unreliable 96' Jetta and get into something NEW.

I also looked at the new A4 but its certainly out of my range. So basically AudimanVA if you do want the quattro (as do i) you will have to wait till fall.

I My opinion, i think i will wait. In the long run it will be worth it to see a beautiful A3 Quattro 6-Speed Lava Gray parked outside my apartment.

I think the first few A3's will trickle in to dealers next month. We are getting our first one, it will be base model no options w/ manual tranny. Then in May many more A3's will start to drop. Its going to seem like an eternity!

Based on the 25460 price for a no option model, i think a DSG A3 will be $1000 more. Adding in Sport or Premium package will be $1800-2000. (i am going with NSalvatore on his pricing predictions, he most recently posted them over on fourtitude.com)

My current scheme is to buy one that has just a few options and keep the price under 30K. (DSG, Sport, Cold- thats it) Just keep it a fun 'driver's car' without too much extra stuff.

Audi'VA- I think this car will be just fine in the rain. You'd probably have to push it quite far to have it show you its unquattroness. I dont have any pics of the Sport seats, sorry. I think there are some over at fourtitude.com. I can say that they are very cool. Not quite S4 style, but close.

Being lucky enough to see and drive the A3, i can tell you that it is right on par with all the other current Audi's from a quality and fit and finish perspective. Thats why the price is coming out like it is. Its no 'cheapened out' car. I dont think Audi built this car to a price point so much as the built the car the way they would any other Audi and let the price just happen.

I'm so ready for A3 DSG w/ 250HP. Thank you JoeHoppen.

RB

From the Launch Event last week, and I can tell you that you have to push this car VERY hard for it to show it's "unquattroness." The ESP 8 works exceptionally well and seamlessly. I had 2.5 + hours of "spirited" driving a 2.0 MT in sleet and rain and never missed a beat. The car is smooth and spunky, and I had an ear to ear grin on my face for the whole time. Of course, snow is a different matter, and you can judge for yourself how much that affects your particular climate. But I went there prepared not to be impressed, and I was very impressed.