Just came across this. It's one of the first reviews that I can remember outside of a few of the car rags. It's a pretty simplistic review but thought it was worth sharing anyway.

I find it interesting that the writer mentioned a 0-60 time. This is the first one I've seen published. I also agree with him that the new Audi front grill looks better on the A3 than the other models. It just ocurred to me because that's sort of what I was thinking too.<ul><li><a href="http://www.suntimes.com/output/auto/car-news-car23.html">http://www.suntimes.com/output/auto/car-news-car23.html</a</li></ul>

He puts his dislikes as:

DISLIKES
Tire noise. Small audio and climate controls. Firm ride.

I can't help but think that if he put 'sporty' as one of his LIKES, thst surely that means it IS a firmer ride and some tyre noise is to be expected. And as for the small controlls - where the hell is he coming from for that? Is he wearing gloves? Even if they are small, surely that's a pro-feature as you can fit more stuff on the dash.

He should probably stick to writing the weather reports.

Yeah I got a laugh out of it too. I think he was writing obituaries before the editor gave him a crack at his writeup for the A3.

I found the review pretty close to reality though. Even the "small radio buttons" and the "climate controls".
Since I've tested the A3 this past weekend and currently drive a Grand Am (since my A4 is in the shop with a failed fuel pump at 35k), here's a small review and comparison:
- A3: the best engine and trans I ever experienced for such a small car. The ugly: sandpaper dashboard (I wonder how can you wipe/clean it with a pad?), small and cramped climate buttons with overly large and unsightly temp buttons, smaller radio buttons (the last two as compared to the A4 layout) and of course, the price. While you can blame the price on the $ vs. Euro rate, if that's one of the reasons AoA priced it like that, and hope and wait for some better financing or lease terms, I guess you can get used with the other shortcomings.
- Now, compared to the Grand Am... I would pay $10k only to get the interior quality of the A3! The plastics in the GA make Tuperware "high end", the fittings are like Lego (no, Legos are fitting far better!), the buttons are "big" and ugly, the a/c vents are like small guns aimed at your head, black and huge, the noise of the tires and engine requires ear plugs, the seats are like mini sofas, etc. No wonder GM is junk status.