I am strongly considering the A3 when the Quattro version becomes availabe but have a few questions. I hope you current owners don't mind answering.
What vehichle did you prior to your 06 A3?
Do you still love the DSG or has it become boring? (I test drove DSG and just about sh!t my pants, I loved it!)
Did you get yours more because of looks or performance? The reason I'm asking is because I'd probably get the A4 if it offered DSG (i think it looks better, more expensive or something) so do you think DSG is a good enough reason in itself to get the A3?

Any repsonse to my ramblings would be appreciated.

but at this point with pricing it's not happening. I might take advanage and go Sabb 9-2x Aero, or lease a new bimmer or benz, maybe even a volvo s40.

First, I came from a 2002 A4 1.8T Avant MT5. I love my A3 with DSG. I've had it for a little over a month and still love driving it every single day. I have not grown tired of DSG whatsoever.

Second, if you're waiting for QTR to show up on the A3, then you're either going to get the 3.2 or wait until the cows come in while hoping that they bring the 2.0T QTR here.

Did I get it for more for looks or performance? Primarily for performance, because it kicks the sh!t out of my old B6 1.8T. And DSG is the perfect way to get the performance down (well, maybe DSG w/ QTR would be perfect).

It sounds like you're quite a ways off from buying your next car because A) A3 with QTR won't be here for a while and will initially only come in 3.2, and B) A4 with DSG is not even on the radar at this point.

IMHO, A3 3.2 DSG w/QTR will be a hell of a car. But it will be pushing the price closer to $40K, if it has any optional packages installed. For that price, there are other $40K cars that most people would find more palatable.

Thanks for asking, though. I love my car and look forward to driving it all the time.

I moved from a 2000 A4 1.8TQ 5-speed to a 2006 A3 2.0T Sport.

I also looked at the B7 A4s (test drove a manual 2.0T) and really liked it.

I'm a young guy (not even 21 quite yet) who just got a well paying job and is moving out to a new area (Seattle)...

The A3 seemed to fit my personality, and the payments were just where I wanted them with the trade in ($500/month).

It's faster and seems sportier than the A4, and just seemed more exciting to me.

That said, here's a list of things that tempted me to the A4 right up until the last minute:

-Quattro
-Bi-xenon adaptive headlights
-Auto-dimming rear and outside mirrors
-Color Driver Information Display/Trip Computer (my A3 is a Sport without the Convenience Package, so no trip computer at all)
-The fact that the new A4 suspension and steering is lifted straight out of the S4.
-The rave reviews it has gotten from, well, everywhere.

However I'm very happy with the A3. I got one with almost every option (no convenience or nav) with colors that I liked, for less than the base price of the A4. I got a 6-speed, though I would have taken the same car if it had DSG - I really couldn't decide which I liked better!

From the outside it looks small and sporty, from the inside it's roomy and comfortable. While driving it feels light and nimble, and the engine and gearing feels eager yet smooth no matter what gear you're in or how high you're revving.

The best advice I can give you is to test drive both. Test drive with and without the sport packages. Find a car that makes you happy driving it and that you'll enjoy seeing parked outside every morning. And if the numbers are right, buy it :)

I know I would have been very happy to own either car. But everytime I look outside to the driveway and everytime I get behind the wheel, all doubt about my decision goes away.

I'm not an A3 owner, but strongly consider it as a second car when the time will come, for my wife. I tested it, checked it inside out extensively and would say that:
- DSG is the system everybody will copy in the next 1-2 years
- however, I find it a little confusing that you can use the paddles in any driving mode, D, S or Semimanual; they should maybe separate them as they are on normal tip cars. so you have a distinct choice between driving modes. Not a big case here though since I guess you can still leave the tranny do it's thing w/o messing with the paddles.
- I would buy it mostly for performance, looks are a little "less" for me compared to the B6 platform, especially the front [and after seeing what Alfa can do with stock cars! :)]; the back is nice.
- A4/B7 looks to me less "sporty" than the B6, with the huge grille and they cut some corners on the interior as well. Same goes for the A3 compared to the B6 interior.
- yes, DSG and the new FSI turbo engine is good enough for me to buy an A3 if I wouldn't have the A4 now.

<ul><li><a href="http://home.comcast.net/~jrdailey/Enchantments.htm">Some great PNW photos... Enjoy!</a></li></ul>

Previous cars: BMW X5, Audi TT, Audi A4, VW Golf TDI, BMW 325i, VW Beetle TDI, Jaguar XJ6, BMW 535ia, Saab 900 T(2)...I'm back in the eighties at this point, can I stop?

I drove the MT6 and the DSG and much preferred the MT6, which happened to have Nav+ and Xenons, which were both more important anyhow.

Neither. I don't much care for the new A4s and my small parking lot at work has no less than four. The A3 is different, well equipped and and blast to drive. Whatever you do (DSG/MT6, Sport or Premium), get the Nav+ -- it's expensive but worth every penny.

Thanks everyone for your input. DaveNJ, why did you much prefer the MT?

I just bought my A3 this past Monday, 6-6-05. I like it a lot. The only thing I wish I could have done was to compare the Quattro vs. the Front Wheel Drive.

I didn't get the A3 for looks or performance. I got it to commute in. I was spending $400 per month on gas for my Silverado.

I went with A3 because I have owned '00 &amp; '01 A4; Passat Wagon (Don't know why); '03 Allroad; and finally the '05 A3. We just have the Allroad and A3 now. I told myself I wasn't going to buy another A4 unless I get and S4 or if they come out with a new RS6.

I guess I'm a bad car buyer anyway. I once bought a Ducati 996biposto because it looked good, but it was uncomfortable. I won't make that mistake again. Go with what feels good.