I've tried to avoid asking, but when is it coming out in the states? That's really the configuration that I'm lookin' for

Of course you asked about the A4 ;) The A3 2.0Tq is not destined for the states anytime soon.

Got to certify fuel tank which is specific to that combo (2.0T and Haldex). In addition, it would only come as a stick - there is no DSG 2.0TQ anywhere.

S4->M3->A3??

But I'm going to need something else within the next year. For commuting, winter driving (SKIING!), beach, pets, and hardware store. The M3 is also a bit too flashy for taking everywhere.

I miss the B5 S4 a great deal, but it doesn't make sense to buy one and then dump $10k into it (K04s/clutch/timing belt/chip/exhaust) to make it reliable enough for daily use.

The A3 2.0T seems to fit what I'm looking for. I might also consider an A4 Ultrasport Avant, but those are exceedingly rare.

I've got a while to figure it out, but here are the criteria I'm looking at:

<b>Price</b> - has to be $35k or less
<b>Maintenance</b> - has to have at least 3 years warranty (CPO is ok)
<b>Mods and "modability</b> - I don't want a car that needs mods for me to like it. Moddable is good, but needing them to like the car is bad. Regular A4 and regular GTIs fall into that category.
<B>Utility</b> - Doesn't have to be an avant, but I need something with more seating/storage than the M3

Soooo... here are the candidates so far:
<b>A3</b> - Love it, but want quattro and turbo
<b>A4 (B6) Ultrasport</b> - Love it, but might be hard to find one in the avant trim
<b>GTI 20th Anniv</b> - Might not have enough storage and passenger capacity. LOVE jazz blue though (looks like Nogaro)
<b>GTI R32</b> - Hmmm.... lots of money for a GTI
<b>Mazda 6</b> - Good looks, but don't know much about it
<b>Volvo (anything)</b> - Might be able to get a used S60R or one of the S40 wagons

Or I could just give up and do the "right" thing and get a Corolla, Camry, or Honda and call it day. Japanese reliability seems to be pretty good

im on this forum because an A3 will most likely be my wife's next car.

Havent driven the 3.2 yet but I have driven the 2.0T in both DSG and manual. I like it quite a bit and she really likes the DSG. It would be mostly for city/urban driving so a manual could be a PITA. 3.2 is out of our price range and since I still have the S4 we can get a FWD car.

In your list the only others Id consider are the B6 avant and the R32 since they are AWD and meet your price range. Nice thing about the new A3 is its new and there is a new car warranty.

if you can swing it, get the A3 3.2, its non-turbo but still lots of fun.

let me know what you end up getting...out of curiosity.

Keep this thread tracked. I probably wont update it for a while, but I wont forget.

Yep, this is to supplement the M3. I could probably get away with FWD (and it is wallet friendly), but the S4 was unstoppable in winter trim. I'd like the same prowess if possible.

Your point about DSG is a good one. It would be nice to take a break from manual driving (almost embarassed to admit it). FYI, the M3 clutch is waaaaay easier in traffic than the S4.

As far as the 3.2 versus 2.0 argument is concerned, I guess I'd rather have a fully loaded 2.0T than a stripped 3.2. In another year, I could probably pick up a 15k miles used 3.2 DSG with nav+ while staying in my budget, but we'll see!

If I get engaged, all bets are off as the A4 Ultrasport would become the car to get (IMO).

of niche. The cost to certify needs to be spread over a small number of cars.

The moment it shows up, there will be howls of "why can't we have DSG?"

you drive both 5 doors.

I expect there to be plenty of differences. Just like when VW brought out the Passat based on the B5 A4.

Think about what options you must have, and what is available on each model/brand.

There is bound to be some trade-off between each.