I currently have a 99 A4 1.8TQ 5 spd which I'm looking to replace next spring. I've driven the new A3 and i do like it. 2.0 is a great motor. However, the new GTI looks great, same power train, more standard equipment (xeon, 6 disc CD), and it looks to be about $2K cheaper so I'm thinking about it. they start to show up at the dealers in 2 weeks. What do you think? Thanks

VW and Audi always leave some differences between models. It's up to you to discover them and decide what is important to you.<ul><li><a href="http://forums.audiworld.com/a3/msgs/29970.phtml">My review of a Jetta - pics are gone though</a></li></ul>

However, the '04 GTI that I traded in on my A3 was worlds apart in quality. The interior rattled quite a bit.

I'd gladly pay the extra 2k to have an Audi over a VW. Options or not.

to me, I like driving a car that is not too common. I think there will be comparatively more GTIs on the road eventually compared to A3s.

Plus, like April says, I like having no worries for the first 50K miles when it comes to maintenance.

<center><img src="http://www.anytimecostumes.com/Merchant2/graphics/beards/098cb1t.jpg"></center><p>So Audi fish mouth or VW goatee? ;-)

it's not a 5 door hatchback is it? I think the first ones coming over are only 3 door hatchback.

The steering wheel is definatly way cooler than the A3 that sucks IMHO.

In terms of performance enhancements you can do anything to the GTI that you can do to the 2.0 FSI

which they reckon to be over-priced. I drove a colleague's new Golf TDi (highly specced)recently and although impressed by the engine the interior is definitely a step down from the Audi. Also the graphics on the sat nav look like something from the '90s!

IIRC there tends to be a greater gap in europe between the economy and luxury models.

Dave

Sometimes cars that are bloody fantastic in one place, are merely great in another ;-)

a UK Golf GTi owner. They both want a great handling quick hatchback

That's why the car mags slate them. I'm happy to pay that difference for the extra quality

and gave a good or bad impression, only to have the reverse impact when driven by the same person in a different venue. The Brits are especially fond of their narrow swooping B roads, and often rate car greatness by how well it handles that. In fact some car makers specifically adjust their suspensions to deal with the unique features and traits desired for dealing with British roads.

I think the GTi will be even more sports oriented than the A3, but we shall have to wait and see how the taller suspended cars (North American cars are about a half an inch taller for crash reasons) do on North American roads.