Apologies in advance if this is a topic that's already been covered (I searched and didn't find it). I have a 2004 A4 and am VERY strongly considering acquiring a 2006 A3 (2.0T, Sprt suspension, etc.) The payments appear to be about the same, actually. Has anyone else here on the board made a move from an A4 to an A3 and if so why and how happy with the decision? The room inside where the driver would spend most of his/her time seems almost identical but with the new 2.0 and the weight of the A3 it seems like a LOT more performance for the money to me. Also, considering between the Lava Grey Pearl effect (black leather interior)and the Ocean Blue Peral effect. Any thoughts? Opinions?

Thanks!

I drove a 2003 A4 3.0q tip up until last week. My lease was up and I purchased an A3 3.2. Granted I've only had the car for a week but so far I love it. The A3 is much more performance oriented (in my opinion) then the A4.

If you're worried about space, the A3's interior room is pretty similar all around to the A4. The big difference is the trunk which is much smaller in the A3.

I guess it depends what kind of car you're looking for, but to me, the A3 feels more like a sports car while the A4 drives more like a luxury sedan.

Good luck!

I had a 2000 A4, sport with a manual box. I've now had my A3 2.0T DSG for nearly two weeks and it's almost run-in.

I find the A3 more comfortable somehow, easy to find a seating position that's good and the versatility of a hatch is good. I love the way it looks and the power/weight ratio.

I find the DSG great when I'm using the paddles, but I find the kick-down really annoying when in auto mode; it seems to go down too many gears, just screems and the ESP light flashes. You might think that I'm hammering the throttle but I swear I'm trying to be careful; I'm still running it in.

I also miss Quattro. You've got to be careful in the first two gears for sure, otherwise it skates around and the ESP light is on again. I remember with my A4, you could do almost anything, and it never slid at all except in the snow.

Ideally, I'd like an A3 2.0T Quattro and for the DSG to be a little smarter when changing down in auto mode.

Also my golf clubs that used to drop in the trunk on the A4, don't in the A3. I have to open the ski pass-through and the club heads go through there.

Basically they don't import the ideal car - that would be the 2.0T with DSG and Quattro in either the A3 or the A4.

I've got the lava grey and it looks great when clean. There pictures of it on this forum.

It's not a case of not importing that combination - that animal does not exist anywhere in the world. The 2.0T quattro is only available with the 6-speed manual - except in North America, where you can't get a 2.0T with quattro in an A3 at all, as you're well aware.

- Chuck

Uh ohhh...so would your clubs fit in the back if you maybe took the woods out of the bag? THAT could be a problem! Fortunately, no snow around here...the one thing I'm JUST learning is since I'll be leasing the rates are FAR more favorable for an A4 than an A3 whereby the dealer is looking at "interesting" A4 combos that I might enjoy which retail for more $$ but actually cost less on a monthly basis (for 36 month lease).

It does make sense. The A4 has been around alot longer and they offer incentives to move them where the A3 is so brand new and in demand they don't have to do much...for now!

which to base their data. That is not the case for the A3. Also, Audi is not trying to flood the market with the A3, and so although sales appear to be in target, less than 10,000 cars a year mean it's not worth an expensive sub-venting program.

you take the woods out of the bag and lay them diagonally across the back.

Phew!!! and then just set the woods back in at an angle?...can you put 2 bags in then (occasionally) same way?

A3 is alot faster, quicker, peppier, more fun to drive, exciting, etc....i could go on and on.

That being said, the b6 Ultrasport 1.8t is a very nice car, but is more on the luxury side of the whole "luxury sport-sedan" class.

as a sidebar to my decision process...Does anyone have the Dakar Beige Metallic on their A3? I was leaning towards the Lava Grey Pearl effect but my current 2004 A4 is the deep metallic green and it shows every swirl on it and is very hard to keep nice. My B5 Passat was the medium grey metallic and looked nice most of the time (even when I lived in the Midwest and had it in the snow!) which is why I'm leaning towards the lighetr color. I just drove by the dealership and even though no A3s in that color we did see an A4 and it looks pretty rich...not so much "gold" as "metallic beige"...