Test drive of Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf ( Long and opinionated )

Thanks for the advice on my choice of car. I have taken some test drives of both the Volkswagen Golf and a couple of A3s. My impressions of each are below. A3 Turbo Easily the best of the cars I drove. Nicely balanced chassis and plenty of power. Chassis had much less understeer than my current Mazda 323 Astina ( 323F in Europe ). I found the car became a bit unsettled going around some of the less smooth roads in the National Park but was fine on better standard roads. There was a rattle in the dashboard, which was a bit disappointing but otherwise build quality seemed fine. Main drawback was the price 52K, but it was well configured with 10 Stack CD and climate control air essential here A3 1.6 Very similar to the A3 Turbo in handling and interior, though has cheaper seats. Totally gutless though. The brochure claims a top speed of 188km, I can only assume that it was a very long and steep hill that allowed them to achieve this I drove it just as a comparison. Couldn't recommend the car unless performance was a non issue. Volkswagen Golf 1.6 I drove the Volkswagen Golf as a comparison. The salesman claimed that the Golf and Audi were basically the same car, and that the only difference was the badge on the back. Certainly if you lift up the bonnet on the Golf/Audi you would be hard pressed to know which car you were looking at blind if the logos were removed. They didn't have a GTI available so I took out the 1.6 as a direct comparison. It felt very similar to the A3 1.6 but seemed to have more power. Interior was below the Audi standard but the blue lighting on the dash was cool. I actually like the styling of the Golf more than the Audi 5 door which is a consideration, and the options are cheaper (metallic paint $696 v $995 ). The ABS brakes are excellent. We had a small boy run out in front of us on the test drive and I put my foot flat to the floor and waited for the impact. Apart from a banging sound in the brakes there was no type skidding and I could steer around the problem. That was the end of the drive as I was too shaken to continue. I would probably take the Golf over the Audi assuming you could live without the climate control air, side airbags etc. I will have to do some thinking. PS The Audi dealer had an S3 arrive while I was there. Probably the first in Australia. The waiting list is about 6 months . Yours for only $70K plus on roads. Time to start saving perhaps Derek ACT Canberra

Hi

Remember also, certainly in the UK anyway, the interior of the 1.8T Golf differs hugely from the 1.6 - Recaro seats, different specs + upholstery, leather on the steering wheel etc. Also lowered + stiffened suspension

If you are thinking of the Golf ensure you get to drive the 1.8T GTI so that you can make the best decision on your requirements and preferences. A friend of mine is still regretting a purchase as he drove the top spec model of a certain car and then bought a more lowly model without a drive...

I have not driven the Golf 1.6 compared with the GTI, but in a comparison with an A3 1.8T sport and the non "sport" suspension version, there is a huge difference in roadholding, ride, steering and so on.


David