Okay Everyone... My Next Car. Help me decide. S4 vs. A3.

Stefano Scalia · 08-02-2007, 11:18 AM

Yes, I know... what the hell are you thinking? You can't compare an S4 vs. an A3.

Well, here's where I'm at. I'm a 20 year old working student who currently owns an B6A41.8TQM.

What I dislike about my car: Mileage is high, engine sucks.

What I like about the A3: Size, hatch, open sky, DSG, interior.

What I like about the S4: V8, Actual Power, looks (Avant), handling, Quattro.

Basically, I'm at a crossroads. On one hand, I'm a college student so an A3 is a more sane choice. I commute a lot, gas is expensive, etc.

But, this may be the last time in my life (besides supercars) that it will be "okay" to own a V8 engine (because of rising gas prices) - I absoutely loathe the engine in my current car (1.8T) and getting a taste of the V8 torque is just... too much, too good. I'd want an avant.

Again, I'd save about 8 grand getting an A3. I'm looking at used 2004 S4 Avants, and Used 2006 A3's.

My mind tells me to get the A3, my heart and right foot tells me to get the S4.

Sigh.

RikiTik · 08-02-2007, 11:54 AM

myroad · 08-02-2007, 12:05 PM

absoluTT A3 · 08-02-2007, 12:09 PM

formerly dennisA4 · 08-02-2007, 12:29 PM

RikiTik · 08-02-2007, 12:31 PM

PDXA4 · 08-02-2007, 01:36 PM

The big thing for me with the S4 is fuel economy, and the majorily potentially expensive repair costs to the V8 should something go wrong...It is a awesome car, but in someways wasteful...

Insurance would be more expensive on a S4 for your age group.

Bezor · 08-02-2007, 07:25 PM

Lord Red Snake · 08-02-2007, 09:00 PM

I'm 22 and just picked up a 2.0T A3. My insurance is bad enough on that, but then again I live in Philadelphia so I pay twice what I would be paying elsewhere.

You won't regret the A3, it's a blast to drive, practical, good looking, and getting all that along with 30mpg is icing on the cake.

Tal-Yvan · 08-03-2007, 11:32 AM

I'm on the other side of the boat. I've had the S4 for 2.5 yrs now and since last January I started to commute 100 mi/day. I don;t know where you live, but here the gas is plain expensive. I have to pump every 1.5 days ($40 ~ $50).

Yes, the S4 is a fun car to drive, you never get tired of it and every time you turn it on or accelerate, all the gas expense seems to fly out of your brain. However it is EXPENSIVE.

On the other hand, I had a loaner A3 2.0 w/ DSG not long ago, and honestly... (appart from the engine sound, etc) it was the SAME thing. I mean... respose to switch lanes, pretty much the same (this car is lighter and likes the low rev, opposite of the S4), comfort, looks, and fun factor.

At the end, I did basically the same time as every day (considering that at rush hour, even with a "lighning fast" 335i the speed is the same) <-- sarcasm noted.

In my case, I'm very seriously considering an A3 for daily commuter (perhaps chip the 2.0) or just get the 3.2 (because of the quattro) and leave the S4 for 1 day a week and weekend drive.

I hope it helps in your decision.

08-02-2007, 11:54 AM	#2
RikiTik Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,301	20 year old with an S4...must be nice.

08-02-2007, 12:05 PM	#3
myroad AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,511	used V8 -- no worries. Anything else used -- big worries __________________ gone - but not forgotten 2005 Alpaka 4.2 18 inch RS6 reps Nokian WRs all year round eye brows front and rear

08-02-2007, 12:09 PM	#4
absoluTT A3 AudiWorld Senior Member 2007 Audi A3 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Near Manhattan Posts: 1,041	A3. Your wallet will thank you. Once you're making more money, then go for an S4. Or S3! __________________ 2007 2.0T/S-line/DSG/OS/CW/TP/CP/OceanBluePearl-Gray/+some cosmetic mods 2003 TTQR 6MT 225hp -->... Absolutely missed. :-(

08-02-2007, 12:29 PM	#5
formerly dennisA4 AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 9,286	S4 us a gas guzzling pig. I couldn't do it. __________________

08-02-2007, 12:31 PM	#6
RikiTik Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,301	Wait for the BMW 135i.

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08-02-2007, 01:36 PM	#7
PDXA4 AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Bay Area Posts: 19,709	At that age I would go for a A3, really the A3 is a more efficient car. The big thing for me with the S4 is fuel economy, and the majorily potentially expensive repair costs to the V8 should something go wrong...It is a awesome car, but in someways wasteful... Insurance would be more expensive on a S4 for your age group. __________________ original PDXA4 2003 D2 S8 2008 mkV GTi 2006 NC MX-5 former: 2003 A4 Avant 2000 A4 several mods

08-02-2007, 07:25 PM	#8
Bezor AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,062	I thought you were getting a Miata? __________________ '07 A3 Light Silver/Light Gray 2.0T DSG/S-line/Open Sky/Tech pkg/Cold Weather pkg '01 BMW E46 Orient Blue/Tan / Special Order

08-02-2007, 09:00 PM	#9
Lord Red Snake New Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 14	Re: At that age I would go for a A3, really the A3 is a more efficient car. I'm 22 and just picked up a 2.0T A3. My insurance is bad enough on that, but then again I live in Philadelphia so I pay twice what I would be paying elsewhere. You won't regret the A3, it's a blast to drive, practical, good looking, and getting all that along with 30mpg is icing on the cake.

08-03-2007, 11:32 AM	#10
Tal-Yvan AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 2,676	If you commute a lot, go for the A3.. explanation I'm on the other side of the boat. I've had the S4 for 2.5 yrs now and since last January I started to commute 100 mi/day. I don;t know where you live, but here the gas is plain expensive. I have to pump every 1.5 days ($40 ~ $50). Yes, the S4 is a fun car to drive, you never get tired of it and every time you turn it on or accelerate, all the gas expense seems to fly out of your brain. However it is EXPENSIVE. On the other hand, I had a loaner A3 2.0 w/ DSG not long ago, and honestly... (appart from the engine sound, etc) it was the SAME thing. I mean... respose to switch lanes, pretty much the same (this car is lighter and likes the low rev, opposite of the S4), comfort, looks, and fun factor. At the end, I did basically the same time as every day (considering that at rush hour, even with a "lighning fast" 335i the speed is the same) <-- sarcasm noted. In my case, I'm very seriously considering an A3 for daily commuter (perhaps chip the 2.0) or just get the 3.2 (because of the quattro) and leave the S4 for 1 day a week and weekend drive. I hope it helps in your decision. __________________ .::2013 Q5 Prem+ Phantom Black .::2009 Q5 Prestige Garnet Red (gone!) .::2005 S4 Moro Blue (gone!) :::Plainfield, IL

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