a3 lovefest

[Taka Mizutani]

Chris-
While I think the new A4 is quite nice, the A3 has not convinced me
just yet. The 2.0T w/ DSG is nice, but the transmission really works
best as an automatic- the paddleshift is too videogame-like for normal
driving to me. For track use, the DSG would be totally awesome.

The interior space of the A3 is quite impressive- the passenger space
compares very favorably to the A4, with the lack of cargo space behind
the rear seat being the biggest difference in space between it and the
A4 Avant.

I'm not enamored of the electrical assist power steering- has an
overboosted feel, which I have heard can be toned down via VAG-COM. We
still haven't gotten any sport package cars that aren't pre-sold, so
no opportunities to test drive the sport package just yet.

The premium or sport package is a must- the interior really doesn't
look very good without the leather. With the premium pkg., Open Sky,
DSG, xenon and nav, it makes a good argument for a premium compact.
Too bad it's not made in Mexico- we are at the mercy of currency
fluctuations and the A3 well equipped goes north of $30k even without
quattro, with the 2.0T quattro coming sometime in 2006 (not any time
soon, unfortunately).

Taka


On 5/11/05, c dyer <cdyer_2000 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> Unlike many newspaper auto writers, this guy is not
> afraid to express his opinions:
> 
> http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-hy-neil11may11,0,262461.story?coll=la-class-autos-highway1
> 
> (related: Car&Driver lovefested the new a4 as well)
> 
> I also saw my first non-proto/privately owned a3 in
> Santa Monica last week. T'was black, and looked better
> in person than in photos. Unlike VAG's new Jetta,
> looks like a hit.
> 
> Hmm...new job, possibly new baby soon; Scooter might
> have to sell the ol' 5ktq...NO! NEVER! I HAVE TOO MANY
> SPARE PARTS IN THE TRUNK..!
> 
> Last: also saw the new wmB 330i on Sunday. I dug it.
> Here is SoCal they'll sell like tacos and boob jobs. (huh?!)
> 
> Chris Dyer
> (310) 479-0060 home
> (310) 567-9863 cell
> 11625 Texas Ave. #204
> Los Angeles, CA 90025
> 
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