I have driven both the new A3 and new Octavia. In my opinion the interior quality is exactly at the same level and handling, roadfeel is very similar, Audi is only a tiny bit stiffer.

Isn’t the A3 basically a Rabbit chassis, though? Maybe that is the same as the GTI and Jetta, anyways, so it’s probably moot.

As to the comments from others about the 2.0T clatter, I can personally attest to this. We (until recently) had a 2.0T Passat.

When I was having a friend help me put some hardwood flooring in, I pulled into my drive after running up to Home Depot, and he heard the motor and asked me if it was the TDI diesel.

I replied that it was not, and he was an ignorant fool for thinking the TDI diesel was so loud.

The 2.0T does indeed sound like a farm tractor and burns about a quart of oil every 1000 miles (ours did, at least), which the dealership told us was within VW specifications.

Uh huh. Sure.

You’re overstating the case … at least as far as the Canadian market is concerned. When I bought my A3 it came down to it and one other car–a GTI. In a fair comparison, the A3 (in premium trim) was about $4k more than a 5-door DSG GTI with leather . The Audi easily had $3k more content (power seat, open sky, xenon lights, rain-sensing wipers, bluetooth, etc etc) and to my eye it looked $1k better.

I didn’t have to make that call however, because I picked up a factory demo with 4000 miles on it for less than any local VW store would straight sale me a new GTI. When I factored in that the GTI was being replaced with a new body for 2010, but the A3 would remain current for another model year or two, it was a no brainer.

As for the equally unreliable bit … I’ve had zero problems to date and the owner surveys of the last couple of years suggest it might just stay that way :-)

JohnXYZ, my understanding is that it’s even worse than that. From what I’ve seen, supposedly VW won’t even settle for Mobil 1 or other “hydrocracked” mineral-oil derivatives. Only their house-brand synthetic, or another true synthetic like Amsoil, will do.

Blame the “fake synthetic” thing on Castrol, which introduced the inferior performance of hydrocracked oil labeled as “true synthetic,” then won a lawsuit that allowed them to label it as such. Ironic from a company that spends so much ad money on its supposed heavy-duty capabilities.

Audi; the VW with a premium badge that matches it’s sibling’s unreliability at a price that’ll make you cry that much harder.

Yea, I’d rather have that than a hybrid.

Back when I was driving diesels alot in Europe – in traffic – I’d go 1st, 3rd, 5th. It provided plenty of speed without alot of revving.

I like the Audi and will prob seriously consider the Jetta wagon. The Audi wagon far beyond what I would pay for a new car. Perhaps used. TDI + manual please…

And a better comparison might be to the Euro only 120d. There is no question that I’d take a 5 door 1 series over an A3 any day of the week, too bad they don’t offer it here.

For some reason the US gets the worst sort of packaging on premium hatches and then the manufacturers complain that they don’t sell. Most people buying a hatch are pretty practical minded, so bring over a 5 door before the 3 door. Many of them would rather have frugal, fun engines, so a turbo 4 or diesel is better than a 6. Don’t make them so heavy and so large that you might as well get the next class up. And, if you are worried about cannibalizing sales of your next model up, well, then make the next model up better to justify the cost, don’t bloat the crap out of your small car to make it almost a wash (BMW 1 series anyone?)

The other day I received a VW 2010 model brochure addressed to the previous residents. In the section about the MkVI Golf I was happy to see that:

- The Golf TDI is back, and
- the TDI is the only Golf trim with available “sport seats” and “sport suspension” options. In fact the TDI seems to be the only “premium” Golf trim, as other “premium” options like upgraded sound and satellite radio are also only available on the TDI.
- Oh. I almost forgot: Available in 6MT and DSG :-)

It’s not quite the GTD, but VWoA’s apparent decision to finally mix diesel and “sportiness” makes me very happy.

After 11 years in a B5 A4 (with which I’m fairly happy), I think my tastes have evolved towards something a little more understated and with more tangible benefits.

So, the question y’all knew was coming: Why the A3 over the MkVI Golf TDI?

As for diesels, I like them–but the affection is more intellectual than visceral. However, I could see A3 Sportback TDIs selling well as second cars to buyers who already have an A5/A6/A8 (or the like) in the garage. Perfect for grocery-getting, teenage drivers … and those occasions when you want to project a more politically-correct image, without actually slumming.

I really liked the B8-vintage A4. Whatever its reliability woes, it was an attractive, entertaining, classy sedan with a fairly attainable price. Since then, however, the A4 has gotten bigger, fatter, and pricier, past the point where I would consider it. That leaves a gap that would send buyers like me looking at, say, the Acura TSX.

As for clashing with the Jetta — I think the Jetta needs to retrench in the C-segment, rather than trying to price itself like a near-luxury car. The Jetta is a car of few virtues, in my mind. Ithas nice interior trim, but the exterior causes me pain; not as much as the new TSX, but pain, nonetheless. Its engine lineup doesn’t inspire at all, it’s hopelessly overweight, and its reliability and customer-satisfaction are appalling. I wouldn’t even test-drive one.

I don’t know that Audi would be any more reliable, but it would at least offer a better warranty and probably a loaner car while it was in the shop…

The big sticking point, of course, is whether Audi could make it look decent or priced attractively at this point, which is an open question. Styling-wise, I think the entire auto industry is in another mid-70s doldrums of uniformly ugly and tasteless design.

When “at” is used to mean the same thing as “located” then it’s not being used as a preposition.

“Where you stay at?” is wrong, of course. Instead you should say: “Where at you stay?” It ain’t complicated.

I claim ignorance. I’ve had a 2.0T in my garage for all of two weeks (in an A4 Avant) and I can only speak for the performance (with the upgraded version of the 2.0T in that car) and it’s really quite spectacular for a car that heavy getting 20 MPG southern california urban/surface street driving before being even remotely broken in.

I had read about the issues with some of the previous generations of this engine family (though my neighbor’s 1.8T passat has been pretty flawless for 8 or 9 years — minus replacing all the coils this winter), and that combined with the fear and loathing of sludge that I lived through while owning a 2.3 liter “ecopower” saab turbo convinced me that this engine would be best enjoyed over the worry-free duration of a lease.

I’m curious about the answers here too, as with just 800 miles on the clock, I’m already thinking this car could be a keeper when the lease is up in three years.

“Despite the fact that the 2.0T sounds sorta like it belongs in a tractor (at least from outside of the car) it really is such a freaking brilliant engine that I’d have a hard time choosing the oil burner over it — and I’m, generally speaking, a diesel fan.”

Has the latest version of VW/Audi Corporate 2.0T turbo gas engine been revised for improved oil circulation through its oil journals? The earlier 1.8T’s do suffer from that – engine sludge and silly oil requirements 0W Mobil One.

Also any thought on the turbo in the 2.0 generating too much heat being so near other vital engine components – has it been relocated?

Lastly is the Secondary Air Intake Pump been upgraded or re-designed out of the latest 2.0? Many have said that the emissions control system on the 1.8T (US market)was a source of reliability issues?

I have a ‘00 Passat and I’m in the market for a new replacement – just wondering about these (perceived) weaknesses. I’d like a Passat wagon TDI – any such luck in the near future for this model to come to the US (not too hot on the Jetta TDI wagon from Mexico….)? Sorry if this was too Off-Topic but you guys are in the know! Thanks.

I guess the trouble I’ve found is that there’s a lack of torque similar to a modern gas engine in the lower ranges. It comes on quickly, as would be typical of a turbocharged engine, but at low RPM (less than 1500rpm) it’s not quite there.

And boy, does it drop like a stone after 2500rpm. Even if you start in second, you’re going to have to shift to third quickly. In a gas car, you’d be able to ride it out until 5-6000pm. In a blown gas car you’d already be breaking the law. I’m not advocating burning out at every intersection, but it did get to me after a while, and it did leave me wanting for an automatic when, normally, I’d be loving shifting it myself.

I got stuck in awful traffic through Turin once and, let me tell you, my left shin muscles were begging for the sweet, sweet relief of an automatic.**

At risk of starting a Hybrid-vs-Diesel slapfest, this is where a hybrid does really well. In city, you get the full torque swell from zero, which is nice. But I agree that a diesel really is the engine of choice for long-haul, high-speed work.

** It hurts to write that.

Agreed. This TDI has some clatter at idle (quite muted in the interior compartment) but is throaty and firm sounding at speed and when kicked, unlike the thrashy 2.0T.

Regarding earlier complaints about shift-happiness, skip-shifts are EASY to do with the broad torque band, while freeway driving rarely requires downshifting out of 6th to pass.

@Jerome10: I too prefer manuals, but the DSG is hard to ignore because it is so surprisingly good. Whether I’d opt to actually buy one or not, well the jury’s out on that one.

@carguy: Thanks – lesson appreciated! (my German is horrendous at best)

What would be interesting, to me at least, would be a diesel more in the class of the 123d engine, with >= gas engine performance and a (smaller but still significant) mileage boost. Doesn’t seem like anyone is even thinking about that for the US market — it’s either 140BPH in the TDI realm, or the honking 335d engine. Seems to me there’s a sweet spot in between that’s being missed.

Easy solution: Start in 2nd and then jump to 4th, or even 5th. With all that torque it CAN be done.

I drive a Diesel all the time, and find it odd to jump into a modern gasoline 4-banger. They are buzzy and loud, especially at freeway speeds. The only time I’m aware of my TDI’s engine noise is when I’m idling at a stoplight, otherwise it is virtually silent. Nice to motor along at 70 MPH turning 2200 RPM.

–chuck

I like Audis. However I would rather buy a used A6 wagon, so my rear seat passengers do not have to remove their legs and place them in the large well lined trunk.

An auto review world of continuous heaps of praise on the DSG gearbox is precisely why the manuals are likely not to be offered on cars like this in the US.

Please, stop ;)

My bad. Text amended.

You leave “das Auto zu dem Volk”

Fair point, but where you do most of your miles may not be where you use most of your fuel, so the real answer as to which is the most accurate portrayal may be a mix of the two. Case in point: last Thursday I used most of my fuel in, I think, three kilometers because it took me the better part of an hour to travel it. In first gear.

And yes, I did run the air conditioning.

Sorry, I’m playing the colloquialism card.