What Car to replace GF Audi A3? idea's please

[Hyperviper34]

Instead of paying the final balloon payment my Gf is handing back her car (Audi A3 2.0TDI Sport 5DR) as advised by her accountant. So she will be on the hunt for a new replacement. I've told her to go for something a bit more fun as I have a Skoda Octavia VRS we can use as the family car when we go out with the kids etc.

What do you think she should consider? (the A3 was around £23K when she got it 3 years ago so I assume it will roughly the same amount available for the new one)

I told her to look at the new TT? What do you think/idea's?

Richie

[Barakka]

Find out what she liked/disliked about the Audi ?

Style - liked it / thought it was boring / interior / toys / colour
Driving - liked the torque of the 2.0TDI lump / liked the handling / liked the motorway cruising ability / disliked the neutral driving feel

Then list the specs you need from it...
Age - New ? Nearly New ? Older ?
Economy - how many miles will be done in it / at what average speed
Size/Shape - Do you need 5 doors, or will 3 door do
Security - do you have a garage that you WILL put it in

If she loved the A3 but wants something sexier then there's always the TT or the Scirocco - but that's well and truly in the box as they're basically three variations on the same theme.

Outside of the box would be MINI Cooper S Convertible with all the toys - Alfa Romeo Spider 2.2 petrol or 2.4 JTDM, BMW Z4, or Nissan 350Z - but that's when you get the question about a garage as you might not want to leave most of those on a driveway overnight every night.

[staffsMike]

23K.. does this have to be new from a dealer etc..

You seem to be stuck with VAG cars as well, is that true?

[kalniel]

For a minute I thought you were asking if it was a good idea to replace the GF with an Audi A3...

[Barakka]

For a minute I thought you were asking if it was a good idea to replace the GF with an Audi A3...

Now that's a whole different question - and i'd be suggesting you check out the Fiat 500 Abarth - it's young, Cute, Italian, Nice to look at, and a bit racey

As opposed to the A3 which is German, solid, reliable and powerful plus a bit boring to look at...

[Jay]

on a side not what do you think of the A3? I was thinking of getting a 3 door sport. Its the insurance I am worried about.

[staffsMike]

If you are VAG restricted what about a Golf R32?

[Hyperviper34]

Thanks for all the replies, she's not VAG restricted and it needs to be a new car.

She loves the A3 and when I mentioned they now do a convertible her eyes lit up.

Anyway we’re going to have a look around some show rooms on Saturday, I think I will take her to VW and show her the new Scirocco and to Audi as see wants to look at the TT.

MMMmmmm...350Z I'd like her to have that!

[schmunk]

she's not VAG restricted

[Barakka]

Thanks for all the replies, she's not VAG restricted and it needs to be a new car.

She loves the A3 and when I mentioned they now do a convertible her eyes lit up.

Anyway we’re going to have a look around some show rooms on Saturday, I think I will take her to VW and show her the new Scirocco and to Audi as see wants to look at the TT.

MMMmmmm...350Z I'd like her to have that!

Well if we're talking new and she liked the A3, and possibly a convertible... hmmm

BMW 1 Series - either 3 door or covertible - my wife really liked the 1 series I had - more than I did I think.
VW EOS - like a big golf convertible...

Think the 350z may be out if it needs to be new-reg...

[Guy]

If your looking at Audi/VW, take a look at the Seat Leon, same internals, usually more kit for a better price.

[Hyperviper34]

If your looking at Audi/VW, take a look at the Seat Leon, same internals, usually more kit for a better price.

I had a Leon for a day when I changed my car, we both gave it the thumbs down and I went for the Octavis VRS 2.0T so I cant see us revisiting that one but cheers anyway.

[Butcher]

on a side not what do you think of the A3? I was thinking of getting a 3 door sport. Its the insurance I am worried about.

Insurance doesn't seem too bad, though obviously it will depend on your circumstances and which engine you go for.

[Jay]

Insurance doesn't seem too bad, though obviously it will depend on your circumstances and which engine you go for.

was looking at the 2.0TD Sport (170) 4 wheel drive. Its about £780 a year

[Hyperviper34]

We took the Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.8T S-Line with the S-tronic gearbox out for a test drive this morning.

Very nice car the roof was amazing, very sound proof, does not expand when driving like the old days and was fully electronic. I have to say the 1.8T petrol engine did it justice with a very smooth quiet drive and power when you need it.

We have asked to test a diesel version to see how it compares for noise and drivability but they need to bring one in for that so we'll see what happens.

Anyway the GF has some thinking to do because she's fallen in love with the model we took out but it’s over budget so she's going to have to make some compromises.

[Butcher]

Drop the s-line trim to sport trim? Should save a chunk of change.