flyingchappy

It's on my company car selection list for 2012 and may be removed for MY2013. Need to make a decision to get this for a DD or VW Passat TDI.

CorrdoBrit

A 2006 A3 has been my DD for the past 2 years. I love it. If you can spec the upgraded interior ie leather seats, steering wheel, sunroof etc go for it. Mine is a base model with no options and I miss the quality Audi leather interior bits.
The PO put Bilstein coilover suspension, stiffer rear roll bar, chip (50HP over stock and 300 torques on 93 octane gas), 18" OZ ultraleggera rims and vortec/K&N cone filter which transformed performance from the 2.0T. I would buy another in a heart beat and only wish they imported the S3 model from Europe.

IXLR8

I would have taken one for a test drive, but in our market, they only come with an automagic transmission and 5 doors.

e9stibi

If you do not need the room of the Passat, go for the A3

RonCT

Drove one as a loaner when my 997S was in for service. Great car!

flyingchappy

Thanks for the feedback! Much appreciated.
Just ordered it 2 minutes ago. Black/beige with sport package 18" wheels/susp, sport seats and panoramic sunroof. Now the long wait.

IXLR8

Its unfortunate this continent hasn't quite figured out that "diesel" thing yet.

Think of the choices then.

ehanauer

My other car is a VW Jetta Sportwagen, the plane jane twin of the A3. Love it. Surprisingly good low end torque and over 40 mpg on the highway.

chaoscreature

My DD is a 2006 Jetta TDI. I LOVE it. It gets great mileage, the engine will far outlast the rest of the car and it drives acceptably well.
With only 100HP it has plenty of "get up and go" for daily driving and ther is plenty of torque throughout the rev range. What's funny about the TDI is that the engine feels quite spirited when driving around until you floor it and nothing else happens except it makes more noise. It only has two speeds

IXLR8

In the present engine which is what Europe has had for years, its nice to cruise in a small 4-banger at no RPM instead of having it rev like a sewing machine in the same sized gas engined car. We were cruising on the Autostrada in Italy at 160 with it at a mere 2800 RPM if I recall.

chaoscreature

Yes, the Jetta revs around 2800 rpm on the freeways here at 80'ish MPH.

I just wish we could get the Polo TDI here! Who needs a Prius?

JimGinKC

I hope your wait isn't too long. We ordered our A3 Quattro in July and didn't get it until January. Do love it though!

sbarracl

Sounds like it will be pretty cool, Greg. I though long and hard about a diesel for my daily driver, especially given my day job is promoting them on the heavy duty side. But with gas at $3.50 a gal and diesel at close to $4, the math really didn't work for a 3 yr lease. Since your company will be taking care of the fuel...

chaoscreature

I am not sure about the Audi's but with Volkswagens one of the biggest benefits of purchasing the TDI is the increased resale value. My 2006 TDI is probably worth more than most 2009 2.5's.
The math still works out for the fuel costs considering that the diesel is 14% more expensive than the gasoline but the car gets about 33% better mileage than a gas car (these numbers are rough... 40 vs 30 mpg comparison).
I wish my company would buy me a car. I would drive a Fiat if it was free... maybe...

IXLR8

Still a lot cheaper than the US$9.00 per US gallon for regular octane in Italy right now. Now you can see how I put just over $64 into the gas tank of my motorcycle.

As for the price difference, the engine characteristics of a diesel are worth it to me.