I am looking for a new winter car- front wheel wheel drive required and the ability to carry some light cargo. I know these two cars share alot of components and they both drive well.

Which one to buy?

 

A3 Avante no? I spoke to someone who bought one over the VW due to all the more 'niceties'.

 

Mike - I've owned both (had an '06 GTI and have an '07 A3 2.0T w/DSG). They are VERY similar. I would say it's all down to price point. The A3 is much roomier both for passengers and cargo. It holds TONS of stuff. Also, it'll depend on what style you like better - I liked the plaid seats in my GTI, but the A3 is a step up in interior finishing. We have an S-Line, so it has sport seats w/white stitching, aluminum on the dash and doors, aluminum DSG paddles, etc.

Quick and dirty? $25K = GTI w/DSG and sat radio, skip the sunroof (I special ordered mine like that) or $32K (bargain - we got $3K off) = A3 2.0T w/DSG, S-line, open sky, Bose, etc.

Pics of both:

 

I've had/have both too - kind of. 05 gti and 07 A4 Avant. The A4 is slightly larger then the A3, but most of the same bits. Loved the GTI, but adding the Quattro is a huge benefit for the Audi. For what it is worth my wife really loves the Avant. My biz partner has the A3 S-line and it is a fine car especially with the 3.2.

 

Went thru a similar thought process and ended up buying a 2008 VW R32 (DSG, AWD).
Loaded (all available options), less than $30K out the door. VW offered me 0% financing as well.

 

I would go for the R 32 over the A3. Similar money but the R 32 is something really special.

 

Yea, the R32 with AWD is the ticket. Didn't think of that option. Terrific vehicle.

 

I bought my girl a 07 GTI about 18 or so months ago. We both love it., its a blast to drive. Do it again in a heart beat. Loaded leather, DSG, SAT, roof etc.
26,500.
Good Luck

 

Agreed, but for another couple thousand $, you're in an AWD (well, about as AWD as it gets from a Haldex) R32.
IIRC, they are not importing the 2009 R32 to the US, so the 5000 2008 R32's are it for a few years.
There are supposedly ~ 250 R32s still left on dealer lots.

 

R32 is a great little car for the price, fun to drive, chuckable, and smooth, punchy VR6 engine. One thing I will say though, it probably won't beat your 911 for fuel consumption/mileage by very much, if at all.

 

The fuel economy is reportedly the reason why they can't give them away here in S. CA while the turbo 4 GTI is still in high demand.

A co-worker's GTI just went out of factory warranty and he wanted to trade it in. He really wanted another turbo 4 but the dealer wouldn't negotiate much. He ended up with 0% financing and thousands off sticker on an R32 instead.

 

As you probably know, they're the same car. Comes down to preference in styling details, dealer sales/service, and whether you're willing to pay a premium for branding.

I had an A3 DSG as a loaner back when I had an S4 Avant in for its first service, and I liked the A3 a lot...better than the then-new S4. Recently I had a new Jetta (also the same car) for six months as a company car, and I liked it a lot, too...nice size, and great ride/handling balance. As a complement to the 997, personally I'd take the new Jetta diesel in either sedan or wagon form over the GTI, R32, or A3.