A3 or S4?

Today i went into town and test drove both a brand new 2005 A3 and used 2000 S4. The A3 was a red MT6 and the very base model. The S4 was auto with tip with some standard package, no sport package that i desire. The reason for test driving these two cars is that i am interested in buying one. The problem although is that i do not know which one to get. I dont know what it was, maybe i didnt push it hard enough, or the fact that the A3 is a manual, but the S4 seemed somewhat slower than the A3. They are both around the same price (S4- $20k A3-$25K). Another issue would be the cost of repairs and the frequency of repairs.... would the S4 be much higher? So im kind of stumped right now between the two because they are both amazing cars. Could someone please help me, or are they just two different worlds?

S3!!!

Again today i test drove the S4 and this time i didnt hold back, and still does not feel as quick as the A3. The A3, in my opinion, does not look as agressive as i'd like it to, and not soo much like a sports car...but when i was driving it, it sure felt like one.

You drove the new B6 S4? and compared it to an A3?? And you think the A3 is quicker???

0-60 == Sec.
A3 ==== 7.5
S4 ==== 5.0

No Imola..he said a 2000 S4, I believe that would be a B5.

If I were in the market, I'd buy the new A3. You'd get full warranty and the new 2.0T engine. The S4 should definitly be faster..even if it takes minor modding like a chip. Gotta ask yourself what the car is gonna be used for. Also, I bet the A3 gets better gas milage. Both cars are insane!

-T

i like the S3 platform. the 8A or something. i want a yellow 8A S3.


BTW Imolas4 i bought a '98 imola yellow S4 on GT4 and got it in the 9's

quote:

ORIGINAL: David_K
........ i bought a '98 imola yellow S4 on GT4 and got it in the 9's

Huh?

grand turismo 4

Are you talking about PS2???

Ohhh... Okey dokey. Guess you were being funny.

Sorry, not a gamer.

A3!! 2000 S4 has many problems, such as powertran........ repairing cost is huge (it is well known by most of the audi fans) if you wanna buy S4, it is better pick S4 2001 or after.
(my husband is audi specialist)

more information.....
2000 S4 comes with 265 HP, but the weight is much heavier than A3. A3 2.0T comes with 200 HP and 3.2 comes with 255 HP, so the performance of A3 close to 2000 S4. nevertheless, A3 comes with DSG transmittion transplanted from TT.

thanks guys, yeah nana, ive heard much about the repair costs for the S4(esp. the 2000-2001.5). The S4 that i was driving is also not in very good shape b/c the place that owns it treats it like crap, and apparently thinks it has a carborator...i got a bit of a chuckle out of that.

I only wish they would bring the 2 door S3 to the states, that would be killer.

quote:

ORIGINAL: nana

A3!! 2000 S4 has many problems, such as powertran........ repairing cost is huge (it is well known by most of the audi fans) if you wanna buy S4, it is better pick S4 2001 or after.
(my husband is audi specialist)

Not true, not true, not true... I don't care who your husband is, it's not true.

There are several "audi fans" and owners of 2000 S4's that I know (not including myself) that have never had issues with their cars whatsoever. Even my 2000 S4 has been picture perfect - I have 75K and have maintained the car per Audi.

quote:

ORIGINAL: nana

more information.....
2000 S4 comes with 265 HP, but the weight is much heavier than A3. A3 2.0T comes with 200 HP and 3.2 comes with 255 HP, so the performance of A3 close to 2000 S4.

Once again.... NOT true.

As a matter of fact, my S4 was corner weighted recently at 3481 lbs. That's 100 lbs more than the 2005 A3.

100Lbs is NOT "much heavier than A3."

i want a A3 hatchback to arrive in states, or i'm going to europe buying it

We have Audi A3's in the Baltimore, Washington, Nova area in port and more comming. The first batch is expected to be ready for delivery the secound week in may pending Audi approval. Call or email me if you would like to reserve one.

dude imolas4 chill man. persoanlly i think the A3 would be able to reach much faster times than a S4

is that the a3 avant or hatchback???

hatch man

o hell yea, i would get one imediately, but i dunno when they are gonna reach the US market, from what i read few months back, not maybe until 2007 or never, havent really kept up with them

its like a golf but with 4 rings!!!!!!

you would have to go to europe to get a A3 hatch, it would probably be easier to go to mexico or country down there.

I would go with the A3.

I test drove one when I recently took my A4 in for the 5K service. It sure felt quick. I could tell the difference from my car.

Like someone else mentioned, you get the warranty and free scheduled maintenance.