If you could have, would you go for the two door?

I was looking at a lot of A3 pix on Google Images and I saw that a good portion were from over the pond. Most I saw were the 2-door variety, and I was curious to see that if a 2 door hatchback was available, would you go for it over the four door? I originally thought yes, but after falling in love with my A3 over the last 2 months, I can't think of a car in this same price range I would want more. But I also through in the A4 to see if anyone was inhibited by their price range of a few grand lower.

2-Door no question. If only the styling for the GTI would've been classier. The GTI looks so ugly that I didn't even bother test driving.

Wow. I really like the GTI look. It is a little Fast and Furious/Pubescent Teenager, but hey, I'm 18.

I have 3 kids and the 4 doors are a must. But, I'm offended by the "would buy an A4 if I had more money" statement. I can afford an A4 and purposely chose the A3 over the A4 for a number of reasons. Any A3 owner should understand, unless you got the stripped down model with no options. These cars are HOT!!!

BTW, I drove the GTI in both tranmissions and really liked the car, but I've had issues with my last VW, and the A3 is just that much more...and it has 4 doors.

Cheers!

quote:

ORIGINAL: Chef

I have 3 kids and the 4 doors are a must. But, I'm offended by the "would buy an A4 if I had more money" statement. I can afford an A4 and purposely chose the A3 over the A4 for a number of reasons. Any A3 owner should understand, unless you got the stripped down model with no options. These cars are HOT!!!

BTW, I drove the GTI in both tranmissions and really liked the car, but I've had issues with my last VW, and the A3 is just that much more...and it has 4 doors.

Cheers!

Nothin' wrong with the A3 man. I saw an A3 with the S Line package at an Audi Club picnic a couple weeks ago and the thing was sexy as hell! Anyone that knows anything about cars, knows that the A3 is a pretty nice machine.

if the 2-door had the same rear end design as the 4 door, i'd say 2 door no questions asked. BUT the 2 door is signifigantly different from the 4 door and to me just doesn't have that agressive look that the 4 door has. As far as the A4 question, HECK no. A4 to me is a waste of 6-7K...At the autoshow i was sitting in their S4, and aside from the v8 engine, it really doesn't offer anything over the a3, and in some ways isn't near as nice. A bit more space, a clunkier looking climate control system, power seats(i hate power seats) with memory, and....um...well i think that's it. Oh and the seats say recaro on the seat back, but they aren't THAT much more supportive. So for at least double the price, you get a v8 and quattro as the only definate pluses. Even a regular A4 2.0T Avant spec'd identical to a loaded A3 is over 6,000 more expensive, in front drive trim...with NOTHING that the a3 doesn't offer except for that bit of space for passangers and junk. A3 to me just makes more sense.

One of the main reason's I purchased my A3 was because its a 4-door actually. But totally compact for a 4-door.

There arent many HIP-COOL- and SPORTY cars out there right now with 4-doors.
The A3 maintains all 3 of that, HIP-COOL-SPORTY. Thats why they call it a SPORTBACK.

The front of the car with the 4 Audi rings is extremely classy.
And the front lights, wow. It looks like it wants to EAT constantly and always HUNGRY!
Awesome looking front face.

I love the back lights as well, the height is perfect placement. And the 17-inch tires/16-spoke rims, finishes the awesome look of this classy 4-door. It's very Euro and alot of people here in the U.S. do not understand this vehicle much. Yet anyway.

Actually, I have the "stripped down" model and I'm perfectly satisfied. I would not have bought an A4, even for the same price. I had seen A3's in Europe and in Mexico, and was waiting for them to show up here. I do like the 2dr though. the GTI mkV is not for me however.

I also looked at the GTI MkV way before purchasing my A3.

The look was definetly sporty but I needed a little more luxury to it, since I am hitting 30 yrs old next year.

Also, heard from friends who own GTI's and they are constantly experiencing issue's.
Engine problems and electronic.

VW dealer mechanic's are not very up to date with the GTI vehicles, therefore they arent fixed correctly. Only in Germany and over-sea's techs know how to fix GTI issue's because of extensive classes and training.

Having 4 doors and being classified as a "wagon" is good for insurance! Sub 6.5 sec wagon = hot!

I might have gotten the A4 if DSG was available, but it was not.

I was specifically looking for 2.0T FSI + DSG, which meant either an A3, a GTI or a Jetta. If you spec the last two vehicles to be comparable to an A3 with Sport Package, i.e., must have leather, it worked out to be about the same price, so the A3 it was.

Before I bought my A3 I swore to myself I would not get another FWD car as long as I stay in California, but here I am. For some reason, I convinced myself that FWD is OK if I have a hot hatch / mini wagon, but less OK on the A4. Hard to explain...

I could have afforded an A4 or an A3 quattro, but the 2.0T DSG sport was the best car for me. This car is the best blend of sport/luxury/economy/quality/utility I could find, period. I would never had gone for a 3-door version, the 5-door is a perfect fit.

quote:

ORIGINAL: dcny7777

I also looked at the GTI MkV way before purchasing my A3.

The look was definetly sporty but I needed a little more luxury to it, since I am hitting 30 yrs old next year.

Also, heard from friends who own GTI's and they are constantly experiencing issue's.
Engine problems and electronic.

VW dealer mechanic's are not very up to date with the GTI vehicles, therefore they arent fixed correctly. Only in Germany and over-sea's techs know how to fix GTI issue's because of extensive classes and training.

you do realize your A3 IS a GTI right? just different sheet metal and superficial changes.(for the better if you ask me!)

Well, actually the A3 is a Passat. I've talked to alot of VW/Audi gearheads and they all say that the A3 frame is that of the Passat. Even the wheel lugs are the same as the Passat. Some of the interior is equivalant to the GTI, TT and A4 but if you're talking sheet metal and superficial changes, you're talking Passat. At least that's what I've heard.

golf, jetta, rabbit, gti, a3, passat....all Mk.V platforms, all in the same.

The closest cousin would be the 4-door GTI hatchback that was just released.

http://www.caranddriver.com/shortroadtests/11732/2007-volkswagen-gti-5-door.html

But the A3 looks more like a short wagon or Avant.

quote:

ORIGINAL: a3_yuppie

The closest cousin would be the 4-door GTI hatchback that was just released.

http://www.caranddriver.com/shortroadtests/11732/2007-volkswagen-gti-5-door.html

But the A3 looks more like a short wagon or Avant.

How in the hell does that have a 6.4 0-60 time with the same exact weight and drivetrain as the A3? And who wouldn't pony up the extra 2-3k for four rings over a "v-dub".

quote:

ORIGINAL: illwork4sumbread
How in the hell does that have a 6.4 0-60 time with the same exact weight and drivetrain as the A3? And who wouldn't pony up the extra 2-3k for four rings over a "v-dub".

That is the same time Motor Trend reports for the A3 2.0T DSG, so the VW should be the same: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/112_0606_lt_2006_audi_a3/specs_pricing.html

The Four-Door A3 no question.

Sporty drive, with room for four passengers. It seems like a waste to drive around anything bigger for everyday use. If you need more room on a trip add a rocket box up top.

The main reason I considered an A4 Avant is because of quattro. I'm good with the A3 fronttrak.

I drive a TT Roadster now and those doors are huge, so I wanted something with smaller doors and the A3 fit the bill. I drove a GTI which was nice, but the doors again were too big, and some lux factor was missing. Some reasons are because of my two car garage width which is why I wanted the four doors. More than once my wife swung her door out and crunch . Not too bad, though and we are still married because I could buff it out.

quote:

ORIGINAL: A3Night

2-Door no question. If only the styling for the GTI would've been classier. The GTI looks so ugly that I didn't even bother test driving.

I like the Rabbit outsides with the GTIs insides. Plaid seats of course.

I've got the 2-door. I live in the Middle East. Its a nice look and fortunately there aren't many around. I think the back end still looks a little agressive on the 2 door.

Got the 1.6 at the moment. I'm trying to find out how much the S3 is here - now that's a sexy 2 door!