Hi All,

I'm asking for a friend.....Is this really a wise idea to choose 2006 Civic (UK version) over A3 Sportback? One of my best mates asks me this and I’m always a bit Audi inclined so I felt my opinion probably not gonna be 100% neutral, so asking for you guys' help.

From the performance datasheet, what I figured out that the 2006 Civic and 2006 A3 are almost the same, actually Civic outbids A3 very little………allow me to explain.....


Audi A3 Sport
Engine: 2.0 TDi; 140PS@4000 rpm
Max. Torque: 236(320)@1750-2500 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Tyres: 205/55 R16
Top Speed: 128 mph
0-62 miles in: 9.7 seconds
Mileage: 49.6 mpg (combined)
CO2 emission: 153 g/km
Insurance Group: 11E
List Price: £20,585


2006 Civic EX
Engine: 2.2i-CTDi; 140PS@4000 rpm
Max. Torque: 340@2000 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Tyres: 225/45 R17
Top Speed: 127 mph
0-62 miles in: 8.4 seconds
Mileage: 55.4 mpg (combined)
CO2 emission: 135 g/km
Insurance Group: 11E
List Price: £18.100


With this price tag, Civic is coming with fully electrical door mirrors, Sat Nav, *full* multi-functional steering wheel, voice activated on board control and sun roof as stranded whilst these are optional on A3 and it will add up another £3500, at least. Downsides are: Civic hasn’t got any rare screen wiper (“the design doesn’t need it” – as they say but I’m not sure how practical it is), dashboard is too colourful that may distract some drivers, personally I didn’t like the gear lever (I don’t like A3 Sport’s gear lever either, the SE type lever rather good looking and much more sophisticated), no spare wheel (but optional at extra cost), exterior is too funky (a bit girlish to me) and finally, it’s still a Honda not an Audi.

Now all the above said facts are totally theoretical; nobody knows yet (apart from those road-test drivers) how exactly the real-life driving gonna be and I didn’t drive a Honda before so I don’t know ‘what is driving a Honda’ or ‘how does it feel’? But Honda also got years of proven track record. Your comments are very much appreciated. He is in real hurry and need to take a decision really very fast. Can you guys please help??

Many thanks in advance indeed.

 

if i ever had to choose between the two i would always get an audi, no matter what honda or what audi it was...

 

No choice in my mind....go for Audi. The Honda is an excellent car but does not have the status image of the top three German brands and your re-sale with the A3 will be better. You will never beat the driving rush of an Audi and its so cool when you place your keys on the bar counter and the 4 rings say it all.

 

Thanks to all of guys for your comments. I feel the same way as you guys do, I just wanted to make myself very sure. No way Honda is comparable to Audi but still I took the bravery. Today we (with my friend) visited the nearest Honda dealer and test-drove the car. Overall it’s good but personally, I’m not VERRRRY impressed. The difference I feel between Beethoven and Madonna (though both are one of the bests in their classes) the same difference I felt between Audi and Honda.

I liked “driving Audi” over “driving Honda”. I haven’t driven a Honda before (neither I drove Audi until the test drive) but still I felt something special when I was driving Audi. The new Civic has got a few flaws which I noticed immediately – very restricted rear view (the same problem with A3 as well but not as bad as with Civic); C-pillar is too wide. Dual layer dash is a good concept with top mounted digital speedo but the top part of the steering wheel obstructs the reading if you don’t spend time to try several seat-steering wheel setting combinations and even after doing that, though the view was almost clear, still I didn’t feel very comfortable. And it doesn’t do very well at low speed. I don’t know exactly what’s wrong but I just didn’t feel absolutely right. Gear lever is a bit funny; looks like a big joystick.

After an hr and half drive by ourselves (yes, Honda leaves the car with alone and in return you have to leave your credit or debit card with them alone) and thinking every aspect from several angles, I think my friend gonna go for A3.[sm=goodidea.gif]

Thanks to all for sharing thoughts.

 

your buying more than just performace numbers with the audi, you getting class and style.

 

I believe you guys have the right choice.
Congrats in advance!
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