Hi all, though i am new to these forums i have been an Audi owner in the past. I sold my 06 A4 about 5 months ago.......regrettably so.....anyway, i am looking at the A3 or the IS250 now i realize that many of you are german car enthusiasts (*sp) so i have posted this same question in Lexus forums but i would just like some opinions as to WHY you would choose audi (nice performance etc) over Lexus (unbeatable build quality)....and remember i owned an A4 for slightly over 1 year and i am very aware of the reliability issues with german vehicles.........had to take my car to the shop about 3 times in the first 6 months of ownership for various defects/issues.

 

I looked at both cars before I purchased the A3 and I'm most pleased. I work with a gentleman that has an IS250 and he likes his car as well. Neither of us have had problems with either car for any reason and we both have about 20k miles on our cars. I could give you a ton of reasons that I wanted an A3, but I have never regretted my decision and would do it the same again. Go and drive both, price both, and look at the performance potential of both then make YOUR decision.

I look to welcome you back.

Cheers!

 

This is a hard one. My personal experience is I just plainly perfer the feel of a german car after driving Japanese cars for 20 years. I think you will have to test drive both and make a decision. The IS250 is definitely a lovely car and I respect the quality of both vehicles you are considering. If you do choose the Lex come back and tell us your impressions and why.

 

It sounds like your A4 was a lemon. Too bad...
Even though Lexus seems to have the better overall quality approval ratings, Audi is famous for well built cars as well and many people I know (including my father who has been an Audi driver for 15 years) are pleased with the high quality.

As the other guys suggested, take both cars for a test drive and follow your "gut" feeling.

As for me, the DSG along with the panoramic roof, clean interior design and hatch were the big selling points for the A3.
In my mind, even though Lexus are extremely well built and engineered cars, they lack the last bit of innovative design. They somehow always remind me of BMWs or Mercedes. But that's just me.


Both are great cars, no doubt.

Take 'em for a spin and decide then.

Don't forget to post which one you decided on!

Cheers!

Chief

 

both are great cars, both are great looking cars, with decent performance. But with a factory turbo...tuning potential is a lot greater for a lot less $$$. Sold me.

 

I looked at and drove an IS250 before buying my A3. My daughter really wanted me to get the Lexus and I did a lot of reading and test drives.

I am exceptionally happy with my decision to buy the A3. In my 67 years (I do not fit the demographic) I have owned almost every major European brand and this Audi is the most fun driving machine I have been in since 1974. I look forward to being able to drive it anywhere and am planing a trip to the Smokey Mountains in the spring to try out some twisty roads. I only had my A3 for a couple of months but here is a list of my favorite things about this car.

1 The 2.0 FSI engine
2 DSG ............... its awesome
3 Gas millage
4 5 - Doors (its not just a Sportback but also a wagon that I can take to Home Depot)
5 The way it feels when I drive it
6 The fact that it is wicked quick even before the chip
7 The interior ........ it rocks

Things I don't like

1 ..................................??

I love this car. Photos at: http://web.mac.com/pbt3/iWeb/Site/Audi%20A3.html

07 A3 2.0T Ocean Blue with Premium, APR
I want the A3 2.0T Quattro

 

Both are great cars. It just comes down to what you want for yourself...neither car sucks. I got the A3 because I need a sportback...it may have been a tougher decision if the IS sportcross was still available.

In general, Lexus is going to be more reliable and will depreciate less. However, I found the backseat room and comfort miserable, even compared to the A3. It's also not a true driver's car. It's fast and it looks nice, but the steering feel is detached and sterile. It just comes down to if you consider long term reliability more important or driving experience. I bought a WRX in 2003 because I thought I'd prefer Subaru's reliability record over the overall ride and build quality. I was wrong about that. I may or may not regret this move in 5 years, but since I traded that Subie for an A3 4 days ago, I have not been able to wipe the smile off my face.

 

I like that! 67 years old and can appreciate an Audi.

 

Well, maybe I can help everyone here. I own both vehicles. I have a 2006 IS 250 (Premium Package and Mark Levinson audio w/o Navigation) and a 2007 A3 (Premium Package w/DSG). I got the IS 250 last February and the A3 about 6 weeks ago (sold a Volvo S60). I drive the Lexus primarily and my wife drives the A3 mostly. And both of us being 61, we do not fit the age demographic for either car!

The Lexus has more bells and whistles being the more expensive car. The leather in the seats is softer (but quite durable); it has 3 memory settings for both front seats; the engine and transmission are smooth and responsive enough for the driving I do (mix of commuting and some travel); the gas mileage is great (averaging 26 mph around town and 31 on highway); the back seats, while not overly roomy, are very comfortable for average size people (my wife and I are average height and size so the seat is not pushed back excessively; I have had only one small problem in almost a year ( rattle in the dashboard that the dealer fixed quickly); the dealer service is superb; the car handles very well, particularly on quick lane changes going fast on the interstate; it is a very enjoyable, smooth, sport sedan that definitely does not drive like the Lexus ES 350!

The A3, of course, I have driven less. So far I love the engine (2.0T) and the DSG transmission. The torque of the engine is wonderful and the transmission's shifting ability amazing. The car is very tight and handles beautifully; it is versatile with the hatchback feature; the back seats are very nice (but not as comfortable as the Lexus) with quite good leg room for the size of the car; I did not get the upgraded audio system, and while the stock system is OK, it can't hold a candle to the Mark Levinson in the IS (my wife, who drives the A3 primarily, does not care about the audio system except that it works); I have found the front seats a little difficult to find just the right position for me, and I miss the memory feature the IS has; the gas mileage has been fine, meeting the EPA estimates of 25/31; and so far the dealer has been great, both in the sales part of the process and one small problem (a scratch on the hood from delivery that they had buffed out and did a beautiful job).

So, I can recommend either car. They both have mostly pluses in my book with few minuses. It will depend on how much you want to pay, whether your dealer is a good one, and which one you like when you test drive them. I would certainly recommend test driving both.

 

I drove both and got the A3. IS was a great car... but I never felt connected. Loved the way the new 3 series drove, but I just did not care for the styling or the "value". The A3 was the most versatile and practical of the three. It had a soul like the BMW and the fit and finish of the IS and cost less than either.