I am a first-time car buyer at 38 -- YES! (I lived in NYC for the past decade+).

Anyway, I need a daily driver and was was initially drawn to the GTI. It's a bit too sporty for me (need for premium gas, winter tires, tight suspension on potholes streets, etc.) so the dealer legitimately showed me the Golf, Jetta, and Passat TDIs, all of which I liked very much.

I also drove a 2013 Audi A3 TDI but they are hard to find (only 7 in all of NJ, apparently) as they are being discontinued in the U.S. and I'm not sure I get it as loaded as I would like.

Please help me understand why I should go with the Audi over a VW with the same engine and potentially similar maintenance and resale.

Thanks!