Hi everybody,

I am new here, doing my research on the A3.
I think the car looks great, and from the posts here sounds like it's fun to drive.
From the options, I think the S-line and the Titanium package would be nice.

Question -
1/ do the headlights automatically turn off with the ignition, or
does the light switch need to be turned off every time?
Or does the A3 have daylight running lights?
2/ How long does it typically take to get a car built in Germany and delivered?
(I realize that delivery toHawaii will take longer). I doubt the dealer will
have the color/option combo I would like and although I am a bit flexible,
the options tend to add up ina hurry, so I am willing to wait.

Thanks.
Snailster

2001 Nissan Frontier
1996 Subaru Legacy
2001 Kawasaki ZRX1200
2004 Suzuki DRZ400

 

Hey, let me start by saying that there is a ton of great information in the Noob thread at the top of the A3 page. The A3 is a great car and a ton of fun to drive! As far as your first question; I believe that the healights are automatic if you have the technology package. I know that I have to turn mine on and off and there are no DRL, (although i usually just flip on my fogs during the day). As far as build/delivery times I think that is more a question for your dealer although I know a couple of ppl in the forum have experiance with it so they might be able to tell you more. We have even had one who took delievery in Germany (The Lucky Basta*cough*). From the sound of it he had a great time and Audi treated him like a king. Anyway I am sure some more ppl with better knowledge will wiegh in. Good luck on your upcoming decision!

 

There are "auto" headlights that do not require the Technology package with Xenons - at least my '06 has it. But DRL's are only included with the Xenon headlights.

Those that have ordered a specific car typically report 8-10 weeks, as I recall.

 

Thanks for the info! Good to know,that makes me
want to get the Xenon lights as
I prefer to drive with the lights on, easy with
the Subaru. Do not see the Technology package
on Edmunds for 2008. Looks like the Convenience
package may have that included?

I did consider the European delivery,
it would be a great adventure, but
Audi gives only a 5% discount, and then
there is the3 month (give or take)wait for the car to get to
Hawaii from Europe, so probably won't go for that.
If they were a bit more generous, I would consider
it (BMW 7% back, Saab 9%). But depends
on what the local dealer has available, I may
go that route after all.

Tomorrow going to the dealership
tosay hiand to see what they
have on the lot, and how long
it would take to order a car from Germany.
Will keep you posted.

 

Drove both the 2.0 and the 3.2Q today,
both great fun to drive and surprisingly smooth even with
the S-line on the rough Honolulu streets. The V6 was
running the 18" rims on the top of the S-suspension,
not too harsh either which was a pleasant surprise.
The A3 is a spunky little thing! The book sez 0-60 in 5.9
for the 3.2 quattro, not too shabby indeed.

Here endsthe good news.

They ask $3900 on the top of MSRP, usual fees and tax as a "dealer markup".
Which, unfortunately, moves it into the mid to high 30's
which opens upa different market altogether. I thing
the A3 iscompetitivewhen priced in the high 20's - low
30's. Tomake things worse, they have hardly any inventory
on the island, and none ofit my preferred color (black on black, titanium package, 2.0).
One of those is coming in January, S-line + titaniumas sole options, but for 36 large seems
a bit overpriced. They indicated they'd be willing to negotiate
on a 2007 lava grey 3.2 quattro, but we are still talking mid to high $30's.

Will giveita thought,it is a great carto drive.
Will try test-drive the BMW 328 coupe whichI can getat
MSRP here locally, or 7% off Euro delivery at which
point it would be 36k with the sports packageand steptronic with paddle shifters
plus tax (yep, still state tax for Euro delivery).

Will keep the forum posted.

 

That Audi dealership sucks!!!

How much to ship a car from California to Hawaii??? You could get the same car here and instead of a $3900 mark-up, you'd probably get a $2000+ discount. I would agree not to purchase at their asking price, but the car is WAY worth the price in California dollars.



Cheers!

 

Shipping from Long Beach is a little over $1000. It make take a few weeks of
waiting to get a car on a barge. Much easier shipping from Hawaii to the mainland,
less stuff travelling in that direction.

Buying on the West Coast would definitely be an consideration. I have a pretty
good idea what I want, so would not be afraid to buy over the phone.
With the Cali emission laws being different, do the cars have less
power, or anything else to be aware off?

What is the demand for the A3 in California? Can you
pay significantly below the MSRP on a current model?

Thanks!

 

I ordered a 2008 A3 from the factory in September (I should get it in about 2 weeks) and received quotes from5 dealers in the San Francisco area. On average the quotes came in about $300 over invoice with no negotiatingand I did a little better than that. With the options I chose, dealer invoice is approximately $2,500 less than MSRP. Sounds like there is a $6,000 premium to buy in the Aloha State. Good luck.

 

Regarding your question about the headlights: I've got a 2007 2.0T, base model, no tech package, no xenons. I do not have DRLs (as has been stated, DRL only comes with the xenons). My lights DO turn off with the ignition, even if I leave the switch on. The interior buttons and instruments do stay illuminated though, and the car chimes at you until you turn the switch off. I imagine that the car would probably turn off the chiming and the interior illumination once you lock the doors, but I'm not sure because I always turn the switch off when I hear the chime. Automatic headlights are available, I believe in the technology package.

 

Thanks guys.
The Aloha State prices - no competition here. Same with most
of other brands and motorcycles. Paty of the magic, I suppose. Quite a few
people ship from the mainland. Looks like the Technology package got dropped for 2008.