Help a new Audi fan pick a car
 

Looking at 2011 A3 TDI Wagons here in South Florida. Several car dealer friends say stay away from audi and VW once they get to 80,000 or over. Terrible maintenance they say. I've found mixed reviews so I will ask the experts.

If you had a choice between a 36,000mile basic (no extra's) car ($18,000 7months of warranty left) or a 56k fully loaded car for ($20,000 no warranty) which way would you go?

I drive about 20k miles a year 80% highway and am mostly looking for gas savings. I'm leaning towards an extended warranty hoping to cover any major issues. Any stories about extended plans that are good or bad are appreciated.

I'm coming from a super super low maintenance Honda Element so I know I am in for more than an oil change every 5,000 miles. However can I expect the $2000 annually in fuel savings to just move over to maintenance?

Appreciate any help or general tips about high mileage Audi ownership.

Got an audi a6 (2002) with 144k miles and another audi a3 (2007) with 70k miles.

Both had their fair shares of maintenance but the A6 beats the A3 easily (in a bad way). Overall I find that A3 parts are much cheaper than from the A6 and because the A3 has less sensors and gizmos to worry about it tends to require less TLC.

Anyhow the A3 will probably require more maintenance than a Honda - but it drives better, looks better and handles better (personal opinion).

I'd go for the better equipped A3 over a new one - simply because I don't mind turning a wrench. If you are a guy that goes to the shop - get the one with more warranty.