03 A6 or 06 A3?- Nice symmetry there, huh?

My 2003 A6 3.0 Quattro now has 65,000 miles on it. It is coming up on the dreaded timing belt service window. Depending on who you talk to people say it will cost between $1000-$2000 to get it done by an indy or at the dealership.

I saw a very nice2006 A3 online today (premium package + 20,000 miles + 2.0T + 6MT) that may just be within my budget. It depends on how much I can talk the guy down to. But even now the price it is listed at is very competetive.

I have always been a fan of the A3, especially the 2.0T with the 6 MT(I spend more time in this forum than the A6 forum), and I regret not buyingan A3in the first place when I got my A6 last year. It still owe money on the A6 and if I trade it in, I probably will end up a couple of grand on the negative side. Of course Icould try to sell it myself to a private party for more. I drive about 1000-1200 miles a month.

Knowing the above things, do you guys think it is a good idea for me to trade the A6 in and get the newer A3? Consider these facts: I will save money on gas obviously ($220 vs $150 per month assuming $4/gal and 18 mpg (A6)and 26 mpg(A3) and a 1000 miles/month), insurance is about the same and I won't have to spend ~$1500 on a major service like timing belt or other big maintenance items any time soon with the A3. And of course, the A6 is depreciating like crazy and the A3 seems to be holding its value pretty good, I check prices every week.

Will the newerA3 make any financial sense in the long term, not to mention the added fun factor?

I will appreciate all thoughts/comments/suggestions.

 

Also the '06 A3 has free service up to 5yr 50,000. Of course free being the basic's and the major 15K and 30K and 50K mile services. Brakes are a wear item and don't fall into it. But free oil changes do.

 

I am unable to vote with your poll, but my opinion would be to get the A3 if driving fun is important to you. I've had two A4's as all-day loaners from the dealer, and was very happy to get my A3 back.

There have been several threads over at AudiWorld Forums from people trading their S4's for A3 and liking the change.

 

A smaller carbon footprint, and more fun! What could be better than that. Go for the A3.

 

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Cheers!

 

I test drove the car a couple of days ago and I knew that the A3 was for me. I ended up buying it!

I had been contemplating buying an A3 for some time now and had turned away once last year:

https://www.audiforums.com/m_592057/tm.htm

But this time I came across the right car with the right features/options and most importantly the right transmission. It was hard to let it go by.


Here are the specs of my new A3 (new to me):

2006 A3, 2.0T, 6 MT, Moro Blue Exterior, Tan Leather Interior, Premium package.

It had 20,300 miles on it. I bought it for $20k even. I think it was a good deal. What do you guys think?

 

Congratulations! Time to post a photo or two of your new toy.