I've been shopping and researching for about a month....
I narowed it down to an A3 or a Mazda CX-7 ....... Then I drove them both .... What was I thinking ....

Choice 1
There are a couple of dealers who have a good bit of inventory of 2.0 08's so I think I can get a good deal very soon.

Choice 2
06 3.2 with 26000 miles. Very good condition, only some minor blemishes.
NAV, BOSE, S-Line, Black w/ black int, Auto
I think I can get it for about $24,500
I drove this car today and it feels good, although it did have a hesitation at take-off, is this common?

Any toughts would be apreciated...

 

Thats a hard one. The 2.0T is very tunner friendly. But the 3.2VR6 is a great engine and you get quattro with it. My suggestion is drive them both and price out the features on a new 08 with those that you like from the 3.2 and see what your price may be. Then decide what you want to pay.

 

The A3 will be a daily driver so any tuning would be mild. I have about a 60 mile commute(both ways).

The 08 would have Prem pkg, Ipod conn, Open Sky, Conv pkg....
Invoice: $29,243 .... Target would be to get it at 500-800 under invoice.

So about $4000 less to get the 06 3.2

 

The question is, do you need quattro? If you don't, go with the 2.0T. The 3.2 is very smooth, but sucks on gas.

 

go for the new 2.0. there is no comparison to NEW.! I just got mine 18 days ago and its great.

 

I second the new 2.0! When I was looking, I was looking at used as well, but there is something about having a brand new car. one of the cars i found was a beautiful S4 avant with 25,000 miles for $34,000. My dream car. But i felt odd about buying a used car. drove the new A3 and was sold pretty much instantly

 

2.0 gets great gas mileage on the highway...major consideration for me. I have a stick...and I think I'm actually getting better thatn 29mpg as long as I don't go over 70.

 

All good points ^
If you need quattro go with the 3.2 I know that engine will be around 24mpg consistantly. And from what I have heard the 2.0 can flux some get 28-30 my last tank I got 34. Could be the altitude an temp but I will never know exactly.
What ever you chose will be a good one your going to get an A3!

 

I agree about buying a new car, although the 2.0 would be my first new car purchase I like the idea of being thefirst owner.

I've always bought used to take the initial value hit out of the equation and to get into a level of car I would not otherwise be able to afford. That seems to be the case with this one. There is no way I could commit to a new loaded 3.2 @ $36000 invoice.

I'm in the Phoenix area so having Quattro is not a nessesity only a bonus.

I'm getting about 18MPG in a Jeep Cherokee now so the improvement to either 24 or 29 is going to be nice.

 

Just to let you know...I traded my CX-7 for the A3 and have NEVER regretted it. I have the 2,0T w/6spd and actually get just under 31 mpg on the highway. Everyone has their own tastes but I personally liked the nature of the 2.0T and didn't need Quattro.

You will enjoy either model however.