A week before Christmas, I bought a red A3 2.0T w- DSG, S-line/cold-weather packages. Got a great deal on a certified pre-owned 2007 with 10k miles ($23k).

Been driving it for almost a month now, and I LOVE THIS CAR. The combination of power/handling/luxury/nimbleness/safety/fuel-economy is amazing- I enjoy every moment behind the wheel. The 2.0T is a terrific combination of power/torque/fuel-economy.

I also autocross (my former car, '98 Ford SVT Contour, was recently totalled by a driver who ran his stop sign at 40mph), and am looking forward to springtime with this car-- I've screwed around braking/downshifting into 90-degree corners at high speeds with this car, and the DSG is spectacular. I attended Bob Bondurant's Grand Prix Racing school, and spent over a day and a half at just learning heel-toe downshifting, and this DSG is like cheating. I've driven stick in cars since age 16, and heel-toeing in my old car with the manual was 2nd-nature, but the DSG is still a marvel, particularly when braking into corners at high speed and downshifting. It solves my paradox of being the perfect transmission for daily commutes in bumper-bumper grind (live in Philly metro area) + weekends at the autocross.

Road feel and cornering with the S-line package is excellent. Sport suspension setup and 225/45/17's combine for excellent cornering and extremely solid feel at highway speeds, even with the OEM all-seasons. You can tell comfort over bumps suffers, but it's not bad and well worth the cornering prowess (though I will admit having not driven a non-S-line car for comparison). Behind the wheel, the car feels more like a sport coupe than a hatchback.

I have two sons, ages 2 & 3, and child car seats fit fine in the back. Triple 5-star crash scores and IIHS top-safety pick make me not think twice about putting the little guys in there.

After getting hammered in an accident with my previous car, my criteria for a new car, in order of importance was:
1) triple 5-star crash/IIHS Top-Safety Pick
2) 4-doors/interior-room to hold family of four
3) Something autocrossable on the weekends- good power/excellent handling
4) good gas mileage
5) nice/near-lux interior
6) <$30k

There are not a lot of cars that fit that criteria!

In summary, I couldn't be more pleased with this car. It's been such a joy to drive, and I'm looking forward to many years of ownership ahead.

-Jeff

 

Sorry to hear about the accident, happened to a buddy of mine and got read ended with him at a complete stop and the driver going 50. Some people....

congrats on the car! it only gets better and more fun

 

Congratulations on your new ride - Sounds like you already love it; I'm still smiling after after a year and a half.
A few suggestions for a new owner;

If you aren't running SCCA, a Neuspeed rear sway barreally helps turn in and understeer.
Akebono front pads are a must - better feel, no dust.

UHP summer tires with lightweight wheels enhance the handling considerably.

 

Hi Jeff,

Welcome aboard. I didn't have as much luck autoxing my SVT (grenaded the spider gear at 83K miles). But in any event, it took me a few more hops to end up at the A3 (had a G35 and an Aurora along the way). Have now had the A3 (2.0 6MT) for almost 4 months and 6,500 miles and have really enjoyed it - just keeping it off the track.



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