Noob who's very interested...
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 321
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RE: Noob who's very interested...
Actually Red Sox, I have 2 kids...both under 2...which means HUGE car seats and a wife. Works perfectly! The hatch is even big enough that I can take out both GIGANTIC car seats and put them out of sight!
When they get to be teenagers....mmm...maybe cramped back there...but I will tell them...they can walk if they prefer!
hahah. Just depends on the size of the family!
When they get to be teenagers....mmm...maybe cramped back there...but I will tell them...they can walk if they prefer!
hahah. Just depends on the size of the family!
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 127
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RE: Noob who's very interested...
The A3 is the best 4-door sports car ever made. It actually has as much interior room as an A4 and embarasses the Lexus IS250 and 1-Series. The Element is very cool. IMO, in a perfect world, one of each would be great. My A3 works fine in bad weather/light snowwith UHP All Season Yokos. It was downright scary below 45 degrees with the Conti SC2 Summer Only (They really mean that) tires. At 21K in the last 21 months, I have had one broken sunroof shade clip and one quart of oil.
Also - it is insured as a compact wagon, and costs a fraction of whatmy 15 year old 3-Series costs to insure!
Balance your requirements. If it tilts towards utility, then Element SC. If it tilts towards sport, speed, and luxury, then the A3 is the way to go.
Also - it is insured as a compact wagon, and costs a fraction of whatmy 15 year old 3-Series costs to insure!
Balance your requirements. If it tilts towards utility, then Element SC. If it tilts towards sport, speed, and luxury, then the A3 is the way to go.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 201
From: Texas
RE: Noob who's very interested...
I have a Chevy Silverado but don't use the bed enough to justify the mpg. With 150,000 miles it is time I looked for another car. I wanted something that could still haul some stuff and get better mpg. I looked at alot small SUVs, C30, Subaru WRX, small pu, cross overs Mazda M3, etcetc
The A3 is practical and sporty and should return decent mpg, but $ wise it will be a wash with premium vs regular.
I should be getting my new (used) A3 in a couple of weeks and looking forward to
The A3 is practical and sporty and should return decent mpg, but $ wise it will be a wash with premium vs regular.
I should be getting my new (used) A3 in a couple of weeks and looking forward to
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 321
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RE: Noob who's very interested...
The insurance rates on A3's sure are sweet in the US. Awww...you guys get all these great financing packages, free add-ons on your cars, and low low prices for the cars to begin with! And cheap insurance? Killing me. All I have is my TDI to console me!
All I have is my TDI to console me! 
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 237
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RE: Noob who's very interested...
ORIGINAL: TPE_A3
Actually Red Sox, I have 2 kids...both under 2...which means HUGE car seats and a wife. Works perfectly! The hatch is even big enough that I can take out both GIGANTIC car seats and put them out of sight!
When they get to be teenagers....mmm...maybe cramped back there...but I will tell them...they can walk if they prefer! hahah. Just depends on the size of the family!
Actually Red Sox, I have 2 kids...both under 2...which means HUGE car seats and a wife. Works perfectly! The hatch is even big enough that I can take out both GIGANTIC car seats and put them out of sight!
When they get to be teenagers....mmm...maybe cramped back there...but I will tell them...they can walk if they prefer!
hahah. Just depends on the size of the family!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 43
From:
RE: Noob who's very interested...
ORIGINAL: TPE_A3
Actually, I think these two cars are very very different.
So, in that regard, if I were you, I would open up my search again. Figure out what I really need, what I really want, and what my budget is. Before I bought my A3, I started off knowing I wanted one. But then I went to Lexus to scratch the IS 250 off the list, BMW 1-series, etc etc. But as I kept trying these cars and thinking about them, I had a better understanding of what I was looking for in a car. In the end, I knew either the BMW 1-series of the A3 was going to do the job for me. I chose the A3, and have absolutely NO regrets! Love the car and everything it does for me. But if I needed a car to do something that the A3 cannot do, then I would regret buying it. So keep looking! Cars stick around for a long time, so don't feel too pressured by the feeling of wanting a new ride NOW! Wait till you find the right one for you, and you will know! Then when you sign the papers you will be really stoked about getting your car! I'm 33, and I have to confess, I slept poorly the night before I got my A3! The wife and kids were like...it's daddy's christmas!
Having said all that...forget the element, get the A3! It just ROCKS!
Darren
Actually, I think these two cars are very very different.
So, in that regard, if I were you, I would open up my search again. Figure out what I really need, what I really want, and what my budget is. Before I bought my A3, I started off knowing I wanted one. But then I went to Lexus to scratch the IS 250 off the list, BMW 1-series, etc etc. But as I kept trying these cars and thinking about them, I had a better understanding of what I was looking for in a car. In the end, I knew either the BMW 1-series of the A3 was going to do the job for me. I chose the A3, and have absolutely NO regrets! Love the car and everything it does for me. But if I needed a car to do something that the A3 cannot do, then I would regret buying it. So keep looking! Cars stick around for a long time, so don't feel too pressured by the feeling of wanting a new ride NOW! Wait till you find the right one for you, and you will know! Then when you sign the papers you will be really stoked about getting your car! I'm 33, and I have to confess, I slept poorly the night before I got my A3! The wife and kids were like...it's daddy's christmas!
Having said all that...forget the element, get the A3! It just ROCKS!
Darren
Roomy, low insurance costs, a fun drive...I'm getting antsy here.[:@]
I'm really leaning towards the A3 right now...I'm just having trouble finding the right one for the right price. Thank you for all the replies, you've all helped out a lot!
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 43
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RE: Noob who's very interested...
Took my first test drive for both potential cars today! First tried out the A3 because the dealer was closer. Great condition '06 2.0t. WOW!
What a sweet car! It was everything I was hoping for. We took it on some pretty wind-y (sp?) roads and it handled like a champ! I'm soo used to my lifted Tacoma that I haven't really put the suspension to the test (didn't wanna freak out the sales woman
). Great ride! I then checked out a Element SC. It was also really nice! The seats were kinda stiff, but the ride was very smooth and the inside is really roomy. Great car...but...I think I'm sold with the A3[sm=burnout.gif]
It has the power I want in a car, the style I've adored for years, and more. I might end up grabbing the one I test drove, but I have some calls to make of other potential ones.
Thanks again all for persuading me to buy the future love of my life [sm=Awwww.gif]
What a sweet car! It was everything I was hoping for. We took it on some pretty wind-y (sp?) roads and it handled like a champ! I'm soo used to my lifted Tacoma that I haven't really put the suspension to the test (didn't wanna freak out the sales woman). Great ride! I then checked out a Element SC. It was also really nice! The seats were kinda stiff, but the ride was very smooth and the inside is really roomy. Great car...but...I think I'm sold with the A3[sm=burnout.gif]It has the power I want in a car, the style I've adored for years, and more. I might end up grabbing the one I test drove, but I have some calls to make of other potential ones.
Thanks again all for persuading me to buy the future love of my life [sm=Awwww.gif]
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 369
From: RDU, NC
RE: Noob who's very interested...
In comparison to the "Taco" and the Element, the A3 is statistically going to be higher maintenance. So check it out with Carfax first, and then make sure you stick with the maintenance schedule and stay on top of fluid levels. I assume this is CPO, so that CPO warranty is a good thing.
OK, now we're due a visit from Chef, saying chip it and you'll love iteven more.
and the Element, the A3 is statistically going to be higher maintenance. So check it out with Carfax first, and then make sure you stick with the maintenance schedule and stay on top of fluid levels. I assume this is CPO, so that CPO warranty is a good thing. OK, now we're due a visit from Chef, saying chip it and you'll love iteven more.
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 43
From:
RE: Noob who's very interested...
I'm officially on the team, fellah'.s Just purchased a "certified pre-owned" '06 black on black with premium package, 26k miles. Ending up getting the car I originally test drove. Sooo stoked!! Have a few questions though...first and foremost, it came with the open-sky system, and I am wondering if there is any way to close it without looking out the roof of your car the entire time. I know that's worded weird, but basically, the roof is always transparent (or with the grill-thing going across), and I couldn't figure out how you would close it entirely, not being able to see through the roof. I'm guessing I'm just dumb and there is no way to close the roof fully, but wanted to ask.
Second, it came with the Bose system and I have hardly any cd's and just use my iPod for my listening pleasure. What would any of you recommend I do to get the best out of my ipod/a3 experience? I don't mind if the steering wheel controls won't get used. Do I just go and get an aftermarket deck? My old Alpine with AUX and RCA cables worked great, should I go the old route?
That's all the questions for now and I'm super psyched on my new ride[8D]. Thanks again everyone for contributing to my noobie thread.
Just purchased a "certified pre-owned" '06 black on black with premium package, 26k miles. Ending up getting the car I originally test drove. Sooo stoked!! Have a few questions though...first and foremost, it came with the open-sky system, and I am wondering if there is any way to close it without looking out the roof of your car the entire time. I know that's worded weird, but basically, the roof is always transparent (or with the grill-thing going across), and I couldn't figure out how you would close it entirely, not being able to see through the roof. I'm guessing I'm just dumb and there is no way to close the roof fully, but wanted to ask.Second, it came with the Bose system and I have hardly any cd's and just use my iPod for my listening pleasure. What would any of you recommend I do to get the best out of my ipod/a3 experience? I don't mind if the steering wheel controls won't get used. Do I just go and get an aftermarket deck? My old Alpine with AUX and RCA cables worked great, should I go the old route?
That's all the questions for now and I'm super psyched on my new ride[8D]. Thanks again everyone for contributing to my noobie thread.
