I will more than likely be purchasing an A3 soon and I thought hey I might as well, wait for the 08's to come out. Buuut If I price out a 2007 vs a 2008 with almost the exact same options the MSRP price difference is ridiculous. Is there a reason for this? Is it normal to pay $3000.00 more dollars from one year to the next? Obvioulsy I can not buy an 07 anymore, but now this is making me rethink purchasing an A3.

Using AUDIUSA.COMpricing (they have not updated to 08 changes)MSRP $32,640.00

Using Edmunds.com and the price list for the new 08's MSRP of $35,420.00

Options used for Comparison Above:
S-line Package
Cold Weather
Open Sky
Ocean Blue Paint
Tech Package
Sound Package

Options Pricing
AUDI A3 2.0T MANUAL

(1)2007 (AUDIUSA)
(2)2008 (EDMUNDS)

BASE MSRP:
$25,790
$27,410

Ocean Blue Paint:
$450
$450

Titanium Package:
N/A
$1,500

Sports Package:
$2,200
$2,500

Premium Pacakage:
$1,650
$1,500

Open Sky System
$1,100
$1,100

6 disc CD changer
$350
N/A

Sound Package
$1,350
$1,350

Cold Weather
$700
$700

Bi-Xenon
(Tech Package) or (Convenience)
$1,500
$1,150

Bluetooth
$435
$435

Audi Nav:

$3,300
$1,950

Heated Front Seats:
N/A
$450

18" ALLOY WHEELS
N/A
$1,000

Rear Side Airbags:
$350
$350

Manual Rear Sunshades
N/A
$150.00



comments welcomed. what do i do!?

 

Is Ocean Blue the color that you can only get by ordering it? If not, I'd start scouring dealer lots before the '07s are gone -- their getting pretty reasonable right now.

 

I think the additional $3,000 is for the new tire pressure monitoring system.

Haha! I kid, I kid. You might find this thread helpful, if you haven't seen it already.

I can confirm what BAMF says about dealers looking to get '07s off their lots now. I'm trying to get a new A3 configured just the way I want it (3.2, no options), but nothing like that exists on anyone's lot, so I either have to order a new '08 or else "settle" for a loaded '07 with stuff I'd rather not have. Sadly, even though at least one dealer has offered to sell me a loaded '07 for ~$200 below invoice, it's still more expensive (and less desirable to me) than a stripped down '08.

 

I don't think your comparing apples to apples. You have things listed that were not available in 07 (ie: Titanium). Aside from that, I don't think your comparing the same exact features/packages. The '08 price increase was not $3,000.