"get rid of your grill audi, we're all tired of it" im going to have to stop you there. theres no way they should change that. tell bmw to stop their kidney grille shape, or tell jeep to stop the 7 grille blocks on all their vehicles. its just an audi trademark. the bigger the car in size and power, the bigger and larger the grille.
winstor adams I agree. You said it perfectly. And it looks the best with the lighter colors on the body So that you can see the contrast between the black grill and lighter colors.
muffemod i wouldn't go as far to say the reviewer is stupid, but clearly he shouldn't of said "we're all tired of it" when he's voicing his own opinion.
Great review Nick! I love the 3D effect when you displayed the specs! These are good little cars, I think the biggest downfall is that the center stack looks kinda plain on the inside. It's a clean interior design though for sure. I'm one of those people that loves the MB CLA and that would be my choice I think if I wanted a luxury 4 door in this price range. I prefer the interior and exterior of it over the others. I do love the Audi nav screen with google earth though, looks so slick. And it's always great to see the use of gorilla to measure trunk space haha. It sounds like you had to talk a decent bit louder when on the highway. Was the road noise bad at highway speeds? It's nice to hear that Audi didn't punish people too much if you stick with the base model, that's refreshing. Keep the great reviews coming Nick!
Matt, I test drove the CLA and A3. Although CLA looks better, the automatic transmission is god awful and extremely slow to shift even in sport mode. Hope to see you review one of those and you will see what im talking about. A3 is much much better in that aspect.
Thanks Matt, working on making improvements to every review. Interesting what you have to say about the CLA, I will take a closer look at one. Thanks for your support as aways my friend.
This is outstanding. The kind of review that a normal person appreciates. No nonsense, real driver, pitched just at the right level. Now if I could just make up my mind.... PS: Any plans on reviewing the Q3 or, even better, a comparison between the Q3 and the Q5?
Nick Murray Hey Nick, Ill have one up by the end of this week! Thanks again for your help with the video editing software. Really easy to use WMV and will get the job done until I can get my Mac!
Fantastic review nick!! I have been doing my research to get my first car. Ive been considering a CLA250 but now that i know alot about the A3, Im thinking twice! Thanks for the help.
That MMI intro looks cool but was laggy haha. Nick, in New Zealand you can get a Volvo S60 T5 R-Design (the sporty, sexy model) for 73k! Oh, and the standard S60 gets leather with no options...
I'll never understand America's disinterest in hatchbacks - you'd think if you want a small car you get a hatchback (a3) and if that's not enough, get something a little bigger (a4) but apparently not! P.S I like the Audi grill!
Hatchbacks and Estates do not sell here at all. That's simpler because of the Crossovers and SUVs. Americans would rather be up high, guess it makes them feel safer. I personally would rather be in a smaller more nimble car.
The Audi grille is important! Other companies have signature grilles with more history. Audi had to develop its symbolic identity more consciously. The result has become so critical to the company’s identity that it has trademarked the word *“Singleframe”* for it's car grille. Therfore don't force change, it will come with evolution!
I know you saw the review on Matt's channel but I wanted to say that this is one of the reviews that lead me to go out and test drive / buy the car. I knew that I didn't want to spend 40k to get a smaller luxury car that was able to check off the boxes of all of the little options people often think are necessary-- but you said it's a great car even without those just by the way it feels and the way it drives. I'm very happy with the car and the only options I have are 2.0t, nav, cold weather, and paint, and it's a blast and feels great. Keep reviewing cars and I'll keep watching.
I am glad I was able to help Colin. I think they are an excellent car and I think you got the best of the options. Out of interest what color did you get?
Wishing car reviews would stop looking at little buttons with their chrome fittings and options which are a dime a dozen nowadays, chatting about tariffs, analyzing the fake leather, etc... and start focusing on the quality of the car, city ride quality, freeway driving, how the car feels when you sit in it, practicality and reach of instruments, price of parts and repairs, etc. After all you're not going to stare at the chrome buttons and their 'satisfying click' when you're driving. Nowadays about 27 minutes of a 30 minute review are spent on what is (in my opinion), superficial stuff.
great review,your review about a3 2015 is the best review about this car,I have seen them all,plz review the 2017 a3 2.0t quattro,I just can't decide so plz review
This video is old now, those who bought this car, how is the reliability n what mayor problems encounter since ownership. Thinking of buying one pre-owned with 44,000 miles.
I am on my 3rd TT ('01, '04, '08). Love Audis and love my TT's. BUT I am thinking of moving to a coupe. Drove the S3 and fell in love. Don't need anything bigger. So my question is: is the S3 worth it or should I load up a stock A3 with the 2.0/Quattro?
Here in Portugal that same car costs 39.870€ (47.000us$)..and alot of it goes to taxes.. Here, our base model is the 1.2 TFSI (110hp), that costs 26.649€ (31.000us$). I would like to live with your taxes :D
Nick, if your gorillas were hanging off a cliff and your M4 was about to roll off that same cliff, what would you save first? Also if you could get your hands on a Stingray or Z06 that would be much appreciated.
I’ve been driving an A6 for a few years now, and as much as I love the car, it’s just not the most practical car for my daily commute. These A3s have really caught my eye, so I may swing in to my local dealer and nab a good CPO 2.0T w/ Quattro or see if there are any reasonably priced new ones on the lot. I think it’ll be a phenomenal daily car to commute with! Excellent review!
Nick your specs on the 228i are a bit off. Its a 240 hp 2.0L turbo not 220hp. Its also comes with AWD as an option and most importantly BMW's N20/N26 engine has been dyno'd time and again and its putting 230-235 to the wheels which means its seriously underrated by the factory. In other words - the Bimmer is gonna eat the A3 for lunch.
Pricing in different countries was interesting! I live in Sweden, according to the Audi website (audipdf.h-kan.se/archivedfiles/Audi%20A3_Sedan%20Sport.pdf) the pricing is as follows: 1.4 TFSI: $ 30 973 1.8 TFSI quattro: $ 41 062
In Canada, an Audi A3 1.8 is about $33,000, and the 2.0 is about $38,000 to start, plus sales taxes which range from 5 percent to 15 percent depending on the province. Currently, $ 1 CA = $ 0.85 US. The Canadian market cars can be scented with maple syrup if so desired.
didn't realise it was the car manufacturers that were supping up the prices here in the uk. I always thought it was the tax. Darn bastards. What are the speed limits where you live Nick, and any idea for a valentine equivalent for here in the UK, as you have lived here before havent you?
The problem in the UK is the cameras more than anything, I had a Road angel when I lived in the UK but I am sure there is a better solution these days. Does the Waze app cover the cameras in the UK?
Nice review Nick.I live in Toronto and I have the a3 quattro premium plus trim..Its amazing and at 6feet 2 I have plenty of room as the driver and even the back seats are bearable for a few hours.Its damn quick as well.The important thing is to get the higher trim so you get all the goodies and dont feel like you didnt get the luxury treatment
I'm wondering how the A3 has treated you over the years since I'm searching for a 2015 A3 with 40k miles or less. PLEASE let me know your HONEST thoughts! Biggest repair? THANK YOU!
Sometimes you have to look at the value of the currency too. The US dollar is the reserve currency of the world, meaning world transactions between countries that are NOT the US, STILL have to conduct the transactions in US dollars. This keeps demand up for US dollars and allows the US to "export inflation" as they say, even as the Federal Reserve increases our money supply. In essence, the US screws most of the rest of the world by forcing demand for US dollars. Of course, this won't last - look for a lower demand of US dollars and look for US dollars to be worth less too, in the future. This is because countries like Russia and China are looking for ways to side-step the US dollar to conduct their business.
In South Africa a base A3 sedan with a manual is roughly $34,772 the auto is around $36,318. Btw what is the meaning of SE? some say sports edition others say standard edition
I don't know why everyone keeps going on about the interior. The center stack is terribly boring. An entire row of empty buttons to remind you that you're in the cheapest Audi. I sat in it and was not impressed. Near $40k for not much car.
nick, love your reviews. got to know u thru your 991s saga. i've got a 991s too and love it. i'm a lot like you. i like all cars re: of dollars or status. a good car is a good car. one of my favorite cars is the s2000. i currently have a 2000 honda s2000. its the 9000 rpm version. have you ever driven one? you should get your hands on one to review. i'd be interested in your take on it. i've had three s2000's now. every time i sell one, i realize how much i miss it, and buy another. i actually prefer driving the s2000 over the 991 on public backroads at "sane" speeds over the 991 which i prefer on the track where you can actually utilize the full potential. anyway, thanks for the vids. keep up the great work.
I like ur video, it was very nice... u explained kin and kith of A3. I am having a plan to buy this car in couple of years. Let my pocket have sufficient money. U know all Audi models in India starts from 45 lakh rupees. This is the one and only model which I can think off, that will purchase soon. In India A3 starts from 22 lakh. As of now Common man in India can't afford a luxury car because of the pricing. But with A3 I think this will change definitely. A3 is mainly introduced for Indian budget market. 22 lakh equal to 35 thousand USD. somewhat priced similar to US market.
Thanks for hitting on the Cla. Imo it is horrible because it has a Mercedes badge on it and it feels EXTREMELY CHEAP. And its noisy, horrible ride and it just costs too much for what it is. My personal favorite is the Bmw 228i then the A3. Great video btw!!!
Shocked you made no mention of the MQB platform or the fact the 2015 US Golf is the only other MQB here so far. Personally, I have looked at both cars, and the fact they are both MQB causes me to be comparing them. The mention of the VW having cheaper interior is much less true when you compare MQB to MQB. When the Jetta and Passat are both MQB it will be a lot harder to justify the cost of the Audi on the low end.
The Mercedes CLA interior looks much better then the Audi A3.... The audio has a cheap plastic dash and the seats are flat.... I just tested a Audi a3 2.0l this weekend. The ride absorbs the bumps very well and it is quick for a 2.0l turbo. Now, after reading online, VW has 3 recalls that must be done or your vehicle can catch on fire, lose all power when you are driving and it can misfire or drive like crap. If you are looking to buy a new or used one, make sure the recalls have been fix. You do not want to be driving on the freeway at 75 and you do not have control and the vehicle catches on fire... It will not be a good day...
the 2.0 quatro a3 is the most underated car ! ive test driven mutiple luxry cars bmw , mercs , porsche . i currently drive ah 2011 c300 4matic . towrds the end of the year i plan on getting it . and its actually 0-60 in 5.8
There were several points where I was prepared to move on with my evening, but ended up watching the entire 25+ minutes because you were really entertaining, and I love Flight of the Conchords. Also, great, practical, pragmatic approach to a review for the average person. If you know any Kiwis in Denver, CO, I'd like to meet them just so I can hear them talk for a spell. Also, I'm buying a 2.0T next week (or whenever it arrives!). Terrific review, and I'll be watching much more. Cheers, Mr. Murray!
Thanks, entertaining and informative...nice review! Shame, here in Europe the A3, or generally most cars are dearer, e.g. In Euro what they cost in U.S. dollar! Still ordered one last week, it's a fab little sedan,smooth drive,powerful 2.0 diesel with 4,5 litres to 100 km fuel consumption,couldn't believe one tank took me from Denmark to Italy!!
Lol 1.8T as a base spec :D well typical for the USA.. in Europe we can spec it with a 110hp 3 cylinder... and the A class has many parts shared with Renault .. also the base A 160 engine is an exact Renault engine
great review, was considering the hatchback so this review helped. Have you drive the previous model s3? Was thinking of an 2.0t A3 new or an previous model S3 as my miles I am doing has reduced significantly recently. What would you suggest?
nice reviews .. i love the new a3 .. but the best choice is 2.0T quattro its turn arround 40k . for 40k you will be compare with new golf R or subaru wrx or for 45k the new S3 that its the rocket! ;)
Hey Nick! I really like your review style and your additional thoughts you share with us occasionally. The differences in pricing is a point i have been thinking about myself. Do you have any information about the number of cars bought by private owners? In germany, only 36,3 % of all cars were sold to private owners. Most (around 90 %) of the more expensive cars, like the BWM 5 or the Mercedes E or even the VW Passat are leased by companies which give them to their employees (and reduce their income to lower taxes...). The highest monthly leasing rate is often 500 Euro and you get a new car every 2-3 years. Therefore, the asking price is not the most important factor and this influences the selling price?
Please review a Cadillac ATS. I am interested in your view on how it stacks up against the German compact sports sedans. Then I would like you to review a 2004 Mercedes S Class sedan and let us know if it is a good car 10 years later. Then you should go home and eat some cheesecake that your girlfriend made and review that too, with her sitting across the table from you.
I live in Chicago and had a 2.0 VW Beetle Turbo before getting this car. I love the 1.8 A3. It's a half second slower than the Beetle, but I never needed that speed in the first place. There's not much opportunity to use that speed in the city, and I would just get frustrated wanting to use it. The 1.8 A3 is almost as fast, but the suspension is so much more comfortable. The Beetle had very stiff suspension, which is fun for a while. I guess I just grew up.
omg why ditch the grille? It's so iconic now and anything else would just seem less Audi. That'd be like an Alfa Romeo without the pennant grille: nothing short of a travesty.
Nice comparision between the prices and cars which people go for. I looked at an A3 limosine here in germany, and I have to say that they arent worth my money. Either I go for a nice Volkswagen or an Audi A4. The base models are looking very cheap, you have to shovel money into this car to make it stand out. The US base model seems to have alot more features. The S3 would be nice choice because it cost the same as a Golf R here. And yes, it annoys me all the time how much less cars cost in the US... and then theres the cheaper fuel...
This is a great car. I just got the A3 TDI Prestige trim. It's considerably slower than the 2.0 TFSI variant (only 150hp vs 220hp), and even slightly slower than the 1.8 TFSI, but because of its torque it doesn't feel like it. I've taken mine through a couple of canyons here in LA, and this thing loves those corners. That being said, I wish this was more of a liftback _a la_ the A7 rather than a sedan or hatchback. I think the A3 looks better as a sedan than a hatchback, and a liftback would preserve some of those sedan lines while allowing some of the practicality of a hatchback.
Nice video as always, I really liked your thoughts on car pricing. I personally live in a country with 180 per cent purchase price tax, meaning an A3 sedan checks out at around 57.000 USD.
The problem with the looks of the front grill is, that you guys in the US dont have numberplates in the front. With numberplates it looks way better imho. Edit: It's even worse with the RS models i think.
Audi's are built in Germany still are they not? That would definitely cause a price hike. I know the Gen 7 GTi's are now built elsewhere so they come standard with more stuff and have a lower base price, in Canada at least.
16:17 that's the very reason I want to move to US, I'm in Australia and prices are simply sucks it's about 60k as well here :(, thanks for the review, give me a job and I'll happily move, hee hee.
Great review, I do like the size of the A3 saloon and the build quality is great. We hired the convertible over the summer in Italy and it was amazing to be honest! However I do think you were too harsh on the CLA, we have an A200 and while I agree below the dash the plastics are a joke for a Mercedes the dash is leather covered the doors are really well made and and dash panel has a great finish on the AMG sports line. Saying that though I don't like the looks of the CLA, unlucky that you don't get the A Class in the US which I think looks great!
Also Are you sure about the UK price, the way they package the option there makes it confusing. I just selected every option and there was only about a 5k difference
Good review, but you missed a couple things I might add. Mention of the S3. Getting in and out of the front seat is difficult if you are over 6 foot as the A pillar becomes directly to your left when the seat is set farther back. The DSG kickdown feature at the second position on the gas pedal is really a life saver on the standard 1.8t. And you totally forgot to test the launch control ;)
As always, great review Nick. Looking forward to your six-month long review of the M4, you've got me almost convinced to switch my m3 sedan for the f30. I'll wait for the LCI.
I'm also wondering how the A3 has treated you over the years since I'm searching for a 2015 A3 with 40k miles or less. PLEASE let me know your HONEST thoughts! Biggest repair? THANK YOU!
Really nice review as always,the interior on this car is amazing,it feels like you re sitting in a higher bracket car.I would also say that even the jettas interior is superior in quality than the a class which is indeed cheap. P.S imagine that in Europe people buy this car with 1.6 tdi 105 horsepower and it fits them just fine,you guys there in the U.S have versions with so much more power.
"get rid of your grill audi, we're all tired of it" im going to have to stop you there. theres no way they should change that. tell bmw to stop their kidney grille shape, or tell jeep to stop the 7 grille blocks on all their vehicles. its just an audi trademark. the bigger the car in size and power, the bigger and larger the grille.
winstor adams Agreed. I think it's nice looking and distinct.
winstor adams I agree. You said it perfectly. And it looks the best with the lighter colors on the body So that you can see the contrast between the black grill and lighter colors.
+winstor adams I concur. It's an icon.
+winstor adams stupid video reviewer didn't know wtf to do.
muffemod i wouldn't go as far to say the reviewer is stupid, but clearly he shouldn't of said "we're all tired of it" when he's voicing his own opinion.
Great review Nick! I love the 3D effect when you displayed the specs! These are good little cars, I think the biggest downfall is that the center stack looks kinda plain on the inside. It's a clean interior design though for sure. I'm one of those people that loves the MB CLA and that would be my choice I think if I wanted a luxury 4 door in this price range. I prefer the interior and exterior of it over the others. I do love the Audi nav screen with google earth though, looks so slick. And it's always great to see the use of gorilla to measure trunk space haha. It sounds like you had to talk a decent bit louder when on the highway. Was the road noise bad at highway speeds? It's nice to hear that Audi didn't punish people too much if you stick with the base model, that's refreshing. Keep the great reviews coming Nick!
Matt, I test drove the CLA and A3. Although CLA looks better, the automatic transmission is god awful and extremely slow to shift even in sport mode. Hope to see you review one of those and you will see what im talking about.
A3 is much much better in that aspect.
Thanks Matt, working on making improvements to every review. Interesting what you have to say about the CLA, I will take a closer look at one. Thanks for your support as aways my friend.
I just bought an A3, in part, because of your review, Nick. Thanks.
+Cameron Hurd how do you like it after 1 month?
I couldn't be happier with it. I still take it out just for a drive everyday, and whether cruising or driving sporty, it's such a pleasure.
+Cam Hurd is it the FWD 1.8?
No, I got the 2.0 AWD.
+Cam Hurd nice. Unfortunately we don't get the 2.0t where I live. It just jumps from the 1.8 right to the S3
This is outstanding. The kind of review that a normal person appreciates. No nonsense, real driver, pitched just at the right level. Now if I could just make up my mind....
PS: Any plans on reviewing the Q3 or, even better, a comparison between the Q3 and the Q5?
Yes both the Q3 and Q5 but not until later in the year sorry.
The new format is cool! I like the car spec on the side while the video is still playing, Well done Nick!
Thanks Chris. I expect a video from you on how to smoke fish! Make it happen : )
Nick Murray Hey Nick, Ill have one up by the end of this week! Thanks again for your help with the video editing software. Really easy to use WMV and will get the job done until I can get my Mac!
Fantastic review nick!! I have been doing my research to get my first car. Ive been considering a CLA250 but now that i know alot about the A3, Im thinking twice! Thanks for the help.
Glad I could help
That MMI intro looks cool but was laggy haha. Nick, in New Zealand you can get a Volvo S60 T5 R-Design (the sporty, sexy model) for 73k! Oh, and the standard S60 gets leather with no options...
I'll never understand America's disinterest in hatchbacks - you'd think if you want a small car you get a hatchback (a3) and if that's not enough, get something a little bigger (a4) but apparently not!
P.S I like the Audi grill!
Stop it! : ) We say no to that silly grill!
Hatchbacks and Estates do not sell here at all. That's simpler because of the Crossovers and SUVs. Americans would rather be up high, guess it makes them feel safer. I personally would rather be in a smaller more nimble car.
Hatchbacks are ugly as hell!!!
The Audi grille is important!
Other companies have signature grilles with more history. Audi had to develop its symbolic identity more consciously. The result has become so critical to the company’s identity that it has trademarked the word *“Singleframe”* for it's car grille.
Therfore don't force change, it will come with evolution!
So the Audi 3 is the VW Jetta that went to private school...
I know you saw the review on Matt's channel but I wanted to say that this is one of the reviews that lead me to go out and test drive / buy the car. I knew that I didn't want to spend 40k to get a smaller luxury car that was able to check off the boxes of all of the little options people often think are necessary-- but you said it's a great car even without those just by the way it feels and the way it drives. I'm very happy with the car and the only options I have are 2.0t, nav, cold weather, and paint, and it's a blast and feels great. Keep reviewing cars and I'll keep watching.
I am glad I was able to help Colin. I think they are an excellent car and I think you got the best of the options. Out of interest what color did you get?
It was the monsoon grey one that subaruwrxfan just reviewed. And also: I ordered those 18" wheels off eBay...
Wishing car reviews would stop looking at little buttons with their chrome fittings and options which are a dime a dozen nowadays, chatting about tariffs, analyzing the fake leather, etc...
and start focusing on the quality of the car, city ride quality, freeway driving, how the car feels when you sit in it, practicality and reach of instruments, price of parts and repairs, etc. After all you're not going to stare at the chrome buttons and their 'satisfying click' when you're driving.
Nowadays about 27 minutes of a 30 minute review are spent on what is (in my opinion), superficial stuff.
I believe your old Audi is a 3.2 quattro and not a 2.3 as you mention at about 9:00 ;)
Indeed, my brain is damaged...
great review,your review about a3 2015 is the best review about this car,I have seen them all,plz review the 2017 a3 2.0t quattro,I just can't decide so plz review
This video is old now, those who bought this car, how is the reliability n what mayor problems encounter since ownership. Thinking of buying one pre-owned with 44,000 miles.
I drive on of these in 1.4tfsi COD configuration in black S-line. Has the great B&O sound system too. Five years old and still a head turner.
I am on my 3rd TT ('01, '04, '08). Love Audis and love my TT's. BUT I am thinking of moving to a coupe. Drove the S3 and fell in love. Don't need anything bigger. So my question is: is the S3 worth it or should I load up a stock A3 with the 2.0/Quattro?
Damn, I forgot youtube can't process a video so fast. Still 360p.
Here in Portugal that same car costs 39.870€ (47.000us$)..and alot of it goes to taxes..
Here, our base model is the 1.2 TFSI (110hp), that costs 26.649€ (31.000us$).
I would like to live with your taxes :D
I think the cup holder number 3 and 4 are at the back, integrated in the center armrest.
Does de 2.0tsi have the same top speed as the 1.8tsi?
Nick, if your gorillas were hanging off a cliff and your M4 was about to roll off that same cliff, what would you save first?
Also if you could get your hands on a Stingray or Z06 that would be much appreciated.
This is such a good question I think I will answer it in my next Channel update with user comments...
i would like to see you review an e39 M5,or the new one,the f10 BMW M5
The E39 would be amazing!!
I’ve been driving an A6 for a few years now, and as much as I love the car, it’s just not the most practical car for my daily commute. These A3s have really caught my eye, so I may swing in to my local dealer and nab a good CPO 2.0T w/ Quattro or see if there are any reasonably priced new ones on the lot. I think it’ll be a phenomenal daily car to commute with! Excellent review!
I imagine cup holder #3 and 4 appear when you pull down the center armrest in the back seats
Would love to see a Porsche Macan video. Those are great looking cars with great reviews. Other than that the Audi SQ5. Keep up the great work!
Nick, would you say that the 2.0T is a rocket?
Ha ha yes I would : )
its so underated , you have to drive one
Nick your specs on the 228i are a bit off. Its a 240 hp 2.0L turbo not 220hp. Its also comes with AWD as an option and most importantly BMW's N20/N26 engine has been dyno'd time and again and its putting 230-235 to the wheels which means its seriously underrated by the factory. In other words - the Bimmer is gonna eat the A3 for lunch.
Thanks I have put a correction on the video
Not going to blow you away? Hello!
Have to spend a lot of money to beat it. Audi give best quality for dollar 👍 period.
Pricing in different countries was interesting! I live in Sweden, according to the Audi website (audipdf.h-kan.se/archivedfiles/Audi%20A3_Sedan%20Sport.pdf) the pricing is as follows:
1.4 TFSI: $ 30 973
1.8 TFSI quattro: $ 41 062
In Canada, an Audi A3 1.8 is about $33,000, and the 2.0 is about $38,000 to start, plus sales taxes which range from 5 percent to 15 percent depending on the province. Currently, $ 1 CA = $ 0.85 US. The Canadian market cars can be scented with maple syrup if so desired.
didn't realise it was the car manufacturers that were supping up the prices here in the uk. I always thought it was the tax. Darn bastards. What are the speed limits where you live Nick, and any idea for a valentine equivalent for here in the UK, as you have lived here before havent you?
The problem in the UK is the cameras more than anything, I had a Road angel when I lived in the UK but I am sure there is a better solution these days. Does the Waze app cover the cameras in the UK?
Nice review Nick.I live in Toronto and I have the a3 quattro premium plus trim..Its amazing and at 6feet 2 I have plenty of room as the driver and even the back seats are bearable for a few hours.Its damn quick as well.The important thing is to get the higher trim so you get all the goodies and dont feel like you didnt get the luxury treatment
I'm wondering how the A3 has treated you over the years since I'm searching for a 2015 A3 with 40k miles or less. PLEASE let me know your HONEST thoughts! Biggest repair? THANK YOU!
Sometimes you have to look at the value of the currency too. The US dollar is the reserve currency of the world, meaning world transactions between countries that are NOT the US, STILL have to conduct the transactions in US dollars. This keeps demand up for US dollars and allows the US to "export inflation" as they say, even as the Federal Reserve increases our money supply. In essence, the US screws most of the rest of the world by forcing demand for US dollars. Of course, this won't last - look for a lower demand of US dollars and look for US dollars to be worth less too, in the future. This is because countries like Russia and China are looking for ways to side-step the US dollar to conduct their business.
In South Africa a base A3 sedan with a manual is roughly $34,772 the auto is around $36,318. Btw what is the meaning of SE? some say sports edition others say standard edition
Its a really good cahhhh
Old video, I know. But considering buying a 2015 A3 base 1.8 from a friend for 10k USD. Thoughts? Anyone?
Okay wait.. where is the M?! Did you TRADE IT? I will find you man.. I will find you and be very upset with you :(.
I don't know why everyone keeps going on about the interior. The center stack is terribly boring. An entire row of empty buttons to remind you that you're in the cheapest Audi. I sat in it and was not impressed. Near $40k for not much car.
And i gess the price lower in usa because it made in maxico and higher because it made in germany and because euro strategy of price
I really like the hatchback think it looks better than the sedan. Didn't the A3 initially be released in U.S. as a hatchback
Yes the previous model was released in Sport back.
Had one for a week as a loaner. Great little car but - No manual - No Buy. Going to have to keep the A4 until I can afford an S
Hey Nick Love your videos. Would love to see your take on a Golf R if you get the chance. Thanks.
What??? Get rid of the grill? What planet do you live on, and that interior is the best in the business, what are you comparing it with?
There are two more cup holders in the back seat armrest
I would defiantly save the money for the 2.0T AWD just my opinion
I don't like the interior of this car. I like when car has a lot of buttons, minimalism isn't for me.
nick,
love your reviews. got to know u thru your 991s saga. i've got a 991s too and love it. i'm a lot like you. i like all cars re: of dollars or status. a good car is a good car.
one of my favorite cars is the s2000. i currently have a 2000 honda s2000. its the 9000 rpm version. have you ever driven one? you should get your hands on one to review. i'd be interested in your take on it. i've had three s2000's now. every time i sell one, i realize how much i miss it, and buy another.
i actually prefer driving the s2000 over the 991 on public backroads at "sane" speeds over the 991 which i prefer on the track where you can actually utilize the full potential.
anyway, thanks for the vids. keep up the great work.
I like ur video, it was very nice... u explained kin and kith of A3. I am having a plan to buy this car in couple of years. Let my pocket have sufficient money.
U know all Audi models in India starts from 45 lakh rupees. This is the one and only model which I can think off, that will purchase soon. In India A3 starts from 22 lakh. As of now Common man in India can't afford a luxury car because of the pricing. But with A3 I think this will change definitely. A3 is mainly introduced for Indian budget market. 22 lakh equal to 35 thousand USD. somewhat priced similar to US market.
Thanks for hitting on the Cla. Imo it is horrible because it has a Mercedes badge on it and it feels EXTREMELY CHEAP. And its noisy, horrible ride and it just costs too much for what it is. My personal favorite is the Bmw 228i then the A3. Great video btw!!!
Randon and maybe an odd question but did you live in Southwark (London) when you had the A3 with a Manchester registration plate?
Shocked you made no mention of the MQB platform or the fact the 2015 US Golf is the only other MQB here so far. Personally, I have looked at both cars, and the fact they are both MQB causes me to be comparing them. The mention of the VW having cheaper interior is much less true when you compare MQB to MQB. When the Jetta and Passat are both MQB it will be a lot harder to justify the cost of the Audi on the low end.
Also speak for yourself about the grille
The Mercedes CLA interior looks much better then the Audi A3.... The audio has a cheap plastic dash and the seats are flat....
I just tested a Audi a3 2.0l this weekend. The ride absorbs the bumps very well and it is quick for a 2.0l turbo. Now, after reading online, VW has 3 recalls that must be done or your vehicle can catch on fire, lose all power when you are driving and it can misfire or drive like crap. If you are looking to buy a new or used one, make sure the recalls have been fix. You do not want to be driving on the freeway at 75 and you do not have control and the vehicle catches on fire... It will not be a good day...
the 2.0 quatro a3 is the most underated car ! ive test driven mutiple luxry cars bmw , mercs , porsche . i currently drive ah 2011 c300 4matic . towrds the end of the year i plan on getting it . and its actually 0-60 in 5.8
There were several points where I was prepared to move on with my evening, but ended up watching the entire 25+ minutes because you were really entertaining, and I love Flight of the Conchords. Also, great, practical, pragmatic approach to a review for the average person. If you know any Kiwis in Denver, CO, I'd like to meet them just so I can hear them talk for a spell. Also, I'm buying a 2.0T next week (or whenever it arrives!). Terrific review, and I'll be watching much more. Cheers, Mr. Murray!
Thanks, entertaining and informative...nice review!
Shame, here in Europe the A3, or generally most cars are dearer, e.g. In Euro what they cost in U.S. dollar!
Still ordered one last week, it's a fab little sedan,smooth drive,powerful 2.0 diesel with 4,5 litres to 100 km fuel consumption,couldn't believe one tank took me from Denmark to Italy!!
Lol 1.8T as a base spec :D well typical for the USA.. in Europe we can spec it with a 110hp 3 cylinder... and the A class has many parts shared with Renault .. also the base A 160 engine is an exact Renault engine
great review, was considering the hatchback so this review helped. Have you drive the previous model s3? Was thinking of an 2.0t A3 new or an previous model S3 as my miles I am doing has reduced significantly recently. What would you suggest?
nice reviews .. i love the new a3 .. but the best choice is 2.0T quattro its turn arround 40k . for 40k you will be compare with new golf R or subaru wrx or for 45k the new S3 that its the rocket! ;)
Hey Nick! I really like your review style and your additional thoughts you share with us occasionally. The differences in pricing is a point i have been thinking about myself. Do you have any information about the number of cars bought by private owners? In germany, only 36,3 % of all cars were sold to private owners. Most (around 90 %) of the more expensive cars, like the BWM 5 or the Mercedes E or even the VW Passat are leased by companies which give them to their employees (and reduce their income to lower taxes...). The highest monthly leasing rate is often 500 Euro and you get a new car every 2-3 years. Therefore, the asking price is not the most important factor and this influences the selling price?
Please review a Cadillac ATS. I am interested in your view on how it stacks up against the German compact sports sedans. Then I would like you to review a 2004 Mercedes S Class sedan and let us know if it is a good car 10 years later. Then you should go home and eat some cheesecake that your girlfriend made and review that too, with her sitting across the table from you.
I live in Chicago and had a 2.0 VW Beetle Turbo before getting this car. I love the 1.8 A3. It's a half second slower than the Beetle, but I never needed that speed in the first place. There's not much opportunity to use that speed in the city, and I would just get frustrated wanting to use it. The 1.8 A3 is almost as fast, but the suspension is so much more comfortable. The Beetle had very stiff suspension, which is fun for a while. I guess I just grew up.
U forgot to talk about the sound system ^^
The sound system is amazing in here
omg why ditch the grille? It's so iconic now and anything else would just seem less Audi. That'd be like an Alfa Romeo without the pennant grille: nothing short of a travesty.
Nice comparision between the prices and cars which people go for.
I looked at an A3 limosine here in germany, and I have to say that they arent worth my money. Either I go for a nice Volkswagen or an Audi A4. The base models are looking very cheap, you have to shovel money into this car to make it stand out. The US base model seems to have alot more features.
The S3 would be nice choice because it cost the same as a Golf R here.
And yes, it annoys me all the time how much less cars cost in the US... and then theres the cheaper fuel...
This is a great car. I just got the A3 TDI Prestige trim. It's considerably slower than the 2.0 TFSI variant (only 150hp vs 220hp), and even slightly slower than the 1.8 TFSI, but because of its torque it doesn't feel like it. I've taken mine through a couple of canyons here in LA, and this thing loves those corners.
That being said, I wish this was more of a liftback _a la_ the A7 rather than a sedan or hatchback. I think the A3 looks better as a sedan than a hatchback, and a liftback would preserve some of those sedan lines while allowing some of the practicality of a hatchback.
Nice video as always, I really liked your thoughts on car pricing. I personally live in a country with 180 per cent purchase price tax, meaning an A3 sedan checks out at around 57.000 USD.
The problem with the looks of the front grill is, that you guys in the US dont have numberplates in the front. With numberplates it looks way better imho.
Edit: It's even worse with the RS models i think.
Audi's are built in Germany still are they not? That would definitely cause a price hike. I know the Gen 7 GTi's are now built elsewhere so they come standard with more stuff and have a lower base price, in Canada at least.
16:17 that's the very reason I want to move to US, I'm in Australia and prices are simply sucks it's about 60k as well here :(, thanks for the review, give me a job and I'll happily move, hee hee.
Looks like a VW Jetta from the sideview.
Great review, I do like the size of the A3 saloon and the build quality is great. We hired the convertible over the summer in Italy and it was amazing to be honest! However I do think you were too harsh on the CLA, we have an A200 and while I agree below the dash the plastics are a joke for a Mercedes the dash is leather covered the doors are really well made and and dash panel has a great finish on the AMG sports line. Saying that though I don't like the looks of the CLA, unlucky that you don't get the A Class in the US which I think looks great!
Hey Nick I have an Audi S3 if you want to come to Portland, OR to review it haha.. Thanks Nick for your amazing car videos!
Also Are you sure about the UK price, the way they package the option there makes it confusing. I just selected every option and there was only about a 5k difference
Did he just compare a VW Jetta to a luxury car brand? Da Fuq
A car that competes with this is Mercedes Benz CLA, they have the same price point (under 30K), FWD, and same size.
Good review, but you missed a couple things I might add.
Mention of the S3.
Getting in and out of the front seat is difficult if you are over 6 foot as the A pillar becomes directly to your left when the seat is set farther back.
The DSG kickdown feature at the second position on the gas pedal is really a life saver on the standard 1.8t.
And you totally forgot to test the launch control ;)
Cute little Audi. Great for women and late teen/early twenties trust fund guys.
Merc CLA is right in the same price bracket
Hi, I'm planning to buy an A3 Limousine, well, probably the cheapest version 1.4T
is there any part you recommend to improve, thx
Theres also a Audi S3 that has the same body as the A3 but slight better looking and better engine.
I would love to see you review a 2015 Hyundai Genesis or 2015 Sonata Limited or Sport with the 2.0T engine!
I think the other two cup holders are in a flip down segment between the rear seats
Pretty clean looking car. Love Audi and of course your video are always on point and interesting.
As always, great review Nick. Looking forward to your six-month long review of the M4, you've got me almost convinced to switch my m3 sedan for the f30. I'll wait for the LCI.
2015 lexus ct200h is also a competitor at $32,000
1.8l hybrid with 140hp
Thats one cheap looking interior for the cheap volkswagon jetta. I would rather get a infiniti q50 over this
unlucky you guys only get 170 bhp.. i have my 2.0t TDI with 184
wasn't too impressed at first with this car, but its growing on me. the bigger wheels do wonders for the looks and the tech is really nice.
Awesome review. Can't wait to purchase this car. I was between a red or white but wow white looks Amazing!
I dream of a car like this. Too bad I'm poor... I will work so hard that I will be able to afford one when I get older!
You can get an 8P A3. They're not quite as new and nice as these ones, but they're very high quality too. And cheap.
Um.. I picked this car for my 16th birthday, do you think I made the right choice?
I'm also wondering how the A3 has treated you over the years since I'm searching for a 2015 A3 with 40k miles or less. PLEASE let me know your HONEST thoughts! Biggest repair? THANK YOU!
Really nice review as always,the interior on this car is amazing,it feels like you re sitting in a higher bracket car.I would also say that even the jettas interior is superior in quality than the a class which is indeed cheap.
P.S imagine that in Europe people buy this car with 1.6 tdi 105 horsepower and it fits them just fine,you guys there in the U.S have versions with so much more power.
How is the head room? I'm 6'3". Am I going to have room in this car? Thanks!
I just came here to say that I hate hatches. lol I love sedans.
Good review, I think it's a good idea to test the base model and people can go up if they want to spend the extra money.
I've just ordered the 1.4 cod sline here in the uk, is this available in the US?
hey, 228i engine produces 240 hp, not 220 hp.
Sportsback sucks compared to the sedan.
What model of the 2015 Audi A3 are you reviewing?