jeff968

Having purchased a new 1999.5 5 speed manual 1.8T A4 and a 2006 6 speed manual 2.0T I was seriously considering the new A3. It reminded me of my 99 in size and looked like a great car for my third Audi but then I read NO Manual transmission!!! WHAT!!! How could this be!!! Very disappointing. I very much enjoy the shifting fun of my Audi.

BSW

To all those complaining about the lack of a manual, your argument would be made a lot better if you explained *why* you didn't like the steptronic. This isn't the same slushbox found in the Q5, and I haven't seen too many people that have tried the steptronic and been unsatisfied with it. It's faster and more efficient than any of us.

LWNY

if cars like the Toyota IS-F or many variations of Porsche could get get away with putting a slushbox in their cars, surely a dual clutch automated manual would get more respect.

jeff968

I understand the idea behind the automatic in my Q5. I'm hauling the family in that vehicle and for that type of driving and that environment, it fits. But for MY personal cars, where fun is a requirement, a manual is the only way to go. I would suggest you drive a few cars with both trannys and see if you agree with me. I have only manuals on my fun cars and that makes them more enjoyable to drive. I know the manual is alive and well in Europe.

MikeSS

European countries all share the same auto safety standards. The U.S. requires that every variation of chassis, engine, and transmission undergo crash and emissions testing. This means that a manufacturer must predict enough sales of each combination to cover the testing costs and still make a profit. The percentage of manual sales of A3s has been falling in the last few years so it may not be profitable to offer it as an option.

Apparently VW sells more manual-equipped models than Audi so they can continue to make them available.

LWNY

that's what I use to say when ABS came out, that it was part of the fun applying my skills slamming and modulating the brakes so that it doesn't lock up. Now that ABS is the way it is, I just slam it and go even harder into corners, where it is harder to control than before and more of my skills are applied.

Now if you don't have to worry about double clutching, rev matching on downshifts, you could shift alot more than usual and apply that newfound method into better lap times.

TheNit

I would suggest, at least in Canada, that the reason there are fewer manual transmissions being sold in A3s is because you can only get them on the front wheel drive model. I would get an A4 Quattro w/MT before getting an A3 FWD. It's crazy. The new A3 sedan is about the same size as my wife's 1999 A4 w/MT and would be a perfect replacement but we only buy manual transmissions. My wife prefers a manual because she feels she has better control of the car (engine braking, etc.).

There is a petition that was started on Jays Car Blog to bring the A3 Quattro with a manual transmission to North America. The link is below...

https://www.change.org/petitions/aud...-transmission#

jeff968

Modulating the brakes is fun? Well, to each his own I guess. That one I never missed. Thank goodness some companies still remember us manual drivers. I was glad to see the latest 2013 VW R was offered only with a 6 speed. Maybe they'll get my money next year.

sparkyjack

I recently had a conversation about the lack of manual transmissions with the Sales manager that has sold me my last three cars.

He's a big fan of the DSG transmission and citing all of it's good points, and to be honest I understand and appreciate it's good points.
He went on mentioned that he gave a bunch of grief to the area rep he deals that recently ordered an A5 with a manual transmission.

When I buy a car I try to avoid buying a car and doing things that are going to cause me pain, agony, suffering or be expensive to maintain. Some would respond to this as question my why I buy Audi's if I'm looking to avoid all of those things.

My reasoning behind buying Audi's is they are distinctive cars offering me a level of comfort and safety that I appreciate.

I have a '99 a4 1.8t that's will turn 200k before in the next few weeks, we've spent a fair amount of money on the car to maintain it and repair things, but in general I think it has a very respectable reliability record. Then again I'm biased, and may overlook or forget about things because I really like Audis.

At this point in time I don't think the DSG has been around long enough to prove that it will 200k miles with nothing more than (very expensive) fluid changes.

I hope that in 3-5 years I hope that Audi stll offers cars with a manual transmission.

Jack

kgall

My wife would love an A3 quattro. In a TDI. And, unlike most of the posters on this thread, in DSG.
Course, given how long we keep cars, her next one will be about 2020, so I doubt Audi will make current marketing decisions based on selling to her. Oh, well.