Wando

https://www.audiworld.com/forum/m/a3/msgs/1364.phtml
https://www.audiworld.com/forum/m/a3/msgs/1363.phtml
https://www.audiworld.com/forum/m/a3/msgs/1362.phtml

Deep

As someone once said, "what would you rather be looking at on you steering wheel, a VW logo or the four rings??"
I personally think the Audi is a classier car and at least when I bought mine there were a lot less A3's in the UK than the GTI's. Its a choice of the heart!!!!

Tony
A3 1.8T '98

IJ

I agree with most comments below. Audi is that much more special and better car than GTI. I am not just biast A3 owner, I loved GTI too. But I had a very close look and feel before choosing A3 over GTI. I drove GTI for full 3 days (yes, they let you test-drive new cars where I live) before I bought. For me A3's uniqueness is also important. It's different to most smaller cars, yet it's very subtle and stylish, not to speak about its techinal specs. and build quality.
IJ
99A31.8T(190bhp)

IJ

NZ specs were the same like driver-x describes. No trip computer, no fog lights, no seat heating and steering is only height adjustable
IJ
99A31.8T(190bhp)

Pedulla

I have a GTI GLX VR6 and I have to admit, if the A3 were available in the US, I would be driving an Audi.

BUT, the VR6 vs 1.8T thing would give me some trouble. I'm a big fan of 6-cyl motors. Have you considered the VR6? (I know 6's aren't popular outside US, but the torque is CRAZY!)

Wando

V6's are just chicanes for 1.8T's!

driver-x

Thanks Pedulla. In fact my dream car was the GTI VR6, I currently own
an Mk3 GTI 2.0 8v, since I couldn't afford the VR6 when I bought it, snif!
I wanted very baddly, but at that time I didn't have the money. :-(

Now I think the 1.8T engine 'chipped' is a blast, specially in torque with
more than 235 lbs/ft (50+ than the VR6, and 30+ than a chipped VR6).

In any other way I like the VR6 but it's price here in my country is
prohibitive. It costs around USD 30k and with that money I can buy the
A3 or the GTI and put in a lot of mods!!! ;-)

Thank you for your toughts anyway.

driver-x

Thank you all for your input. I greatly appreciate it.

I'm pretty convinced that the A3 is a better car, stiffer and a little bit quicker,
but here in my country the GTI comes better equipped, so I have to think
more for a while.

I haven't decided yet... mmm... Is very difficult.

Thanks again folks and I will let you know my choice later.

Pedulla

Like I said ... if they had A3's in the US, I would be driving an Audi.

Good luck.

Siper2

By the sounds of things, you'd only lose out on the Bose stereo and Climatronic.
Climate control is nice and all, but to me it's not too hard to reach over and turn a **** if you want the temperature higher or lower, and it seems all any climate-system does is, well, do it for you. No big loss, there.

As for the stereo... well, Bose is terrible. For 1/2 the dealer cost of the Bose system, you can install something twice as good, aftermarket, even off of the stock head unit.

Maybe the missing check computer is a loss for some, but since you're asking opinions... I wouldn't even miss it. Not sure about suspension specs, but people here say the A3 is better off than the VW, so that's a big favor in Audi's court... Though I still say VW is the better bet.

Unless you positively must stare at four circles rather than a VW logo. =)

-S2-<p>~~~-~~~-~~~-
-S2-
"You can't keep looking to the past. You'll keep tripping over things in the present." -'Don'-