Drove a friend's A3 2.0T yesterday -- thoughts
 

I drove my friend's A3 2.0T sport package, manual, open sky yesterday. Overall I was really impressed.

Highlights:
1) We had four six-footers in the car and lots of gear in the back, but the car felt really quick. The 2.0T has plenty of power to merge onto I5 and make quick moves when needed. The 3.2 is totally unnecessary and not worth the increased price and gas mileage penalty.
2) The shifter was smooth and the clutch was really easy to get used to. I jumped right in and went without hesitation.
3) Open Sky made the back seat seem much bigger than it is, especially since it reduces head room a little. I found myself looking up at the mountain tops through the rough, not the windows.
4) Gas mileage was great. We were getting 30mpg+ on the highway with a fully loaded car. I can't get that in my BMW 330Cic.
5) Looks: subjectively, I think this is a great looking car, much nicer than the A4 or A6. But that's clearly just my $0.02

Downsides:
1) The backseat is tight, not in legroom but in headroom. I'm 6'1"+ and my head was firmly against the ceiling on the drive out there. That's part of why I got to drive home. :)
2) No Quattro. If the A3 2.0T had Quattro, it would be utterly amazing! As it is, it's a really good car. I'm not a big fan of front wheel drive, because it's typically very easy to spin the wheels if you're not focused on power delivery. I currently drive a 2006 BMW 330Ci convertible (manual, sport package, etc) and I love the feeling of rear-wheel drive.

Overall the A3 is a great car! My friend got it for under $30K using the CostCo price schedule and by giving up the Xenons. It makes me wonder whether my BMW was worth 50% more!<ul><li><a href="http://home.comcast.net/~jrdailey/330Cic.jpg">My BMW 330Cic</a></li></ul>

Great review, wish I had Manual and Quattro, I'm Patient :)

3.2L + 6 speed manual + quattro = shweeeetnness ;)
 

add a turbo, and prepare to change your trousers

<img src="http://boki-san.smugmug.com/photos/133609253-L-1.jpg">

Re: The 3.2 is totally unnecessary and not worth the increased price. Not if you need quattro

I only drive manual. Even Quattro won't change that.
 

Even the best automatic (and yes, I've driven DSG) isn't nearly as much fun as a good manual.

Former BMW owner that bought a A3....
 

I bought a 3.2 with quattro. You are right it is totally unnessary. I could have bought a honda civic and saved a whole bunch of money :)

It took me several months to appreciate DSG. Not sure it's something you can gauge in a few test drives. First car I have ever owned that didn't have a clutch.

Is your 330 worth 50 % more ? Yes, for someone that wants a RWD performance sedan.