Decision on my '97:
 

Thanks for all the comments pro and con, encouragements, offers and rebukes. I've made my decision.

I'm going to fix the car with OE parts (albeit used) and then try to sell it at a fair, as opposed to fire-sale price.

Dunno whether I'll recoup the cost of the repairs, but at least I'll have the confidence of handing over a running car with all records and no (known) current problems.

Waiting for an A3 with quattro and manual trans. Maybe I'll just go WRX.

Thanks again for your thoughtful consideration.

WRX > A3 in performance&fun but not in comfort...

I highly doubt that. a5 chassis is far better than a wrx

Good decision.

Good decision. Sadly the Farqtards running AudiUSA are asking for all slushboxes these days.
 

Idiots. It's like I got in a time machine and went back to 1985 when most of the Euro car companies US operations were run by idiot veterans from Detroit and decided to ask for lots of auto boxes and very few high-end models/trim/sport-options/etc.

Every time I've shopped for a new Audi, the manuals have been in high demand and dealers say they are tough to get and won't negotiate on them...

Yet corporate now has decided no manuals except for a few narrow model/engine configs & the sports cars. I blame it on a combination of 2 things - 1. mis-reading the overall U.S. market proportions as applying to their target buyer segment and 2. the self-fulfilling prophecy of sending over few manuals and then saying "see, we hardly sold any last year! order less next time!"

I've talked to dealers who tell stories of arguing with USA for models and options and manuals and just get stonewalled - same thing happened with the A3 for years, most dealers thought they'd sell a ton but USA wouldn't consider it...

BMW, please send Audi a fruit basket and a thank you card for that easy market share.

</rant>

a price difference is even farer... 1xA5 = almost 2xWRX.

a5=golf mk5 chassis. I'm not talking about the b8 A5.

WRXs are GREAT! I've had mine for a couple years now
 

What it gives up in comfort (which is honestly not that much) you get back in bombproof reliability and low cost of ownership, not to mention driving enjoyment.

the 3.2 VR6 engine is incredible and has HUGE potential, i vote for the A3
 

Variable cam timing, variable path intake manifold,variable exhaust flap are factory equipment.
Why should you trade off confort and style? I'm all Audi. :)
HPA specializes in tuning these engines.....they have a 565whp TT with the 3.2 twin turbo engine
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/92966/ft565engine.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/92966/ft565turbos.jpg">
here's a taste of it<ul><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0ye3qNyCkw">3.2VR6 TT in goTTzilla, built by HPA</a></li></ul>

What a sound!!! awesome!! god i love cars with engine character!!!