More I see the jetta, the more I just can't figure out what they were thinkin
 

This angle is just awful:

<img src="http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/uploads/043__scaled_600_002.jpg" border="0">

Why spend $25K on that, when for just a little more you can have this:

<img src="https://www.audiworld.com/news/05/losangeles/a3/header.jpg" border="0">

The price difference between the two will easily be negated when you consider the free service/maintenance and the better reliability.

Yep. The VW design team guaranteed Audi will be getting my business next.

I saw the A3 at the auto show for the first time...
 

and I was unimpressed. Funny thing is, they had it on a platform behind a velvet rope. Are they kidding, why would they keep the public away from a $25,000 car that they're trying to sell boatloads of?

The interior is pretty stellar and I'm sure it's got plenty of pep with the 2.0 and no quattro. It better drive pretty sweet to get my business...an '04 S4 is looking better all the time.

RE: $25,000 Jettas...somebody will pay much but few will. VW can't sell their cars for MSRP while Audi will with the A3. If a nicely loaded Jetta msrp's at $25,000 I imagine it won't sell for a dime more than $22,000.

A3 is hot! that is all

I think it looks like a Corolla. LameO.

call me crazy
 

My wife has 4500 miles on her new jetta &amp; loves it. true it has corolla tail lights, but interior very german.

Its hard to pay $10K more for an A4 wiuth the same options....

Right, but I'll gladly pay $5k more for an A3 that doesnt look like every other econobox out there.
 

The ONLY reason I am even into VW/Audi is because when I went car shopping I liked how distinctive and upscale the Jetta looked despite being in the relatively low price range I was shopping.

The fact of the matter is that VW is going after the Corolla market share and in the process they are loosing their unique identity.

I thought the same way for awhile but it looks alot better in person
 

the corolla syndome is gone when you put the two side by side, they are very different..

$30K for a bare bones A3...nope
 

&amp; its a station wagon...

There's really no such thing as a "bare bones" A3 or Jetta.
 

Pricing from Edmunds.com-
A3 2.0T Manual 6 speed $24,740
A3 2.0T DSG $26,140

Sports Package $1800
Premium Package $2025
Metallic/Pearl Effect Paint $450
Cold Weather Package $700
Sound Package $900
Satellite Radio (XM or Sirius) $350
Open Sky $1100
Rear Side Airbags $350
Xenon Headlights $500

SOLD ORDER ONLY OPTIONS
Convenience Package $675
Audi Navigation Plus $1950
Audi Navigation Plus and Sound Package $2850
Venetian Violet $1000
Morano Green $1000

Destination Charge $720


Hatch it may be, but the lines and proportions are much sexier than the slab-sided, goofy a-pillar Jorolla. No offense, but I was really looking forward to the MKV Jetta and aside from the engine/suspension/interior I am sorely dissapointed. The Civic Si/GTI may grow on me, but I just dont see it happening with the Jetta.

If I wanted something that looked Japanese, well, I'd buy something Japanese.