Audi A3 advice please

qmac

It might sound like changing like for like, but I am considering trading in my 99 Golf 1.4 (90k) for a 00 A3 Ambition 1.6 with 116k on the clock.

For starters, can someone enlighten me as to what the Ambition part means?
Also, did the A3 model change around 00 and how can I find out which one I am looking at?

Any advice at all would be appreciated here folks, I've never owned an Audi, what are the main pitfalls for an A3 of this age?

Thanks

markos79

well qmac,
where do i start if i were you id steer clear of that A3,with 116k on the clock its a bit like a time bomb to be honest well it was for me,a few years ago i bought an audi A4 1.6 se and had nothing but trouble from it, when i got it it had 98k on the clock and within 3 months i had to replace the gearbox.the car went grand for a while but then more problems catalytic converter,exaust,abs sensors,clutch,central locking,to name a few.my car never had an nct cert because i gave up trying.since my A4 i have only driven japanese cars and have never had problems with them.

i know alot of other people will tell you that A3s are great cars, you never know you might get lucky but its a no no from me.

whatever car you go for good luck with it!:D

pureirish

Had a new one a couple of years ago. After 2 steering racks and a catalytic converter and a few trips back to the dealer it was a very nice to drive :rolleyes:

bazz26

qmac wrote: »

It might sound like changing like for like, but I am considering trading in my 99 Golf 1.4 (90k) for a 00 A3 Ambition 1.6 with 116k on the clock.

For starters, can someone enlighten me as to what the Ambition part means?
Also, did the A3 model change around 00 and how can I find out which one I am looking at?

Any advice at all would be appreciated here folks, I've never owned an Audi, what are the main pitfalls for an A3 of this age?

Thanks

The A3 uses the same platform and uses the same engines (bar 1.4) as the Golf you have at the moment. It drives and handles similarly to the Golf too. The A3 got a small facelift in 2000, the noticable differences were the front headlights and indicators which became one unit.

Pre faclifted A3:


Post facelifted A3:



Ambition is the trim or spec similar to the Golf's baseline or Highline.

To be honest I don't think you are making any real progress or improvement in going from a 99 Golf upto a 00 Golf wearing a posh badge, with more mileage to boot imo.

colm_mcm

qmac wrote: »

For starters, can someone enlighten me as to what the Ambition part means?

Ironically, it's a desire to achieve something.

EPM

suits the audi then...

qmac

That's pretty sound advice guys, thanks.

The picture of the 00 model above is the actual car I have been looking at.

My problem is the Golf has been a bit of a money pit since I bought it in August, so I want to get something from a dealer with at least three to six months warranty and long NCT (like the one above).

I had my doubts about the 1.4 Golf in the first place, so I just want to get something more reliable, and possibly with a bit more poke - I'm being revved half to death on the M50 at the moment.

L-M

Are you trading in the Golf or are you going to sell privatly?

groupb

qmac wrote: »

That's pretty sound advice guys, thanks.

The picture of the 00 model above is the actual car I have been looking at.

My problem is the Golf has been a bit of a money pit since I bought it in August, so I want to get something from a dealer with at least three to six months warranty and long NCT (like the one above).

I had my doubts about the 1.4 Golf in the first place, so I just want to get something more reliable, and possibly with a bit more poke - I'm being revved half to death on the M50 at the moment.

Buy a focus.
Far superior to a A3.:)

qmac

Limerick man wrote: »

Are you trading in the Golf or are you going to sell privatly?

Selling privately is a nightmare at the moment, so I'm trading in.

qmac

groupb wrote: »

Buy a focus.
Far superior to a A3.:)

I must admit that the Focus is the second car on the list of possibilities.

Sofiztikated

Focus is a great car, I'd rate it over the Golf/A3 any day. The diesel is a great engine, but the petrol isn't bad either. The most popular in Ireland was the 1.4 petrol, which I have and am in two minds about changing at the mo, is grand, IF a little underpowered, which then leaves it harder on stuff. The 1.6 is better, with the 1.8 petrol being the best trade off between power and juice.

L-M

qmac wrote: »

Selling privately is a nightmare at the moment, so I'm trading in.

Out of curiousity, what are they allowing you?

qmac

My car plus €2,500 to change - so €2,250 for the Golf against the A3.
Although I haven't been back to haggle yet.