Does anyone here have one? Opinions?
I get to order a new company car and the A3 wagon is one of my choices. It’s between that and a Subaru Forrester. I test drove the Subaru today and it was nice but the thought of an Audi seems fun…
I have one. I like it a lot. During the summer, its always packed with luggage and my bike traveling to some triathlon. You must remove the front wheel, but a bike fits very nicely inside.
2 questions: What engine for each car? Does the company pay for gas?
I have the non-turbo Forester (08), and it’s good for our family. I had a 09 loaner for a day, and liked the 08 better- a much leaner feeling car. If they pay for gas and all, and you can get a turbo, I’d go for the Audi.
Yes gas is covered.
I plan on test driving one tomorrow. It looks like a fun car.
I have an '02 forester and also had an '09 loaner for a day. I agree. The '09 feels kind of bloated.
I have one. I like it a lot. Although, it has one quirk that drives me crazy: it rolls about a foot after you put it in park if you don’t use the emergency brake. Not really a big deal though.
You know what it is? The doorframes come up high, as does the dash- you sit very deep in the car. It has a soft feel to the suspension- good for highway cruising when half asleep. Maybe the turbo feels different.
Which version of the A3? There are three (kinda).
The A3 2.0 T makes 200 horsepower with an inline four-cylindar spark-ignition turbocharged engine. It comes in two versions - six speed manual or six speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) automatic. The DSG is awesome. Clutchless shifting that actually feels like a manual. It gets 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. It is, essentially, a “fancier” version of the VW GTI, which is what I have. Front wheel drive. Insane power and acceleration. Corners like a dream. I absolutely love it. I took a test drive of this version of the A3, and it was very similiar. Fantastic fun car. Back seats fold down. Easily fit two bikes in the back. Love it.
Then there is a 3.2 liter V6, usually referred to as the “3.2 Quattro.” It will pull 250 horsepower with its spark-ignition DOHC. This model is all-time, all-wheel drive. It has a lot of punch, but, the extra weight causes a little sluggishness. Because of the heavier weight, not much gain in performance, but, the all-wheel drive is nice. It gets 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. I had an Audi A6 4.2 Quattro. It was awesome, but, while it was powerful, it never felt quick or nible.
I do not think it is any contest. A3 all the way.
Not exactly the same, but my wife just bought an Audi A4 last spring. We test drove the A4, the Subaru Outback and Subaru Forrester. Not even close. The Audi is a great car. The Subaru’s were nice, but the Audi was just much more refined. In fact the only problem I have with the Audi is that I don’t get to drive it much! 
As much as I like Subarus, I’d take an Audi over a Forrester any day.
Ask Andy for her thoughts, as she actually had one.
Can I come work for you guys?
**Can I come work for you guys? **
I know, right? I was totally surprised it was on the pick list; usually it’s the same old stuff.
I think I’m convinced, the Audi it is! It will just look so good on me… 
Oh, and it’s the A3 2.0
Isn’t the Audi a much more expensive car?
Audi makes great cars that have an excellent look and feel. Total cost of ownership (purchase price, fuel charges, maintenance) on Audi’s is average, and well below that of Subarus, but it sounds like your company will be picking up most of the tab. The A3 is a sports compact, with a decent safety rating. However, their leg safety rating is pretty poor, but that is fairly standard for cars of this size. Subaru’s safety ratings are outstanding for the Forrester. I would not drive the A3 over the pass during the winter or in anything more than light snow. It doesn’t weigh anything. Again, for wet and inclement weather the Forrester is the far superior car. If you lived in Seattle, I would say the Audi would be a fine choice, but living where you do, I’d think about the bigger, all weather car.
The Audi curb weight is 3263 and the Subaru is between 3140 and 3320 depending upon options.
Not sure where you get your cost of ownership info, but Audi, in my experience, is a much more expensive car to own. Depreciation and maintenance (and initial cost) are much higher, but fuel consumption is crappy on most Subies. But since it is a company provided vehicle, with gas paid for, cost is irrelevant.
The only thing that would push me to the Subie in this choice is that the Audi would not be quattro, and living in a snowy climate, I think that AWD is a requirement.
We are saying the same thing, the Audi is a much more expensive car to own, but the bulk of the cost if being picked up by her employer. I based my TCO calculation on my ownership of Audis and Subarus. The Forrester and the A3 get about the same gas mileage based on the published stats. Our Outback gets 24 mpg, but Jenn does not drive it like Ayrton Senna. I’m surprised the weights are so close. I suspect the Forrestor has a wider wheel base however.
Isn’t the Audi a much more expensive car?
Dude, get with the program. Ask your wife, she’ll explain.
The 2.0T engine is a great engine
and the DSG transmission is a sweet transmission.
The A3 wagon is a pretty sweet car too.
Also consider the VW GTI, almost the same thing, less expensive. (exact same drivetrain, similar chassis)
The only thing that could possibly change my mind if I were you is if you can get the A3 with Quattro. Not sure how much winter driving you do but all wheel drive is a freaking life saver for us here in WV with hills and snow.
If you’re going to be doing a lot of highway driving in good weather conditions, get the Audi. If you’re going to be driving in crap weather, get the Subie.