Help me decide: A3 or MS3

[hjj]

The left side of my brain says: "go for the MS3; much more hp and a lot less $$", but the right side is saying: "look at that Audi A3 2.0T; great styling and the DSG tranny is to die for. You can always buy extra hp (about 50) by reprograming the ECU". I'm going nuts while the two sides of my brain keep arguing. Can anybody help me?


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[LASERBLUE135]

hmmm, ms3 or ms3 minus $10k...hmmm

 

[DeanSweet]

since Audi has questionable mechanical reliability... I would go for the MS3 and keep the change for 'upgrades'...

 

[B1GHAM]

With the Audi A3, as much as I love Audis, youre really buying nothing more than an overpriced rebadged GTI. If you said S3, it would be a little bit more comparible and might be worth it, but then youd be adding about another 10k.

Audi/VW has also not had the best track record as of late for reliability. I Had a 2003 Jetta that had more than its fair share of mechanical problems in the 50k miles I owned it (purchased new). If I had no warranty, I would have probably payed out close to 8k in repairs on a vehicle that I did not abuse.

Dont get me wrong, I LOVE German cars, but unless you can afford to pay to fix a car with over-inflated prices on products and parts, stay away from Audi.

The MS3 uses the 2.3 DISI-T motor which has been listed as one of the 10 best motors of '06 and reliability through Mazda has a better track record as of late (with the exception of minor issues with no effect on car performance). You would also be purchasing a vehicle thats of limited production (meaning youd be 1 in 5000 that actually HAS one) and better performance.

Up to you, but my choice hands down is the MS3

 

[nonopr]

Buy MS3

I personally own an A4 and I have pass it on to my Girlfriend for her to use. Now I drive an MS3.
the only good about the Audi is the better quality interiors.
That is it.

 

[Protege52003]

MS3 gets my vote all the way........the A3 is nice though!

-R

 

[hjj]

How about the DSG Vs 6 sp manual

The left side of my brain says: "go for the MS3; much more hp and a lot less $$", but the right side is saying: "look at that Audi A3 2.0T; great styling and the DSG tranny is to die for. You can always buy extra hp (about 50) by reprograming the ECU". I'm going nuts while the two sides of my brain keep arguing. Can anybody help me?


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The transmission figures heavily in my indecision. The DSG is probably the best of its kind, way better than BMW's SMG. I have read a couple of so-so reviews about the 6 sp on the MS3. How is it? Not only for the fun value but as a daily driver.

hjj

 

[VermZ06]

I've seen a killer red A3 around here from time to time, and everytime I look at it I think to myself that's one hell of a nice car...but it doesn't hold a candle to the MS3 in terms of looks and power. Screw AWD with this global warming crap going on especially in New England we may never see snow here again! MS3 is exclusive and essentially the top of mazdas performance lineup. If you go MS3 you won't have any buyers remorse.

 

[spike blue]

i vote for the ms3, i own an audi a4 sline and i love it, but B1HAM said vw/audi in reliability is not good , though the new the a4 i have has not problems at all!! I love mazda and the sportier looks in all the models!! Get the ms3 is a awesome car for it price!!!

 

[SwampAss]

The latest generation Audi/VW platform is supposed to be leaps and bounds better than the MK4. You are certainly paying for the Audi badge. That can be good or bad. Sometimes the sum of a car is greater than its stats. Drive them both for extended test drives if you can. The DSG is a lot of fun. It took me a while to stop lifting off the gas when I shifted.

 

[RPI-Speed3]

Is it really worth a $10k premium to drive an Audi? I mean, come on now, $33k for their entry level car? The DSG is cool, but not worth the extra money. If you got the MS3 with every available option, then put on the Mazdaspeed kit, you would still be around $27k. You do the same with the Audi and you are near $40k!!! The MS3 has more power, cheaper to operate, and you're part of an exclusive club (limited production).

Personally the only Audi I'd buy is the RS4 (and maybe the R8 when it comes out).

 

[SwampAss]

the 10k is purely subjective. Why would someone spend $20k on an original Dali when they can spend $300 on a Thomas Kinkade? Spec sheet to spec sheet may make the choice easy to some. I don't drive a spec sheet.

 

[WildChild]

I don't think you should by either the MS3 or the Audi. You really should be looking at the VW GTI. Audi DSG with the MS3 pricetag.

 

[hjj]

I've decided ...

I don't think you should by either the MS3 or the Audi. You really should be looking at the VW GTI. Audi DSG with the MS3 pricetag.

I just picked up a silver Grand Touring MS3. Right up until the end my heart and my brain where out of sync. For me it was the right decision even though the A3 had a tremendous appeal to me. The key factors in my decision were:

Hefty price difference
Reliability (I've had experience with VW's and it was not good)
Resale value (only 5k MS3's in the US)
Performance

in that order. The A3 is gorgeous and luxurious but, for my income bracket, the MS3 is the smart choice. I appreciate all the input and advice from you guys.

PS: I can't wait to meet an A3 at a traffic light ...

 

[BKK Jack]

Congratulations on what will surely be a popular choice on this forum. I have a NA 3s and love it. I can only imagine the MS3 is just that much better. Enjoy, and if you are looking to do something useful with the money you saved, I could use it to join a golf club.(poke)

 

[Mspeed3]

welcome to the club

 

[wishingfora ms3]

i know audi's are really nice and can be pretty fast. i took my grandmothers brand new audi a4 2.0t from new jersey to virginia and back with no problems at all.
volkswagons are also very reliable as my sister has a vw bug and nothing has ever really broken on the car.
but mazda is now owned by ford for a while and i worry about the reliability of them. are fords reliable and if not does this mean that mazda's are also not as reliable either?

 

[SilverBulletES]

I vote a used 2001 A4 Avant 1.8T Quattro -- plus some goodies from here
http://goapr.com/Audi/products/ecu_upgrade_a418t.html

Better looking than the A3. You can get a used A4 wagon for 8-12K.
That's what I'd get if my Protege got totaled tomorrow.

 

[SwampAss]

I vote a used 2001 A4 Avant 1.8T Quattro -- plus some goodies from here
http://goapr.com/Audi/products/ecu_upgrade_a418t.html

Better looking than the A3. You can get a used A4 wagon for 8-12K.
That's what I'd get if my Protege got totaled tomorrow.

And you'd be kicking yourself a few months later. I've had a fair amount of experience with both the Audi and its VW counterpart. Audis are much nicer (both in ride and fit/finish) but suffer from the same maladies as the V-dub. It's bad when you buy an Audi/VW and a few weeks later end up buying a VAG-COM to figure out why XXXXXXX dash light in on. I got really good at fixing my 2002 Golf 1.8t. That wasn't by choice.
BTW, GIAC is a lot better than APR. I've seen a few cars with buggy SW from APR. GIAC was spot on every time.

 

[dcomiskey]

I was a day away from ordering an A3 when I test drove the MS3. First, the MS3 saved me $5,000. The biggest factors? Way more power in the MS3 (to get to 263 hp on the A3 will cost you at LEAST $1,500...), LSD and, most importantly, MORE SPACE. The trunk space in the A3 is virtually non-existent. You get something like 4 cubic feet more storage space in the MS3 than the A3. That's a lot of room. The "feel" of the A3 is superior, but you pay for it. Personally, I think the DSG tranny is s***. I test drove an A3 3.2 DSG and I absolutely hated it the entire time. 6 speed rules my world.

Anyway, unless you're a badge ***** and HAVE to have that horrid tranny, then the A3 is the way to go. Otherwise, the MS3 is a steal comparitively speaking. (I see the OP has already made his purchaase, but this is for anyone in the same boat as it seems many of us are cross-shopping these cars)