jon79f Posted April 30, 2006 Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 Quick question. I have a mate who is looking at buying an A3, reckons the GTI is built in South Africa, so Audi being built in Germany is a better car (AUD$10k more). He also says that the Audi is just as quick, and better put together. Audi also have a better corporate deal, give some companies free three years servicing, fleet discounts, etc. Want a comeback, but can't think of anything other than the fact IMHO that the GTI looks better, and is cheaper. Anyone have anything they can add? Look forward to the posts. PS, I have driven both and they both seem similar, and great in their own right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhs Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 Two main issues - safety and twisties The Golf GTI is NCAP 5, whereas the Audi only NCAP 4... Draw your own conclusions - but probably mostly due to the Golf MkV being a later design with more safety features. The setup of the GTI will also allow it to progress more quickly around twisty roads than the Audi - whereas in a straight line no major difference in performance. Many prefer the Audi's internal finish, many prefer the GTIs. Pays your money and makes your choice I suppose: performance, safety and value versus extra for Audi prestige and image (and one less NCAP pooint) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 I drove my Golf GTI DSG back to back against my friends new Audi A3 2.0T DSG the other day, and although the Audi was a nice drive, it felt neither as tight as the GTI and the steering felt more vague. Still a nice car, but not a true GTI drive, and thats what most people are after when they buy this style of car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtiveedubber Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 I have a wheels magazine article where the GTI is put up against the A3 2.0T amongst other cars. They are essentially the same car but the GTI came out on top for all the subtle differences and the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winrya Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 every review i have read has placed the GTI well above the audi. Agreed the audi is very nicely put together but doesnt look special imo. I also read that the a3 is well down on the gti in the handling department and also loses out as far as engine and exhaust note are concerned. The Audi remember is not a hot hatch, its more of a motorway muncher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 I see the Audi as a slightly different market. Whether Sportback or S3, I find it looks very bland. I considered one before ordering the GTI.....For about 10 minutes! Obviously a good car but each to their own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winrya Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 I was looking at both when i bought the gti and i really wanted to like the audi. GTI was hard to get hold of and second hand ones were fetching new list prices so i gave it a look but even in phantom black with 18's and the s line kit i was walking around thinking mmm its quite nice but not stunning and girlfriend agreeing. On the way to pop in vw (again) we were thinking maybe the audi, but once we saw the gti again there was really no comparison. The GTI was a car we really really wanted and had to buy it. I think the thing is, buy what you really want, i did and im well happy but the audi might push somebody elses buttons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjfr Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 [ QUOTE ] the audi might push somebody elses buttons. [/ QUOTE ] Like me! I'm the total oposite of Red, I love the understated looks of my S3 & I'm not a huge fan of the aggressiveness of the GTi, but each to their own. I had an option a new GTi a new A3 2.0TQ or a 2nd hand S3 - but the gorgeous subtlety of the S3 won it over for me (plus its the fastest ( )) over the blingy aggression of the new A3 and the agression of the Gti. But I think it's great that you all love your GTis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winrya Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 i have to say i much prefer the s3 to the newer a3's, that car carries a certain coolness for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjfr Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 They allways make me stare when I see them.. I just love them!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winrya Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 [/ QUOTE ] (plus its the fastest ( ). [/ QUOTE ] i'll give you that .1 secs quicker to 60 and .4 sec quicker to 100mph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjfr Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 As quick as a Mk4 R32... just ask ross g Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMC950 Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 Not wishing to sound like a biased (soon-to-be) Gti owner, but the advice from the trade would appear to be overwhelming. To me there is no better alternative in its class, from Audi, Ford, Honda or whoever. Possibly, the Mk5 Gti is the best hot-hatch, since it all began 30 years ago. (Although when I was at school my fav car in the world was an Escort Cosworth!) Consistently the GTi beats its rivals - not on power, performance or value for money necessarily, but as a total package it is by far the best combination of all. It has: 1. The best chassis by far 2. The best residuals by far 3. Probably the best image 4. Probably the most 'drivable' performance 5. The best set-up balance between every day ride and on the limit handling 6. The best noise 7. Probably the best steering wheel and steering feedback 8. The best build quality and interior class 9. The safest 10. Even Jeremy Clarkson reckons its the ducks nutts. Someone said on here a few weeks ago 'Even if you were loaded and could have whatever cars you wanted, you'd still have one of these in your stabble'. Which just about sums it up. Mine arrives this week but I've already driven a few. I reckon its an utterly superb combination of shopping trolly, b-road rocket, or m1 mile muncher. I'd need double the money and an M3 before I felt I had a better all round car. (R32 doesn't count as I couldn't justify spending another 5 grand on basically the same car... no lecture on V6/ 4x4 needed). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 For the past 12 months I had my mind absolutely set on a A3 having previously had one as a company car. They're beautifully made with very high quality materials - better that the GTI imo. However, December last year I walked straight across from looking at Audi's on a forecourt and started nosing around a gti out of curiousity. Both myself and my wife who was also set on Audi were constantly talking about the GTI on the way home. We hadn't even sat in it! I do think the Audi has a slightly more upmarket image (more prestige). After much thinking I made my mind up that it had to be a GTI. Why...much less common than the Audi, same engine, better suspension set up and sportier looks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 Methinks that the new Mazda hot hatch might beat all the current hot hatches including the GTI in terms of performance and probably value for money. Still, we'll wait and see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 Zoom Zoom! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixit Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 No point even thinking about this one if you want your car to go round corners with any kind of interaction. Simple sum .... GTi = Twisties A3 = Tesco's IMO natch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzGTI Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 I had dertermined to buy an A3TFSI Sportback - probably would still have if I hadn't found the GTI. There is lots to like about the A3 - even more to like about the GTI. I had owned 3 Audi's previously, generally happy with all of them but none can come close to the GTI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 [ QUOTE ] No point even thinking about this one if you want your car to go round corners with any kind of interaction. Simple sum .... GTi = Twisties A3 = Tesco's IMO natch. [/ QUOTE ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Methinks that the new Mazda hot hatch might beat all the current hot hatches including the GTI in terms of performance and probably value for money. Still, we'll wait and see. [/ QUOTE ] It does look like a cracking car. Plus the ne Volvo hatch is coming out, top spec with 300bhp and AWD Although they're not my type of car, the new CTR looks set to be one of the best handling in the class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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