5k: Upmarket Golf: 2007 Audi A3 2.0T 6-spd
The Audi A3 was first available in North America in the second generation (type 8P) and was sold from 2006-2012. MSRP for a brand new A3 in 2007 started at $25k and increased easily into the $30k range with a few options. Mercifully, the magic of depreciation has lowered the prices to something much more reasonable. Find this 2007 Audi A3 2.0T 6-spd
for sale in Philadelphia, PA currently bidding for $6,700 with a few hours to go.
The Audi A3 does share most of its mechanical components with Volkswagen’s Golf, but this isn’t a bad thing as the Golf has been one of the few front-drive cars sought after by enthusiasts for years. Buy this one with 85k miles on the odometer for roughly the cost of a few options when new…not bad.
The A3 is powered by VW/Audi’s supreme 2.0TFSI engine. The turbocharged, intercooled and direct injected alloy engine is a torque monster that puts out 200 horsepower and 207 ft-lbs of torque at 1800 rpm. A simple chip/ecu upgrade will add 50 horsepower and 100 ft-lbs of torque if you are willing to push the limits of your engine components a bit. The chip upgrade really transforms the car and the amount of time spent at the new boost levels are low, so engine life is probably unaffected.
This A3 is the base stripper model, no fancy leather seats, no DSG gearbox, but it isn’t a bad way to have a modern Audi product, even the base models are well equipped. Strangely enough this is one of the few cars we think the front-wheel-drive version is more fun to drive than the all-wheel-drive version. Something about the lighter weight and torque-steering lunacy of the front-driver is just more fun than the forward grip of the AWD model.
See a better Golf variant for less? email us here: tips@dailyturismo.com
Absolutely correct re FWD as the superior driving experience. The torque steer makes it feel more alive than the quattro sibling, especially under throttle on long sweeping turns and on-ramps. In 1997 I bought a 3 year old civic DX for $9k, mainly because I knew nothing at the time about dealer pricing and hold-back shenanigans. This looks like a pretty solid deal given the mileage.
Absolutely incorrect! The original poster and doctordel must live in Colorado or Washington – they've been smoking something! Since when does torque steer enhance the driving experience??!! Seriously guys, put down the crack pipe and walk away! Besides, it's obvious to anyone who has actually driven one of these cars that the original poster (and doctordel by association) is talking out of their ass, as there is virtually zero torque steer. And anyone who has actually compared the FWD to the AWD version of these cars will tell you the quattro is VASTLY superior in every respect.
I've spent a lifetime dedicated to the VAG product line as a VW/Audi/Porsche mechanic and aftermarket modifier, and a driving instructor for the Audi club for almost 20 years, so I know my way around an understeering pig and have driven practically every VAG product brought to the US, and several that have not (yes, even a Sport quattro) so it is with a certain degree of authority that I implore you to kindly stop smoking drugs.
Dude?! (excuse the smoke filled haze,but) Have you never driven a less capable car that is more fun/pleasurable than a perfectly dialed in one? When its not a timed event, its frequently the smiles per mile that count. That's why, sometimes, its more fun to hang out with the funniest person in the room, rather than the smartest.
[ crickets chirping ]
[ a dog barks in the distance ]
Well, sir or madam, you make a point, possibly a reasonable one. May I just say, however, and with all due respect: as a matter of civility, if your intent was in any way lighthearted or ironic, it was lost when you posted as Anonymous.
Perhaps you are one of the regular Anonymouses here. If you would all use a name — and it is utterly simple to do as has been pointed out several times by myself and others — then you would be able to establish a persona tied to that screen name and we would all, over time, get to know you. And then, when you let loose the fury, we would have a context for it.
Also, you should be aware doc and the guys have sworn they never inhaled, but they do all drink cosmopolitans and chew qat, which may help fine tune your analysis of their wacky opinions.
RWD FTW
I love it when someone claims to be an expert on how a car drives and uses a mechanic background as proof of expertise. It is like an OB/GYN telling you your wife is good in a bed.
@Scooter – lol, wish we had +1 functionality on DT!
I have owned one of these since new in 2006 albeit with a third the miles of this one. It is equipped similarly to the car for sale. Audi didn't import the AWD 2.0 liters until 2009 or so and I haven't driven one so can't compare like Anonymous above. When I bought mine the AWD version was a 3.2 liter V6 that was in fact: heavier, slower, less responsive in handling and accelerated slower due to the extra weight and whatever else added to the mechanicals to support AWD. Gas mileage was also significantly less and it was easy to run up an AWD car to $40K new. Crazy money for a Golf derivative. I will say that the A3 has been a good car, fun to drive, reliable and gas mileage is indeed 30 on the road. It is rare to see one with a cloth interior. I've had a lot of cars and it is a testament to this one that I still own it at 8 years old.
Well, that escalated quickly.
As a long long long time VAG owner and lover (that's funny to read) I must humbly maintain a different opinion than yours, señor anon. Nonexistent torque steer? I'll just say that my experiences have varied from yours, comparing the FWD A3 driving experience back to back with that of an e90 I noticed the torque steer pretty easily. Ymmv.
Aside from mixing your intended insults inasmuch as suggesting that Colorado and Washington have somehow legalized crack, as for the question of my preferred substances for recreational use, I usually just self-prescribe the best stuff I can get with complete disregard for federal and state nannies. That is, when I can't get any good qat…
(I kid, I kid)
Dr. there is no need to heal thyself, stay just as you are! Thanks for the laugh! Scooter, as a committed vagitarian, I appreciate your insights as well! Spell-checker be damned, I'm gonna have to add that one to the dictionary.
Nice thread. I also wounded why people who post "anonymous" even bother arguing. I post here a bunch and as of late have a terrible Iphone and can not complete the posts most(99%) of the time. Oh yeah the drive train from this car would be much better In a first gen GTI