Audi A1 yay or nay

ciarank.

New Audi A1 being launched this year, with the basic model costing €19,999, am I paying for the name Audi or is the car actually worth it??

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.caradvice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/audi_a1_metroproject_quattro7.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.caradvice.com.au/7482/audi-a1-concept-metroproject/&usg=__vUWX3y8IbewPoYr770_FBxX0raM=&h=849&w=1200&sz=95&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=Tv2ZUMxKnI2GaM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=176&prev=/images%3Fq%3Daudi%2Ba1%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1004%26bih%3D583%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=265&oei=p-jGTKm4LoK1tAa7oaTrDg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=8&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0&tx=156&ty=50

VinnyTGM

All prices aside, I like it. Looks much better than the Mini/BMW equivalent It would be on the same level as the Polo, so not really fair to compare it to a Golf.

neilthefunkeone

Saw one the other day on the M50 and it looked well.. Very well..

EPM

A 20k Fabia basically?

They need to get real...plus they're about 7 years too late to market IMO too.

They were everywhere in Cork for the weekend. The red one outside BT's in a box looked cack but then they put a really high spec black one in the open in Blackpool SC and that looked very well. Shudder to think of the price of it though as it was specced to the hilt.

EPM

Should poll options just be Yay or Nay?

Viper_JB

For 20k if you take off like 4-5 years you could get something VERY special, buying a new car is a bit mad money wise.

Zubeneschamali

It's an Audi, so without even reading a review I'll bet that it looks good inside and out, is well-screwed together out of quality material, but doesn't drive nearly as well as a Mini.

It looks terrible, anyone who would splash €20K on it has either loads and loads of cash or is a total numpty, nil value for money with it.

EPM

RoverJames wrote: »

It looks terrible, anyone who would splash €20K on it has either loads and loads of cash or is a total numpty, nil value for money with it.

But daddy might have €20k that he doesn't want NAMA to get and it would make the perfect Christmas present for his little princess:pac:

Zubeneschamali

RoverJames wrote: »

nil value for money with it.

This is meant to win over people who'd like a Mini, not people who want value for money.

I skimmed a couple of reviews, and I got it a bit wrong: some reviewers think it's boring looking, especially at the rear.

I can see why folks buy the Mini, the Cooper ones look very very decent and they are a good drive (personally I wouldn't but that's just me), the A1 looks like any other small hatchback to me, could throw a Hyundai, Ford, Renault badge on it.

Ghost Estate

it looks nice anyway. but i wouldn't pay 20k for it.

GERMAN ROCKS

they have one in a big glass box on patrick street today. outside brown thomas

GERMAN ROCKS

GERMAN ROCKS wrote: »

they have one in a big glass box on patrick street today. outside brown thomas

That's there a week or so now

Ghost Estate

can we be expecting good deals on audi a1's in years to come?

it seems like the kind of car that loses at least 5,000 off its value the minute you screw the number plate on.

GERMAN ROCKS

RoverJames wrote: »

That's there a week or so now

oh right i was just in the city and saw it today. wasnt in there any other day. is there sales reps or anything inside it. was across the street so didnt see that much

Ghost Estate

GERMAN ROCKS wrote: »

oh right i was just in the city and saw it today. wasnt in there any other day. is there sales reps or anything inside it. was across the street so didnt see that much

its still there? thats surprising because the draw is supposed to be over now

anybody selling tickets?

fonecrusher1

Hell nay. Its too cutsey, look at me in my lickle baby Audi. If i had to choose i'd go for the polo.

No thanks.


Oh and that grill looks way too menacing for a little tellytubby car like that.

coolbeans

It might look attractive to some with the sheer new and brash flashiness of it but looks-wise it's a complete failure. It's quite an ugly little car. Might be fun to drive but it's pricey and ugly.

-Corkie-

I would have a Golf op especially if your a male.

Shed.

It kicks the wheel nuts off a Mini looks wise and practically too it would seem.

fonecrusher1

Mini, Audi a1, bmw 1 series, polo, Golf. Are they all in the same class?

The a1 is comparable with the polo & mini. Don't know about the rest. A golf is a medium sized family hatchback?. Flawed poll.

Ghost Estate

fonecrusher1 wrote: »

Mini, Audi a1, bmw 1 series, polo, Golf. Are they all in the same class?

The a1 is comparable with the polo & mini. Don't know about the rest. A golf is a medium sized family hatchback?. Flawed poll.

and golf/polo are one option. A Golf R is a completely different animal to even the highest spec A1

Gumbo

Audi are doing some deal on them at the moment :

5k deposit
249.00 per month for 3 years.
then 3 options :

1. hand back to Audi and walk away
2. trade in against another car with a guaranteed trade in value of 7.5k (approx)
3. buy out the remaining balance of 7.5k (approx)

Ghost Estate

kceire wrote: »

Audi are doing some deal on them at the moment :

5k deposit
249.00 per month for 3 years.
then 3 options :

1. hand back to Audi and walk away
2. trade in against another car with a guaranteed trade in value of 7.5k (approx)
3. buy out the remaining balance of 7.5k (approx)

is that for a bare bones 1.2 model?

conzy

kceire wrote: »

Audi are doing some deal on them at the moment :

5k deposit
249.00 per month for 3 years.
then 3 options :

1. hand back to Audi and walk away
2. trade in against another car with a guaranteed trade in value of 7.5k (approx)
3. buy out the remaining balance of 7.5k (approx)

Probably all subject to Full Main Dealer service history and less than 100k km on the clock and other such small print

Gumbo

Ghost Estate wrote: »

is that for a bare bones 1.2 model?

conzymaher wrote: »

Probably all subject to Full Main Dealer service history and less than 100k km on the clock and other such small print

dont know tbh, i didnt look beyond the main figures, not in the market for one.

kceire

kceire wrote: »

Audi are doing some deal on them at the moment :

5k deposit
249.00 per month for 3 years.
then 3 options :

1. hand back to Audi and walk away

Option 1 looks like a terrible deal, 14K for 3 years in a fairly sh1tty little car.

Ghost Estate

better off buying it in 3 years then when the dealer will be mad to get rid of them

that is if there are still dealers left in this country after 3 years

bazz26

I'd rather buy one of these:

Alanstrainor

I think it looks a bit rubbish really!
I'd much prefer the Citroen or Alfa tbh.

RedorDead

RoverJames wrote: »

I can see why folks buy the Mini, the Cooper ones look very very decent and they are a good drive (personally I wouldn't but that's just me), the A1 looks like any other small hatchback to me, could throw a Hyundai, Ford, Renault badge on it.

Arsebiscuits! Have you seen an A1 properly yet?

A1 Sport model vs Mini Cooper - there is no competition as to which looks better. Mini is old hat - overpriced and underequipped. Is looking very very dated now versus the A1 and new Citroen DS3.

Dont even start me on the interior.

Some reviews do say the Mini drives better but a lot say there is nothing to choose between them. Two recent Irish reviews here:

http://www.completecar.ie/testdrives/article/Audi/null/A1/388/384

http://www.edrive.ie/www.edrive.ie/Road_Tests/Entries/2010/10/22_Road_Test__Audi_A1_1.4_TFSI_Sport_S-Tronic.html


A1 Sport



Mini Cooper

opinion guy

Seriously Alanstainor ? I think its gorgeous in that picture.

Don't like the Mito. Well it depends on the colour - in some colours its hideous. In others it fine looking.

I've yet to see an A1 in the flesh metal

RedorDead

fonecrusher1 wrote: »

Mini, Audi a1, bmw 1 series, polo, Golf. Are they all in the same class?

The a1 is comparable with the polo & mini. Don't know about the rest. A golf is a medium sized family hatchback?. Flawed poll.

Golf competes size wise versus BMW 1 Series and Audi A3. Golf priced closer to Mini and A1 though because of badge.

Alanstrainor

opinion guy wrote: »

Seriously Alanstainor ? I think its gorgeous in that picture.

Don't like the Mito. Well it depends on the colour - in some colours its hideous. In others it fine looking.

I've yet to see an A1 in the flesh metal

I dunno, it has bits i like, i just think the proportions are wrong on it. I did see a couple of them a few months ago, and i thought the same.

Maybe i should hold off judging it until i get a good luck at one in the flesh.

RedorDead

RedorDead wrote: »

Arsebiscuits! Have you seen an A1 properly yet?

Yeah, I've seen that heap of sh1t they have outside Brown Thomas in Patrick Street Doesn't look much better in Sport form on the net either in my view.

RedorDead

RoverJames wrote: »

Yeah, I've seen that heap of sh1t they have outside Brown Thomas in Patrick Street Doesn't look much better in Sport form on the net either in my view.

Fair enough - thats the base version they have there with basically no options.

Still - compare that to the hideous Mini First - in all its hubcaps glory and tell me what you think.

unkel

Harsh, lads!

Audis haven't been good looking cars for many years now, but I feel the A1 is a lovely looking wee yoke. Funky!

If I were in the target market for a small, stylish, great looking, expensive branded car, I'd buy one.

On the other hand if I wanted to buy a small, stylish, good looking, expensive branded car, that also drives great, I'd buy a MINI...

fonecrusher1

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd rather buy one of these:

I'd take either of these over the A1. The citroen is a funky little thing.

Treehouse72

It's ok, but I wish Audi would go back to their traditional and distinctive front light design.

-Chris-

LIGHTNING wrote: »

The poll is quite clearly missing the Atari Jaguar voting option.

Fixed!

fonecrusher1

I think the problem is, Audi are trying to condense an expensive look into a car the same size as a polo & i don't think it works. A small car that size is never going to look flash or upmarket. Its a contradiction in design.

Its going to be Audi's equivalent of the manky Mercedes A-class.

barleybooley

If you were buying a hatchback Audi, surely you'd go for the A3? Black of course, with a 1.9 TDI engine. In terms of superminis (I think I heard it being branded as that) I'd take a Beetle any day of the week instead of it. That said, I wouldn't have handed it back if I won it in that A1 chase thing.

-Chris-

My Vote

MINI - gorgeously designed when it was released, but a little long in the tooth now. Missing the wow factor for me.

A1 - I haven't seen it in the flesh but reviews/pics are decent and against the MINI and 1 Series it's my favourite.

1 Series - I don't like this car at all, too many things wrong with it. I've disliked it since day one.

Polo - I really like the new Polo, but I wouldn't spend €20k on one unless it was a s/h GTI

Golf - This is the boring option, but the one I'd probably end up with, if only for 5 doors. I'd probably wait until I could get an ex-demo 1.6TDI Comfortline for the budget.

conneem-TT

EPM wrote: »

They need to get real...plus they're about 7 years too late to market IMO too.

They actually were ahead of the curve in the supermini market with the A2 back in 1999, it was out 2 years before the rebirth of the Mini by BMW. However deciding to use a fair ammount of aluminium in construction drove costs up and made repairs expensive.

It would be a tough call for me between the Audi, Citreon and Alfa. Each look cool and stylish in their own way, so I think a test drive in each would be needed

bladebrew

id save some money and buy this:


although it is only a 1.2 petrol!

Zubeneschamali

conneem-TT wrote: »

Each look cool and stylish in their own way, so I think a test drive in each would be needed

To test these cars properly you don't want to drive them, you want to sit in them with the windows down, wearing a Tommy Hilfiger shirt and Raybans, and get your mate to take a few pictures.

RedorDead

barleybooley wrote: »

If you were buying a hatchback Audi, surely you'd go for the A3? Black of course, with a 1.9 TDI engine. In terms of superminis (I think I heard it being branded as that) I'd take a Beetle any day of the week instead of it. That said, I wouldn't have handed it back if I won it in that A1 chase thing.

Kinda shows up your knowledge of current market offers - that engine has been dead in A3 for a year and a half. Has been replaced by common rail 1.6TDI

RedorDead

RedorDead wrote: »

Fair enough - thats the base version they have there with basically no options.

Still - compare that to the hideous Mini First - in all its hubcaps glory and tell me what you think.

As a chap who really dislikes the Mini as I hate seeing the brand tarnished with a yoke like that, I'd prefer the Mini to the A1, we won't agree on it so you'll just have to deal with that :pac:

langdang

A1 looks like a Pokemon straining for a poo. I'd rather a FIAT 500 anyday.
I'm no VAG head, but I think the new polo in white or black is a very smart looking car, nicer than the bloaty golf anyway...

barleybooley

RedorDead wrote: »

Kinda shows up your knowledge of current market offers - that engine has been dead in A3 for a year and a half. Has been replaced by common rail 1.6TDI

Em, where did I say a brand new one? If your knowledge of "current market offers" was as up to date as you so clearly think it is then you'd know that an A1 most definitely does not cost the same as an A3. Hell, even common sense would tell you that. I meant for the same money.