Cheap Audi A3 alternative?

r0qi4162fux9kg

The time has come for me to buy my first car!

For the last 8 months I've had a lend of a 2006 Audi A3. This was only ever temporary, it's going back next week.

The problem is, I've driven friends cars like Micra's, Puntos etc, and they're awful. But they're cheap to buy and cheap to insure.

I have a budget of between €2-3k (the less the better) for something that would be a bit more solid than the above cars. I'm 24. Recently fully licenced. And haven't a clue about cars.

Thanks!
S

NIMAN

Well to be honest no point hoping a Micra or Punto would be as good as an Audi A3.

You best bet to find a solid car for cheap money might be an old VW Golf.

But for the money you are looking to spend, you will have to drop down in years from 2006.

Nissan doctor

Well if you are looking for a cheaper Audi A3, then buy a VW golf...which IS a cheaper A3.

pred racer

Or a seat leon, or even a skoda octavia.... All cheaper a3's

Staying in that car size, you have

Ford focus
Renault megane
Citroen c4
Mazda 3 ( or323) cant remember when the 3came out
Honda civic
And many more

Drive them all and figure out which gives you the best value for the type of driving you are going to do.

There are more 'solid' cars in the Punto/micra class too like the fiesta, polo, fabia etc.

dgt

You can't compare a premium hatchback to a supermini.

Just go out there and get driving different cars.See what you like, what suits your needs etc

colm_mcm

Why not just get an older a3. They're not really any different to an 06 model.

Markcheese

Yeah you should get a decent older a3 for your budget ... Or if you need to come down a bit in size for insurance reasons, a fabia/polo is solid enough...

alias no.9

The Mk1 A3 and Mk1 Seat Leon even share a dashboard so apart from the branding, it'll be hard to tell the difference from the drivers seat.

StankyStevie

Over here in the UK A4's are cheaper to buy than A3's.
That sort of money could easily get you a 2006 1.9tdi.
Good insurance group, Excellent fuel consumption,
vorsprung durch technik and good luck!

colm_mcm

Cars are different prices here due to the Euro and VRT.

VeVeX

alias no.9 wrote: »

The Mk1 A3 and Mk1 Seat Leon even share a dashboard so apart from the branding, it'll be hard to tell the difference from the drivers seat.

Vaguely true other then you can clearly tell that the materials used in the Leon version cost about a fiver.

Wouldnt put me off buying a Leon though.

advertsfox

Older A3's hold their value, much like all Audi's from 2000-2004 so your budget still might not be enough at 2-3K (unless you go older).

What year Micro / Punto's did you drive? Is it the performance you didn't like or the kit inside that made them awful?

Here's a Done Deal search for an Audi A3 (above 2002) between €2000-3000 - http://url.ie/g5qz - have you considered Mazda 3 or Corolla either?

Can you emphasize what model A3 you were driving (diesel or petrol)? It's very easy to fall in love with a newer car but they average 6-7K easily.

If you want a similar year car, go for a Grande Punto (I have one, 2006 1.2 - fantastic little car and plenty of kit that cost a little over 3K).

If you want a diesel or similar interior to the A3, you either need to go down the years or maybe find a 2003-2004 Golf at the peak of your budget.