A1 or A3?

honeybear

My 10 year old A3 is starting to give me grief. I am looking at options for changing it before facing the NCT. I like the A3 but am wondering about the A1. What do people think of it? My budget is 20000 (& anything I'd get for my trade in!!!). I have no dependants and would love a good looking car. Is there another car I should be thinking of? Thanks!

bazz26

The world is your oyster with €20k. The A1 is smaller than the A3, is this something you can live with? What do you need/want from a car, do you do alot of driving to need a diesel over a petrol?

Outkast_IRE

Honestly i think the interior of the basic A1 was taken from the Polo, very bland place to be in my opinion. I would be looking more at A3

Matthewjohn

I'd go for a Scirocco

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-scirocco-1-4tsi-low-mileage/9230276?offset=1

Or a Volvo V40

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-v40-1-6-diesel-se-d2-stunning-l/8531504?offset=6

honeybear

Thanks everyone for your feedback.
I had considered the v40 last year but I'm not sure about its looks (from the back). I do love the A3. It's a 3-door which suits me day-to-day but annoys my family when they travel with me (not often). My daily commute is approx. 35 miles altogether. I'm celebrating a (big) birthday this year so would like to treat myself!!!

colm_mcm

If you like the a3 then another one would make sense. Also look at a mk7 golf with a few toys.

166man

Something Jap or Korean OP?

bazz26

Citroen DS3:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Citroen/DS3/VTI82-DESIGN/161914302991525510/

Opel Adam:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Opel/Adam/Rocks-1.4/154114277170530030/

VW Beetle:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volkswagen/Beetle/1.4TSI-Sport/153814279939883660/

Opel Astra GTC:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Opel/Astra/GTC-SRI/89314121763822360/

mhackett102

BMW 1 Series

Volkswagen Golf

Audi A3

^ They are three cars which I would consider for you to keep in mind. I really like that Audi myself! BMW is nice IMO but some people dont like the looks. The Volkswagen is okay too, very common.

colm_mcm

Mini clubman, or that big mini that I don't like should maybe be considered too.

Edit: it's called a Countryman.

bazz26

OP's daily commute is only 35 miles though which equates to 175 miles a week. That is not really diesel mileage. Also the only A3 in the OP's budget is going to be the same model as the OP's 10 year A3 they have now. At least with the Golf it's a new car from the ground up.

mhackett102

bazz26 wrote: »

OP's daily commute is only 35 miles though which equates to 175 miles a week. That is not really diesel mileage. Also the only A3 in the OP's budget is going to be the same model as the OP's 10 year A3 they have now. At least with the Golf it's a new car from the ground up.

True, a petrol would probably be best suited.Im looking for a car for my sister and just seen that A3 pop up - very nice spec in it.

THIS may suit better if the OP wants to stick with an Audi A3.

MuppetCheck

If you could stretch the budget slightly this would be an excellent car.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Golf/Highline/157714297880826450/advert?channel=CARS

A family member has one and the engine is punchy and economical, sorted chassis and a decent spec.

honeybear

Thanks everyone. Great suggestions. A1 ruled out. Don't like Golf (although it's popular). If I stretched to 25,000 is there another option? I like compact/neat cars-had to borrow my brother's A4 and the panic with parking that car!

MuppetCheck

Have you seen the Lexus CT200? Might be up your street for small miles.

RyanMGF

Playing Devils advocate here but the A3 Sportback starts at about €28k, with a budget of 25k plus your own car you would easily get into a new A3... maybe even an S-Line depending on the discount the dealer would give you.

bazz26

Mercedes A Class:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Mercedes-Benz/A-Class/A-180/157714301332076980/

honeybear

Guys ye are killing me-love the merc & lexus!!!
Would never have considered them.
Thanks all!

flazio

One more pretty boy to consider, the KIA Pro Cee'd

Noccy_Mondy

What about a seat leon. Nicer than its rival, the golf.

noelf

Audi TT 09 2 litre tfsi just over €21500 murphy and gunn low mileage .. on the murphy and gunn web page its €19935 ..

colm_mcm

flazio wrote: »

One more pretty boy to consider, the KIA Pro Cee'd

Hyundai Veloster 1.6 GDI would actually kind of suit the OPs use too.
That said, a Kia or Hyundai anything won't have a great interior, which to be fair to the A3 is one if its most strong points.

RedorDead

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Have you seen the Lexus CT200? Might be up your street for small miles.

Horrendous car to drive though with one of the worst CVT gearboxes ive ever driven. Be sure to test drive OP if you like the looks of it.

bazz26 wrote: »

Mercedes A Class:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Mercedes-Benz/A-Class/A-180/157714301332076980/

These are cracking looking little cars but space and interior finish inside isnt great.

Your mileage seems low OP so petrol mightnt be the worst bet. You can get some decent specced run out A3s for list price around 20k but if you are willing to haggle a little more you can stretch up to one of these maybe:

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/audi/a3/used-2013-131-audi-a3-1-4-tfsi-122-sp-cork-fpa-86414116463794640

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/audi/a3/used-2014-141-audi-a3-saloon-1-4tfsi-waterford-fpa-104714160696707720

That 1.4TFSI engine is quite nice.

honeybear

Thanks everyone!
Thinking it will be a black (colour very important!) A3 Sportsback (5 door)
I currently have an A3 petrol (3 door).
The different specifications are confusing me-any suggestions?
Thanks again!

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

RedorDead

honeybear wrote: »

Thanks everyone!
Thinking it will be a black (colour very important!) A3 Sportsback (5 door)
I currently have an A3 petrol (3 door).
The different specifications are confusing me-any suggestions?
Thanks again!

Sportback is worth the little bit extra. Better looking car, slightly bigger boot and the extra doors are handy - just in case you need them!

In specification terms - there is only really SE or S Line to consider. SE a lot more comfort orientated - but well equipped with half leather seats, 16" alloys, cruise, park assist, fogs, folding MMI screen etc. S Line looks much better and adds 18" alloys and xenons mainly - but the S Line interior is also sweeter - the steering alone changes the feel of it. If you can stretch it go S Line but SE is nice to run too.

colm_mcm

Glass roof really enhances the sportback.

James Bond Junior

My mam has an 11 s line a3. Bright red with 18in rs4 alloys. It was bought new in the Audi centre in Dublin. It's coming up for sale in the next week or so if you were interested?