Buying an Audi A3 1.6L (Advice)

BaRcOe

Hi,

I am getting back into driving, and looking to pass my test soon. I was looking at Audi A3s, preferably the 5 door model, as I much prefer convenience of 5 doors.

I am 27, male and I got an insurance quote for roughly €2,500 (I have NO, No-Claims-Bonus) for 3rd party F&T insurance. Its not worth getting full comp when the car is worth only 1700 or so..

Looking online, an 03-05 model is between 1500 - 2000 (my budget).

I know if I get a Yaris or a small Polo, insurance will be less, but I just love the look of this Audi. And let's be honest, a Yaris isn't exactly that nice to look at. But Polos ain't bad so they're an option too!

I am looking for anyones experience with these cars.

Are they reliable?

Is it a good first (more or less) car? (I have been a named driver on Hyundai i20 (Year 161) for a few months - Great car to drive).

Are there many known issues with the A3s?

Anything to be weary of with Audi A3s?

Thanks!

bazz26

Your looking at 12 to 14 year old cars so how reliable they are will boil down to the particular car your looking at and how it was maintained by it's owners rather than the reputation of the brand.

Generally though that VAG 1.6 litre engine in the A3 has been around since the 1990s and also found in the likes of the Golf, A4, Passat, Borra, Jetta, Leon and Octavia. They can suffer from various sensor failures and can burn excessive oil so not known as having a reputation for reliability.

BaRcOe

bazz26 wrote: »

Your looking at 12 to 14 year old cars so how reliable they are will boil down to the particular car your looking at and how it was maintained by it's owners rather than the reputation of the brand.

Generally though that VAG 1.6 litre engine in the A3 has been around since the 1990s and also found in the likes of the Golf, A4, Passat, Borra, Jetta, Leon and Octavia. They can suffer from various sensor failures and can burn excessive oil so not known as having a reputation for reliability.

Thank you bazz, appreciate the feedback. I heard that the same engine is used in Golf.

Nuw

Well an A3 is basically a Golf with an Audi badge, engines are the exact same. I found the 1.6 to be slightly underpowered in the Golf I use to drive, and not the most economical on the juice. On the plus side, the handling is nicely sorted, it's comfortable (for the size of the car), it should be fairly reliable (as above, provided it's been taken care of).

In fairness, I'd probably look for a well sorted Focus (1.6 petrol as well) if I were you, you should be able to source one within your price range.

BaRcOe

Nuw wrote: »

Well an A3 is basically a Golf with an Audi badge, engines are the exact same. I found the 1.6 to be slightly underpowered in the Golf I use to drive, and not the most economical on the juice. On the plus side, the handling is nicely sorted, it's comfortable (for the size of the car), it should be fairly reliable (as above, provided it's been taken care of).

In fairness, I'd probably look for a well sorted Focus (1.6 petrol as well) if I were you, you should be able to source one within your price range.

Thanks Nuw. I will look into Focuses as well.

bazz26

OP, did you look at the Corolla hatchback? The 1.4 petrol engine in the Corolla would have about the same power as the 1.6 in the A3 and Focus. They are pretty reliable too.

BaRcOe

bazz26 wrote: »

OP, did you look at the Corolla hatchback? The 1.4 petrol engine in the Corolla would have about the same power as the 1.6 in the A3 and Focus. They are pretty reliable too.

The hatchback version is nice. Be enough for my first year until my insurance goes down a bit and then I can get something a bit flashier :P