IL Track Tested: 2009 Audi A3 2.0T vs. 2009 Audi A4 2.0T Quattro

Bet that's why it was slower. The 17 inch rims couldn't grip the 18 inch tires.

I find it a real shame that the next GTI will have the same old 2.0T rather than the more powerful new one as found in the A4. It is even more disappointing since the competition is now around 250-260 hp/torque.

stov,

More reason to lust after a GTD...

True. I really hope it comes stateside. Decently sport and insanely efficient? Count me in. Then it would just need a brake and suspension upgrade and I'd be set.

$46,675 for the A4 2.0T!!!

What a waste...

$46K? Wow, and some people were appalled with the Taurus SHO at $38K. I do agree though, it's overpriced and under powered for what it is...

@louiswei

I agree. And $34,520 for the A3 is just insane. I'll take a G37S instead of A4 and an MS3 instead of the A3 thank you very much.

I don't care how well manicured the interiors are in Audis. The performance and maintenance/reliability deficit between them and their comp is just too great.

stovt001:

> I find it a real shame that the next GTI will
> have the same old 2.0T rather than the more
> powerful new one

stov:

> More reason to lust after a GTD...

Why? GTD offers by a mile less torque at wheels than the 2.0 TFSI.

I compared power curves for both engines, the 200HP 2.0 TFSI and 170HP 2.0 TDI, putting 0rpm and peak power rpm at exactly the same points. At absolutely every point of the rev range, be it 10% of the peak power revs, 20%, 50% or 100% the 170HP has much less pulling power than the 2.0 TFSI.

Just see the charts:
http://img29.imageshack.us/i/tfsivstdi.png/

Add in that the GTD is heavier and you'll get a car that simply will not deliver.

johnnyr3:

> I agree. And $34,520 for the A3 is just insane.

Especially when you consider this car is technically the same as the VW Golf.

So it's the 200HP Volkswagen Golf for 34k $. And people complained about 2010 Taurus prices.

The price must be a typo. There aren't that many crazy people out there that would pay more than $38,000 for a really tricked out Audi A4 2.0T and I mean really tricked out. Even in the low $30,000s it is still overpriced. It's only a 2.0T, which is a very common engine and no longer so special (not even the R20). Audi must make a killing in those cars (depending on the exchange rate of course). Even the 3.2 (discountinued for 2010) would be overpriced. One could get a new Mustang Shelby 500 for less and not the mention the long list of alternatives!

I'll agree that the A3 is overpriced, though it is a nice car.

The A4 can be bought for under $35-40K if you go easy on the options, which isn't bad, IMO.

I had one as a loaner for a few days, and can confirm that the newest 2.0T engine is a real sweetheart. It's super responsive in the cut and thrust of normal traffic, and steps off the line very quickly with little throttle movement. I was AMAZED to find that the trans defaults to starting in 2nd gear during normal driving, but even more amazed that it's still really quick even in 2nd! The torque is hard to believe from such a small engine. Turbo+FSI FTW!

Also, everywhere I went, people commented on how great the car looked (Black over black, with some "deep-dish-style" mesh wheels).

It's the first A4 that I'd seriously consider as a replacement for my A6 2.7T.

The two prices are for pretty loaded examples. You have to check pretty much every box to get an A3 close to $40k. No, not a bargain but at $30k I think it's a good car. The A4 is just like any other entry premium/luxury car. You can have one in the $30's, but you can easily drive the price up to an insane number.

The argument can be made for many cars. "The Lincoln MK whatever is just a $50,000 Ford Taurus. The Lincoln MKZ is just a $40,000 Ford Fusion.

You guys in US don't know how good you have it.

I live in Toronto, Canada and I can tell you the prices of cars in US are dirt cheap, especially leases. My mom got a 2008 A4 2.0T S-line Quattro Tiptronic with a sports packaage, sunroof, memory seats, etc. 2 years ago for $454 a month (w/ taxes in) on a 3-year lease with $0 down. You couldn't touch this price in Canada with a 100-foot pole.

Just because the sticker price comes to $x, does not mean that is what you will pay at the dealership.

I just went to www.audiusa.com and priced a 2.0T Quattro tiptronic 211hp, Sports Package (which includes 18" wheel with summer performance tires, Shift paddles (for Tiptronic models), Sport seats, Lumbar for both front seats, Sport steering wheel, Sport suspension), walnut wood inlays, heated front seats, rear side airbags, leather seating surfaces. Total Price:

$35,700 USD. So you can easily knock off $2 grand off that price at the dealership in this economy.

FYI: A4 had the Prestige package, Audi Drive Select and Navigation. Prestige package is over $7K on its own, so yeah, it gets expensive quickly.

Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, IL

Thanks for the option info, Ed - that helps.

Now if Audi USA could just get their heads outta their a***s when it comes to spec-ing press vehicles, they might actually WIN the at the PR game. Sheesh!

Aren't luxury vehicles supposed to come with most of the frivolousness standard?

That's why Acura does so well. Everything comes standard. Hassle-free.

Comparing the A4 Quattro, 328xi and Passat CC VR6 4motion, the Audi really doesn'r fare too badly. MSRP on a A4 Premium Plus with Sport pkg. and Metallic paint is $39375, my local dealer is 3k off that without serious dickering. The 328xi if $45500 with same equipment, have not negotiated with BMW at all and the CC VR6 is $39960 without dickering. I've eliminated the VW because of shorter warranty and lack of sunroof and 5th seating position, but it looks the best, by far. Audi's inclusion of free maintenance for 2009 looks to sway the deal, but I am concerned about long term repair and resale value, two areas Audi historically does not fare well in. Looking at the Infiniti next, eliminated the Acura purely on styling basis, I just cannot spend 40k plus on a car I find outright ugly, unlike the previous generation.

wjtinatl - some people may scream blasphemy, and true it might not be the BEST choice around, but don't forget the Lexus IS250 AWD. It's cheap, good looking, & reliable, & it'll hold its value well.

roar02ram - The IS250 has one (fatal, for me) flaw - it's SLOW. And it's slow in the worst possible way for American roads, in that it's seriously torque-deficient. The engine revs sweetly, and it's comfy inside, but it really needs mo powah.

The market is just slipping away from VW/Audi.

The price structure of the whole lineup is getting out of whack with the market. A pretty well equipped A3 used to be pushing toward the upper twenty thousands and now that has risen up well into the the mid $30K range. Add in the DSG with Quattro (like most Audi aficionados want) and a few other goodies and you're looking at near forty grand near-luxury hatch. Which is quite insane, in my opinion.

My 2009 A4 isn't much more than my '06 was, if you factor in things that are now standard. My '09 listed for around $36,500 with full maintenance included. The trick is to skip all the options. They drive the price up to absurd levels. Seriously, where else, for the money, can you get the speed, handling, interior quality, good looks, and all wheel drive for less? (BTW, I saw the Acura TL today and I expect I'll have a nightmare tonight!). Maybe you could choose an Infiniti Journey, but there's just something cheesy looking about the car. Looks like a grown up Altima.

Kind of cute comparison. I would do the A4 in a heartbeat. I had a rental A3 in Germany a year ago and its center console was basically destroyed. Didn't evoke images of quality. My 08 TT has the 2L engine and DSG and has been outstandingly good to me. I love the comments by posters on Acura. I also have an 04 tsx 6 speed which I still love, but that company is facing a huge wall, all of their own doing. Tacking a fishing lure onto the front of luxury vehicles is supposed to attract buyers?

"Tacking a fishing lure onto the front of luxury vehicles is supposed to attract buyers?"

Good one. I have enjoyed all the creative descriptions of the TL front-end (e.g. "guillotine grill", etc.). Those approving the new funky origami-inspired Acura designs should be fired. Now.

"The market is just slipping away from VW/Audi. "

Right, that's why Audi's market share continues to grow (in the US and worldwide), and that's why VW threatened Toyota in almost becoming the world's largest automaker in the first quarter.

Name the best 4-cylinder car? Audi A4
Name the best 4-cylinder engine? Audi A4 2.0T

The prices listed are somewhat unrealistic, I paid 5K less than the MSRP last year for one.

Hell, I paid almost $26k for a mid-level Jetta 2.5 (back in '06). Though, I do remember looking at the A3 on the lot next to it, and I can't say I remember the price being THAT much higher... maybe 4k more than my Jetta. If that would've been in my budget, I would've jumped on it.

"Right, that's why Audi's market share continues to grow (in the US and worldwide), and that's why VW threatened Toyota in almost becoming the world's largest automaker in the first quarter."

The prices are out of whack with the product, so the perceived value isn't there, and even at these prices VW is dumping product (selling below home market prices) in the U.S market. GM was "the worlds largest automaker" not too long ago, so I'm thinking that things can change quickly.