Audi 1.6 or the Golf 1.6 (Audi A3 1.6 5dr)

Member Name: skrg28

Product:	Audi A3 1.6 5dr
Date:	05/12/05 (2728 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good quality car, little depreciation

Disadvantages: A little under powered

The AUDI A3 1.6 is one of the best small to medium cars around. Buying a 2nd hand car like I did is probably the best value.
The general build quality of the car is 2nd to none, even for the 1.6 whcih is pretty near the bottom of the range. When you get in to one of these you feel secure and safe. With the 4 rings on the bonnet you also get that feeling of quality.
Driving wise, if you are not bothered by a powerful engine and the need for speed then this could be the one for you. With 100Hp thie engine is more than powerful enough to crusie down the motorway or drive down those country lanes. With this engine size you also get quite reasonable fuel economy compared to the more sporty models in the A3 range. Road and engine noise are minimal.
The interior of these cars is high grade whether you have leather or standard cloth. Everything is well made and finished with detail in mind. Instuments are well placed and easy to read. This applies more so to the fuel guage which gives you an acurate measure of fuel rather than half the tank actualy being nothing at all..
Sound systems in these cars are fantastic. If you can buy one with the Sub and Amp in the boot then you can't go far wrong. The standard radio can easily take a CD multichanger and provides ample quality sound and volume.
Boot space is well thought out, allowing you to get some strange shaped loads in the back. Folding rear seats make this even easier.
There are a wide range of Audi supplied extras available but alas this is one of the bad points. The cost is normally out of this world. So if you are wanting those extras it may be worth shopping around for an A3 that has some or all fitted already. Else there are a quite few places where you can buy extras at minimal cost.
The standard 1.6 up until around 2001 came with very basic 15" Alloys which to be honest look like steal wheels. Combine that with the fact that there are 195/65 tyres and it is like trying to turn an air bed. I changed mine for a set of 16" wheels from a TT and 205/55 tyres. The ride has changed dramtically for the better.
Overall the 1.6 is probably the best value car in the range. Buying a 1.8 only gives you a few extra Hp which are probably not worth the cost. If you want the power then go for the 1.8T or S3 etc.
Servicing is not the cheapest but is fairly average.
I would not buy one of these from a main Audi dealer. If you shop around you generally find that it will cost you 10-20% more from a main Audi dealer than from another quality garage.

A3's are often comapred to the golf, I dont see what there is to compare, different car diferent looks.

Summary: Amazing value for money (2nd Hand)

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