Audi A3 at the Calgary Auto Show Thread

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Audi A3 at the Calgary Auto Show Thread

I test drove a Smart last night, since we are talking about small cars

[Tuna]

Re: Audi A3 at the Calgary Auto Show Thread

I test drove a Smart last night, since we are talking about small cars

Well since we are inconceivably off topic, I want to test drive one too. I also want to try out a SRT4, and one of these days i'm gonna test drive an echo hatch too.

Man, I know it's been said on here before but I sure wish VW would bring the Polo over I'd be all over one of those if they did.

[liquid]

Re: Audi A3 at the Calgary Auto Show Thread

Car to elaborate Blair? How was it?

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Audi A3 at the Calgary Auto Show Thread

Well I have to say I quite enjoyed the little car. It feels very big, in fact it felt larger than my Jetta when I was behind the wheel, as the cabin area is large but the difference is that is the whole car. The shifter is a 6 speed clutchless sequential, but there is no auto unless you get the add on, so on most cars you must shift all the time. It shifts fairly smooth as I was not used to the system and the car I drove had no tach so I had to go by sound and feel.

I did not get much of a chance to really crank on it but it really does not seem to take much time to get up to a good speed and it was very happy to be doing 100 in the wake of a semi. The diesel is a tad loud since it is nearly right under your ass but I think you would get used to it very quickly. The cabin is funky and cool with neat features, I drove a Passion trim level (top of the range) and it even had leather seats which were comfy and supportive. I cannot comment too much on the handling as I did not get to corner so much but it seems quite capable and pretty smooth for cruising (plus I am used to driving a very low firm car )

Overall I think the car is pretty impressive, it is cheap (not super cheap but reasonable for a car with ABS, ESP and 4 airbags plus a lot of options to choose from), fun and very economical. I dont think I would feel out of place driving one in a city full of trucks in fact I rather like being the odd man out and it would probably be a blast with a chip under your ass too!

[Khyron]

Re: Audi A3 at the Calgary Auto Show Thread

I sure wish VW would bring the Polo over I'd be all over one of those if they did.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1291964

Shh.

Khyron

[Stampfan]

Re: Audi A3 at the Calgary Auto Show Thread

Tuna:

I test drove the Echo hatch. Nice little car. Unfortunately by the time you option up all the basics that you'd get in any VW, you end up over $25,000 with a crappy plastic interior. For that one is better off looking at a Corolla XRS, which is better in every department except fuel mileage.

[Tuna]

Re: Audi A3 at the Calgary Auto Show Thread

Tuna:

I test drove the Echo hatch. Nice little car. Unfortunately by the time you option up all the basics that you'd get in any VW, you end up over $25,000 with a crappy plastic interior. For that one is better off looking at a Corolla XRS, which is better in every department except fuel mileage.

Yea, I hear the new Corolla is nice, I don't know WHY i like the echo H/B I just do, it's so small and the 2 doors are so no nonense, but I could never get one anyway, but for someone with a budget under 20,000 I think it would be something to consider.

And Khyron, There's been talk about bringing the Polo over for years, I seem to recall even VWVortex hyped it up a year or two ago and nothing. I mean I suppose it's more likely now do to the success of Echo's and Mini's and now smarts but i'm not holding my breath. I agree with what one person on there said though, for VW it's too little too late, by the time they get one here (if they did) the small car buying frenzy will be over and they'll end up with a flop (But i'd probably buy one)

[Mr. Burns]

Re: Audi A3 at the Calgary Auto Show Thread

I disagree, the (x-tra)small car craze is just beginning. The only problem is people don't have many options. I think VW could clean up in this dept. if they would only hurry up and bring the Polo (and Lupo too!!) over to this side of the pond. I know i would buy a Lupo Or Polo in GTI trim if I could get one.

[Tuna]

Re: Audi A3 at the Calgary Auto Show Thread

I disagree, the (x-tra)small car craze is just beginning. The only problem is people don't have many options. I think VW could clean up in this dept. if they would only hurry up and bring the Polo (and Lupo too!!) over to this side of the pond. I know i would buy a Lupo Or Polo in GTI trim if I could get one.

I agree compeletely, I guess what I was saying was by the time VW does it (several years from now) they'll be too late into the market, the Echo, Smart, aveo (whatever that chevy one is that's super small), and even the Mini will have been out for a couple years, and that's even if they start thinking about doing it now.

[Kor]

Re: Audi A3 at the Calgary Auto Show Thread

I agree compeletely, I guess what I was saying was by the time VW does it (several years from now) they'll be too late into the market, the Echo, Smart, aveo (whatever that chevy one is that's super small), and even the Mini will have been out for a couple years, and that's even if they start thinking about doing it now.

I heard the Echo is being discontinued?

[Stonewall]

Re: Audi A3 at the Calgary Auto Show Thread

I test drove a Smart last night, since we are talking about small cars

Awesome little car, hence the reason it had a huge buzz when I was at the car show. People where almost lining up to sit in it and it had a row of people 4 deep around it. The nice thing was the brocures told the base prices for everything and all the features which really helped show its value. Once this car catchs on and more on the road VW will be kicking themselves in the butt for not already having a lupo or polo already here.

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Audi A3 at the Calgary Auto Show Thread

I have decided that I will be getting a Smart as my next car, the order will be in very quickly I would love a Lupo GTI maybe in a couple years I can fit both in my condo parking spot and annoy my SUV neighbours!

[R_Ethug]

Re: Audi A3 at the Calgary Auto Show Thread

smart on LMs baby!

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Audi A3 at the Calgary Auto Show Thread

No think Brabus....

[Khyron]

Re: Audi A3 at the Calgary Auto Show Thread

I heard the Echo is being discontinued?

It's doing terrible in the US but very very well up here. So we'll probably keep it while the US guys get compact H2s.

Khyron