Bad example - the Sprinter has been made by Mercedes in Germany since 1995, and was imported to the US and Canada after 2001, and badged as Dodge or Freightliner.TornadoRed said:
You're right of course, and I'm not suggesting that an Audi A3 is just a rebadged Golf. But it is not a gross exaggeration to say that, if you take an $18k Golf and add about $6k in options or GTI parts, you can get pretty close to a stripped-down $32k Audi A3.Uisge said:
The only thing that would sway me to choosing an Audi A3 TDI over a MK6 Gold TDI, and even a Jetta Sport Wagon for that matter, would be if they offered it in Quattro and stick, and NOT front wheel drive only! The name Audi to me is synonymous with 4WD. I just wouldn't understand one with front wheel drive given the extra cash for what? The badge?vwmk4 said:
A bit more - 370L vs. 350L for the Golf.tiguando said:
It's Haldex.wolfskin said:
Those of us in the USA cannot get the Golf/Rabbit with 4WD (unless you buy the R32) so it would still be a big difference.wolfskin said:
Very interesting stuff, thanks for the info!German_1er_diesel said:
Oh, I see. Didn't know that.tiguando said:
Yes, the selection is quite limited in the USA. That goes for engine choice too. For the Golf (Rabbit) it is the 170hp 2.5L engine. That's the only one until the 140hp 2.0 TDI is sold here.wolfskin said:
Hey, you get the Golf GTI and the Golf R32.tiguando said:
Yeah but you get the Scirocco and look at all the engine options you have for the Golf!German_1er_diesel said:
I totally agree.. The price difference is just too much to overcome. I think Audi will find it to be a severe step for people to get their head around..volkswagendude said:
I'll take the matching sedan!perryeyges said:
any of these would be a natural competitor for the A3. pricing is not that different either.
It was hardly worth waiting through all the commercials for the 4 or 5 minute segment on the A3 TDI -- nothing new was reported, except maybe the $28k base price estimate. They got 42+ mpg on their test drive with the DSG tranny (front-wheel drive only).Blue_Hen_TDI said:
From what I've read somewhere, going to the 170hp engine would require urea treatment to reduce NOx, which would add more expense and complexity.NHTDI said:
Sure? That would be $1000 more than the 2.0 gasser. In Europe, the 2.0 gasser is 2,200€ more expensive than the 140P diesel.Blue_Hen_TDI said:
Just passing along info. You'd have to contact MotorWeek if you want to know where they got the number from. They did say it was estimated.German_1er_diesel said:
My wife and I have looked at BMW many times when looking for a new car and have always ended up walking away. The prices are just to steep for me unless you purchase stripped down model.The dealer network plays hardball, Last time I looked at a 3 series, the dealer showed me a "new" car "demo" with 11000 miles on the odo and wanted two grand under msrp. As far as I am concerned, 11000 miles is a used car. Then BMW came out with the 1 series, bumped the prices on the 3 series and made the 1 series as expensive as the previous 3 series. No bmw's in my future no matter how good they are. I don't need super power HP, just gove me a nice handling enjoyable car with enough power to get the job done and good fuel economy. Of course, affordable pricing is needed also.tditom said:i'm really getting pumped about audi bringing a diesel over, but for a reason that might not be so obvious.
the A3 tdi would be a direct competitor to a smaller bmw diesel. from the numbers i'm seeing, the 118d would be every bit of a match for the a3, with better fuel economy.
of course bmw probably would not go that far down in their lineup. maybe a 120d or 123d
i could end up very happy that I can't afford the 335d right now.