Audi A3 or Acura TSX?

Krautfed 03 said:
Audi has the typical German feel, while the Acura has the typical Japanese feel. Remember, the TSX is a rebadged Japanese version Accord. The Accord in the USA is larger, not the typical Accord in Japan, hence the TSX.
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But the A3 is a rebadged Golf. :nixweiss
 
tanha said:
Audi's are notorious for odd problems like these, right off the lot. My S.O. used to work at an Audi dealership, and it was amazing to hear what goes wrong with those cars. Additionally, the parts are very expensive - wouldn't want to own an out-of-warranty Audi.
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Seeing as though he is after an A3, he doesn't have to worry about out-of-warranty. And while they are quirky, you CANNOT beat the Audi Service and Scheduled Maintenance Bumper to Bumper Warranty. The service department treats us like we're friggin Billionaires. No question the best service I've ever gotten on anything and you basically only pay for gas for the first 50K. :bigups
 
Hi:

Audi A3 all the way. I test drove both, the Acura is very nicely put together and stylish in a conservative way. First impression of the Audi was so-so, but as soon as I drove it , it was no contest. Super handling, dsg transmission, very well put together, and does it ever grow on you. My last car waas a 2002 Maxima with 255 hp v-6 so going to the TSX was a big disapointment when the salesman told me to floor it and nothing happened!!! Also 4 year warranty instead of 3 and all maintenance included. Just my 2 cents worth.
 
Hello



2 pence from across the pond.



The VW 3.2 engine is going bye byes. It was ok but its nothing special so its making way for 3.6. So buying the 3.2 is probably a bit of a sour note, unless you get it knocked down at a discount but even then do you want yesterdays engine and what will be second best??



It is based on the Golf rather then the Golf being based on the A3. Which means its going to be an OK car but its nothing special. The DSG box is good and can change just as quick and even smoother then you can. They have some extra controls on the steering wheel you wont bother with after the first few weeks.



Is the USA getting the BMW 1 series?? ITs more of hardcore drivers car but using the back seats are a real PITA.



The TSX is sold as the Accord here and is a pretty decent sedan. More laid back and conservative and certantly less one up-man-ship then the Audi brand. Its well put together and in general Acura are hard cars to find faults with.



I dont trust VAG build quality or reliablilty, or atleast here they are very medicore. There are special VAG cars like the A6 and A8, but buying rehashed VW efforts probably isnt the best way to spend your cash. As a previous A4 owner i was left feeling that it wasnt the best car for the money. ( I got as a company car at a new job and dident get to choose).



IMHO, the TSX and the A3 are two different efforts and the A3 is just one better then the Golf, not one better then any other compact executive car. Does your budget stretch to Volvo S60R ?? It would have the sporting goes of the A3 while that more upmarket niceness that comes with the Volvo or TSX.



I would try the S60R my friend its somewhere between the A3 and the TSX and would certantly do you well. There are some pictures of one in the gallery here!!
 
steelwind101 said:
It is based on the Golf rather then the Golf being based on the A3.
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This is ultimately correct and confirmed. I was wrong. :doh



Seems as though the 3.2 is here for now, but we may soon see the 3.6. I don't know how they're going to get 300whp on that MKIV chassis without some werious modification in the rear which will increase price, which will turn off even more potential buyers like the one here. Smaller car, more money, not a great driver's car to begin with ...however 300hp in a MKIV!! :shocked
 
BMW has been toying with the idea of the 1-series in the U.S forever. I wouldn't hold my breath.



Regarding the TSX and A3, I'd personally go for the TSX just because the odds are it'll be more reliable. While Audi has good service it's still a huge pain to have to take the car in at all, even if it's covered.
 
I know what you mean about 300BHP in the current Golf/A3!! I have seen some press releases that VW are already working on the new Golf and that the current one is only going to have 5 years on the forecourt. How much of that is speculation i dont know, certantly in the EU they want to get the cars line up down to working 70% with diesel engines and the TSI turbo-supercharged efforts. (Compound turbos i think its called??).



http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/66730/vws_new_golf_laid_bare.html



I agree with PICUS about taking the car in to be repaired and they the A3 is less reliable. Is it ok to spend your money on a car that will have you back and forth from the dealer??



Geoff
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone. Reliability is a top priority. My LS has been 100% reliable; I drive it like I stole it and it has never complained so I am wanting something that can stand up to a beating and keep on running.



I have heard the TSX is "slow" by some standards, but gas milage savings is what I am also looking for so the 3.2 out of the question for the A3.



I have appointments to drive both this week! Can't wait!
 
It depends on how often you would like to see the dealers shop. You just cannot compare the reliablity of of a Audi to that of an ACURA. Every one of my neighbor who have owned Audi's have sworn off them soley because of the quality problem.
 
The 2.0T A3 is only 2WD and a whole different animal. The 3.2L AWD one is awesome....you can floor it around turns and it takes as much as you give it.



The TSX isn't as much of a "drivers car" but a better bang for the buck. You can pick up a new one without navi for close to 25K.....but it is scheduled for a major face lift and new engine in 2008, so it might be wise to wait a yr.



What about the mazdaspeed 6. It comes in AWD, 6 speed, close to 300 HP, and under 30K. I am a big fan!
 
If by slow you mean pure acceleration then yes, the TSX is not the fastest car out there. However, there is a reason that Car and driver has named the TSX the best sports sedan for the past three years. It handles like a dream. Especially with the six speed transmission and the LSD. Also, no one has a better navigation system than Acura. Plus voice command and a Bluetooth cell phone link. Don't forget the auxiliary mp3 music link. Also standard sunroof and leather. Oh, memory seating, foglights, xenon headlights, a functional back seat, double wishbone suspension, no tuneups for 105,000 miles, maintenance minder system, and a timing chain for added engine durability.

Also, TSX won the Motorola cup speed world challenge last year against BMW, Mazda, Audi, and others.



Comparably equipped, the A3 is about $2500 more.

the three year residual value is 54% for TSX, 49% for A3.

Powertrain warranty is 2 years and 20k longer for the TSX.

Maintenance in that time is about $350 dollars. I would rather pay for maintenance myself and save all this money, thank you very much.

Audi also lacks side curtain airbags.

Did I miss anything?

Reliability, reliability, reliability.
 
pocon1 said:
If by slow you mean pure acceleration then yes, the TSX is not the fastest car out there. However, there is a reason that Car and driver has named the TSX the best sports sedan for the past three years. It handles like a dream. Especially with the six speed transmission and the LSD. Also, no one has a better navigation system than Acura. Plus voice command and a Bluetooth cell phone link. Don't forget the auxiliary mp3 music link. Also standard sunroof and leather. Oh, memory seating, foglights, xenon headlights, a functional back seat, double wishbone suspension, no tuneups for 105,000 miles, maintenance minder system, and a timing chain for added engine durability.

Also, TSX won the Motorola cup speed world challenge last year against BMW, Mazda, Audi, and others.



Comparably equipped, the A3 is about $2500 more.

the three year residual value is 54% for TSX, 49% for A3.

Powertrain warranty is 2 years and 20k longer for the TSX.

Maintenance in that time is about $350 dollars. I would rather pay for maintenance myself and save all this money, thank you very much.

Audi also lacks side curtain airbags.

Did I miss anything?

Reliability, reliability, reliability.
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That pretty much sums it up. :bolt
 
tabinha said:
It depends on how often you would like to see the dealers shop. You just cannot compare the reliablity of of a Audi to that of an ACURA. Every one of my neighbor who have owned Audi's have sworn off them soley because of the quality problem.
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The unfortunate price of leading vs. following. The other unfortunate price is that a company like Audi prefers spending resources to completely develop their racing lines and by the time they get to their bottom end, their out of resources (including the desire to produce a top-quality product). Acura on the other hand looks at each car individually and puts full attention to details. That being said, I would never "follow". I've driven Audi's forever, accept their quirks, and will continue to drive them. People make them out to be some kind of pariah in the automotive market. But they're not. The sqeaky cog gets the grease, and in this case, the sqeaky cogs are those people who probably should have purchased an Acura, but wanted the Audi without fully considering what it was that they were buying which is (IMO) trickle down, race-proven engineering in the guise of a sedan or avant. Finicky? Yes. Problematic at times? Yes. Associated Status? Yes. Fun to drive? Yes. But I have found this to be true with any German product. All considered, I was behind a TSX yesterday. It looked good and IMO better than the A3. I've not driven either. I personally think the design team screwed up on the A3 and put Nil effort into it. I think they just threw it together with bits and pieces left over from their other efforts hoping to attract a younger crowd.

here's a good write up on it (about 3/4 of the way down): http://www.audiworld.com/news/06/streetsoftomorrow/



Personally I am all eyes and ears on the coming of the "Shooting Brake" concept. That is the A3 Audi should have waited to release.
 
MachB5 said:
Finicky? Yes. Problematic at times? Yes. Associated Status? Yes. Fun to drive? Yes. But I have found this to be true with any German product.
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So it's like using Klasse Sealant Glaze? Sucks to use but killer results!:D:D



Sorry, I couldn't resist that.:o
 
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