2012 Audi A3 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

I loved the way this car handled. It is so peppy with the turbo and all Iv'e had to watch my speed as it's easy to drive fast & the ride is so smooth. Very dependable. Looks sharp on the outside (body) but not very fancy on the inside as (interior).

The A3 Sport Wagon is a compact 5-door hatchback with a firm sports suspension, a peppy turbocharged engine and extra room behind the rear seats for storage or transportation of bulky items. We tried the S-Line sports package manual-shift model, and it zipped through the gears smoothly and with plenty of power to move from zero to fifty in just a few seconds. Handling is surefooted with all-season Michelin rubber. Seats are comfortable, even for tall drivers. Visibility is very good. Its quiet inside, until you step on the accelerator; then it growls a bit. The brake cover/storage bin was a bit in the way of the shifter and our plastic setbacks were separating from the front seats, apparently a common issue with Audis. High-mileage models tend to leak oil from head and cam gaskets. If you are looking for a fun and practical entry-level luxury car, the A3 Wagon is a good choice.

I like the Audi A3 Sportback, downsizing from an Audi A6 wagon. The car is enjoyable to drive and nicely appointed inside. I have some concerns about the durability, and cost of replacing timing chain which is ~$3-5K on an A3. Audi suggests chains will last 150K miles but automotive shops and the dealer reports differently. RIP Timing Belts I miss them and the cost of replacing them. If buying used check timing chain health.