I know I said "No. More. Volkswagen-Audi. Group. Cars. Ever." But...

We've been looking for the magic bullet replacement for Mrs. Motomoron's 2000 Audi A4 2.8 manual quattro for ages. It's going to need a clutch soon and it's generally kind of DC roads/DC parking hammered. It works, but the urgency to get something with functional heat before it's 7 degrees F is building.

The parameters are: 2009 or newer, under 50k miles, manual, AWD is nice, good/sporty vehicle dynamics, a preference for hatches, small wagons, coupes. Likes a nice interior, leather/heated. $20k w/ a little room.

We'd considered an A3 tdi but the $ to get a new generation car w/ the better sorted DSC trans didn't work. Subarus all need top end gaskets and cam seals. Focus ST is fun but but a little cheap and plastc-ey. But it was a front runner. We drove an e92 328i (auto, 'cause it was nearby) and I was thoroughly unimpressed. The "it" that makes me love my e36 M3 and e39 525iT just isn't there. We were thinking 128i, 'til she emailed me a listing for a:

2012 Audi A3 2.0 turbo, 6 spd manual quattro. Premium/sport/cold weather packages, 18" wheels, 31.5k miles, AudiCare service through 45k miles, new tires last 6 months, 1 adult owner, full service records. Asking $19.9.

So since I'd thrown out Audis w/ the V.A.G. bathwater I did a little research. The 3rd generation launched in '12 and from what I read it didn't seen that there's any significant problem that's occurring with any frequency, though granted they're only a couple years old now. Timing belt service is at 110k, thermostat isn't buried behind a timing belt service worth of labor, access looks better than the V6 cars, and the motoring public and press seem to like it a lot.

So, we're going to go drive it tomorrow morning (and I'm going to pick up a set of 16" e39 mesh wheels for $200 for the 525iTs wither rubber, nearby).

Anyone have any intel specific to the 3rd gen A3s? It's a great looking car in the pics - but we'll obviously know a lot more after we drive it.

What about a Fiat 500 abarth? Used they're coming in under 20k, and they get really good mileage.

If you wait until 110k miles to change that timing belt I can promise you that you'll be very, very sorry.

I really don't care what the manual says, those need to be changed every 60k miles, period.

Otherwise those are killer cars and they respond very well to a tune.

In reply to docwyte:

Indeed. And that noise. That raucous pint-size Ferrari noise.

Fiat is out. We have a Sprite and a Miata for when we want a small, snarly car and the e36 M3 is being made back into a street car, so sporty is covered. And I'm just not thrilled w/ the Fiat Abarth ergos and build quality - even though it make me salivate when I first heard they would be coming to the US.

We're looking for a civilized, sort-of-Euro grownup commuter. And if we can get one that cost $30k for $20k w/ 80% of the taste left in the gum, so much the better.

Okay. Have you looked at TDI sportwagens? They're pretty nice. Also,Lincoln Town Car.

Fusion? (Not kidding here) Mazda 6?

captdownshift wrote: Fusion? (Not kidding here) Mazda 6?

Yes. Mazda 6 x 1000. Also Mazda 3.

Whaaaa? I would have gone there. Was looking for a replacement for my '02 WRX wagon, and that car sounds perfect. We ended up with a '15 GTI SE. Hatch too small, but what a fantastic car so far (1000 miles).

Boy, it is a good thing that you are not looking for a sporty quick largish newish hatchback in the $20k range, because that is exactly where used Focus STs are at around here...

How about the 500L?

I second the Mazda 6 recommendation as well.

I ordered and still own an '11 A3 six speed and it's been fine (72K one warranty & one post warranty repair).

The 6 speed was FWD only and there was no such thing as as a quattro manual at the time. It has a timing chain, not belt, and to my knowledge there was no change from '11 to 12. No complaints here.

Pretty sure the 2.0t has a belt. Did you have the VR6 model?

In reply to Knurled:

Nope - 2.0T. The 110K timing belt is the TTS 5 cylinder only

http://www.audiusa.com/content/dam/audiusa/Documents/Audi-Maintenance-Schedule-Model-Year-2011.pdf

2.0T diagram & parts prices below - chain & guides.

http://www.audiwholesaleparts.com/parts/2011/Audi/A3/Base?siteid=215295&vehicleid=314372&diagram=F221042&diagramCallOut=14

Dashpot wrote: In reply to Knurled: Nope - 2.0T. The 110K timing belt is the TTS 5 cylinder only

The 5 cylinder is a chain engine, for definite.

997s are in the 30s now. Just putting it out there... I mean, if you are embracing the VAG You might as well do it right.

I also second the Jetta TDI sportwagen. It's one of the few 5 or 6-speed manual wagons sold in the states. A consolation prize can be a Mazda 3 hatchback.

Regarding the Subaru's, in theory you should not have head gasket issues on 2009 and newer motors. Isn't it the pre 2003, 2004 motors with the gasket problems.

In reply to GTwannaB:

Any Subaru with a 2.5 turbo or not, avoid and save the headache.

The new Mazda 6 is quite unreal too btw.

Thanks for all the input. We went to see and drive it this morning and bought it after a 3 minute discussion.

What sealed the deal was:

• Car was perfect. 2 or 3 tiny stone chips and a little curb rash on 2 wheels. The underside of the nose/chin had touched a parking block maybe twice. Interior was as-new, perfect paint.
• Owner was a smart design professional who's obviously sort of OCD. He'd assembled every service record chrolologically, copies of a bill of sale and the title,and the hard title in a folder, all keys in a ziplock bag, and the glovebox binder for our inspection, and he had a good reason to sell.
• The car drives as-new, and we both really like it and fell it'll be ideal for her daily. It's quick enough, brakes well enough, and corners well enough for a good driver to faster than they need to on the street.
• It's the exact colors and options she'd buy if she got a new one, and it's $10k less than new w/more miles left than she'll want to own it remaining.
• Try to find a manual/sport/slicktop. You'll look a while.

I've been casually shopping for about 2 years and it's been growing in urgency the past 6 months. So Pretty much every possible scenario has been considered, factoring in the current "vehicle matrix" and how whatever she gets affects what I/we need or keep. I've got a race car, a built e36 M3, a built NA Miata and a '62 Sprite to cover all the fun car bases (And I'm leaning toward selling the M3 once it's back together to get a Cayman S).

Do I wish it was AWD? Yes, but we'll put some winter tires on and it'll be fine.