Viable alternative to A3?

[BigBazza]

Wifes A3 2.0 TDi S-Line 170 5 door is coming up for change.

Fancy something different, Merc don't do anything similar, BMW seem to miss the mark in that bracket too.

Anyone suggest a viable alternative?

Luxury, 5 door (without being as big as an estate), diesel, quick, solid........... good looking.

[Mafioso]

BigBazza said:

BMW seem to miss the mark in that bracket too.

120d/123d?

[deveng]

Mafioso said:

120d/123d?

If the OP currently owns an A3 they have far too much taste to have a 1 series.

Tongue firmly in cheek.

But seriously I don't like the 1 series, and I own an A3

[swamp]

Golf GTD?

[mnkiboy]

Golf? (obviously)
Alfa Giullietta? (if i could spell it)
Volvo V50? (why don't they make a 5 door C30?)

[Liquid Knight]

If you take the A236 to Portsmouth you go through a village called "Cocking". A more entertaining road than the A3(M) as well.

[BigBazza]

The Alfa is what started the conversation actually.

No sorry just can't see us buying a 1 series and a Golf seems a step back really.

OK so the Volvo or the Guillietta so far. Would the Alfa hit the spot? Certainly looks the part.

Edited by BigBazza on Monday 31st January 21:16

[pilchardthecat]

Full frontal lobotomy?

Syphilis?

[MartynVRS]

Badge snob lol! I guess an Octavia vRS or Leon FR would be out of the question.

[thinfourth2]

A skoda + duct tape + http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AUDI-RS-Badge-A3-S3-LOGO-R-S...

[BigBazza]

pilchardthecat said:

Full frontal lobotomy?

Syphilis?

??

[fido]

Northbound, you might also want to consider the A24, being careful not to get lost around thwee Hypermarket near Wimbledon.

[BigBazza]

MartynVRS said:

Badge snob lol! I guess an Octavia vRS or Leon FR would be out of the question.

Nah not really, I like the Leon

[pilchardthecat]

BigBazza said:

pilchardthecat said:

Full frontal lobotomy?

Syphilis?

??

Both viable, even preferable alternatives to the automotive dirge that is the A3

[Caruso]

There are so many viable alternatives to an A3 that cost more in petrol but less in depreciation that it's difficult to know where to start...

...so I'll start with a Bentley Turbo R and am prepared to negotiate down on the basis of annual mileage.

[T84]

Step back from an A3? LOL

[chopper602]

BigBazza said:

The Alfa is what started the conversation actually.

No sorry just can't see us buying a 1 series and a Golf seems a step back really.

OK so the Volvo or the Guillietta so far. Would the Alfa hit the spot? Certainly looks the part.

Edited by BigBazza on Monday 31st January 21:16

Took the Alfa out for a long test drive on Saturday and TBH it was very good. We took the diesel and it ticked all the right boxes. Well put together, quality feel inside and performance was very good. We'd have ordered one, but for us it was just a bit too small (coming from an Audi A6).

[deveng]

pilchardthecat said:

BigBazza said:

pilchardthecat said:

Full frontal lobotomy?

Syphilis?

??

Both viable, even preferable alternatives to the automotive dirge that is the A3

dirge? really? working in garages for 3 years or so I drove probably 300 different cars and A3s are a very nice place to be comparitively.

And you don't knock them to drive, again having driven probably 300 different cars they are an above average drive.

And finally, your profile doesn't state what you drive, so you're opinion is not valid as we cannot benchmark your opinion of a good car.

[geeteeaye]

pilchardthecat said:

Full frontal lobotomy?

Syphilis?

Says it all that OP 'can't see himself in a 1 series' and a golf 'would be a step back'.

Middle-class-worried-about-having-a-more-'prestigious'-car-than-the-other-neighbours

Why not remortgage and get a Cayenne, you'll feel so superior.

[hunt_the_fox]

deveng said:

pilchardthecat said:

BigBazza said:

pilchardthecat said:

Full frontal lobotomy?

Syphilis?

??

Both viable, even preferable alternatives to the automotive dirge that is the A3

dirge? really? working in garages for 3 years or so I drove probably 300 different cars and A3s are a very nice place to be comparitively.

And you don't knock them to drive, again having driven probably 300 different cars they are an above average drive.

And finally, your profile doesn't state what you drive, so you're opinion is not valid as we cannot benchmark your opinion of a good car.

I have driven a good few cars, not 300 but IMO the A3 was one of the most hateful pieces of crap I have ever had the displeasure of being behind the wheel of.