Aibu asking advice on car buying... Astra vs audi a3?

[Marie5678]

So I'm looking to replace my car. I've only had one which was a vauxhall which I've loved. I'm buying another used car 10k budget I was looking at just getting a newer reg astra or possibly the audi a3 (I've always wanted one) I'm just not sure if it's very expensive to maintain/upkeep? I would be comfortable in the astra as I've had it before but just wondering if anyone has any advice or opinions on the two?

At the £10k price point and both being hatchbacks, it all depends what you want - image and interior finish (Audi A3) or much lower miles, maybe some Apple CarPlay/Android Auto tech etc...

Both aren't bad on reliability but at this point I'd ask please if you've considered either the VW Golf (it is often cited as class leading for a reason), the Ford Focus (best driving experience for my liking, and some decent Sync3 tech for phones etc) or any of the Korean options - a Kia C'eed or a Hyundai i30 would give you low mileage, newer tech, might even have some warranty remaining.

Saying all that... the A3 is what you've always wanted! If you're doing short journeys then please consider petrol - the 1.4 TSI is a decent enough unit for fuel economy, I'd only consider diesel if you're doing serious miles in it.

Have a look at Mazda 3's too, very good cars

@moochingtothepub

Have a look at Mazda 3's too, very good cars

That's a great shout! Lovely engines and reliable too 🙏🏼

Thank you so much for replies! I have considered the focus and i30 I think my issue is I don't like change which is why I'm leaning towards the astra 🙈 but I will pop to a showroom and check out a few different ones.

Never considered the mazda will definitely have a look!

Neither Audi or Vauxhall fair especially well in reliability surveys/indices. I’d be looking to the Far East with the exception of Nissan who are going rapidly downhill.

O no really? Is there any you would recommend too? I've just looked at the mazda I'm not keen on the focus 🙈

Kia and Hyundai make good cars these days, if you want Japanese then Toyota and Honda are the go to.

Both are suited tbh

read the reviews of used cars on Honest John. Check the MoT history of the ones you are considering, that tells you quite a lot about what has been fixed and how they have been treated. (Clue - no car should ever fail on tyres/lights/wipers, if they do it shows a fuckwit driver and you don't want to buy a car that has been with someone like that)

My A3 was comfortably my least favourite car - but it was a 2005 so they may have improved. The only thing I liked about it was the front seats and the heating/ventilation system. Everything else was dire and it wasn't especially reliable. Also it got scratched and scraped whilst parked much more than any other car I've had. As a PP says - since the Audi is actually just a Golf in a posh frock maybe take a look at a Golf.

Never had a Vauxhall but I do have an A3. Bought it new, it’s now approaching 13 years old with 168k miles on the clock and still going strong, despite my (sometimes) wishing it would die so I can get a new car!! It’s cost me very little beyond the regular maintenance you get with all cars.

I guess a lot is to do with how it’s looked after, especially a used example which can be a bit of a gamble. If the mileage is low though and there is a documented history, you should be fine.

Agree it might be worth considering a Golf, or maybe Mercedes A Class if you prefer a German option. Volvo V40 looks quite nice too.

I had an A3 and it was the most boring car I have ever owned. I prayed for it to be stolen but no such luck. As others have said, the VW Golf is the same as the A3.
I actually had a beetle which again is the same thing but it's cute outfit wasn't family friendly, no rear doors and the curved bottom meant my travel system didn't fit in the boot. I'll mourn the loss of Belinda Beetle to this day.

I've had both (although my A3 was a cabriolet).

The A3 was considerably nicer than the Astra inside, and the seats were more comfortable on long journeys.

The Astra was more spacious on balance (factoring in that the Audi was a convertible, so the boot space was configured differently). The boot in the Astra was huge.

The gearbox and handling were much better in the Audi, but then the Astra was a diesel so nose-heavy (diesel engines are generally heavier than petrol).

My A3 had the 1.4 TFSI engine with cylinder-on-demand and it was very economical.

Audi main dealership servicing costs a lot. If I remember correctly a major service was about £400.

But that goes for most makes really, even Vauxhall servicing isn't especially cheap these days.

Either way, you'd probably get those costs down a bit if you serviced at a well-regarded independent garage rather than a main franchised dealership. (Some things will always be more expensive though, certain parts for example.)

Mazda 3, Volvo V40, Toyota Auris or Kia Ceed/Hyundai i30 great alternatives to A3 or Astra.

Audi A3, VW Golf, Skoda Octavia and Seat Leon are all the same car, its on the VAG MQB Platform, I have a Skoda and even the finance payments come out of my bank marked as VW.

So ask yourself if you want to pay for a name or just have the same car for less money and cheaper servicing, then make your choice.

Thank you all I had no idea the golf was essentially an audi! I will have a look at that too! I'll also look at the volvo too.