Advantages: Cheap to run, Zetec handles really well
Disadvantages: Bit plasticy inside, can get rattly.

...I have a 2002 Ford Fiesta Zetec 1.4 TDCi 5dr in red. Over 60MPG, very low insurance and cheap tax. Beware of the first batch in 2002 that didn't have the CO2 tweaked so yours paying £120 tax when the exact same car released months after is only £35 a year to tax. Very annoying! The Zetec has superb handly and most of the time feels very nippy with good pull in higher gears on motorways. It seems a lot nippier than it's 68HP would suggest. I fill it up once a month and I'm driving about 25 miles a day to work and back and pottering around at weekends. The car has a couple of annoying rattles from the slightly cheap interior build quality but there are a nice number of storage compartments and the cabin feels pretty good standard. Seats are comfy and there is plenty of room in the car. I am 6ft 2 and my left knee does sometimes rub a bit... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Cheap, easy to use
Disadvantages: Software too simple

...If like me you work mainly in A3, I am sure you have discovered that although cheap A4 printers are two a penny, there is a distinct lack of choice of A3 scanners, or at least affordable ones! So with a budget of less than £100, I had a choice of, well, one scanner….So needless to say I went with that one, the Mustek ScanExpress A3 USB! Appearance Well, although not attractive it is very compact! Only marginally larger than an A3 sheet, I can't see how it could be any more space saving, well other than a vertical scanner I guess! Although it's a new model (based on the Mustek ScanExpress A3, non USB version!) it is only available in computer beige, so Mustek appear to be lagging behind a bit and missing the whole grey computer revelation, which is a bit of a shame when you consider most scanners sit on a desk in full view... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great comfort, economical, great value for money, excellent road runner
Disadvantages: Not as punchy as a Golf GTI 2.0

...I brought an Audi A3 2.0 FSI a few years back and had it for about just over a year. I brought it as an ex demo with only about 3,000 miles on the clock. I had to sell it last year as was buying my sisters Golf GTI. In that time that I had the Audi A3, it was truely an amazing car. It was very economical, I didnt have a computer inside to tell me how many miles to the gallon I was doing but it was pretty good, a much better road runner to the more guzzling Golf GTI. I had a dark navy blue exterior with a pale cloth interior. I brought rubber matts along with the carpet ones the car came with for durability, it was deffinately well worth it. I had a CD/Radio player in the car which was new to me because all the cars I had before that was more old fashioned, but it was well worth it. The only thing I would point out that now having... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Super looks, great build quality
Disadvantages: Audi service..AVIOD

...Audi is a german company. I could leave it there, but audi currently i believe lead the german luxury car market, the A3's competitors are the VW Golf and the BMW 1 series, this mercedes currently not offering a sporty hatchback. The golf firstly won't give you the same luxury that the A3 will which justifies it being £6000 cheaper, and the 1 series will give you the luxury at a slightly most expensive price and without the sporty looks of the A3. The A3 in fact runs over the other two in the looks department, with audi's signature large grill, it looks like a beast and is one, the S-line will offer you even better sporty look with nicer trim without having to fork out for the S3. The S-line is basically an option that gives in an enhanced sporty look almost as good as the S3 and the S-line option is available in the 5-door option... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A 5-door premium "mini-estate"
Disadvantages: Cost. It's really just a Golf, buy you pay for the badge...

...companies (all four in a line, in an attempt to avoid confusion with the 5 Olympic rings), and the logo is still used by Audi today. Volkswagen purchased Auto Union in 1964 - they also own Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Seat & Skoda, and, apparently, "Each brand retains its differentiated brand image and operates as an independent entity on the market. Together, the product ranges extend from low-consumption small cars to luxury class vehicles.") The A3 hatchback sits towards the small end of the current Audi range, with the A2 supermini, the soon to be replaced TT coupe (and convertible), the A4 executive saloon (plus "Avant " estate and convertible), A6 "large" executive saloon (and Avant), and A8 "massive" executive saloon ! There's also a "Q7" 4x4 due soon, along with the "Allroad" pumped-up estate... The "Sportback" is the 5-door... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Reliability, quality of build, performance
Disadvantages: Costly servicing, fuel economy low if pushed

...In March of 2004 I purchased a three year old, Y-reg Audi A3 1.8 Turbo-sport three door. The first thing that struck me with this car was the build quality and feeling of being in a very solid car. Despite being a smaller-sized hatch, this car has a surprisingly large amount of front space and a boot that could swallow whole families. Yes, the rear seats do have less leg room than you would expect in a car of this size, but the front sports seats cause this. In the non-sport model, the standard seats do allow for exra legs in the rear. The boot can comfortably hold three sets of golf clubs and if I collapse one side of the 2/3 split rear seats, six can easliy be squeezed in. The interior trim is fantastic, despite being three years old, this car doesn't possess a single rattle or knock from any corner or orifice. My model has... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Looks great on both the inside and the outside, feeling of safety when driving
Disadvantages: Cost of petrol, tyres etc, noise from engine, space

...I bought an Audi A3 1.6SE 3 door after saving for years. I was soooo excited when it came on a big lorry from Audi. The delivery man was very well dressed and gave me a demonstration of the vehicle and informed me what all the gadgets and buttons did on the inside. We even had a tour of the engine (I'm a girl, an engine is an engine - sorry!!!). I couldnt' have been more impressed. So, after the hours demonstration, and my brain whirring round my little head, i took off into the sunset to drive my 'dream' car. I LOVED it. I couldn't get enough. My husband loved driving it too. The interior was neat, looks good, silver where silver is needed - not too much so it doesn't look tacky. The air conditioning is easy to use and works very efficently. There is a cup holder for your can/water/tea. The glove compartment is big enough... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Fast, robust, handling, economy
Disadvantages: Centre arm rest makes use of handbrake a pain

...Recently I bought a new a3, i chose it to replace the a3 I had at the time which had proved economical, reliable and reasonably nippy, it was a 1.6. The real determining factor for me though was the fact that the 1.6 was written off when a 52 seater bus didn't bother breaking and smahed the rear end in. Standing back and looking at the damage I was impressed that the tailgate had still about a foot or so to go before reaching the back seats. Granted the bus probably wasn't doing more than 30 mile an hour, but I was stationary. So replaced the 1.6 with a 1.9tdi , 6gear. Having 130 bhp certainly makes a difference and this thing is quick when you want it but very economical if you're just cruising. I get around 600 miles on a tank. The seating position is pretty adjustable, my car has the usual forward/back/tilt and backrest... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Reknowned build quality and reliability, sporty handling.
Disadvantages: It's the wife's not mine.

...The hunt for the Audi A3 we now own began after we decided the escalating petrol prices were no longer for us. Running a 2.6 V6 tends to get expensive at todays prices. The only replacement to my wifes exceptionally well behaved V6 Vectra had to be an Audi A3. Something small and fun for the adults to drive, but also well behaved, safe and with an air of prestige about it for when the kids are on board. We picked up an 98 (R), one owner, 90k mile with FSH example which could only be described as near immaculate. In stunning silver with 15" 6 spoke light alloy wheels. To drive the car feels as tight as I imagine it did when new, and handles exceptionally well thanks to Audi's many years experience in the rally field. Although the car does hold the promise of "sport" at best it is a warm hatch as opposed a hot hatch producing 125... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Stunningly good looking, well sought after - easy to sell on, definitely get more then you paid for if you've done the research
Disadvantages: Audi servicing and parts pricey, steep insurance, overall maintenance expensive

...First and foremost, do your research, I bought my car in October 2003 from a second hand dealer advertised in the newspaper for £8695, whilst on my search saw the same car advertised over the Internet for £8400, finally managed to negotiate a price of £8200 once informing the dealer of my ability to take the car of his hands that same day and also informing him I was a serious buyer who had done my research! Alas, a year later an identical car was on private sale priced at £6000 slightly higher mileage but none the less the owner was ready to take £5,500 - research, research and... The Audi A3 1.6 Sport is a stunner, although could be a smoother drive such as his rival the 1.8, although the difference in cost does not justify the 1.8 making the 1.6 a favourite. Moreover the 1.6 handles the road exceptionally well ensuring... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful