2006 Audi A3 Consumer Reviews

Dissapoinment

Written by: a3sfca on 11/15/2008

Vehicle

2006 Audi A3 2.0T 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

The reliability has been terrible. Back in shop over and over again in the past six months. The warranty and the extended warranty has been useless. Always pondering what will break next. Not fun when you are driving a seven year old around.

Favorite Features

Fun to drive when it works.

Suggested Improvements

Auomatic window controls are pealing, fog light covers break easily, suspension rough.

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Never Again

Written by: DavidK45 on 08/27/2008

Vehicle

2006 Audi A3 2.0T 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

The 2.0 liter turbo jerks a lot and gas mileage is average. Rides great on the highway but too "loose" in the city. I have had several problems with my car and am just glad it is under warranty (though a new battery is not covered). My battery completely died after two years. The clip for the sunshade on the Open Sky system broke (as is common) and was replaced by a non-matching black clip (interior is grey). At 21,500 miles, my manual transmission broke where 1st gear and reverse did not work. My car is currently in the shop (over one week now) and Audi is going to replace the transmission since they are afraid the problem could spread to the other gears if they rebuild it.

Favorite Features

Good torque at low rpm

Suggested Improvements

A/C could be better, transmission, smoother engine, better sunshade protection on Open Sky system, better dealer network (Santa Monica is terrible)

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Amazing Car for the Money

Written by: Andy and Marcia on 07/13/2008

Vehicle

2006 Audi A3 2.0T 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Review

This car has been a very nice vehicle to own. It has been to Northern Michigan during the winter ( ESP worked very well )and the summer A/C worked very well . Average mileage winter/ summer is about 23 mpg city and about 28 / 29 highway. In the winter we have seen 32 mpg on a round trip to Atlanta and on a trip to North Carolina we saw about 28 . Very comfortable on a long trip. In town as an errand vehicle the car has been very handy. Parking is a breeze and even in summer with the AC running ( as in right now ) we get about 21 in town day to day stop and go. The warranty on the 2006 was handy with the sunshade and the AC needing repair as well as the oil change and service intervals.

Favorite Features

DSG, 2.0 turbo a blast. parking, room for groceries, room for four even though it is kinda crowded, sun roof, heated seats / mirrors very nice. Radio sounds great , rain sensing wipers and defroster very efficient. With Premium, cold weather, DSG, Pearl Mettallic, satellite radio, sale price was 31k .

Suggested Improvements

Better cup holders in front , rear seats needs to fold flat, sun glasses storage, better CD storage, arm rest interferes with parking brake, have at least a 4 way power passenger seat with premium package. It does use a qt of 5 w 40 synth in between 5 k intervals. I hear that has been addressed.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Love the Car

Written by: GregIrwin on 07/02/2008

Vehicle

2006 Audi A3 2.0T 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Review

I've had the car for two years. It's a lot of fun to drive, and gets decent mileage (~27mpg). The interior is perfect for my needs, and the hatchback is highly functional. There's been some wear and tear. A lost button, and a busted door handle. Given I paid $26k for the car, I consider it an outstanding value.

Favorite Features

As an '06, service is included. Fun to drive. Easy to park. Good mileage.

Suggested Improvements

My golf clubs just barely fit in the trunk, another 1" or 2" would make the difference.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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What a Gem

Written by: Larry Marks on 06/20/2008

Vehicle

2006 Audi A3 2.0T 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

I traded in my 2003 530i for a certified pre-owned A3 with 36,275 miles on it. I couldn't be happier. It is a phenomenal vehicle, and all for under 30k. It all starts with the engine. The 2.0T is a great powerplant, and I love the short throws on my 6 speed manual transmission. The low end torque really gets the car going. The steering is very responsive and the ride is very stable. It is such a blast to drive. It is a coin flip between this A3 and a 323i as the best driving cars I have ever owned. The quality of the interior build is much better than the BMWs I have just come out of (a 323i then 530i). The fuel economy is not bad (25mpg for me) for such a fun car to drive

Favorite Features

2.0T engine, 6 speed manual transmission, interior build, seats, Open Sky system, exterior design.

Suggested Improvements

Please bring a turbodiesel engine to the US for this car. I think the 140hp TDI going in the 2009 Jetta would be a great fit the A3.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Looking good, but many major problems

Written by: LZ on 05/08/2008

Vehicle

2006 Audi A3 2.0T 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Review

We leased the car in October. By July AC broke down in 90 degree heat and 100% humidity. Audi couldn't fix the problem for a month. They had to replace the compressor twice. Then a year later I fule pump broke down on a highway and the car almost stalled. I barely avoided the accident. Now my just simply wouldn't start one day. When mechanic from Audi came - the and tried to start it - the engine started smoking. Week later they tell me oil pump is broken and they are replacing the engine. I am getting rid of the car - I no longer feel safe driving with kids in it. Total dissapointment.

Favorite Features

When works - a lot of fun to drive, excellent cornering and traction. Winter package is great for those who ski - I can put all 4 pairs of skis and boots inside, heated seats and mirrows very helpful

Suggested Improvements

DSG has mind of its own sometimes - dropping 3 gears on rapid accelarition. Radio is flaky with often poor reception. Sunglasses holder/storage would have been great

1 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Great Car

Written by: Michael on 04/10/2008

Vehicle

2006 Audi A3 2.0T 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Review

I bought this car just under 3 years ago. My lease is almost up, and I am going to buy it. The car looks great, drives great, fast for what it is, good fuel efficiency, nice options, DSG is great, and reliability is very good. There are only two issues with this car. Considering the performance, the springs should be a little harder, I replaced them and I am very happy now. The other issue. Mankind has been building cars since 1908, you think by now we could wash the engine with a hose pipe and not damage the engine. Well maybe I am wrong, so I did, and it cost me $180. Do not wash the engine with water. Otherwise really a great car.

Favorite Features

Performance, looks in and out. fuel economy, compact wagon the way of the future.

Suggested Improvements

Better springs. An engine you can wash with water.

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Driving experience

Written by: frank on 01/15/2008

Vehicle

2006 Audi A3 2.0T 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Review

Really fun to drive, excellent comfort and the sound of the powertrain is pleasing.

Favorite Features

Nav system.

Suggested Improvements

When car is in park the vehicle tends to move back, but using the parking brake helps.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Mighty Little Hatchback

Written by: drobpga on 09/11/2007

Vehicle

2006 Audi A3 2.0T 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Review

I recently purchased an A3, 2.0T with the intention of having a daily driver that offered economy as well as reliability. My immediate impression once I climbed into the well fitted interior was that this was a driver's cockpit. As I pressed the little vehicle I soon lost sight of the mundane purpose and started focusing on how incredibly fun this car was to drive. I must confess with a stable of alternatives I often find myself firing up the little Hatchback as a prefered choice. Imagine that! This vehicle hits the bullseye like Willy Tell. Compare this vehicle to anything available in this meager price range and you would be hard pressed to find such a tightly wound package.

Favorite Features

Driveability and sheer fun factor. I enjoy the DSG system which works well. Fit and finish is remarkable at this price range.

Suggested Improvements

I know Audi has worked to eliminate torque steer, but I still feel like the car tends to yaw a bit under initial acceleration and through tighter low speed cornering. A bit more boost would always be nice.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Saved My Life

Written by: Adam G. on 06/26/2007

Vehicle

2006 Audi A3 2.0T 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Review

My wife and I had this car for over a year and simply loved it. Had some build quality problems. The rear window had to be replaced because of noise in the radio caused by the rear defroster being on. Also had to have a relay replaced since the car would not go above 30! Aside from that drove it across country and it was great and lots and lots of fun. We just got in a serious accident in it and walked away with only minor injuries from the airbag propellant. This car might have saved our lives. It certainly let us just walk away from a bad accident. I would most definitely get another, but next time I want AWD. VERY VERY SAFE!

Favorite Features

DSG transmission and engine.

Suggested Improvements

AUX plug for the radio. I really missed having that.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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