Audi "Attraction" trim level - Input from Audi fundis requested.

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Colin62

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After using my car to nudge a cow off the road, I'm in the market for a new car. I've been driving C-Class Mercs for the last 500 000km, specifically two C220Cdi Estates, both manual. I'm battling to find another W203 Diesel Estate, preferably Avant Garde (and I need a car fairly soon, the current arrangement is on borrowed time).

I saw an Audi A3 Attraction for sale, it's local, so I can actually test drive it without spending a tank of fuel just to get there, and I'm wondering if I should look at it seriously.

It's a 2009 Audi 1.9Tdi Attraction. I know it's a bit smaller than a C-Class Merc, and has cloth instead of leather. Can anyone tell me what I might be disappointed by and what I might be happy with in the Audi? Where does the "Attraction" trim level fall? I'm guessing it's a bit basic, judging by the cloth upholstery.

And yes, if you feel you need to tell me about different brands, I can't stop you, so go ahead, but I'm not that likely to look at them (specifically COTY finalists and cars with two or even more? fuel tanks).
 
You missed a few things, mileage and drivetrain.

In general, those engines are solid. Same can be said for the rest of the car. I owned an older model once and enjoyed it.
Things to lookout for is Turbo and ASV(Anti shudder valve). Edit: Only if all services are up to date
 
pjjdp said:
You missed a few things, mileage and drivetrain.

In general, those engines are solid. Same can be said for the rest of the car. I owned an older model once and enjoyed it.

Only thing to lookout for is Turbo and ASV(Anti shudder valve).
Click to expand...

ASV can be sourced from UK for a reasonable price - around 150-200GBP (like, half what you'll pay here) and it is a simple DIY replacement.
 
Sinbad said:
ASV can be sourced from UK for a reasonable price - around 150-200GBP (like, half what you'll pay here) and it is a simple DIY replacement.
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Yip, simple job. I bought mine from the stealers. Can't remember what I paid, but it was an arm and a leg.
 
Thanks. Nice find. Luckily I have a new Golf 7 back in SA and soon a new Tiguan here in Oman, so maintenance plan/warranty will sort all issues
 
Attraction, Ambition and Ambiente were the 3 trim levels...in that order.

EDIT: I think Attraction won't have things like leather, bluetooth and auto lights, wipers, mirror dimming etc...
 
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94k is low. I guess all services were carried out by the agents then. Last one done only 4k ago. Is it the one in Greytown? IMO, price is a tad high.
 
pjjdp said:
94k is low. I guess all services were carried out by the agents then. Last one done only 4k ago. Is it the one in Greytown? IMO, price is too high.
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Cambelt at 120k or 5 years - bear in mind. So it should have been done. Check...
 
pjjdp said:
94k is low. I guess all services were carried out by the agents then. Last one done only 4k ago. Is it the one in Greytown? IMO, price is a tad high.
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On second thought, pricing seems on par with other dealers in Durban. As Sinbad said, check cambelt service. Other than that, IMO, go for it if you are happy with it. Seems nice, some normal wear on the light switch and it has a Audi removable towbar.
 
pjjdp said:
94k is low. I guess all services were carried out by the agents then. Last one done only 4k ago. Is it the one in Greytown? IMO, price is a tad high.
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Yes, that's the one. I've just driven it, it looks very neat and clean.

The downside is that it's very basic. No on-board computer, no multi function steering wheel, no cruise control. All of that is standard on a Classic spec Mercedes five years older than that. It's quite cramped in the driver's seat, and not as powerful as my old Merc, even though it's a smaller body.

All in all, it didn't blow my socks off, but if I'm still looking in a week or so's time, I might just buy it because I need a car.
 
Colin62 said:
Yes, that's the one. I've just driven it, it looks very neat and clean.

The downside is that it's very basic. No on-board computer, no multi function steering wheel, no cruise control. All of that is standard on a Classic spec Mercedes five years older than that. It's quite cramped in the driver's seat, and not as powerful as my old Merc, even though it's a smaller body.

All in all, it didn't blow my socks off, but if I'm still looking in a week or so's time, I might just buy it because I need a car.
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Just get a rental instead of buying something you won't be happy with.
 
Colin62 said:
Yes, that's the one. I've just driven it, it looks very neat and clean.

The downside is that it's very basic. No on-board computer, no multi function steering wheel, no cruise control. All of that is standard on a Classic spec Mercedes five years older than that. It's quite cramped in the driver's seat, and not as powerful as my old Merc, even though it's a smaller body.

All in all, it didn't blow my socks off, but if I'm still looking in a week or so's time, I might just buy it because I need a car.
Click to expand...

Rather wait it out if you can, borrow or rent, a better A3 will pop up.
 
rodga said:
Just get a rental instead of buying something you won't be happy with.
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PostmanPot said:
Rather wait it out if you can, borrow or rent, a better A3 will pop up.
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I've got to get my kid down to Stellenbosch in January, with all the stuff that students need, so a rental is going to cost me a bomb - especially since I'll need something biggish preferably with a tow bar.
 
If I were you I would look at the A4. Amazing bang for buck imo and comes with all the nice things you would expect from a German sedan. Amazing ride, always loved the c class until I drove and then bought an a4.
 
OrbitalDawn said:
What budget are you working with?
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I was looking at a W203 C class Merc, but haven't been able to find the one I wanted, so the budget was around 120k, because that's what they go for. But now that I've started looking at different models, I've relaxed the budget constraints a bit. I drove a 2007 BMW X3 yesterday, going for 160k, and am quite keen to buy that. It's manual, diesel and close enough to an estate to make no difference. It's also going to cost a bit extra in tyres, and probably fuel, but I need a car and I need it soon.
 
genetic said:
You can't go wrong with any Audi.
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I was shocked at how little that A3 had for that much money... I've no doubt it's well built and will last a while, but if I'm buying an upmarket car I want an on board computer and a multi function steering wheel. And cruise control.

My purchasing strategy has switched from looking for a specific car anywhere in the country to looking for anything suitable close enough to test drive easily.
 
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