So..there I was pottering around the Audi USA Website, and then I decided to build "my A3 2.0 Turbo DSG".

I added just about every available option, including Brilliant Black colour, Sport Comfort Seats, 18-inch alloy wheels and the S-Line package.
In the end, the Audi Hatchback that started costing $26.820.00 ended-up costing a rather whopping $35.970.00.

Then, I decided to pay the Volkswagen USA website a visit and build "my own GTI 5-door 2.0T".

Again, I added just about every available option (except the tacky "ground effect kit", "Sports and the other Roof racks" and those "boot storage trays"), including Candy White colour, DSG Gearbox, chromed mirror caps, heated washer nozzles, Hufeisen 18-inch alloy wheels, Leather Seats, GTI Floor Mats and DVD Sat Nav.

In the end, the VeeDub that started at $22.720.00 ended up costing $29.855.00.

That's a difference of $6.115.00 between the Audi vs the VW.

Why would you spent the extra $6.115.00 in a car, that is basically exactly the same as the $6.115.00 cheaper car? Because of the 4-rings badge??? For the same money as the Audi, you could get the $35.131.00 Jetta GLI 2.0T DSG with the same level of equipment as the GTI, either in black magic or candy white colour.

You could argue the difference between a prestigious badge to a plebeian one is only $839; the A3 is a more practical car because it is a 5-door hatchback and you would be right saying so. Thing is though, if you have a family, then the saloon would be more handy, think what the $839 could do in your family budget in the end of the month.

So from what i can understand the A3 and the Jetta are considered to be the same?
And why buy the Jetta and not the cheaper Skoda Octavia?

If Audi is considered to be the same with VW then VW can be considered to be the same with Skoda.

Seriously now two different guys , the one is a mechanic at my local Audi-VW dealer and the other one works for the central VW-Audi representative in Greece , have told me that the build quality and reliabilty of Audi is much better than VW's.
Of course i knew that already.

Yannis...are you mad at me?


Correct if I'm wrong, but the current Golf and A3 share the same PQ35 platform. So different body styles aside they are nearly the same animals underneath, right?

Why buy a Lincoln when you can get a Ford or Mercury?

Why by a Chrysler when you can buy a Dodge?

Why buy a Lexus when you can by a Toyota?

Why buy a Infiniti when you can buy a Nissan?

Why buy a Acura when you can buy a Honda?

To me Audi has better build quality than VW especially in the interior, and they are more stately. I would happily pay $6K more for an Audi.

I can understand Kowalski's point. However, I also agree with Jeff who said you could say the same for many other car companies. In certain cases, I might be inclined to choice the less prestigious brand - although not here.

If I had the extra cash to buy the A3 I most certainly would. Not only because I feel it's better built with a better interior, but because I prefer it's exterior.

why buy the VW when you can get a more powerful seat leon cupra for less.....

My ibiza and my friends polo run the same chassis yet drive and handle very differently. A fair few of the suspension parts are completely different also!

My car handles better, is cheaper to service, more powerful, sportier and is faster. Yet it cost a whopping £1000 less

VW interior quality is better through and the car will have better residuals

Our passat that we recently got feels very good quality, the doors shut with a very expensive sound, and everything works well. Comparing it to the A4, which are the same in terms of pricing, the passat is much larger and have more equipment for the same amount of money, I really don't know why I'd get the A4!

The passat is newer, a much safer car, and larger, what's the A4 got that makes it worth so much more??? Seeing as Audi and VW share engines and as much other stuff as possible, I don't understand how an Audi could be more reliable. Skodas may be cheaper than VWs, but you can tell that's the case, and that's why I'm not talking about them in this post!

My point is, there are many overshadowed bargains out there and they worth serious consideration.

In no absolute way, I'm trying to say one is better than another, I am just pointing out that for the same money as an A3, you can get a Jetta or Golf GTI with the same 2.0 Turbo engine and DSG gearbox as the A3.

-The GTI is 6k cheaper.

-The Jetta GLI is a larger car.

In the end, is all down to which one feels the best.

I think they (you mentioned) drive very similar as well, but the difference in overall build quality (i'm not talking about interiors only) is significant. Audi can share with VW whatever they want, but the difference is there and obvious.

Anyhow, the price difference is crazy for sure. Kowalski does have a point, but here's how i look on that: most people lease their cars (speaking about my country and myself) and buying a car of 29 or 35k won't make too much difference concerning your monthly annuity. Pay 50€ monthly more and drive a fully loaded Audi. 50€ ain't some BIG money after all, afaic. Oh, i'm talking about 7 years of leasing, that's what most people do here, so did i. You can of course (if you have good relationship - aka paying monthly annuity on time) change the contract after 2 years and buy a brand new car without problems. I know with conditions they offer me i don' think i'll ever buy a car for cash or any other way.