I'm torn. I like the current A3 Sportback as a five door and would hate to see it end up in the same category as the A3 Cabriolet and A3 three door (ie. A3 variants Audi chooses not to sell in America.) However, if this is as attractive as the more recent Sportback models (A5, A7), we may be alright.
This will actually be the first use of the MQB platform.
2009 Audi A3 2.0T: 207
2006 VW Jetta 2.5: 170
2004 VW Golf 2.0: 122
1994 Pontiac Grand Am: 150 (maybe...I doubt it)
2006 VW Jetta 2.5: 170
2004 VW Golf 2.0: 122
1994 Pontiac Grand Am: 150 (maybe...I doubt it)
@slanket: I don't think the conversion rate is the easiest way to figure out the price. Configuring an A3 the same way mine is using Audi's UK site, I hit about £28,000, which converts to $44,000, but the car in the same(-ish: couldn't get Open Sky option there) configuration actually costs $32,000 here. I'd expect the RS3, if it ever magically went on sale here, to come in around $45,000 or maybe slightly less based solely on the UK pricing (currently £41,000).
I have a 2009 A3 2.0T and can tell you that it's exactly the kind of car that makes the case for more of Europe's hatch-y goodness. I'd take the RS3 or even the S3 right now if it were offered here.
And I sure hope you are wrong about the current design being the US design for a few more years: my lease is up in 2012 and I absolutely want another A3, just not sure I want to be driving 2004's design until 2015. I was under the impression that the RS3 was this generation's send-off before the new version launches for 2012?
And I sure hope you are wrong about the current design being the US design for a few more years: my lease is up in 2012 and I absolutely want another A3, just not sure I want to be driving 2004's design until 2015. I was under the impression that the RS3 was this generation's send-off before the new version launches for 2012?
@TheWraithL98: We have these in our fleet pool at work and I am now avoiding them like the plague. After having driven only German cars since 2004, I was floored by just how awful the Impala was and am glad the Ford Fusion that is also a fleet vehicle has shown me that not all American cars are THAT bad.
Can't say I've had any more or less problems in the VW/Audi products I've owned than friends and acquaintances have had with Honda, Toyota, GM, Ford, Chrysler, etc products new from the factory. All products are susceptible to having problems - just think of how complex a car is - and it's just part of the ownership experience from time to time. What's more detestable are rude, ill-informed or outright dishonest service departments. Perhaps that's what these customers are really upset about?
Children.
I could not live without Mother's detailing towels. I use them for just about everything with this car and the times I haven't have resulted in scratches and regret.
I love this list! And I am hooked on Fujimi Kaido like no one's business. Any time I buy a new car in Forza, I immediately take it to Fujimi Kaido to make sure I love it as much as I think I do.
42/42, 5:43 Remaining
The Lincoln MK-S, weirdly enough. I'm not sure I'd ever even consider owning one, but seeing them on the road is a pleasant occurrence.
"Rented" a 2005 Chevy Aveo sedan once while my, at the time, Jetta was in the shop for repairs. It was terrifying doing even the most simple things like stopping for a red light, changing lanes and - I didn't attempt it more than once - passing on the freeway. Never again.
Tellingly, when they body shop had to take the Jetta back for some faulty paintwork and loaned me one of their spare cars for two days, I was much happier. The loaner car: 1984 Mercedes 190E that had not been particularly loved.
Tellingly, when they body shop had to take the Jetta back for some faulty paintwork and loaned me one of their spare cars for two days, I was much happier. The loaner car: 1984 Mercedes 190E that had not been particularly loved.
This is the auto industry equivalent of relying solely on Consumer Reports to choose your next car. Sometimes you have to release a product that doesn't necessarily fit market research so that you can lead the market into exciting new places. Oh, Toyota...
Bravo - it was time for an overhaul and this is a good excuse!
I literally just wrote basically the same thing: [ipadcase.tumblr.com]
@DJ Bushido: Agreed. I've been keeping my own blog on the iPad and tablet computing in higher ed and had more or less come around to this conclusion right before the Jobsnote where he introduced the iPad. It was actually a minor letdown seeing him show off the much-hyped device but the last weeks have shown just how compelling the interface and content/apps will make this device and its progeny.
Thank you, Jesus, for the insightful and, more than likely, dead-on essay on the future of computing. It's amazing how quickly we jump to shoot down a new idea. Sure, the tablet won't be for everyone, but neither are computers themselves. But the tablet will be a better computing paradigm than the keyboard and mouse for a lot of people and I'm glad you were not afraid to spell it out on such a popular blog as Gizmodo.
@mattycakes: Agreed. And that's why we are stymied by this behavior. Even if they aren't going to discount the iPad for Ed buyers - they don't discount the iPhone or iPod Touch, so it makes sense - they don't have to keep us from promoting it or having a demo unit at our Apple store on campus. That just seems pointless.
We do have quite a few faculty and staff members who are excited about the potential of the iPad for revolutionizing textbooks, classroom presentations and writing. I'm sure we could even sell a few if we had them here. Instead, I guess we'll send them to the Apple Store an hour away or online.
#tips
