Swapping A3 for 7.5

[Mark V GTD]

Do people realise that dealers are now offering the same as wbac! Very few offer much more.

What a dealer offers for your car (if its a simple disposal and not tied in to a new car purchase) will vary by the day depending on his stock list, enquiry level, time of year etc. Most of the big VW dealer networks have a group buyer and if you are lucky you will get close to the advertised private sale price. If you are not so lucky, same as WBAC...

[Scotty-LA]

Hello chaps,

Thanks for the speedy replies.

From my point of view, I quite like the A3, its a car and it drives well. However it's just a little bit underwhelming and slightly bland, I don't feel there is anything special about it. Even more so as its black and just seems to blend in.

The screen position on the MMI is good especially with Apple CarPlay.

However the better half has found it the most uncomfortable car to drive with the driving position and seats not offering much support or comfort, coupled with the stiff suspension she has developed a sore neck, back and knee from driving it.

We recently drove a friends GTI in Devon. We were on twisty narrow roads (occasionally at a fair speed  ) and the comfort/support in the VW seats brought a pleasant smile to our faces.

The GTI would offer us a very similar car to what we've got, however the main thing we look for is comfort whilst having some of the fun factor.

Nonetheless, I will hold onto the A3 for a bit longer as the book price for them isn't great in comparison to the amount owed.

[fredgroves]

Have you got a CAP price for it?

You can use this to take a look:

https://www.capconnect.co.uk/ConsumerValues/Ford.aspx?CH=PWRTZ

[Scotty-LA]

Have you got a CAP price for it?

You can use this to take a look:

https://www.capconnect.co.uk/ConsumerValues/Ford.aspx?CH=PWRTZ

Hi... Thanks. Just had a look and looked very similar to the price the VW dealer offered.

[Daz Auto]

However the better half has found it the most uncomfortable car to drive with the driving position and seats not offering much support or comfort, coupled with the stiff suspension she has developed a sore neck, back and knee from driving it.

We recently drove a friends GTI in Devon... and the comfort/support in the VW seats brought a pleasant smile to our faces.

Is it her right knee? Does she use the cruise control a lot?

I used to drive the A3 every weekend until the GTI arrived. Journeys over 30 minutes and my right knee would ache. Journeys over an hour and my lower back would start to ache too. No neck problems, but the 16 inch tyres and standard Dynamic (not Sport) suspension made the car very comfortable. Unlike the 2 firm/jiggly Sline cars we tested.

Has your wife tried adjusting her driving position. This is what my wife does - raise the seat, straighten the back rest and move the seat forward a few inches. As if that is not enough - she adjusts the rear-view mirror to see down her own cleavage and moves both wing mirrors so she can see herself in them (joking) Takes me ages to get the seat comfortable again

Your wife could also try adjusting the steering wheel position and have shoes for driving in i.e. flat shoes.

I would also check with your friend if his GTI has adjustable suspension (DCC). I found the standard GTI suspension as firm as the Sline cars we tested.

[Daz Auto]

One other thing - you could try the audi-sport.net forum to see if they have any tips about finding a comfortable driving position. I'm a member of that forum too.

[Arnold_Lane]

I think that as car manufacturers have tried to get improved NCAP ratings they have moved the seats in board to reduce potential side on intrusion injuries. This results in the pedals not being as straight in relation to the seat and steering wheel and you end up driving in a slightly twisted position.

The Golf is better than our A6 in this respect, but I still get a bit uncomfortable on long journeys in the Golf and have to move around in the seat. The leather sports seats in the A6 are quite a bit better to compensate though.

[Daz Auto]

The Golf is better than our A6 in this respect, but I still get a bit uncomfortable on long journeys in the Golf and have to move around in the seat. The leather sports seats in the A6 are quite a bit better to compensate though.

At least on the Golf I can engage cruise control and put both feet on their rests. After I engage ACC in the A3 I usually bend my knee and rest my foot on the floor in front of the pedal. Though on longer journeys I sometimes stretched it under the brake pedal Well, the car was doing the braking anyway.

Does the A6 have automatic adaptive cruise control (ACC)? It was on option on our A3. If you have ACC, where do you rest your right leg when the ACC is being used?

The only 2 Audi cars that have space to the right of the accelerator pedal are the A1 and the R8. I had a look when I was getting the A3 serviced. The R8 is usually locked, but I noticed one of the Techs plugging in a charger unit. There is a boot space under the bonnet

[fredgroves]

Do you know, after 4 years of driving a Mk7x I only noticed the right foot rest the other week!

The left, yes but right?

Goes to show how little I pay attention!

[Don76]

I've found myself in negative equity on cars before. A top tip, depending how you financed the A3, is voluntary termination.

Most PCP/Lease deals allow you to hand the car back once 50% of the loan value has been paid.

I had £3k negative equity, but was only £500 from the magical 50% number.
Simply paid the £500 and returned the car.

Worth looking into.

P.S - I've recently moved from an A3 S-Line saloon to a 7.5 GTD.
You won't regret it.