I've changed my vote from A3 to Golf. Didn't really apply much thought when I voted originally - not a fan of the Sportback.

Difficult one but you can rule the Focus out for a start - it may handle but as has been said that interior is truly awful.

That leaves the golf and the Audi. Personally I like the look of the Audi but as has been said the Golf has more toys. So it's then down to practicality so I'd go for the A3 sportback...???

If you are given choices on all three with no consequences then I don't see the reason not to get the Audi.

If you are given choices on all three with no consequences then I don't see the reason not to get the Audi.

Because

A/ the Focus is a better handling car (with drab interior,

B/ the Golf uses the same parts as the Audi but will be a higher spec for the same money

IMO the only thing the Audi has over the other two is the badge, but surely on this forum we can see past the badge snobbery?

50/50 between golf and audi, then I saw the colour choice so voted Golf.

Because

A/ the Focus is a better handling car (with drab interior,

B/ the Golf uses the same parts as the Audi but will be a higher spec for the same money

IMO the only thing the Audi has over the other two is the badge, but surely on this forum we can see past the badge snobbery?

Not true.

I've owned an A4 58 plate new shape and a 59 plate Octy vRS in the last 3 years and got to say that while the vRS has more kit for your money the Audi is a much more polished car.

By that I mean it feels more solid to drive, quite hard to explain TBH

Thanks for all the comments and votes, I've been keeping an eye on what you guys are saying and I'm not surprised that opinion is divided between between the Audi and Golf.

I looked at all three today and have decided on the Audi, call me a badge snob but there IS something about it which sets it apart from the other two. The Focus actually deserves better than the one vote it got on here, I like the styling and pracitcality of an estate but with the 1.6 diesel engine in Zetec trim it was always an outsider from the start. The Golf is no doubt a good car with excellent spec and almost convinced but ultimately it cant quite match the quality image of the Audi.

Call me 'shallow' but the four rings did swing it but to improve on the spec I'm going to invest my own money in a retro fitted OEM satnav and cruise for it although that will call for the deployment of the "eight step plan"

Not true.

I've owned an A4 58 plate new shape and a 59 plate Octy vRS in the last 3 years and got to say that while the vRS has more kit for your money the Audi is a much more polished car.

By that I mean it feels more solid to drive, quite hard to explain TBH

Yes, I had a 1999 A3, and trim quality and general feel was the nicest I've had.

Leave your job, only joking. Hmmmmm, Audi or golf.. not the focus. my mate has one in top spec as a company car which is lovely but it isn't a golf or A3 for sure.. Real world it's not amazing on fuel either

Audi is the best it costs £4k more,if they had offered a Focus model that was priced in the same region as A3 then it might be a more difficult decision.

Audi is the best it costs £4k more,if they had offered a Focus model that was priced in the same region as A3 then it might be a more difficult decision.

Not true.

I've owned an A4 58 plate new shape and a 59 plate Octy vRS in the last 3 years and got to say that while the vRS has more kit for your money the Audi is a much more polished car.

By that I mean it feels more solid to drive, quite hard to explain TBH

Well having either owned or driven (50+ miles) in the following vehicles I would rate them in the following order in terms of build quality and niceness to drive.

Superb Estate (2010)

A3 Sport (2011)

Passat Estate (2010)

MK5 Golf (2004)

MKI Superb (2004)

MKI Octavia

Passat (2006)

MK4 Golf

As you can see the Skoda's have all been IMO better built than their equivalent VW, I have sat in a MK6 Golf and it is leagues above the MK5.

The A3 was very crashy on it's suspension and although it did everything OK, the spec was IMO lacking for the extra money it costs over the Golf with similar spec.

Either way you will no doubt enjoy the Audi as they are certainly not a bad car..

The A3 Sportback is about to be replaced. Inside it is by far the worst Audi at the moment with old switchgear and generally the thing is a bit tired and needs replacing. Still looks OK from outside though but inside? Nah tired old bag.

But read ANY test out there where the Golf is in the test and it near always wins. (I think CAR tested this exact Golf Match in the latest issue and it won over the new Civic, the Focus and the Astra - it has tidy new alloys too) Yes, the Golf VII is also nearly out but at least the Golf VI still looks great inside and out and like any Golf won't look too out of place next to a Golf VII or any older Golf. So without a shadow of a doubt I voted Golf in this case.

Easy winner, the A3, bar far the best interior.

Sure it might be up for replacement and does not have as many toys as the others, but it's what you look at that counts.

The main reason the golf always does well is that it's cheaper.

You're avin' a giraffe mate, I wish I could pick one of those. My miserable company has moved me out of my Passat Highline 2.0 Tdi with all the tricks and offered me a choice of Golf Bluemotion, Audi A3 Base 1.6 Tdi, Skoda Octavia 1.6 Tdi Greenline II or Seat Leon SE Copa 1.6 Tdi. Want to swap?

Logic says the Golf is the 'best' package - so why did I vote Audi? Probably because I've just done 100k in mine and am still satisfied with it. In fact its taken me months to decide to replace it with .............. a Yeti.

You're avin' a giraffe mate, I wish I could pick one of those. My miserable company has moved me out of my Passat Highline 2.0 Tdi with all the tricks and offered me a choice of Golf Bluemotion, Audi A3 Base 1.6 Tdi, Skoda Octavia 1.6 Tdi Greenline II or Seat Leon SE Copa 1.6 Tdi. Want to swap?

I feel your pain, that IS a miserable choice!

If this was the trim level I'd be getting with the A3 SE then I'd be Ok with it but this pic is from the A3 'Sport' which adds better seat trim, sports seats, dual climate, better stereo and three spoke steering wheel amongst other nice exterior bits .......... I'm begining to think the Audi is the 'old knacker' of the three now!! :(

Edited 1 February, 201214 yr by Makefish