are they special?

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gavin

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this seems like a good place to find out about audis baby.

i currenrtly drive a hothatch, small engine, modified with big exhaust, so low that i have gone through 2 exhaust downpipes; great fun on empty b-roads but it encourages you to drive fast (dangerously fast) and any real driving such as a-roads or motorways its pretty boring and for commuting its hard work, basically the car has lost its appeal or maybe ive grown out of it.

Getting to the point, im looking for a bigger more confy and easy to drive car; performance isn't an issue really, mainly due to insuracne costs. Ive been looking at diesel turbo saloons such as passats, skodas, mondeo, 406, lauguna etc things that lose a lot of money quickly but they aren't that special.

Im also looking at special cars such as the A2, which i think will provide the comofrm and refindment of a larger car and even though it is high and narrow I think i will even handle as well as some of the cars I have mentioned, lets face it the A2 is going to be so much more advanced.

I am booking a test drive, but what should i look for? Other than build quality what makes the car so special compared toi cheaper rivals such as the citroen picasso and the renault scenic?

gav
 
In reality there are only really 2 main rivals of the A2 in its clas, the A-class, and the Honda JaZZ(my opinion); the Ford Fusion is not in the A2's class really as all it is, is a higher Ford Fiesta[xx(]. What makes the A2 better is refinement, features, the badge(lol you probably paying £3k for those 4 little rings), aluminium.
In more detail, the car is mroe refined than its competitors i drives with more (for want of a better word) PZAZZ!, bear in mind the engine you would look for if you want the closest competitor to your hothatch is the 1.6FSI very sweet A2 nice and nippy and compfortable as heck; as regards to the features I doubt very much you will get a car for under £15k with ECC (climate control), ESP, ABS and a pretigious badge as audi (the car does not exist); and more importantly its made from aluminium it wont rust no matter if you skim the entire paintwork off, it also makes it very light making for easier cornering and faster acceleration.

Things to look out for when buying you should consult this thread http://www.a2oc.net/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1008

Enjoy.

1.4SE petrol 2001, Dark interior, Sat cloth, Brilliant Silver, 3 spoke Steering wheel, Rear electric windows and Panasonic MR555 stereo, Panasonic 8CD changer, 10 speakers (2 extra 13" 190 watt each.)

1.4TDiSE 2002, Biege interior, Brilliant Black, Concert II.
 
Aluminium does rust. It just won't develop into holes in the body work - the rust remains on the surface protecting the rest of the aluminium. It'll just go a tasteful off white colour.

I hadn't thought about that though. The bodywork will out last the average human!
 
What makes it special? Probably the exclusivity. It is unlikely that anyone will ever notice you in any of the cars you have mentioned - but the A2 will get a reaction.

Other than that I guess the aluminium is different and the car is very spacious considering its external dimensions. Hot hatch its not! But special, yes.

As to comparisons, I agree that the A Class is closest - with the Jazz closing in - although you will be able to keep more cash in your pocket. You'll find that most other mass manufacturers are following Ford into this market - Vauxhall will shortly launch the Minerva (try not to think of the Agila/WagonR!). But then as Factor said, you'll pay £3k alone for the badge on either the A2 or the A Class. You pay your money.......
 
thansk for all your comments so far. If I did decide on the A2, I would probably buy a used one in the new year, not looking until then.

Im really looking for a relaxed driving enviroment, no looking for another hot hatch or even something to get noticed just something that will go from a to b, will start in the morning and provide a decent level of comfort. the fact thats its low insurance and the sort of car that doesn't often get stolen is also plus points. and yes its special; it must be because i hadn't even considered the other cars you have mentioned.

what would you say are its plus points?

gav
 
Alternatively, closer to hot hatch but not really there, is the Toyota Corolla now theres car with basically lower in height than the A2 but same fun to drive not sure about rear space didnt test it but its got good torque so you will move in it. And get this, this is the deal sealer its in insureance group 3 lol yup heard it group 3 thats the lowerst group for a 1.4 i think, with the most kitted out version of it (all conceivable extras) in group 4 and the price will give you change out of the price of a new A2FSI. A2 for class and subtle sophistication, A-class for not so much clash but still has sophistication, Jazz for reliability and drivability, and Toyota for fun driving and low low insurance.

1.4SE petrol 2001, Dark interior, Sat cloth, Brilliant Silver, 3 spoke Steering wheel, Rear electric windows and Panasonic MR555 stereo, Panasonic 8CD changer, 10 speakers (2 extra 13" 190 watt each.)

1.4TDiSE 2002, Biege interior, Brilliant Black, Concert II.
 
How about the Golf Diesel? JDi could chip in here, or the Seat Ibiza Sport with 130bhp diesel? Both are great cars.

MartinW
 
Hehe if your feeling adventurous why not just treat yourself to a Porsche 962 [8D] 0-60 in 2.5 seconds top speed of 255mph here some photo of your future purchase http://wwwstud.fh-zwickau.de/~ao/dp962/pics.htm

P.S. Get some life insurance :D.

1.4SE petrol 2001, Dark interior, Sat cloth, Brilliant Silver, 3 spoke Steering wheel, Rear electric windows and Panasonic MR555 stereo, Panasonic 8CD changer, 10 speakers (2 extra 13" 190 watt each.)

1.4TDiSE 2002, Biege interior, Brilliant Black, Concert II.
 
porkers are rubbish, a car driven by old men and dotcom millionaires who are too rich ofr a TT : even the best drivers would be dead if they tried to drive one as it should be driven on normal roads, if you really wnat to drive fast get a clio 2 litre and get on the b-roads.

One more thing, does the bigger 15" and 16" wheels screw up the handling of the a2? does it slow it down off the mark?

gav
 
:D the A2 comes standard with 16" wheels, but you can upgrade to the sports pack which comes wih a far more eye pleasing 17" 9 spoke set as well as sports suspension, to answer your question no 16" and 17" wheeels dont slow the A2 down all they do is give a more firm ride, obviously 18" wheels would rub so lowering would be in order but other than that 16" and 17" can be fitted perfectly with no loss in performance if anything the 17"'s give better performance as they come with stiffer suspension so cornering is far sharper and quicker.

1.4SE petrol 2001, Dark interior, Sat cloth, Brilliant Silver, 3 spoke Steering wheel, Rear electric windows and Panasonic MR555 stereo, Panasonic 8CD changer, 10 speakers (2 extra 13" 190 watt each.)

1.4TDiSE 2002, Biege interior, Brilliant Black, Concert II.
 
17's stand proud of the tyre tho' and are prone to scrapes and kerbing. You can get some good looking 16's standard with the car in either 5 or 6 spoke design.

1.4SE petrol in Merlot Red, Biege interior, 16" 5 spoke alloys, DIS, Open Sky, Elec rear windows.
 
Just wanted to say you've got an ultra cool name :D

I can draw a few similarities to what braught me here a few months ago. I'm looking for something a bit bigger than my current Punto. I haven't changed it from the standard ELX, so I still have the refinment 'ricing' looses, but am thinking of a change to the right car.

On the whole I had been really impressed with the A2, but since joining the forum I've realised it's a car like any other to live with. Yes it's really unusual and stylish, well built etc, but perhaps not for me. I already average over 50mpg from a petrol engine with good performace (I use A, B, and mainly unclassified roads on my commuting route, and regularly overtake down the lanes), and now I'm used to it I like good economy. But the A2 isn't as economical (it is larger though), and has a dissapointing range between fillups for me. Also I'm used to a decent stereo as standard (well nearly), and from the number of people here wanting to upgrade it doesn't paint such a rosy picture...

I'm still hoping to get a test drive, and there's still a chance if a used one comes along with all the right bits at the right price I'd jump. But for the money I can opt for a top spec Skoda Fabia Estate or Fiat Stilo and get more bang for my buck. Current thinking though is to invest my money in a house with my girlfriend, which means living with my Punto for another few years...
 
Gav,

I think you wil find that the A2 has just about the best standard stereo in this class of car. Most of the discussions have been about adding CD's as the Audi one is exensive; some have been about changing the head unit to drive other cd changers. Only a couple have want ted change the system for a better one, but I think you will find these guts are talking about spending several £k on the replacement, so it's serious kit.
I believe the A2 is a fantastic car for it's class. For me, the downsides were the dissapointing MPG and lack of performance. I could have lived with the performance if the MPG had been in the 45's rather than the 35's. However, the diesel gives good economy and can be chipped up to 100 bhp. I wanted to change for a diesel A2, but as I had to take a big drop in the pc value to sell the petrol A2, I decided not to put myself in the same position for retained values again.
The A2 does not seem to be holding it's value as well as anticipated; certainly not as well as the A3 and A4.
But it is a great car. Drive both the petrol and diesel, but look for deals on ex demo's - if you look on the Audi web site you will find plenty of petrol and diesel ex demos at dealers. Interestingly you won't find many used A3 or A4 diesels on the Audi web site, which shows that the A2 is not the seller Audi want it to be.
Hope you find the car you want.


MartinW
 
Research pricing carefully as well. There seems to be quite a difference between what one dealer asks for an A2 and what another might ask for the same car. I've seen some strange pricing.

I think Audi are completely at fault for the huge depreciation of nearly new A2's. There aren't that many A2s on the private secondhand market. But there seems to be a shed load being sold by the trade, especially nearly new stuff. And the current offer of climate control + metallic paint for £250 on a new car hasn't helped things. That's effectively a £1000 price drop, and who buys a car without air and met paint these days?

And that's £1000 on top of the already £1000 or so cut in price when the new SE and Sport models came on the market in July of this year.

Add the fact that dealers around the country have pre-registered hundreds of cars to get their discounts, and there's your reason for the depreciation.

I think as long as you get a nearly new one, you should not suffer the same rate of depreciation as those who bought the pre-july models.


Oh, and there are loads of supermarkets selling imported 1.4 petrols. Another reason for the petrol version suffering more.
 
Thanks for your thoughts Martin.

I've requested a test drive at my local dealer (Audi Guildford) by Email to thier A2 specialist. Only 1 day on so I'm not surprised yet by the lack of response yet. I hope to try out the standard stereo (for an SE spec) and see how good it is (I'll take along a few good CD's). I have to compare to what I have already - I paid £160 fitted for a 10CD changer and the rest is standard (6 speakers in the car - 2 tweeters, 2 mid's, 2 full range - and a 100W subwoofer nicley built into the boot). I drive for about 10 hours a week, so a good range of music is important - 10CD's or a MP3 being my preferred solutions. I don't mind spending money on a better stereo if it's worth it - but if I was to get an A2 I couldn't afford to go out and spend £1000's just so I can feel some bass.

I have 50+mpg economy and not bad performace already, and understandably want to retain them. It seems to me that most peoples impression of the A2 on this forum is of respectable performace with average to good economy - very attractive to me. Yes it'll go fast if you floor it, and I'm looking at the diesel for the economy. I don't mind sacrificing some performace/economy for some luxury, better build quality, peace of mind and good customer care. Residuals aren't such a concern as I'd expect to keep it for many years if it's good - hence my drawn out consideration phase, but I don't want a lemon to find I've lost £5k if I trade it back in! A £14-15k ex demo seems a lot when I could get a 6 month old 'lesser' car with everything I'd like for £9k, or blow economy away for performace with a year old 2.4 Stilo Abarth with almost every toy for £12k.

I'm sure the test drive will reveal lot's more about the A2 than I know already. If it's really good to drive then I'll be asking them to look out for my desired spec and talking figures. It's a matter of wallet (and ears) over heart!
 
:D well yeah Ideally I would want a TVR Tuscan R but I am gonig to have to wait a few years till its in my insurance range [:I], however dont be fooled the car is a 1.4 which is as ersponsive as a 1.4 should be, the diesel give you more kick but the petrol is overal faster, the econemy on diesel is obviously better and it drives better also, so i would go for diesel if i was you, the only close petrol is the 1.6 and looking at your price range you wont find one this year for that price.

1.4SE petrol 2001, Dark interior, Sat cloth, Brilliant Silver, 3 spoke Steering wheel, Rear electric windows and Panasonic MR555 stereo, Panasonic 8CD changer, 10 speakers (2 extra 13" 190 watt each.)

1.4TDiSE 2002, Biege interior, Brilliant Black, Concert II.
 
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