by "DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars." (dfwscars)
Published 02/25/2017 at 15:42
by "DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars." (dfwscars)
Published 02/25/2017 at 15:42
Tags: Audi A3
; Quattro
; adult go cart
STARS: 2
So first let me address- what makes a go cart a go cart? Well it has to be nimble, has to pivot, and it has to be eager and almost rotate around its axis. Oh, and be relatively small of course. Anything I missed let me know in the comments.
The 2nd part is one where Audis have both done well with Quattro, but also have a tendency to understeer. When BMWs steered well their 50/50 weight distribution, RWD, etc really made the older 3 (and newer 1/2 series) have the title as go car like sedan.
At the limits understeer is still somewhat present in newer Audis, but with each generation it’s getting better and better. It started with my 4.2 S5 and then in the B9 A4 platform understeer really has to be pushed for, otherwise it’s a pretty quick turn in.
So what about the A3? With a shockingly quick 2.0T, fairly quick and direct mechanical steering, a quick shifting dual clutch transmission (or S-Tronic in Audi parlance), and of course Quattro- this car checked all the boxes.
But who hasn’t had a car that checked all the right boxes only to disappoint in person?
It all reminded me of this classic car from Audi, the Audi Quattro, and that’s a good thing.
That car also was one of the smallest they made, had a great AWD system, and felt mechanical and nimble like the A3 seems to.
In my video review below, in addition to my conclusions, I discuss how this compares to the CLA (sadly based off the A/B class FWD cars), and also the nonexistent 2 series sedan:
Audi A3 review- as close to a go cart as a sedan can get? 2016 / 2017 comparison 2.0T Quattro
Let me know what you guys think.
"DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars." (dfwscars)
02/25/2017 at 15:44, STARS: 0
I became a BMW fan when I owned a series of E46 BMW 3 series (including a ZHP one which was essentially in some ways sort of like an M3 but without the engine and transmission). In a lot of ways, even today, in terms of “feel” that is still the car I benchmark all other sports sedans or sporty luxury cars against.
"Joey Williams" (joeycarjoey)
02/25/2017 at 16:12, STARS: 1
That’s quite a claim that it rivals the Quattro, but given how Audis keep getting bigger and bulkier IguesIs get it.
"Dave the car guy , still here" (a3dave)
02/25/2017 at 16:27, STARS: 1
A little suspension tuning with a slightly larger rear bar and frt/rr urethane bushing changes can do a lot to make the car more neutral in handling. BTDT with 3 Audi I’ve owned.
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
02/25/2017 at 16:31, STARS: 1
It’s a bit too large and heavy, imho. If you’re looking for a go kart-like car, a car in the segment of the Audi A1 seems more deserving. Or maybe something small, low and RWD, like a BRZ.
"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
02/25/2017 at 16:44, STARS: 1
Keep in mind that the A3 is the smallest “normal” (read: non-coupe) car that Audi sells in the US market. We don’t get the A1, and the TT is the only thing smaller than the A3.
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
02/25/2017 at 16:49, STARS: 0
True. Still, it’s not a small car. Especially not from a go kart point of view. Something like an Abarth 500 or even a Fiesta ST is far more go kart like when looking at new cars with back seats.
"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
02/25/2017 at 16:58, STARS: 0
Yeah, and I’m not sure that there even is a go-kart like car available new and fully assembled in the US market, in stock form.
The MX-5 has far too soft suspension, the Caterham Seven and Ariel Atom are kit cars here...
"DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars." (dfwscars)
02/25/2017 at 17:34, STARS: 2
For sure Dave, on the S5 I had to put the larger Stasis bar on the back just to get it planted and that almost induced a bit of oversteer at the limit.
"DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars." (dfwscars)
02/25/2017 at 17:37, STARS: 0
Hey thanks for the comment Duurtlang, sadly we don’t have the A1. It does have the MQB platform which is used on the TT, and even the upcoming A1. Again I think the Mini is pretty go cart like in some variants, but the Clubman or w/e the 4 door version is does lose that magic.
"DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars." (dfwscars)
02/25/2017 at 17:40, STARS: 0
Duurtlang I changed the article title. :) The YouTube video was titled more accurately “i.e. go cart like sedan.” What surprised me about it when I got it in my loaner, and what inspired the article is actually, is something you mention- it’s way way more fun than something that size and weight should be.
"Dave the car guy , still here" (a3dave)
02/25/2017 at 19:41, STARS: 1
Our biggest surprise was when I put an A4/S4 16mm factory rear sway with urethane bushings on my kids non-sport A4 b5 1.8t without upgrading the front bar. Knew it would help but without sport springs it would body roll, take a set and just scream through a corners on upgraded tires. It was no where near handling like my B5 at the time with springs, bars, strut brace etc but it was a fantastic one step mod.
"DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars." (dfwscars)
02/26/2017 at 22:08, STARS: 0
Hey Joey- certainly doesn’t “rival” the Quattro (admitadily never driven one bit drove a few other VW/Audi produce from that period). Having driven the A3 for several days- it had that eager,fun, and tossable nature to it- which less cars are having, and what made the Quattro famous.
"Dave the car guy , still here" (a3dave)
08/09/2020 at 12:23, STARS: 0
I have the 8PA 2008 Sportback with the VR6 . Took a big rear sway , a dogbone bushing, tune and a few other changes to bring mine to where I love it. I’m guestimated at 270hp. Its been timed by a GPS app at 5.5 to 60 mph. The quarter is 14.1 at 100. In a hard corner even in the rain its nearly dead neutral, back end will come out on throttlelift as the front tuck in. Its my toy and daily.