My .02. I like the A3 and the GTI. Actually, love the GTI with the DSG. Things being equal....2.0T and DSG available in both. Tie. A3 has four doors, GTI has 2 doors (here in the States at the moment). Advantage A3, at least to my wife. I like the looks of both...tie. For some reason, the A3 even though it has four doors and the one I looked at had the "open sky" sunroofs, seemed smaller inside than the GTI. Maybe not smaller but just not as much room. Instrument wise I believe they both have the same package. Looks, love them both. If you want the goodies in the A3 they seem to be extra (HID's, S-Line Pkg and Tech pkg), well the GTI has the HID's and of course the 18's will cost more along with the spoilers front and rear. I believe that the Nav system is pretty much the same as well as the stereo pkgs. Pretty much a wash to me. At the moment it comes down to 2 or four doors but that will change with the addition of the GTI 5 dr here in the States. The Audi, being an Audi, will cost more. To add to the mix, Mazad Speed 3. More hp, 4 doors and been getting great reviews. Did I mention cheaper? Bad news, Mazad is only importing 5000 to the US. Stopped by a dealer today and he said they had one in and sold it for sticker the same day. Guess you have to be lucky. Did this help?????? :

Yeah, right. I feel your pain. I'm right there with you. Oh yeah, the R32 should be coming here in '08.....arrrrrrrgh. Cheers