July '08 Featured AZ'er: ultimatetaba8's 2007 A3 Sportback

Just noticed something. It looks like we have a theme going with our recent Featured AZ'ers, a very patriotic theme. Nearly the last half dozen cars have been either red, white, or blue. Fitting for this month I suppose, if you're an American. But I digress. One thing these cars certainly do have in common, aside from the four-ringed logo, is that they all stand out in a crowd. This month's featured ride especially, as there just aren't a ton of A3s out there. When one's done well (and Jason's ride is done very, very well) it draws some attention.

 

Jason, who goes by the username ultimatetaba8 here on The Zine, has created one good looking hatchback. With a definite OEM+ style of modding, he's taken his A3 to a whole other level. The parts have been carefully selected to add just the right look to the areas that were sort of lacking a bit from factory. Yet the best part is that a lot of the new pieces were actually from the factory at some point; on some car, in some part of the world. From the front lip off a Seat Cupra R and the blacked-out grille treatment, to the brushed aluminum trim and ashtray delete on the interior, it all just fits perfect and looks great! That's the beauty of using OEM parts, especially when used properly.

Aside from the factory-spec mods though, a number of other very tasteful aftermarket parts can be found on the car as well. One may notice the quite aggressive stance obtained from the Koni Coilovers, bringing those sexy 19 inch anthracite BBS CK wheels oh so close to the smoldering red fenders of the A3. For pumping up the ponies, Jason turned to the fellas at Neuspeed for their P-Chip ECU tuning and a P-Flo intake. These are just some of the highlights on what's an already stunning car. With such a wonderfully supportive Audi-loving family, we're assured that there's a lot more in store for Jason's A3. Shoot, from the sounds of it, we may also be featuring his dad's A4 on here sometime soon!

 

� Engine/Exhaust:

� Wheels/Brakes:

• BBS CK, Anthracite, 19�x8� et44
• Nitto NT555 225/35/19 

 � Interior: 

• Seat Cupra R Lip
• OEM Blackout Grille
• OEM Blackout Plate Filler
• OEM Blackout Plate Holder
• Blackout Rear Rings
• Blackout Front Rings
• Smoked/Blackout Side Markers
• Yellow Lamin-X Fogs
• Tinted Lamin-X Headlights
• Debadged Rear Emblems

 

Q (Audizine): OK, so how long have you owned this particular vehicle?
A (ultimatetaba8): I�ve owned this car since December of 2006.

 

Q: And how has your ownership been with this vehicle overall?
A: Honestly, it has really been a bumpy road, in a figurative sense. Problems persisted for a duration, until the point where I was about to lemon the car. From the first month of ownership, the motor was replaced. Since then, several parts have been replaced from different areas of the car. Everything was serviced by the dealer, under warranty. For a while now, the car has been performing flawlessly, even with the performance mods installed once again. *Knock on wood*. I really do love this car, though. I wouldn�t give it up.

Q: Think you'll be getting another one anytime soon?
A: As a matter of fact, if I did indeed end up lemoning the car, another A3 is what I would have gone for. But to really answer the question, no, another one is not in my future. This one�s a trooper.

 

Q: Is this your first Audi?
A: Yes, this is my first Audi. It did, however, lead to my mom and dad also buying Audis of their own.

 

Q: How long have you been into Audis and into the European tuning scene?
A: I�ve always admired Audis as long as I�ve known about cars. I never imagined myself being able to own one, though. I�ve been into the Euro scene since I started driving. My first car was an '05 Jetta GLI 1.8T. So basically, I got into the European tuning scene just before I was 16 years old.

Q: How long have you been into cars in general, as an enthusiast?
A: The day I got my GLI marks my first day as an enthusiast. I remember going online, searching for Volkswagen enthusiast forums. I felt so cool�ahhh, good times.

 

Q: Where do you think that passion and enthusiasm comes from, can it be traced back to anyone or anything?
A: Actually, my father was the one who got me into cars. He has been into cars before I was even born. Watching him mod his cars inspired me to do the same. When I got a car of my own, he always helped choose out mods. To this day, he still consults me, in regards to my mods. He even has a B7 A4 S-Line that I am helping him fix up.

Q: What do you most love about your car?
A: I absolutely love the styling of the car. I think it was designed very well, in terms of aesthetics and appearance. The interior is awesome. The A3 S-Line seats are one of my favorite things about it. In addition to that, the car feels solid, and rides really nice. Chicks dig it. (smiles)

Q: What's your biggest peeve in regards to the car, the one thing you dislike the most?
A: The one thing that has ALWAYS bugged me is the fact that the windshield wipers can�t go up if the hood is closed. That makes it a real pain to clean the windshield.

Q: Can you explain or sum up your modding style? Do you prefer more go, more show, perhaps a combo of both?
A: I�d say I love a combination of both. I can�t really have a car that just �looks good;� I�d need those extra horses to back up those looks. I�m still working on my performance modifications lineup, but I don�t personally find it practical, in my case, to have the car run 350+ hp; it�s basically a daily driver and sees no track time, so there�s not really any need for it. In general, I just want to have a nice balance of performance and appearance.

 

Q: Do you prefer to do the work yourself, or do you have a shop or specific person perform the work?
A: I rarely do anything to the car myself. The car has always been handled by either the dealership and/or Eurowurx in Burbank, CA.

 

Q: Which mod are you the most proud of or happy with?
A: I would have to say that I�m really proud of and happy with my BBS CK�s and my Koni Coilovers. Those two definitely cost me the most money, and involved the most sacrifice to attain. One other mod I love is the Cupra lip. It fits PERFECT and flows/looks like it came on the car.

Q: Describe your fondest memory of owning, modifying, or driving this vehicle.
A: My most exciting moment was actually the day I first got the car. I was so stoked that I got the car I wanted.

A: Be creative. Don�t necessarily limit yourself to what is within reach, but rather, see beyond what everyone else sees. Keep it tasteful though.

Q: And that about does it. Do you have anyone you'd like to thank, any shout-outs?