the mrs had a sportback for a few months - was one of the first...til the handbrake gave way and it rolled down a hill hitting parked cars, taking out a wall and finishing in a garden... had everything replaced and repaired inc under the car with the only panel saved being the roof, then gave it back to the dealership for £1k less than we bought it for due to waiting lists
she always leaves her car in gear now... i wonder where that a3 is now?
i don't think you'll get bored of its performance at all, maybe the styling in time though