Blame the Cadillac Cimarron for the scarcity of cars like the Audi A3. Compact cars that are premium rather than second-rate, that is. Compacts admired for elegant, tailored looks as well as exceptional fuel efficiency. Luxury automobiles, yet distinctly athletic in character. Today’s Audi A3 TDI fits the description tidily. Yesterday’s Cimarron was compact, otherwise none of the above applied. It was an overdressed, over-priced version of the Chevrolet Cavalier peddled as a Cadillac through the mid-1980s to the detriment of the brand and to any subsequent compact that aspired to anything worthwhile. – From Globe and Mail