Here goes...

[850CSi]

I'd definitely go with the BMW on this, especially with that small of a price difference. Have you looked at a TSX, by the way?

I haven't looked at the TSX. I probably should... Thing is, after experiencing torque steer, I have a general dislike for FWD.

The TSX doesn't have a torque steer problem, doesn't have enough torque.  :P

ifcar, my experiences are from a 1.6l Peugeot. That thing has way less torque than the TSX.

[ifcar]

Guys, another factor is depreciation...

Me and my dad were considering going used and were looking at 2002-2004 BMW 325i's. A good 2003 with average mileage is being sold for around $26K or more... And that's after the introduction of a new bodystyle!

The Bimmer's going to depreciate slowly. Audis don't tend to hold their value as well.

In the ALG depreciation, both the 05 3-Series and the A4 earned 4 out of 5 stars.

[Raza]

I'd definitely go with the BMW on this, especially with that small of a price difference. Have you looked at a TSX, by the way?

I haven't looked at the TSX. I probably should... Thing is, after experiencing torque steer, I have a general dislike for FWD.

The TSX doesn't have a torque steer problem, doesn't have enough torque.  :P

It's a great car though, you really do need to give it at least a look and a test drive.

The TSX is not really in the same class as the 3er and A4.  I mean it is, but not on a driving level.  It's a fantastic car, and if I could, I'd buy one over a Passat, probably a TL even, but maybe not a 9-3.  But, when RWD is in the equation, the TSX's charms are kind of...irrelevant.

[Raza]

I'd definitely go with the BMW on this, especially with that small of a price difference. Have you looked at a TSX, by the way?

I haven't looked at the TSX. I probably should... Thing is, after experiencing torque steer, I have a general dislike for FWD.

The TSX doesn't have a torque steer problem, doesn't have enough torque.  :P

ifcar, my experiences are from a 1.6l Peugeot. That thing has way less torque than the TSX.

Torque steer isn't just torque.  It's engineering too.

[BMWDave]

I'd definitely go with the BMW on this, especially with that small of a price difference. Have you looked at a TSX, by the way?

I haven't looked at the TSX. I probably should... Thing is, after experiencing torque steer, I have a general dislike for FWD.

The TSX doesn't have a torque steer problem, doesn't have enough torque.  :P

It's a great car though, you really do need to give it at least a look and a test drive.

The TSX is not really in the same class as the 3er and A4.  I mean it is, but not on a driving level.  It's a fantastic car, and if I could, I'd buy one over a Passat, probably a TL even, but maybe not a 9-3.  But, when RWD is in the equation, the TSX's charms are kind of...irrelevant.

I agree, the TSX just isnt special enough, if you know what I mean, to compete with its German competitiors.  At least the G35 has lots of hp going for it, but the TSX is more picking up the lower end of the sport sedan segment.

[850CSi]

I'd definitely go with the BMW on this, especially with that small of a price difference. Have you looked at a TSX, by the way?

I haven't looked at the TSX. I probably should... Thing is, after experiencing torque steer, I have a general dislike for FWD.

The TSX doesn't have a torque steer problem, doesn't have enough torque.  :P

ifcar, my experiences are from a 1.6l Peugeot. That thing has way less torque than the TSX.

Torque steer isn't just torque.  It's engineering too.

And Peugeots are known to be the best-handling FWD cars...

[SVT_Power]

I would personally go for the A4.  

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Personally i'd take the bmw, to me its way more car than the audi.

Of course my main focus is performance, and i'd take the I6/RWD setup and perfect balance of the 3er over the audi.

[ifcar]

I'd definitely go with the BMW on this, especially with that small of a price difference. Have you looked at a TSX, by the way?

I haven't looked at the TSX. I probably should... Thing is, after experiencing torque steer, I have a general dislike for FWD.

The TSX doesn't have a torque steer problem, doesn't have enough torque.  :P

ifcar, my experiences are from a 1.6l Peugeot. That thing has way less torque than the TSX.

Torque steer isn't just torque.  It's engineering too.

I was kidding.    

[Raghavan]

Then get the BMW. Great balance, and RWD.

[SJ_GTI]

I personally prefer the A4. Mtl_A4 went through a shockingly similar situation last year, and he decided on the Audi.

Also, the Bimmer was yellow and an auto

Actually the yellow interior was one of the few things that made me consider getting it. if it was a simple black on black I would have went for the Audi even quicker.

But a black 3-series with a yellow interior was pretty nice and hard to pass up.

[Raza]

I'd definitely go with the BMW on this, especially with that small of a price difference. Have you looked at a TSX, by the way?

I haven't looked at the TSX. I probably should... Thing is, after experiencing torque steer, I have a general dislike for FWD.

The TSX doesn't have a torque steer problem, doesn't have enough torque.  :P

ifcar, my experiences are from a 1.6l Peugeot. That thing has way less torque than the TSX.

Torque steer isn't just torque.  It's engineering too.

I was kidding.  

I know you were kidding....

[Raza]

Oh...by the way...

Legacy 2.5GT 5 speed.

[SJ_GTI]

Oh...by the way...

Legacy 2.5GT 5 speed.

Its hard for me to imagine someone that is willing to spend the money for a 325i settling for  Subaru. I havem't driven the car, but I've sat in it and the interior would make a Chevy Malibu owner feel like they own a luxury car.

[mazda6er]

Oh...by the way...

Legacy 2.5GT 5 speed.

Its hard for me to imagine someone that is willing to spend the money for a 325i settling for  Subaru. I havem't driven the car, but I've sat in it and the interior would make a Chevy Malibu owner feel like they own a luxury car.

I don't mind the Subie interior at all. Seemed high quality enough for my tastes. The Beamer wouldn't exactly be mistaken for a palace either.

[ifcar]

Oh...by the way...

Legacy 2.5GT 5 speed.

Its hard for me to imagine someone that is willing to spend the money for a 325i settling for  Subaru. I havem't driven the car, but I've sat in it and the interior would make a Chevy Malibu owner feel like they own a luxury car.

I thought it was very nice. Are you sure it was an 05 you were in?

[BMWDave]

Oh...by the way...

Legacy 2.5GT 5 speed.

Its hard for me to imagine someone that is willing to spend the money for a 325i settling for  Subaru. I havem't driven the car, but I've sat in it and the interior would make a Chevy Malibu owner feel like they own a luxury car.

I don't mind the Subie interior at all. Seemed high quality enough for my tastes. The Beamer wouldn't exactly be mistaken for a palace either.

The materials in the Beemer are extremely high quality, even if you dont like the design.

I also dont have anything wrong with the Subie interior.  I sat in one, and found it quite nice.

[mazda6er]

Materials are not the greatest, many have said so. I personally like the 3-series interior, but I do not believe it outdoes the Legacy.

[BMWDave]

Materials are not the greatest, many have said so. I personally like the 3-series interior, but I do not believe it outdoes the Legacy.

In quality, it certainly outdoes it, IMO.  But the layout of the Subie is nicer cosmetically.  Although when you sit in the 3er, the interior just feels right, and sort of wraps around you.

[Raza]

Oh...by the way...

Legacy 2.5GT 5 speed.

Its hard for me to imagine someone that is willing to spend the money for a 325i settling for  Subaru. I havem't driven the car, but I've sat in it and the interior would make a Chevy Malibu owner feel like they own a luxury car.

You obviously were not in the 2.5GT Limited then.  The interior is just fine.

I'd get you a pic, but I hape flash galleries...

[mazda6er]

Not the greatest pic, but good enough to dispell the haters.

[Raza]

Not the greatest pic, but good enough to dispell the haters.

The layout is great, the materials are decent, and with the wood or aluminum trim on the Limited models, it's a very good interior.  Especially when you can walk away with a stick, AWD, good size, good interior, sleeper qualities, and 0-60 in under 6 seconds for roughly 30 grand.

[Colonel Cadillac]

I read that the manual in the Legacy was dreadful.  

[Raza]

I read that the manual in the Legacy was dreadful.

Not really.  It's the same as in the WRX, and it's not bad.  High catch, which the short throw shifter, it's pretty good.  The standard one is a little long and lanky.  It's not like Audi has a perfect shifter either.  

[Colonel Cadillac]

I read that the manual in the Legacy was dreadful.

Not really.  It's the same as in the WRX, and it's not bad.  High catch, which the short throw shifter, it's pretty good.  The standard one is a little long and lanky.  It's not like Audi has a perfect shifter either.

Nope, Audi doesn't either.

[Raza]

I read that the manual in the Legacy was dreadful.

Not really.  It's the same as in the WRX, and it's not bad.  High catch, which the short throw shifter, it's pretty good.  The standard one is a little long and lanky.  It's not like Audi has a perfect shifter either.

Nope, Audi doesn't either.

I actualy love Audi shifters.  They're a little rubbery and vague, but they're really easy to drive and a pleasure to use.  The only manual that I really hated was the xB's.  It was terrible.  First missed shift ever.

[ifcar]

I read that the manual in the Legacy was dreadful.

Not really.  It's the same as in the WRX, and it's not bad.  High catch, which the short throw shifter, it's pretty good.  The standard one is a little long and lanky.  It's not like Audi has a perfect shifter either.

Nope, Audi doesn't either.

I actualy love Audi shifters.  They're a little rubbery and vague, but they're really easy to drive and a pleasure to use.  The only manual that I really hated was the xB's.  It was terrible.  First missed shift ever.

You need to try out a few more econocars.    

[Raghavan]

I read that the manual in the Legacy was dreadful.

Not really.  It's the same as in the WRX, and it's not bad.  High catch, which the short throw shifter, it's pretty good.  The standard one is a little long and lanky.  It's not like Audi has a perfect shifter either.

Nope, Audi doesn't either.

I actualy love Audi shifters.  They're a little rubbery and vague, but they're really easy to drive and a pleasure to use.  The only manual that I really hated was the xB's.  It was terrible.  First missed shift ever.

You need to try out a few more econocars.  

yeah, he hasn't seen bad manuals yet. YOu wouldn't either if you were a rich kid, and your first car is a MB.

[SJ_GTI]

My shifter is no more vague than the 3er.

Its more notchy, and the clutch is a little tricker, but the shift action is great.

I will put your views on the Legacy interior as mass halucination. Its interior is worse tha a Chevy Malibu, Pontiac G6, or Nissan Altima which have all been criticised. Its certainly not on par with even a G35, which is about bottom wrung for this class, and nowhere near a 325i.

Silver painted plastic does not make an interior good.

[Raza]

My shifter is no more vague than the 3er.

Its more notchy, and the clutch is a little tricker, but the shift action is great.

I will put your views on the Legacy interior as mass halucination. Its interior is worse tha a Chevy Malibu, Pontiac G6, or Nissan Altima which have all been criticised. Its certainly not on par with even a G35, which is about bottom wrung for this class, and nowhere near a 325i.

Silver painted plastic does not make an interior good.

The 3ers is definitely more precise than the TTs, and I can only imagine the TT uses the same shifter as the A4...