a friend is looking of a 4 door car in the price range of $40,000 - $43,000. what would you suggest??

he is quite the audi guy... he's considering an '07 audi a4 "s-line". he also prefers a manual tranny. thoughts??

his current cars... cayman s, audi s4 (older body), audi tt (dsg trans)... the tt is the car which is being replaced...

thanks for any input. i'm looking to give him some choices...

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~ my thoughts ... an '07 335i bmw 6 speed w/ 300 hp. one quick car with outstanding build quality... imo.

 

I would second that suggestion. The numerous reviews I have read in magazines and on blogs from both sides of the Atlantic were without exception extremely favorable, and most also commented that the reported HP number is actually higher than BMW claims it is. I have owned Audis, and I must say that they have all had annoying problems. The Audis closest to the performance level of the 335i would probably be the new 4 and 6 RS lines and not the S lines, but the RS models are in another price category. The new Bimmer would be an excellent choice, IMO, although I know there are some who find its looks rather bland and undistinguished. That, though, is clearly in the eye of the beholder.

There are also some spectacular new diesel models from the three big German manufacturers which develop tremendous torque and get great mileage too as an added feature, but they aren't available in the US, as I'm sure you already know.

 

I like the Mercedes C350 Sport w/6-speed trans.
http://www.mbusa.com/models/features...0WZ&class=07_C

 

Andrew,
The bimmer is an excellent choice IMO also...but aside from German, the newly redesigned Infiniti G35 Sedan with 306 HP is also a gorgeous car. I'm very impressed with the changes they made.

 

BMW ~ however ~ look at a '07 Volvo V70R with a six speed ~ good build quality ~ maybe not a lot of "chic" with a Volvo ~ but surely a great car.

 

I think the BMW is a great choice as well. I'm a little bias to Volvos. I've had Volvos since 1987. The S60-R is a great performer. You will be surprised. I think it's about 300 HP.

 

The new G.

 

I don't know if everyone is suggesting the BMW 335 coupe, but they are making the 335 four-door as well. I never see press coverage on the 335 four-door yet when I went to a dealership I saw a 335 four-door. I've always thought that engine was only offered in the coupe. With slight modifications, such as from I believe Vishnu tuning, it can make 335 rwhp, which translates to M3-beating straight line performance ($3,000)!

 

Lame.

S60 R (300 hp)

S60 R starting at $38,985 MSRP

• Five-cylinder turbocharged engine
• 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds with manual transmission
• 295 lb-ft at 1,950 - 5,250 rpm
• Double overhead camshafts, 20 valves
• Dual Intercoolers
• Three-way catalytic converter with Lambda sensor
• Six-speed manual transmission or six-speed Geartronic automatic transmission

 

I'm not saying the S60R isn't a nice car, but for $31,450, the new G will give a lot of cars in that range a run for their money.

 

although a tad bit above his price range i would recommend the new BMW 5 Series in either 525i or the 530i... they might not be the fastest sedans in the 40-45 price range, but i believe if he already has the cars he has he does not need one fully focused on performance... they new 5 series offers the comfort and status that the 3 series and the c-class do not. not to mention it is noticeably roomier/more comfortable in the rear seats. the 5 series offers a steptronic automatic transmission and an average manual transmission.

 

Wrong Infiniti. He should test drive an M45 Sport. Very impressive. Some Supporting Evidence:

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...m45-sport.html

 

he ended up with an '07 audi s-line avant. (shown w/ snow tires & rims)... crappy pics i know.

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