You mentioned you have had an Audi before so why not try something else. I am thinking Lexus as far as that list is concerned. Thought about any of the Acura models? I don't keep up with all the sedan stuff but Acura has something sporty out that sounds like it is a real screamer and has exceptional reliabilty/trade-in/resale value.
__________________
03 RC51 for street duty/ 00 RC51 for track duty
Yes, I am inclined to go for something different. Being an Australian I find it hard to take Acura seriously because it is a luxury brand only in the US and for example the Acura TL is simply the Euro Honda Accord.
Lexus is a possibility and I would like to try the BMW too
Im going to suggest staying away from the Audi. Yes they are nice cars at first. They do drive good and are fast for what they are. However when things start going wrong they really start going wrong.
If you like the room of the Lexus and the handling, take it over the BMW, which isn't as good looking as it should be (i.e., it's boring). The new A4 is great, and a pretty big difference over previous editions. The Lexus isn't cheap though, you may go for a more loaded IS250, which is a bit girly, but nothing bad. Mentions of the TL and G35 should go unnoticed: they're plain, have horrible chassis, and they're wannabes, heavy on engine, with lame interiors and last year's roast beef sandwich in exterior styling.
I really like the Lexus new power and design, though make sure you beat the living crap out of them for price, because their 14% profit margin is just evil. It'll mop up the German stuff, but again, see if you dig the handling. THey've reworked it, and the quality is good. The Audi A4 surpasses the BMW in quality, safety, and design, and you can mod the crap out of it, with www.goapr.com, taking the 200hp A4 to 255 with a stage one chip.
As a daily driver, the A4 makes a ton of sense, safety, quality, handling, quattro, full maintenance (which ends in 2007).
Consider using your company's $35k and adding another $35k, and just get the freakin' Audi RS4.
Wow... the way some of you criticize todays flagship sedans makes me wonder what it takes to make you happy automobile wise. I feel pampered in my pickup truck, but I truly miss my 1983 Jeep CJ-7 the most. It had no stereo. The engine leaked oil, rust hidding everywhere, and it was carburated... can you believe it? But man did it have some character. But that's just me.
Acura is the luxury department for Honda
Lexus is the luxury department for Toyota
Infiniti is the luxury depertment for Nissan
More lesbians own Subaru's than any other brand... VW is not far behind that statistical fact.
Just get a Holden. Our current Pontiac GTO's are just american GM's version of the Australian Holden they use to race the the v8 supercar series.
__________________
03 RC51 for street duty/ 00 RC51 for track duty
Drove a 330i today. I was quite impressed although it seemed sluggish moving off (auto) until it got a few revs up, not what I expected from a 3 litre engine in a relatively light body. I sat in the IS350 and it does seem really nice, but I haven't driven it yet.
Well, area51racer may feel that lesbians in Foresters and families in Outbacks must mean Subarus aren't cool, but at least the STi makes up for only being 66 pounds lighter that the BMW330i by by adding all-wheel drive. Then too there is the extra 45 hp and 80 ft-lbs that the Scooby has in its corner. Yeah, the Scooby gives up six whole hp to the Lexus IS350 but the turns around and rubs a 23 foot pound and 176lb weight advantage in its nose. Kinda makes the BMW look like a fat little rich kid. To me, the Scooby has a bit of a John Bender (yeah, from The Breakfast Club) kind of a feel to it & ya know who got to nail Clair that weekend .
Sounds like image is more important to you than me though & given that, everything 996 Miami has said is gospel . . . the Audi is the winner's choice. Funny, when we play "dream garage" an S4 Wagon is always in there somewhere for me. The stuff about mods to the A4 is no joke, nor is the safety, handling, or any of the other ways that the Audi surpasses some of the flashier characters in the class . . . for that matter, the slight Q-ship advantage is something that has a bit of charm for me as well. Nothing like kicking ass in something that looks semi-pedestrian.
__________________ When good men do nothing, darker and stranger men must fill the breach. Pray for me, a sinner.
Ended up going for the BMW. Scheduled for production July 3rd. Can't wait. In the meantime I'm driving a G35 so that is helping me cope with having to wait so long for my new car
Mid 30's Sports Sedans
When good men do nothing, darker and stranger men must fill the breach. Pray for me, a sinner.
. 
Linear Mode
