Between the two, I would have to say the Bimmer. Heard to many stories about the Audi's (not good ones). I used to own an Audi Cabrio and that gave me too much problems. Besides it's a glorified VW.

BMW is a far better machine. I had a 325 and that was a good car. My brother in law has a 08 328 and an e36 328 and the e36 has over 100,000 miles and still runs strong. Not to say BMW's don't have their share of problems. But over all a better car.

 

^ I'd rather get the Bimmer as well. Friend recently picked up a 335i... car is frickin' SWEET. Comparing the interior/exterior to another friend's S4 I'd chose the Bimmer any day over the Audi.

 

STI? Umm. Don't do it... Seriously.

 

If you're going all wheel drive, get an suv. If you want a fast all wheel drive, get a Cheyenne Turbo. But if you want a fast great car that is stock, get a 335 (not the xi). For the money and engineering, you can't beat it.

 

Stop comparing a STI to a GT-R or other higher priced car. STI, EVO, or 350Z is bang for your buck performance. I am sure if people had the money or desire to spend more money on a car, they would buy something different so in the end, cost does matter.

 

Sure cost matters. But I didn't know there was a cost factor here, maybe I missed that one. I thought we were talking about 4 doors that were performance oriented. But you're right about comparing an STI to a GT-R, that would be rediculous. The 335 is a few thousand more not 50,000. At the same time the 4 banger turbo is no joke on cost either.

I think the guys here were just talking about other options for a 4 door.

 

Still haven't decided what I'm going to get...I've got until the end of this autoX season w/ the Z, but even then, I have a little civic commuter car that I can drive.

I think it'll depend on which way I go w/ autoX...only time will tell

*for the first time, I've started to think about keeping the Z for another few years...maybe I've slowly become attached

 

Peter, I hope you decide to keep your Z!! But if you have to, I might avoid European cars. I know you really like to work/mod on your own and European cars are b**** to work on for sure.... If you are gonna keep it stock, than any of these new or newer BMWs or A4s will do just fine. With your budget of sub $35k, I would get your wife something like used A4(she loves it right?) and build a monster Miata like you were thinking about. I've seen a Miata with Rotary TT in it and was sooooo fast. You can also drop ford 5.0 in it and be just as fast. 400Hp on that light weight car... That would be a lot of fun. Either way, good luck!

 

Just the fact that we are comparing the merits of a subie vs 350Z etc means cost matters.

 

All in all, I'll take the Zed ANY DAY, over an STI or an Evo'...OR an Audi, for that matter! Yeah, yeah, I KNOW I'm biased. What can I say?, I'm sold to the Z's looks 'n' thrills!!! When I need more room--like, say, for family purposes--I take my wife's P'finder, that's all.

 

I looked up cost, weight, hp for 2006 STI and 2006 Track Coupe Z with same miles in excellent condition on kbb. Virtually the same in those categories.

Differences: 2.5 4 turbo awd vs 3.5 v6 rwd. Driving characteristics are different.

Other than that, I'd say they are both comparable. So "cost doesn't matter"

Compare 2008 335 at 44,825 to 58,675 to 2008 350z as low as 30,000 to 43,130. Price wise, bmw can be a bit more expensive depending on what you want for extras (awd or hard top convert). But comparing hp to hp and numbers, i'd say you get what you pay for.

Stick a bi turbo cost, say average 12,000 (that's with installation and such). Add 43,130 to 12,000 = 55,130. At this point all the numbers should be similar unless you push higher psi.

At this stage between 335 and 350z both with bi turbo cost wise...comparable. Soooo again "cost doesn't matter".

As I stated before and with out actually going back and reading every thread, I don't believe there was a price range that was talked about.

Also, understand that there are ppl like me who don't look at cost (as long as it's not in the super car price range) but buy what we like. Again, "cost doesn't matter".

I was merely giving an advice on what would be a good and fast 4 door, since I have friends with 07 bimmers. If he was looking at a specific price range that was under a certain price range and he didn't care for the bimmer, then more power to him. This is where I agree with you and say "cost does matter".

BTW, don't take this the wrong way...I just consider this a friendly debate/conversation.