My vote is on the 330 i/xi (E90). You'll probably end up spending the same amount of gas though. You'll have enough power. And hey, Imho, I don't think the audi driving experience will keep you satisfied long enough.

I really love the new 3.. But the A4 gets better mileage, costs less, and is still a great car. I still haven't test driven them, but.. I love the looks of the A4. We have two Audis and they've been great cars. We have a 99 A4 with 92,000 miles on it and it's never broken down.. We have a 98 A8 and that's another story.. It spends probably a week a month in the shop. But the new Audis are supposed to be great cars.

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How about a Japanese car? Infinity M35 or G series maybe? Don't know what they get for mileage, but you'd save a bit on up-front cost, especially with the G...

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'08 335i Coupe - Barbera Red / Saddle Leather / Light Poplar Wood / 6spd Manual
Options: Sport, Premium, Cold Weather, Comfort Access, Active Steering (awesome!), Power Rear Shade, IPod Adapter, Navigation w/IDrive
Mods: M6 Wheels, Split Armrest, M-Steering Wheel, Euro Light Switch w/Rear Fog Lights, Short Shift Knob w/Matching E-Brake Handle, Clear Reflectors, CDV, Clear Bra

Retired:'04 X5 4.4i

True, the G35 is cheaper.. and its got some nice features. But it's kind of boring, and I don't really like the looks. The M35 is nice though.

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I don't like the A3 for so many reasons, first off it's a 4-door GTI that to me doesn't feel too premium, and coming in 6 months you can get a 4 door gti lol, the car even with the premium package is still without a power passengers seat or ipod jack, if you want premium, get a Jetta 2.0T (same engine as your A3) but for the same price it has bi-xenons, power seats with memory, automatic headlamps, even PDC, etc etc, and its a really nice car, it's prolly my top pic for entry car as we are looking as well due to the gas crunch, I personally loved the Ford Fusion SEL V6 as well because it's fast, luxurious, quiet and Mazda6 based

The 325i is very nice, enough said, if you want to spend in the 30's there is nothing better, the A4's interior is boring, bland and ugly, and couple that with horrible uncomftorable seats (we just looked at em along with the Q7) and its no wonder the BMW sells so well, The X3, we all know i'm not a fan but to each its own plus its up for a facelift for 2007. The 3.2DSG of the A3 is just as expensive as stripped down 330i which we all know is a much better car for the money, in addition it's not some re-badged VW, the 325xi is nice but it doesn't drive as fun and i suspect the all wheel drive is not really needed, hope this helps!

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The Present:
2014 Audi Q5 TDI Prestige
The Past:
2013 Lexus GS350
2013 VW Golf TDI
2007 BMW X5 4.8i LOADED & Loved
2009 VW Jetta
2008 VW Touareg VR6
2005 BMW X5 3.0i
2005 BMW Z4 3.0i
2004 BMW X5 3.0i
2003 BMW 325i
2000 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4x4

I don't think this is gonna be your choice but I added it because it shows how opinions can really be different depending on who's reviewing cars. This guy couldn't find a lot positive to say about it. We have the 530i after carefully considering the 330i. But you gotta remember this was the CEO's choice but it would have been mine as well. You may want the 330i as it gives you all of what you won't get in other models. BTW, the CEO went into a curve rather agressivly a few days ago and was blow out of her socks by the control she had. Kinda sparked her racing days from the past. http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:b...&client=safari

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"What you hear in a great jazz band is the sound of democracy. “The jazz band works best when participation is shaped by intelligent communication.”
Harmony happens whenever different parts get to form a whole by means of congruity, concord, symetry, consistency, conformity, correspondence, agreement, accord, unity, consonance…….

Have you considered the Acura RL? Those are really nice.

Too big, too expensive, and I hear they've been having a ton of electrical glitches. I'm also looking at the upcoming Acura RD-X... A small SUV, cheaper than an X3.. Super-Handling AWD, 4-cyl. Turbo, Nav with realtime traffic info..

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530i's are so nice.. Buying one would depend on the availability of used ones with the features I want.
As an aside, does anyone know if it's easier to retrofit Nav into a BMW that already has the iDrive screen? Or is it still the same hassle?

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