The BMW 325i. I just checked one out at my local dealer. You can get one for $27,500 list. The interior is amazing. The engine is smooth and it's rear wheel drive. It also won the Sports Sedan Showdown in the January Car and Driver. They tested cars in the 30-35K range.

Even though the BMW has less HP than our Maxima's, it is almost as fast. 15.4 in the 1/4. But the handling and ride are far superior. (.86 skidpad)

1) BMW 325i
2) Audi A4 2.8 Quattro
3) Lexus IS300
4) Volvo S60 T5
5) Mercedes C240
6) Saab 9-3 SE

I know some of you got your Maxima for $20,000, but some of you paid $30,000+. For $27,500, the 325i is tough to beat.

the 325i aren't that fast, a maxima could be better.

but the 330ci or the 330xi are very good, they have a good engine and could do less then 6 sec from 0-60.

I've never seen a BMW for under $35k in Austin. It is way too small to cost that much.
The Maxima is the best value.

Hmmmmmmmm..... hard choice.

uhh if i had a choice, i'd pick the 328i over 330i.. i've tested both of them, and 328i steerin is much more "BMW like" or more stiff. i would choose a 328ci over max..

I love the Max. But the plastics are pretty cheap and the paint sucks and we are experiencing a few problems with the car. I would probably go with the Bm'er or the Is 300(which is a hot f**kin car.

I have my eye on this 2001 325i for $30,400 (list). It's one of the few at the BMW dealer that doesn't have a million options on it. I doubt I will get it though. Just looking and thinking about what I could've had.

I think 15.4 in the 1/4 is fairly quick. If Car and Driver can get 15.4, I bet I can get 15 flat. Just like they got 15.8 for the Maxima and I can run 15.4.

I have my eye on this 2001 325i for $30,400 (list). It's one of the few at the BMW dealer that doesn't have a million options on it. I doubt I will get it though. Just looking and thinking about what I could've had.

I think 15.4 in the 1/4 is fairly quick. If Car and Driver can get 15.4, I bet I can get 15 flat. Just like they got 15.8 for the Maxima and I can run 15.4.

btw, that $27.5k...what does it include? It's a stripped down 325?
I remember when they advertised for $26.5k for a 323i.

as for the 330...you get what you pay for..that's why it costs much more than a Max.

having owned both a 2001 SE and a 1987 325i, I'd say for the money the Nissan is a better value, as far as trade-in, you get what you pay for.

My biggest B*tch aganst the BMW was the $1K yearly service
visits to keep it under warranty..Now if you can truely afford the BMW (in sickness and in health)more power to ya.

Dave

Are you guys who voted BMW aware that the question is "Best car for the money". For my 22.7k, I got a car that is 7 thousand dollars cheaper than a comparatively equipped 3-series, not to mention that it's much larger!

No doubt the BMW is better if price is no object. I wanted one myself, but when I sat in one at the car show, I started thinking back to my 4th gen Max and asked myself is it worth the difference? 2 weeks later I was in my 5th gen!

This question does deserve a dual response because it's a two-parter. If it's purely for the $$$, it'll be the Max hands-down. None of those cars can come comparatively equipped for even close to how much we paid for our Maxes. However, if I had $35K to blow anyway I wanted with no consequences for the future or responsibility for the present, then I would go for the Audi A4 or the TL Type S...then swap out for some 18s.

Where does the Audi S4 start, around 35k is suspect...

What about the WRX?

WRX is real small, like ford escort small...although it has a lot of bang for the buck...I think it starts around 24-25...

S4 base list price with freight is $39,475. If you load it up, you go over $45,000. S4 is nice, but overpriced IMHO.

I've driven a WRX, they aren't that small. Probably near a 3 series. They do focus a tad more on performance than cush when compared to the rest of this line up.

Stars at 40k and fully loaded you can probably get for 44k
expensive but a lot of performence

No ones picked the other obvious choice, the TL-S. Good car, comes well equipped and runs hard. Owners are a bit arrogant though, I think they forgot they bought a nice Honda.

.

A chipped S4 @310-320HP and way wacky amounts of torque sounds like a deal to me.

Subaru WRX? I want something AWD

Totally agree with that! One does not even need to go with the Type-S model, although it is an amazing car for the buck as well... I had a chance to buy a brand new 2001 TL in early Feb for 26,400. Put nice rims on it and you have a really nice ride and 4-yr/50,000 warranty and service that I bet is better then Nissan's!
I would have to say that a Maxima might not be as good of a bang for the money if you are getting one fully loaded. A TL has every option that a Maxima would, plus Xenons and same speed(if not better) but automatic...
However, nothing can beat a base SE for a little over 22000 as far as getting your moneys worth... (Not counting all the TSBs, all the paint issues and the service )

I'll comment on that. My loaded 01 GLE was $1500 less than the 00 TL. So I gave up the 5sp auto, IRS, and rear A/C, but the Max is just plain cooler. Inside and Out. Best car for my money!

When I started the poll I was thinking of best car for under 35 K. It's not really fair to compare the Maxima agaisnt a car that costs $5,000 to $15,000 more. (This speaks volumes for the Maxima... that we can even compare it against a high end luxury sports car.) If it were the best car for the money, I would have to say Maxima hands down. You can get it it in a 5 speed form, 222-227 HP, for $20,000. If you add leather, BOSE, and C&C, you are still under $25,000. It comes with many standard features, which other makers charge big bucks for. I really don't have 35 K to spend, but I can dream.

BTW- The $30,000 325i is not a well optioned car. That would include vinyl seats, which most of you would dislike.

2002 AWD Jaguar X-Type!

Base price of $29,950 for well equipped 2.5L/194hp 5-speed manual INCLUDING AWD! You can also get the 3.0L 231hp/210lb-ft tq DOHC V6 with goodies for $35,000. Estimated 0-60 is 6.6 with manual trans and 14.8/92.5 1/4 mile.

Motor Trend even said, "The only all-wheel-drive car we've ever driven offering similar levels of steering communication is the Nissan Skyline GT-R...".

This slipped under the radar. Any web pages on this car? I'll check Edmunds.

Check here: http://www.x-type.com/ It goes on "sale" in September. This is the first I've even heard of it. Go buy the June issue of Motor Trend for the low down.

I believe Jaguars are great competition in this category and I bet BMW, Acura, and Lexus are going to come out fighting. Also, what about the Toyota Avalon and the new sub $30K Mercedes? Aren't these also good considerations in this price range?

I should have waited 9 months before buying my Max. I doubt I would have still went with the Max.

If only that Jag weren't dog ugly

It kind of grows on ya! Wait until you see 90K of these things running around. They expect this thing to DOUBLE their current US sales.

i agree... looks like a "nice" neon, or somethin on that level

Interior is nice on the X type. Exterior is okay.
I doubt it will be less than 30 bills though.

The $30,000 Mercedes is very difficult to find. You'll need to go with 2.6 liter with only 168 HP. The C Class has a low start point, but they charge for many things, including paint. Before adding any options, it's already 30,595. Then add... $625 for metallic paint, $825 for HID. and then thousands for the option packages. The C320 starts at $37,595.

There are a few others in that price range. I was really looking at refinement and rear wheel drive. The BMW 325i is still a great deal. $30,800 for one with a manual 2.5 six, with leather, larger alloys, and sunroof. All 2001 BMW's come with stability control as well.