hokiemax

I drove a friend's month old black 325 yesterday.(5spd)
I didn't know that car was THIS underpowered, and the shifts really felt non exceptional.

However, I'd still buy one if I was in the market for a sports coupe for these reasons:

1) power isnt everything. I LOVE how the 3 series looks.
2) build quality - although not as powerful as the s2000, the car felt really "tight" and put together well, like the s2000.
3) interior - apart from the build quality, e46 3 series interior has to be in my Top 3 favorite interior of all cars of all time.


but, I'd never buy a brand new 3 series. The 325 I drove costs $40k. I'd get a mint condition 330 that was driven well by an enthusiast like us.

Ok i'm bored at work and this is my monday morning car review.

cacophony82

With the handleing package the 325ci is sick, great daily driver

steven975

$40K? Don't they start at like $28K?

Is this Canadian dollars?

acuraintegraman

they may start at 28k, but every bmw option costs $$$. It's not like honda/acura in the sense that they include necessary items. For example, my gf's bro got a 325I. He added premium package which included leather seats, rain and light sensors, metallic paint, and hids. $7k in options and a total of $35k. I believe the coupes sticker more than the sedan so 40k isn't that far of a reach since there are so many more options like sport/performance or cold weather package. If the prestige name isn't important and you can live with fwd, I would prefer the TSX and pocket the $7k which includes navi or pick up a TL w navi

steven975

good point.

the TSX is a good competitor because it has everything standard...and it's faster than the 325 most likely. I wish Honda had a RWD sports sedan. The TL would have been a 3 series killer if it were RWD. You think an AWD version has been thought of? Of course it would need a new rear suspension but it would really move the car upmarket.

Runaround

I think honda has stayed away from RWD for long enough at this point. I personally will never buy a FWD car or an AWD car that has more power to the front than the rear as the default. I just don't like the way they drive. Besides, a sports car is just supposed to have RWD.

Saud2k

while the 325 is good enough for anyone wanting a lux sports coupe
i while back i drove my uncles 330XI which is the 4wd version of the 330 sedan
it felt really good overall, and handled very cool for a 4door and it had enough power for me
it was black/tan and it was lowered on 18inchers

VTEC_Junkie

the tsx and tl are not sportscars. honda manufactures 2 sportscars--the nsx and s2000. both those sportscars are rwd. honda uses rwd format when it is absolutely essential. most people who buy tsx and tl do not drive their cars hard enough to the point where rwd or awd will benefit them much. sure, honda can produce tl and tsx in rwd or awd format if they had chosen to, but that would undoubtedly add a few thousand dollars premium to the price tag. a $26K tsx and a $30K tl are good prices for those cars respectively. add rwd, and up the price of the tsx to $29K and the tl to $33K and those prices are not as attractive to the general consumers anymore. sure, honda/acura can go the nissan/infiniti route by offering rwd at an affordable price, but the repurcussion of that is to have 4-5 models that share the same chassis, motor, and tranny, not to mention producing cars with lower standard of fit & finisth and quality, by using cheap looking inexpensive parts. if you're content with that, then just buy a nissan/infiniti.

VTEC_Junkie

the tsx and 325 are about equally fast. both does the 0-60 in high 6's to low 7's depending on who's driving it. the 325 is actually easier to drive fast because it has a beefier torque curve. i personally wouldn't pay $35K+ for a new 325, but if i was given the choice of driving the 325 or tsx, i'd go with the 325.

VTEC_Junkie

i agree. bmw 3-series requires the sportspackage to really shine. i also agree that 325s are great daily drivers. sure they do not have that much power, but they offer just the perfect amount for daily driving.