steve c

There is a reason the 3 series BMW is the class leader that everyone is chasing -- and there is a reason folks are willing to pay a bit more for one in place of "similar" cars like the TL and G35.

WPS

fwd has it limitations and with all the hp war they will have to switch to rwd or awd in the future. i hope the SH AWD trickle down to other models.

jono14

TSX and 325i don't compare imo.

Hands down 325i is better in ALL aspect (ignoring the potential price difference).

You have to drive both back to back to feel the difference (and notice all the details). And I mean driving as in driving for an extended period of time (say a weekend at least), not for a morning, or a spin.

The TSX has "everything" the 325i has, someone says. Well, that's partially true because having the "same" thing doesn't necessarily mean they are the "same". For instance, if you have ever sat in a TSX and a 325i for a long time, you'll notice the difference in their "leather" quality.

Also, someone says the 325i is not fast at all? Mmmm, and the TSX is? I think the 2.5L engine is very decent for its class and its price. Not the fastest, but very livable and drivable. Someone who has driven it in different conditions should know what I mean.

The TSX, on the other hand, has a free revving engine (like many other Honda engines). Yes, they are fun to drive, but I don't think it's the best choice for a "luxury" sports sedan (if you even consider TSX as a luxury sedan, or Acura as a luxury brand).

I'm not trying to make a bias statement here. I don't drive a BMW and I'm not an enthusiast either, but I just want to point out some key differences between the TSX and the 325i before someone makes judgement based on looks, interior features, etc. alone.

-j

VTEC_Junkie

i still believe that most owners of those types of vehicles do not drive their cars hard enough to where fwd becomes a limitation. sure putting 270hp to the front wheels while you're accelerating out of a 2nd gear corner is a bad idea, but reality is that most owners of tsx and tl do not corner their cars that aggressively. if they're bold, the average tsx and tl owners will probably put 150hp to the front wheels during cornering. and for the few exception that do habitually drive their luxo sedans aggressively around corners, they have other options--e.g. g35, 3-series, etc. the bottom line is that manufacturing the tsx and tl in rwd format will up the price of those cars, mainly due to the extra parts and assembly time. unfortunately, acura has not become a prestigeous name enough for consumers to be willing to pay $35-40K for their cars. as for the hp war, it will eventually level off. once you reach a certain hp, it becomes rediculous and wasteful for the general public. there was a hp war in the 60's but we all know THAT didn't last forever.

rai

I've driven a 325i myself for a test drive. I would NEVER NEVER buy a 2.5L. I'd get a de-contented or used 3.0L. I can't stand underpowered cars, especially for this kind of money. It's one thing if you are getting a Mini or some economy car, but a near luxury

I guess it's fine for a young girl etc who just want's a "bimmer", but not for and entheusast. I know a girl who owns a 325 cabriolet with automatic tranny. That thing has to be slow as shit, but she doesn't care.

Brings me to the observation of peeps with 350hp Corvettes that drive like the engine is in limp home mode. I swear to god, I had an Escort MT and I'd line up next to a Corvette. Nine times out of ten I'd be up to speed while the Corvette accelerated 0-30mph in 10 seconds. WHY?? Because a lot of people buy a Corvette for it's image and could really care less if it has 350hp or 150hp.

suvh8r

The 3 series is the best car in it's class and it is worth the money over the TSX, TL, G35, but the cars are also underpowered. I personally can't justify spending $40k for a 220hp car. Hopefully this will be addressed when the next version comes out. Base should be 220, upgraged motor ~250, and M3 V8 should be 350-400.

If a power increase does come happen with the next gen 3 series, you can thank infinity/nissan for that. Honda on the other hand are more followers than trend setters as they continue to chun out "alternatives" to other cars branded as "innovative".

When was the last innovative or envelope pushing honda?

suvh8r

It's because of the 1-4 skip shift (to improve fuel economy). It's because of the ridiculously tall 6th gear which lets a corvette accelerate slower than a geo metro on the highway (to improve fuel economy).

This is one of my biggest pet peeves as well. It's downright pathetic to see a long line of cars being held up on the highway by some balding guy travelling 10 under the limit in his image car. Atleast if these people bought Harleys for their image needs instead, Darwin could do it's thing (the #1 motorcycle fatality group are the 40+ hardley ableson riders) and weed these people out. But in the corvette, speed kills, and the old lady with her big hat driving a corvette will live forever.

rai

Great point, however most Corvettes (65% at least) are slushbox.

dlc68

The bigger question is will that power come in a Bangle-ized body. After all, the Z4 is a much better driver's car than the Z3 but sales have tanked because it looks like a fish. The current 3-series will probably be the last with "classic" BMW styling.

Cayenne_S2000

I would get an Audi A4 1.8T and chip it for 225hp over a 325. You can get an new A4 1.8T with leather seats, xenon lights, and the 17" sports package for ~31K MSRP, which means maybe 29K after negotiation. If I was in the market for a used 330i, I would make sure there weren't any used M3's within reach first. Just my opinion. I happen to like Audis.