Toying with the idea of trading in for a sport sedan, I did a few test drives. Just thought of sharing my observations. These are my own purely subjective observations and not intended to please or offend anyone. Welcome you opinions on this.
Note: I have a huge obsession for steering feel, and generally tend to give too much importance to this one factor. A direct, connected, sharp steering blows me away to the point of overlooking other factors. That's just my personal bias.
1. BMW 335i: test drove a 2007 coupe and was completely blown away by this car. The steering has incredible feel and made me feel like "this is what a car should be". It has loads of torque in all rpms and found myself speeding on freeway ramps with a stupid grin, and had to control myself. Al I had to say for an hour after the test drive is "wow". No other words.
2. BMW 328i 2007: great car, liked this next to the 335i. That same steering feel is there. But maybe because I did this back to back after 335i, I felt I had to wring the power out of the car, not easily available like the 335i. It's almost perfect, except that I can't help comparing it with 335 every time I sit in one, if I buy it.
3. Infinity G35 2007 sedan: this car feels sooooo powerful! I did a couple of inadvertent drifts! It has gobs of power throughout the rev range and purely engine-wise I like it as much as the 335. Unfortunately the steering, though it is better than others, isn't up to BMW standards. Like I said, I have a thing for steering feel...
4. A Benz C250 and a Benz C350 (both 2007): both these cars interiors impressed me, but that's about it. Steering feel is not up there (still not as bad as Toyota/Nissans) but worse than Mazda and even the G35/37. Acceleration is un-exciting too. I had a lot of expectations from the name "Mercedes Benz" but was very disappointed.
5. Audi A4 (2 litre turbo) and A6 (3.2 litre v6), both 2007: Audi turned out to be the most disappointing! I didn't like either of these cars at all. Steering feel is non-existent, just feels numb. Some Toyotas I have driven are better in this aspect. The acceleration is smooth and interiors are good. Best navigation system of the lot. Both cars felt easy to get comfortable throwing around and braking is excellent. Sill, me being a steering-feel freak, conclude that Audi is the most disappointing brand for the name and repuation. (A side note, I've driven a Q3 before and felt the same way, but had reserved judgment till I had a chance to test drive sedans).
All the cars are 2007, 20-25k price range, 50-60k miles.
So... Left with the feeling that 335i is right for me. Unfortunately can't find any sedans around the 20k price point with less than 60k miles. There are a few coupes on the market. One sedan came up on autotrader but got sold the same day. My mind is vascillating between waiting for the right 335i to "settling" for a 328i to not upgrading at all :-).
Another surprise factor is the lack of good steering feel on other cars except for (all) Mazdas. I had great expectations from Ford after the Ikon, Fiesta and Figo. Looks like American ford doesn't share anything with those cars. Mazda seems to come much closer. Of course, brands like Porsche and Lotus aren't in my radar. Only sedans.
Just thought of sharing my perspective. Like I said, this is just my personal taste. Comments and counter-opinions welcome. |