I am doing some research on new vehicles today and looked at the new Honda Civic Si.
I am absolutely amazed what you get for $21k:
200hp world class motor (30/40 mpg)
honda's great 6 six speed manual
moonroof, satellite navigation (touch screen / voice activated)
350 watt XM stereo (MP3 compatible/PC Card)
front, side and curtain airbags
ABS, 17" wheels.
EBD brake system
Speed sensitive volume control, steering wheel mounted
security system
and nice little touches like rear seat ducts, aluminum pedals etc.
Now i have owned many BMW's and Hondas, and it is really amazing to me the level of equipment and technology you get in a Honda versus a 325i. And it still really amazes me that Car and Driver continously rates the BMW tops in its tests, despite the fact that the 330i they tested this month had all kinds of electronic problems and almost killed one of the drivers due to a failure of the brakes!!!!
"Then the ABS lamp lit. We tried to execute one stop on our high-desert test road and nearly executed a 360 spin at 70 mph instead (thus, our braking number is from a previous test). Shortly thereafter several airbag-malfunction warnings lit up."
Now we all know Honda has far better quality than BMW, but I was truly amazed at the level of sophistication found in a "budget" car that is almost $15,000 less than a similarly equipped 325i. And to top it off, BMW still has the nerve to charge their customers $475 for paint....???
Is a 3 series a good value?