I just did a deal this past week on an A3 3.2 Quattro S-Line for my wife...on a test drive a couple of weeks ago I came away really impressed with the overall feel of the car, and especially the DSG transmission. With 250hp and about 3600lbs, it's pretty quick...Audi says 0-60 in 5.9 sec, and it's one crazy fun romping up and down the gears with the DSG. Comapred to the SMG in the M3, the box is unbelievably smooth...throttle tip-in is a bit abrupt for my liking, but once underway shifts are smooth and instantaneous. The reviews of the A3 2.0L Turbo have been good, but the extra power and the AWD (plus the 3.2 comes standard with the sports suspension) transform the car into a great little sports sedan that'll really give BMW a run for the money.

Because the only options I want are Cold Weather Package (heated seats, mirrors, headlight washers and ski bag), the dual HIDs and Bluetooth (for handsfree phone operation) I had to do a factory order. It'll be here in about 90 days.

We also looked at the Lexus IS250 (didn't much care for the AWD version; feels too soft and a bit underpowered), the TL (that's too much power for an FWD IMO; lot's of torque steer when pushing hard in the manual, less so in the automatic)...and even got my wife to consider an STi for about 2 hours.

My wife had a 2001 330xi, which she liked OK but it wasn't very well screwed together or very reliable (certainly no Honda!)...hope the A3 does better.