I grew up in a Ford family but I did drive a '97 A4 for 8 years (man I loved that car). I've considered pretty much everything from ~30k to ~60k and I'm 99% settled on the SHO. I test drove the BMW 3, 5, and Z4. The 3 was priced OK but is really a pretty small car. The 5 is great...for $55k...