Which brand is most like a "poor man's BMW"?

In Alphabetical Order:

Mazda:
*Has RX8, Miata as sportiest models
*Has Mazdaspeed versions of some cars
*Mix of FWD and RWD cars
*Makes a Minivan
*Manual Transmissions offered in everything but the Minivan
*Makes Coupes and Convertibles

Pontiac:
*Has GTO as sportiest model
*just about everything is FWD
*Makes a Minivan
*Has AWD, but only on the Vibe, Montana and Aztek
*Does not offer a station wagon
*Few Manual Transmission options

Subaru:
*Has STi as sportiest model
*Every car has an optional turbo
*Every car has an optional stick shift
*No Front Wheel Drive
*No Coupes or Convertibles

 

Outside of GTO, Pontiac is a fire sale auto broker, only a step above Chevrolet.

People buy Pontiacs because their cheap. That's why GTOs sat on lots till purchase prices got back down to the 30K mark and below.

On the other hand, Mazda is known for having good driving cars and a distinctive design that's not obnoxious, but no where near boring either.

Subaru would probally be almost unknown if it wasn't for their WRX cars.

 

huh

Pontiacs aren't realy cheap. Hyundais and Kias are cheap

Mazda's have a distinctive design and are good driving cars? Where've you been? They're nothing but average vehicles.
People buy Mazdas becauser they're cheap and economical

 

I say Pontiac is starting to look like the semi-poor man's BMW. Yes the GTO is pretty expensive, but when compared to the M series, its relatively cheap. Also the GTO blows the doors off the RX-8, although you pay for it. The GXP series, although still FWD, is starting to provide pretty decent power and styling. I personnally love the bonneville gxp. THe solstice (sp?) is coming out soon, kind of like the M coup from years before. The G6 is pretty impressive and shedding the 'cheap' view that the Grand Am carried with it. I like the way that Pontiac is going, although I'm still a poor chevy guy who can barely afford my camaro.

 

Out of your list , I oddly voted Subie Suburu is definately gearing themselves more towards the enthusist market , as well as pushing their image upscale . Its working , the new cars like the legacy look great , in and out .

Pontiac is looking to be a few years from now , but definately not now . Pontiac is I think where Caddy was a few years ago . I really like where Pontiac is going though . Get us a line up like say ....

-Torana/soltice based enty level , 4-door , 5 door hatch options , RWD and manual tranny
-G6 coupe and sedan . Awesome car as is , even better yet with a Turbo and AWD options .
-G8/grand prix - Zeta RWD sedan
-Wagon based on above
-GTO
-Solstice
-Equinox based sport ute

.....and then I think were talking with Pontiac , granted the stying is there

 

None of the above.

 

VW has been and will be poor man's BMW.

Kinda like Pontiac and Cadillac in the day.

 

The real poorman's BMW is BMW's very own MINI brand.

 

Poor
Old
Niga
Thinks
It's
A
Cadillac

 

Never heard that. Although it certainly sounds like something my grandfather would say in the company of his many brothers.

Volkswagen. Thats gap to BMWs banana republic. I like the Toauorehg. And all of Audis big sedans.

 

VW as cheap mans BMW? Errr...

Id probably say Infinity. More RWD cars with sporty image.

 

I'd say Pontiac has the poor man's BMW going on with the GTO(interior looks like a dead ringer for something BMW would build), but not the rest of their lineup.

Suburu is going the right direction with some dead serious sport sedans. Although they have yet to build anything with style, or two doors to lure me in. WRX is the definition of rice

Definetly the poor man's BMW is the Mini Cooper. Its even made by BMW. Although its a bastard(German car parading around in English clothes)

 

GTO is the closest thing,s ince its a lux sport coupe.. but not the rest of their lineup.. Solstince looks promising, but its not in the same league if you just compare price tags. (although from what I've seen and read in mags and online, looks great)


I always think Subaru as a cheaper Audi, mainly cause 4 wheel drive and sedan... They don't even come close to the interiors and refinement though.


I haven't sat in a Mazda recently.... how are they? Their new turbo AWD Mazda6 seems to be targeted right at Subaru..

 

I vote Pontiac.

Mazda comes in second. When's the last time you saw a Mazdaspeed anything on the road?

Subaru is turning things around. I'm definitely looking forward to purchasing a new Legacy GT(maybe a Legacy STi if available). Things are going on in the Subbie camp, but I don't think they're aiming at BMW at all. Bring on the AWD Mazda 6 because it's going down.

VWs build quality BLOWS.

Pontiac has the GTO which is very sporty and well made interiors. The Bonnie GXP is nice and the G6 GTP/GXP whatever will have AWD. And the GTP has a Supercharger. Choose your poison. And they all look slighty upscale, not BMW yet, but better than "Olde Pontiac".

 

I voted other...VW takes the cake.