Thanks for all the replies. I'm buying the car for my college age childen (female). The cool down for the turbo Volvo seems troublesome ( I have a diesel truck at work with the same requirement. . .my driver doesn't cool it down either). Comments about Ford contaminating Volvo worry me. Both the Volvo (with 17" wheels) and the BMW sure look spiffy. The Acura TL-S seems a bit plain vanilla on the exterior, insides are a lot better. The BMW 325i is just about the same price as the Acura TL-S here. Of course there is a tremendous HP difference, however that is not my prime concern. The Acura sure looks great from an options standpoint. Thanks for all the replies.

Walter

 

They're lucky to get a nice car from dad at that age.

No offense here. IMO, I'd buy something less expensive for my daughter and let her go through the work-hard-and-save-$ phase. Money doesn't come easy.

Anyway, enjoy your car.

 

Oracion,

Excellent point. My wife agrees with you, thus she won't see your good advice. Dean's list plus scholarship total is almost car value (not in one year).

 

narrow ur choices to either 3-series or TL-S,
let her test dive them both, let her decide. she deserves it
she'll be happier that way

 

Wow. You have a very smart daughter. She deserves the car. Did you consider a CL? Since your daughter is the main driver, she might be happier in a 2 door coupe. Just my opinion.