Choices.

[Psyk]

Just recently picked up my Mocha TDI CC, waited 4 months, and its been worth it, love it. I had a shopping list before I chose the CC, and I considered the following.
BMW 320d. Better dynamically, bit spartan, ordinary sedan looks.
Audi 2.0 TDI. Preferred its looks, but the sedan thing again.
Lexus IS250. I just don't want Japanese again.
And a parting glance at a few others. Anyone else spread the net wide, or was it CC or nothing?

Congrats on the choice!

Our list went something like, Passat R36, Audi A4, Lexus IS-F, HSV, FPV

BMW's I didn't bother, I'm sure they make great cars but ask for a premium for the priviledge, and they might as well make steering wheels an option... plus the dealerships seem to look at you as 'not worthy'.

The IS-F was fantastic although I was a worried about the stigma of driving around in a $100K+ car...

The HSV's and FPV's I was talked out of by friends (more than one suggested I shouldn't bother )

The A4 was nice, but optioned up to the equivalent CC, it was going to cost more, plus there's a few of them going around at work.

The R36 was virtually all but settled on until we sat in the CC, drove it around and talked our way out of requiring a 3-seater in the back

[R36VW]

For me coming from a 2002 S4 modified with RS4 turbos, after 7 years it was hard to find something I could justify the money on that I could enjoy as much. My list included;
07 RS4
TTS
S3
HSV GTS

The R36 had the best latest tech, good styling, impecable interior, more than enough power, great handling, practical packaging.
My second choice being an RS4 in a similiar grey but costing $115k couldn't justify cost performance vs R36.

[Leagle]

I too looked at a number of similar cars before settling on the Passat CC V6.

I looked at many cars roughly in the $50K-$150K bracket! Basically I was after the car that I thought would be "best value" for luxury, style and performance. Cars I considered but dismissed were:

1. New Subaru Liberty GT (cheaper but styling way too bland for me)
2. Ford Falcon G6ET (great aussie car, but couldn't look past cheap quality interior, particularly saggy seats)
3. New Lexus 250C (liked the idea of a convertible but way too slow) and Lexus ISF (too expensive)
3. Volvo C70 (another convertible, good price, but soon to be superceded)
5. New/demo V8 M3 and Merc AMG C63 (best sedans you can buy but too expensive with our ridiculous LCT kicking in)
4. Used BMW M3 (the only used car I considered - I couldn't get my tax benefit)
7. BMW 135i (terrific performance and value - for a BMW - but way too small!)
8. Audi A4/A5 3.2 (didn't handle as well as the CC, less features, higher price!)