I was in the same boat when deciding. I chose the 2.7T because on paper, it's faster and the gas mileage was the same. Plus I read that the 01 2.7T was made better than the other years. The 4.2 I was looking at had 113k miles on it and I couldn't get a warranty on it. I would have liked the 4.2 because as you put it, it's pimpin. I liked the wider fenders too. But I plan on dropping in a chip and getting bigger wheels and MAYBE a body kit.