Auto Enthusiasts: Anyone Been Car Shopping Lately? Chime In!!

[IEDEI]

I read 'enthusiast' and 'car' and then read X3, Q5 TDI, and Countryman and hence realized that such contradictions are unforgivable.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

I read 'enthusiast' and 'car' and then read X3, Q5 TDI, and Countryman and hence realized that such contradictions are unforgivable.

Lol, True dat....




And thanks for the quality input

[335m]

Originally Posted by Midwest X6

I've steered clear of RR due to their poor reliability...But, wth..Worth a look for sure.

I agree about reliability but if you were leasing the vehicle at least you wouldn't have to worry about any out of pocket expenses right?

[613Bimmer]

If you could fit the dogs in comfortably, I'd go with an M235i in a heartbeat. And you said it yourself, you always have your wife's X5 if you need it badly. Just be sure not to buy a stick M235i in case you need to swap vehicles .

Good luck with your search OP!

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by Midwest X6

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate it!!

Yah the Macan fits the bill I agree...Here's my issue with the Macan - and thats price...And they lease horribly..I lease because I cannot keep a car beyond 3-4 years, I get bored.

I priced a Macan S not too long ago and it was $5k cap cost (no way) + TTL down and then $900/mos..

I still got a kid in college and thats just too much for us right now - downright irresponsible for me actually..

I might just pull the trigger on the Q5 3.0 if I can't swing for the Sq5..Retail on the Sq5 is about $59k with Nav and the seats I want.

Another X3 (even in 35i guise) would probably be boring for me given I'm just coming out of one (albeit with the N20 under the hood).

Wish I could fit a couple big dogs in a M235i....Hmm, might have to actually try it to see

A DHP N55 X3 on staggered 19s with performance rubber is a bit of a different animal than your N20 version. $/$ I'm not sure you can do better in the small SAV segment- particularly if you need to lease.

If your a USAA P&S customer and do the un4gettable event, you can get your cap cost down to 10% off MSRP.

[ddk632]

What about the Infinity QX 50? Cheaper than X4 or Macan, I think, and they look nice, have space, etc.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by ddk632

What about the Infinity QX 50? Cheaper than X4 or Macan, I think, and they look nice, have space, etc.

I'll check one out ..RR Evoque and this on the consideration list.

I owe it to myself to see and drive an X3 Msport 35i too I guess..Thanks for reminding me cSurf

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by F10Enthusiast

If you could fit the dogs in comfortably, I'd go with an M235i in a heartbeat. And you said it yourself, you always have your wife's X5 if you need it badly. Just be sure not to buy a stick M235i in case you need to swap vehicles .

Good luck with your search OP!

Actually, wifey can drive a stick pretty damn well

[S_M]

I've been shopping, maybe not looking for exactly the same thing as you, but similar in ways. My F30 328i lease is up in March, and I own a Jeep Wangler Unlimited as a backup/bad weather car. I want 1 car to replace them both, has to be AWD, so I was thinking fast SUV, but struck out.

The Macan is a typical Porsche, it needs 20k in options, making it expensive.

The SQ5 looks too similar to a regular Q5, and is at the end of its life cycle.

Evoque is too slow, not fun enough to drive.

RR Sport I would only have the supercharged, too expensive.

Nothing from BMW excites me anymore, cars or SUVs.

Cherokee SRT8 is fast, but gets horrible mpg and falls a little short on build quality.

So, right now my #1 choice is actually an Audi S3, seems like an awesome car and its only 50k loaded. #2 is the new C-class, but I would probably have to wait for the C450.

Seems like the SQ5 might be a good fit for you.

[ryanSTL]

435 Gran Coupe
the hatch is crazy practical and it's a fun drive with decent luxury at a good price ... but I'm biased

[pukicabuki]

Originally Posted by Midwest X6

I'm not alone then..Yah, Sq5 is top of list now, but it will come down to price when push comes to shove too.

We recently purchased an SQ5 and it's great as far as sporty small SUVs go. A recent article on the Macan S used the SQ5 as comparison and the SQ5 was faster in all the acceleration numbers despite being slightly heavier. The Macan handled a little better though. Tge rear hatch is tiny on the Macan due to the sloping roof line. The X3 wasn't even close as far as I'm concerned when we looked at it. So what if the Q5/SQ5 is at the end of its life cycle. It's still a great platform.

Installing a set of KW v1 coilovers and a couple other suspension pieces on the SQ5 tomorrow. It's the closest thing to an S4 avant we can get.

MSRP on the SQ5 was a hair under $60k and we paid $55k OTD (no taxes in Oregon).