X3 M40i, Macan S, GLC43, or SQ5?

[jamesinaz]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

Well - considering that auto sales are declining, you could be looking at better prices. Analysis paralysis usually comes to a swift conclusion while ready to sign a great deal.

Well I am still locked into a lease until June 15. I won't start in earnest to see what deals there are until May 15. In the meantime I keep changing my mind as to what I want.

[jamesinaz]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

I'm gonna throw in a wildcard. What about Model Y? Its not the prettiest choice, but its definitely an interesting and different vehicle from the others, and fits the criteria.

It would be nice if I could actually sit in one and drive it first. That is the problem with the Tesla process for me. I want to see several, test drive one I think will be OK, and buy it.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by jamesinaz

It would be nice if I could actually sit in one and drive it first. That is the problem with the Tesla process for me. I want to see several, test drive one I think will be OK, and buy it.

Honestly sit in a Model 3 and you will get the same experience, its pretty much just a lifted version of that. Luckily with Tesla purchases they give you a 7 day/1k mile return period.

[Burrcold]

Sitting in one will do nothing anyways...total boredom. The drive on the other hand is fun (for the first few hours). After it's just a nice handling, powerful, commuter car.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by jamesinaz

I wonder if part of the issue with driving dynamics is the oversize wheels and tires on your folks car. I test drove one with 20 inch tires and had no issues with feel and holding a line. I admit it wasn't a sport feel but I didn't feel disconnected from the road entirely.

Possibly but I would think with larger wheels there would be more road feel.

[jamesinaz]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Possibly but I would think with larger wheels there would be more road feel.

Ya got me. Maybe you have more feel for a car than I do. Not out of the realm of possible. I'm just a normal guy who likes a bit of horsepower and handling better than a Hyundai Santa Fe.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Sitting in one will do nothing anyways...total boredom. The drive on the other hand is fun (for the first few hours). After it's just a nice handling, powerful, commuter car.

Exactly what OP wants. Could he worth a shot, but you of course have to be committed 100% going to electric.

[strohw]

Originally Posted by jamesinaz

Odd that the local Porsche dealers have zero Macan GTS. All the base, S and Turbo you want but no GTS.

That's because in 2019 they did a refresh of the Macan and the only two models you could buy for that model year was the base and the S. The 2020 Turbo was released just a little bit ago and the 2020 GTS is coming out in the summer.

[jamesinaz]

Originally Posted by strohw

That's because in 2019 they did a refresh of the Macan and the only two models you could buy for that model year was the base and the S. The 2020 Turbo was released just a little bit ago and the 2020 GTS is coming out in the summer.

Aha. Well I'm not in a hurry. Still in a lease until June 15.

[jamesinaz]

Just a quick update. The GLC, X3 and Macan are not gonna work. They all FEEL too small just sitting in them. Guess I'm not a sports car/SUV guy. That damn X5 keeps calling my name.

[strohw]

Have you looked at Volvo? If you don't care much about sporty handling then their interior quality is top notch and you can get quite a bit for your money. Something like a XC90.

[jamesinaz]

Originally Posted by strohw

Have you looked at Volvo? If you don't care much about sporty handling then their interior quality is top notch and you can get quite a bit for your money. Something like a XC90.

Yes. I test drove a XC90. It was not bad. Probably moved faster than it felt. I will circle back to look again.

[c1pher]

I did this exact exercise just over a year ago. I ended up buying a 2017 CPO Macan Turbo. Zero regrets so far. I’ve put over 20,000 miles on it so having the additional two year unlimited mile CPO warranty is nice. I paid about $63k and it had 21,000 miles.

If the X4M had been out, I may have gone that route (traded my 135is) and really thought I wanted to stay BMW. But driving the X 40, I was left a little disappointed and the car seemed overly isolated. I liked the SQ5 but, it seemed more sedan like and a little plasticy in some areas.

I really liked the Alfa but was overly concerned about reliability so if I did get one it would have been lease only.

[jamesinaz]

Originally Posted by c1pher

I did this exact exercise just over a year ago. I ended up buying a 2017 CPO Macan Turbo. Zero regrets so far. I’ve put over 20,000 miles on it so having the additional two year unlimited mile CPO warranty is nice. I paid about $63k and it had 21,000 miles.

If the X4M had been out, I may have gone that route (traded my 135is) and really thought I wanted to stay BMW. But driving the X 40, I was left a little disappointed and the car seemed overly isolated. I liked the SQ5 but, it seemed more sedan like and a little plasticy in some areas.

I really liked the Alfa but was overly concerned about reliability so if I did get one it would have been lease only.

That has to be a rocket. I want them ALL. I keep thinking about this and reality is hitting me in the face. I will never hit a corner at any speed that pushes the envelope of whatever I buy. That X5 will probably fill me "need for speed" and provide more comfort for this old man.

Heck doing research a Mazda C9 probably would work if it just had a bit more zoom.

[chassis]

Originally Posted by jamesinaz

Just a quick update. The GLC, X3 and Macan are not gonna work. They all FEEL too small just sitting in them. Guess I'm not a sports car/SUV guy. That damn X5 keeps calling my name.

Size appears to be a criteria for you. Did you specifically state budget and age/mileage requirement? I didn't see it browsing through 4 pages of replies.

Have a look at both the Mercedes AMG GLE43 and AMG GLE63.

The GLE43 is analogous to an M50i, and the GLE63s is a "true" AMG similar to a "true" BMW M.

The 2018 W166 platform is likely the most robust platform Mercedes has on the road at the moment. The engines in the GLE43 (3.0L V6 TT) and GLE63s (5.5L V8 TT) are proven.

The GLE43 can be found in the $40s and the GLE63s can be found in the low $60s, both with less than 30k miles.

[stein_325i]

Well since its back to X5, you'll probably just get that since it is after all the car you keep coming back to, although the Porsche Cayenne could be interesting. Not as luxurious, but likely a better driving car, and can most likely find one of the newest generation (2019-) used with low milage to lower the price. GLE is also considerable, however they won't be as fun, and I'm not sure if Merc is still having issues getting more of the larger engine models (450/580) into dealers. Used X5 M could also be interesting, although probably much more power than you'll ever need/use depending on your driving habits.

[Humdizzle]

personal opinion but yeah, no such thing as a sporty SUV. But if you had to pick one its Macan all day. Just the pdk alone is way better than that garbage ZF8 in bmws.

[dgoldenz]

Jeep SRT is also in your price range if you can’t afford a trackhawk or don’t want something that gets 10mpg, though the SRT isn’t that much better.

Stelvio quad checks all the boxes except dealer network and unknown long term reliability, but you can get a bumper to bumper 7-8 year warranty relatively cheap. You really need to drive one. It blew me away. I’ve done this same search twice already.

[GenXer]

X5!

[Funf6cyl]

Macan GTS ot Turbo all the way. I’ve had two S’ and one GTS. The GTS was one of the most fun cars. It handles very well, great steering, and just sounds awesome. Plus it’s easily the best looking of these. Even Aston used the Macan to shape its SUV since it is easily the sexiest shaped one out there.

[corn18]

Are you planning to do any utility like things with your new vehicle? I ask because the X5 is a beast for towing things.

[Conissah]

Once again I'm back to recommend an SRT Jeep. Was initially dismissed my OP because of size, but now he says the compacts are too small, and the Jeep GC is honestly a great size. Good ole 6.4L Merican V8, ZF8 tranny, 0-60 in around 4.5 seconds, 8000lb tow capacity. Heated and cooled seats, rear seats recline. They're awesome. 10/10 would recommend.