[mtla4]

want my opinion...if you want something fun don't buy an SUV. Plenty of cars out there can do the job...what about keeping the 335I and adding something else. If you don't need the an SUV don't buy one. A wagon or hatchback is 2x better in terms of driving dynamics. Go see the A4 avant or 328 Touring.

[shipill]

how about Audi Q5? I love that car !

[Garduna]

Originally Posted by E90076

Believe it or not she has grown semi-accustomed to liking cool vehicles and I think the lexus would be too soft for the both of us.

No snow around here but there has been several occations where we need to haul something and have to borrow trucks from friends, etc. Plus with a 335i now and an M3 soon enough for me, there isn't really many other cars that could offer more than what we have...your thoughts? S5 does look pretty good though.

The 335i, is it a sedan or coupe. and what will the M3 be in the future? I'm asking this because of the "family" situation if you got kids, a 4 door would be prefered compared to a 2 door.

One thing I must stress is that if you really do intend on getting your wife a S5, you better order one ASAP cuz he V8 engine in it will be discontinued in the 2010 model and replaced by a v6 turbo or supercharged.

+1 on the Q5

[Inspired]

Originally Posted by Bryan0102

I stand by the X3. Handles 10/10, has the same wheel as your M3 (small touch but I love it). Top notch leather (none of that GLK half leatherette garbage) and I won a race against a civic... its quick. And I can still get 25mpg+ when I want to. And its dimensions are narrow and extremely easy to park.




Besides that my personal choices would be
2)Q5
3)Toureg
4)A3

x3 looks like it is for teenage girls.. no offense..I still stand behind my decision. FX50. Best bang for the buck..

[amgthis]

S5 if she's sexy

[///power]

I would go with the X5.

[c0nstant]

a kitchen with wheels (kidding)

[Blake]

Originally Posted by jh valley

a kitchen with wheels (kidding)

this

[Blake]

a riding vacuum cleaner

[white_hype]

only thing that comes to mind when i think of x3 is the top gear episode (maybe you should watch that before you think about getting one). and if your worried about gas mileage get the touareg TDi.

[Silvertige]

Okay. Audi Q5. Looks better than the X3, imho.Better mpg than the X5. Should be able to haul a decent amount of stuff. I'd really consider that if kids were 5 years away.

[Los Angeles]

Originally Posted by Bryan0102

I'd take a German car anyday over some Japanese SUV that sounds like a movie channel

That's a rather interesting analogy.

[Inspired]

Originally Posted by Bryan0102

Whatever, the only time I drive it is for going to hockey or going somewhere early where I want some comfort. And yeah, you're right, girls actually love that car more than my C350. chick magnet.

I'd take a German car anyday over some Japanese SUV that sounds like a movie channel

I rather have a reliable SUV than a unreliable German car/suv that always have electrical problem and transmission. My parents previous SUV (ML550).

[OBI_agent]

To the op, if you can wait, opt for a test drive of the upcoming B8 S4 sedan(No Avant S4's coming to USA).
As you have mentioned the car, I'm sure you won't mind it.
I think it's going to be a great car. Plus with the tuning potential(MTM chip =400hp+stock), you could do alot with it

[ching]

I have a Touareg because it'll out of the SUV's listed above, it's the car that I feel safest to have my car family in in bad weather. The car is built like tank and just feels stable at speed.

It's also a true SUV so it can haul stuff (great for reno projects or towing a boat) but unfortunately gets crappy mileage. If you want to make the car "sporty", swap in Cayenne S suspension parts (I didn't get the Cayenne because I didn't like the way it looked and thought it would more expensive to maintain).

- Decided against the Land Rover because of reliability and cost (at least with the VW I have a large dealer network and a decent warranty)
- Decided against the Infiniti because it wasn't all that practical. I love the way it drives, but there's not a lot of room inside and can't actually do any "SUV" things like hauling stuff. Figured if I was going to get SUV gas mileage, it better be for a reason. I also think the FX50 looks like a dead catfish from the front. Again, great drive, but no SUV is going to compare well to the M3 so why bother?

[jaiman]

I say Q5. They look really nice, have great interiors, drive well and get ok mileage.

[Ramos]

+1 on the Audi Q5

[carve]

I'd get something in the top 10%, preferably top 5%, of the informedforlife testing criteria (www.informedforlife.org). If you want to go small and sport, but still have utility, get the A4 Avant. If you want something bigger and cushier, get the MDX.

[E90076]

I really need to just get over the Audi thing - yes, they are awesome but an suv would be really nice to have as a second car. Toureg offers excellent suv capabilities while he fx offers most of the comforts with a sports car drive.

Not that it's a huge deal but I know my wife would like to have somehing that people think is "cool." unfortunatly no one outside of those who are somewhat knowledgable about cars would think either are overly great. The touareg is pretty plain (which I love) and the fx is constantly knocked for the fish look.

[hudaman]

Originally Posted by Ramos

+1 on the Audi Q5

+2 on the Q5.

-10000000 for the X3.

[carve]

Originally Posted by Bryan0102

MDX is horribly constructed. Acura used cardboard in their trunks...

Acura has the highest average overall safety of any brand. Who cares what they use for insulation? If it was a material not up to the task, they'd be overwhelmed with warranty claims.

[The Cthulhu]

Stick shift mustang FTW.