[wtwo3]

Here's our current lineup:

'23 X7
'23 M3 6MT (on order)

I've been trying to convince my wife that we need a 3rd car for the following reasons:

1) A winter car - I'd like to keep my M3 long term, so would like to avoid the wear and tear of winter driving on it. It's also RWD so not ideal for winter/snow driving.
2) My wife can't drive manual. If I need to take the X7 out for whatever reason (service, hauling something large, etc), she'd essentially be stranded at home. She's also not willing to learn, and even if she was, I'm not sure I want to teach her on my M3.
3) At least a couple times a year we have family/friends visit from out of town. Would be nice to have a car available for them to use rather than having to have them squeeze into one of our cars or renting their own car. This isn't high on the priority list, but another consideration.

Up until now my wife has been adamantly against getting a 3rd car because she wants to use the 3rd garage spot for storage. Funny enough it took one slightly bad snow day to convince her. As she was driving she called me and asked if my new car (the M3) would be safe in the snow.... this was my opportunity....

So now that she's on board... I'm starting to think about what 3rd car to get. Likely won't buy for several months, but I love thinking about this stuff.

This is what I'm considering for my criteria:
<$25k
4 doors
Preferably AWD, but will also consider FWD
Automatic
<180" in length (would like something small)
Somewhat reliable

Any suggestions?

[Tejas1836]

Ford Maverick 4WD

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Tejas1836

Ford Maverick 4WD

Would be an awesome option but way too large. Looking for something less than 180" in length.

[Esteban]

BMW E90 xdrive.

[Murf the Surf]

Our previous DD was a MB GLK 250 Blutec. AWD, with snow tires it was brilliant in the winter, got way over 30MPG, comfortable, and a good size. Easily pick one up in your budget.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Esteban

BMW E90 xdrive.

Not sure about that reliability for winter duty

[Esteban]

Not sure about that reliability for winter duty

Big Money Waste?

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Murf the Surf

Our previous DD was a MB GLK 250 Blutec. AWD, with snow tires it was brilliant in the winter, got way over 30MPG, comfortable, and a good size. Easily pick one up in your budget.

Interesting... hadn't thought about that. And it was reliable?

[TR930]

Jeep Cherokee Xj.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Onesie

Brand New Corolla Cross AWD
Fits all criteria.

Avoid the notion of “beater” as you need a car that’s modern and safe (active and passive safety).

Awesome suggestion - I think that whole class is full of some good options... Corolla Cross, Mazda CX-30, might even look into something like a Chevy Bolt. Not exactly the most exciting group of cars but reliable and easy to drive.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Awesome suggestion - I think that whole class is full of some good options... Corolla Cross, Mazda CX-30, might even look into something like a Chevy Bolt. Not exactly the most exciting group of cars but reliable and easy to drive.

Won't have to worry about reliability either with a Toyota.

So let us know what you get.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Won't have to worry about reliability either with a Toyota.

So let us know what you get.

Will be a summer of test drives... assuming dealer inventory is back to normal... I know people hate car shopping but I love everything about it. Unpopular opinion entry?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Will be a summer of test drives... assuming dealer inventory is back to normal... I know people hate car shopping but I love everything about it. Unpopular opinion entry?

I think it's fun to test drive cars too. Used to do it all the time. Haven't done it in a while. Will have to get back in to it.

[DocL]

Originally Posted by Esteban

I think it's fun to test drive cars too. Used to do it all the time. Haven't done it in a while. Will have to get back in to it.

I used to do it also, but I usually came home with a new car. The worst would be when I would take a car in for an oil change and do a trade during the appointment and come home with a new car. My wife certainly wasn’t happy with me when I did this.

[Alfisti]

WRX.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

WRX.

I was looking into this.. it's at the absolute upper limit in terms of size and unfortunately the hatchback is only available either in the base impreza or the STI (which only comes in a manaul). Still... I'll check out a wrx sedan and see how it feels.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by DocL

I used to do it also, but I usually came home with a new car. The worst would be when I would take a car in for an oil change and do a trade during the appointment and come home with a new car. My wife certainly wasn’t happy with me when I did this.

Funny, I've done that and got the same reaction.

[tturedraider]

Probably exceed $25k at least a little - a low mileage 2017-18 F30 340i. Or maybe even a 2017-19 F31 330i. The F31 would be useful for lots of things.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Probably exceed $25k at least a little - a low mileage 2017-18 F30 340i. Or maybe even a 2017-19 F31 330i. The F31 would be useful for lots of things.

They're a bit too big for what I'm looking for, otherwise would be good options to consider.

[StradaRedlands]

You mentioned the Bolt, so if an EV would work for you, consider the 2019 VW eGolf. The '19 model has a larger battery, so the one to get. I have two friends with them, and they love them. Very driver oriented, and plenty of tactile analog controls. FWD with some winter tires would get you most anywhere you would want to go! Low mileage SEL models are averaging around $25k.

[RichF90M5C]

VW Golf R

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

You mentioned the Bolt, so if an EV would work for you, consider the 2019 VW eGolf. The '19 model has a larger battery, so the one to get. I have two friends with them, and they love them. Very driver oriented, and plenty of tactile analog controls. FWD with some winter tires would get you most anywhere you would want to go! Low mileage SEL models are averaging around $25k.

Thanks I'll look into it. Any thoughts on reliability? I've always been weary of VW products because of their reliability reputation. Granted I probably wouldn't be driving it more than 3k miles a year.