[E90076]

So for all of you who have M3s - what would be the ideal car for your spouse? Targeting the $45K range and can be a year or two used...

With an M3 in the garage already, it seems like an SUV would be nice but I'm not dead set on that just yet.

Thinking V8 Touareg, Infiniti FX50S, ML550, X5 3.0, S4, S5, LR3...

What are your thoughts and what am I missing here?

Personal Thoughts:

Touareg - good v8, great looks and capability, lacking sporty nature

FX50 - performance king of the bunch, questionable looks although I like it, doesnt have the "german" feel

ML550 - fast, "german" feel, decent looks

X5 - slow, "german" feel, great looks

S4 - cool sedan

s5 - looks great, most impractical of the bunch (already have an e92 coupe)

lr3 - no sporty performance, decent looks, practical and has a good road feel

[BigDog]

how bout a 328xi wagon

[E90076]

Originally Posted by BigDog

how bout a 328xi wagon

Eh, I don't really have a problem but the wife's not a fan of any wagons.

[ptack]

I bet if you give her a choice, she'll take a Lexus RX. They are like the ultimate chick crossover - beautiful on the inside, comfortable to drive, Lexus pampering.

[BigDog]

Originally Posted by E90076

Eh, I don't really have a problem but the wife's not a fan of any wagons.

yeah dunno why women don't dig the 3 wagon....

[Garduna]

e90076, do u live in a place where it snows?? if you do, a suv would be a good idea. If not, why bother :P

[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.

[BMW269]

X5 slow?

[BillLee]

i vote for the FX50

[Los Angeles]

An 09 automatic-transmission S5.

[white_hype]

i would really look into an 06 acura rl- can be had for 20k, there was only one option of back up cam (they all came fully loaded), its awd, cheap maitenance, 100k warranty extension is under $1500, there huge inside, and its safe and reliable

[TK-421]

I just noticed a few days ago that the Touareg has a pretty nice exhaust note. If you have kids, I would say take the X5.

[E90076]

X5 is not SLOW but at a 7.6 0-60 for the 3.0 it is compared to the others. ML is like a 5.4 while the FX50 is more like 5.0. I wouldn't mind a couple tenths difference but 2 and a half seconds is very noticeable.

[Inspired]

I would get the FX50..most reliable on the list and seem to fit your needs the most

[Silvertige]

Do you have kids? Or planning for some? SUV is great for all the practical stuff the M3 can't do. My wife drives an 07 escalade. Cheap maintenance and reliable but extremely crappy mileage. But we really enjoy having all that space for kids and hauling junk.

Out of your choices the X5 seems very nice, although the X3 would be great as well.

[E90076]

Originally Posted by Silvertige

Do you have kids? Or planning for some? SUV is great for all the practical stuff the M3 can't do. My wife drives an 07 escalade. Cheap maintenance and reliable but extremely crappy mileage. But we really enjoy having all that space for kids and hauling junk.

Out of your choices the X5 seems very nice, although the X3 would be great as well.

no kids for another five years or so. I like the x3 quite a bit but am looking for something mid size. X5 may have the highest sticker of the bunch but I'm wondering if the lenghy warranty, free maintenance, and high resale value will end up being a cheaper or at least level option.

[Turbo>NA]

Cayeene GTS

Safe and German

[1cleanm6]

Originally Posted by Turbo>NA

Cayeene GTS

Safe and German

cayenne gts(wow awesome car)

x5 4.8

range rover s/c

chose one lol

[Turbo>NA]

Originally Posted by Bryan0102

GTS is a bit out of his price range and the regular cayenne is just a glorified toureg. I think I like the exterior or the toureg better actually.

I know I was kidding lol
GTS is super expensive

Not to mention the service.

A4 is honestly the most ideal car for a young spouse

cheap, 4 door, space, good gas, and german lol

[ianbiz]

Range Rover

[E90076]

The X3's space isn't really the problem - I just personally prefer the midsized SUV look. Q5 is a good idea - seems to be in the middle of the X3 and touareg.

I agree on the Touareg > Cayenne debate. Essentially the same vehicle but cheaper and looks better.

OK so...I really like both the S4 and S5 but is there really anything that either offers that I would enjoy over a garage with an M3 in it? I ask because we now have a 335i and G35 and while I really love the wife's G35, there is really nothing it offers that my 335i doesn't. Ideally I would like to have two cars that one would really enjoy getting into.

[EmPower]

Originally Posted by ptack

I bet if you give her a choice, she'll take a Lexus RX. They are like the ultimate chick crossover - beautiful on the inside, comfortable to drive, Lexus pampering.

DO NOT GET THE RX.. I went and saw it at the dealership and its small on the inside (X3 feels MUCH bigger), and most of them were ~ 50K + and plus it looks like a bastard child of a toad and a gerbil. YUK!!