X3 or 5 Series Touring or...

[Don Plumley]

Going through my every 6 month, "thinking about a new car" dilemma.

Backstory: My wife took my Cooper S and I have her XC90. She has a bit of a commute and I work from home, so that makes sense. I also have frequent needs to haul cases of wine and various odds and ends, so an SUV is helpful. But I really don't like driving it - it's a nice vehicle but handles like a truck.

Backstory II: XC90 bought new, now has 165K miles and I'm facing about $2.5K of repair and maintenance - that's 50% to 30% of the value of the car, and it might be time to change. Might have some tax challenges this year so a vehicle expense might make sense.

Needs: This should be the "nice" car - long trips, dinner in SF, etc. 80% usage is driving to business meetings, taking a case or so of wine to restaurant deliveries; 15% is hauling lots of stuff; 5% is driving into vineyards, so 4WD comes in handy a couple times a year.

I think a 5 series touring (I think he last year is 2010), it seems like most are 4WD so if ground clearance isn't a big problem that might be a better car for the 95% of my needs; I've heard great things about the new version X3, one or two year ones seem to be available. I really like the Pepper wagon, but that's big dollars and again, is a big car. I like the 3 series wagon, but I think it's bit small to haul people and/or a bunch of wine.

What else should I consider? I'll probably end up putting the money back into the Volvo and hang on for another year or two, but it's fun to dream...

[Halm]

I spent some time in the new X3. It is really a nice car. It has the same interior room as my E53 (2005) X5. The base turbo 4 banger is ok, I'd look hard at the well known turbo 6 or wait for the diesel. That said, they have become pricey.

IMO, don't consider a used 2011 or older X3. If nothing else, too small.

[911dean]

I have an e46 wagon and absolutely love it. Having said that my next wagon will be a used 5 series or a CTS. I really would like more room than a 3 series offers.

Dean

[Dottore]

We have an almost new X3 with the 3.0 diesel six turbo, and are very happy with it. Great car in all respects and was voted "car of the year" by the German motoring press last year.

It's very small and agile and light for an SUV. It has a small turning circle, and rides very much like a 3 series sedan. The feel is sporty and light rather than luxurious — and I like that.

The 3.0 litre diesel is of course a bomb and makes the car. It works well in the X5, so you can perhaps imagine how well it works in the X3, which is 1,200 pounds lighter.

We have not yet found a flaw in this car in the past two years. It's equally good on long road trips as it is around town. We also transport wine in it from wherever we travel to.

I have no hesitation in recommending the X3.

[onewhippedpuppy]

New or used? Price range? You've got a bunch of choices in an SUV, wagon, or hatchback, it all really depends on price.

The first generation X3 received horrible reviews, and I've talked to several BMWCCA owners that really didn't like theirs. The new bodystyle (as recommended above) is supposed to be significantly better. One other thought - if a 3-series touring is too small, the X3 probably will be as well. The X3 is pretty close to just being a tall 3-series touring.

[Don Plumley]

Thanks for the responses so far. Probably used, ~$30K is what I'm thinking. If used, it would be the second gen X3 and the latest 5er.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

New or used? Price range? You've got a bunch of choices in an SUV, wagon, or hatchback, it all really depends on price.

Fun-to-drive wagon/CUV/SUVs:

BMW X3 or X5, 3 or 5 series Touring
Audi Q5 (Q7 too big), A3 or A4 or A6 Avant
Mercedes GLK or ML, E-series Wagon
VW Tiguan or Touareg, Golf or Jetta Sportwagen or Passat Wagon
Porsche Cayenne
Acura RDX or MDX, Acura TSX wagon
Infiniti EX or FX
Cadillac CTS Wagon
Ford Edge or Explorer (Sport Pkg w/ EcoBoost)
Lincoln MKX EcoBoost
Toyota RAV4 Sport V6 (with some aftermarket suspension help)
Mazda CX5 or CX7, Mazda 3 or MS3 Wagon
Subaru WRX, Legacy Turbo wagon, Forester Turbo, Tribeca
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
Dodge Magnum SRT8
Land Rover Evoque or RR Sport


I'm sure the board will have plenty of brand preference (snobbery?) but if one is open-minded they're all good candidates, depending on honest criteria


I wouldn't spend another penny on the XC90

YMMV

[onewhippedpuppy]

Good list by Eric. A few others worth considering:

Audi S6 - came only as an Avant 1999-2003. Might be older than you're interested in, though you can get a very nice one for $20k.
Volvo V70R - again only available until 2007, but a fun turbocharged AWD wagon available with a stick.
Trailblazer SS - yes it's a Trailblazer with all that entails, but it also has AWD and a Corvette powerplant.
Audi S4 - available as an Avant, can get it with a stick.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Trailblazer SS - yes it's a Trailblazer with all that entails, but it also has AWD and a Corvette powerplant.

If the idea of a Chebby doesn't sit well, they also offered the Saab 9-7x Aero with the exact same 6.0L LS2 Corvette powertrain. The Saab was a little better appointed, and had cleaner styling....it's the one I'd buy if considering a Trailblazer SS. They're a little hard to find. A very good competitor to the Jeep GC SRT8 or Cayenne S

[id10t]

Just got a Mazda CX9. Big - can seat 7 of us including a baby seat, with room for some groceries as well. Can fold down 3rd row for more storage. All wheel drive. Even brand new and loaded you can get a 2012 for under your $30k

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by kaisen

If the idea of a Chebby doesn't sit well, they also offered the Saab 9-7x Aero with the exact same 6.0L LS2 Corvette powertrain. The Saab was a little better appointed, and had cleaner styling....it's the one I'd buy if considering a Trailblazer SS. They're a little hard to find. A very good competitor to the Jeep GC SRT8 or Cayenne S

Good point. And unlike other Saabs where parts availability could be an issue, most everything will come from the GM parts bin.

[Don Plumley]

Originally Posted by kaisen

I wouldn't spend another penny on the XC90

I'm feeling that way too. Then after the emotion of getting another car wears off, I get into the, "If it is only worth 5-7K, but still looks like a $20K vehicle, does the job, it's worth more to me than the market argument." This is what's kept me in the car for the past few years.

Help me understand why you say that?

Thanks!

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by Don Plumley

I'm feeling that way too. Then after the emotion of getting another car wears off, I get into the, "If it is only worth 5-7K, but still looks like a $20K vehicle, does the job, it's worth more to me than the market argument." This is what's kept me in the car for the past few years.

Help me understand why you say that?

Thanks!

Just my opinion:

Spending $2500 +/- on a $5000 car with 165K miles isn't necessarily the issue. But there's also no guarantee that next week or next month won't have a transmission or engine or something else expensive fail. If the Volvo is presentable and running, you're much better off selling it as-is with proper disclosure. You'll probably get $1000 less for it if it needs $2500 in work, no kidding. Plus selling it with 165K still attracts a decent market. At 175K or 190K or 200K you'll cut your available pool of buyers exponentially. Sell it NOW, tis the season. You'll sell it the week between Christmas and New Years, when people are off work and kids are home from college. Trust me.

Buy your next car before year-end and enjoy the tax savings.

[Don Plumley]

Got it, makes sense, thanks.

Okay, anyone want to buy a one-owner XC90! :-D

Now to pick a replacement...

[89911]

I have a 2007 MDX. I drive the pants off this car and it does not dissapoint. Long out of warranty but I don't mind in this car.

[Spud]

We just bought a 2013 Ford Explorer Sport (has the SHO 365hp Twin Turbo V6). Very nice car, seems to tick all your boxes. The Sport version is new this year, but everything else about it is standard Explorer. Ford interior quality has come a long way from years past, very nice seats etc., its worth a look.

[aigel]

Test drive a Golf or Jetta 6 speed stick TDI. Report back! You can get a brand spanking new one for less than your budget out the door. With free service and bumper to bumper for 3y/36k, you will spend nothing for 3 years but fuel. They are excellent fuel savers cruising and the torque of the diesel engine makes them a lot of fun. I also predict their residual values being quite good in the 3-5 year old range.

G

[speeder]

Plenty of good suggestions here. The current X3 is a great rig, unfortunately the diesel option is not available in the U.S. on that model. I can only imagine how great it is, having put some miles on a 335d this past year. The hot one here is the 3.5 turbo gasoline model, it got rave reviews from auto journalists.

No idea what a used one of those would run, probably way over $30k.

[Don Plumley]

Originally Posted by aigel

Test drive a Golf or Jetta 6 speed stick TDI. Report back!

I like the idea of a diesel (though I read an article in the NYT automotive section on Sunday about why a Cayenne diesel is stupid); VW fit and finish has always worried me - is it better?

Golf/Jetta does not have enough hauling capacity for 15 cases of wine, I'm afraid - I need a flat rear deck. I can look at the TDI wagon, but I think it will be small and I'm not a fan of the new body. Stick - I have one in the Porsche; stop and go traffic and driving in SF makes a daily driver stick unappealing to me.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Don Plumley

I like the idea of a diesel (though I read an article in the NYT automotive section on Sunday about why a Cayenne diesel is stupid); VW fit and finish has always worried me - is it better?

Golf/Jetta does not have enough hauling capacity for 15 cases of wine, I'm afraid - I need a flat rear deck. I can look at the TDI wagon, but I think it will be small and I'm not a fan of the new body. Stick - I have one in the Porsche; stop and go traffic and driving in SF makes a daily driver stick unappealing to me.

It may be too small - but the seats do fold and will hold 15 cases in either car.

I got the Golf - it is made in Germany - the fit and finish is great. Reviews confirm this. The interior is very nice - they must have had an Audi guy come over to show them the ropes. The Jetta is made in Mexico - can't comment on it, but I can't see why it is different, as it uses the same components. Nostatic on the board here bought the Jetta TDI a while back. His has the DSG transmission.

The stick on the VW shifts really easy with a featherlight clutch. I don't mind it in stop and go, as the diesel allows you to lug around in any gear for much longer than a gas powered car of the same size. Much better than the HD clutch and LWF in the 993, that's for sure!

The Tuareg or an Audi SUV can be had with a TDI, but I am not sure about reliability on that platform. A friend has a first model Tuareg and it is electrical gremlin galore - complete nightmare!

G