New car time...Pickup? SUV? Something else?

[VaSteve]

The Tacoma thread had me thinking....

OK it's almost new car time. I have a 2004 BMW 325xi as my DD. It's getting a little roughed up, but I bought it new and I still like it. I like the way it handles and while it's not showroom new it's not too shabby.

I have fought a constant debate about a new car. I have a family of 4...my two kids keep growing. We have an active life, bikes, 2 dogs, wife has a kayak she keeps in basement and it comes apart to put in the van. I have a well set up 944 that I take to track days. My other cars: 2010 Sienna, 1983 Targa, 1990 944. The Porsches don't have a/c or it doesn't work well (911).

I have run this debate several times in my mind and here on the forum. I have thought of a Cayenne to replace the BMW. Then thought better of it, and thought of a X5 Diesel. I would like the ability to tow the 944 once in a while (usually I just drive it to events). The X5 is the current leader in my mind.

I would hate to give up the handling of the 325, hence the consideration of the expensive SUVs. I HATE HATE HATE the Sienna. It's made for a woman, it find it incredible uncomfortable, handles like ****, but it's the most practical vehicle ever. We just went to Maine and took 5 bikes for 4 people, and a mountain of other stuff. It was great, I just hate driving it. With an unbridled passion. It cost $30K new and we have vowed to drive it until the kids go to college or the wheels fall off (maybe we'll put them back on).

I have never owned a pick up. I have driven them and like the idea of the utility and throw stuff in the bed, especially bikes and all. My son and I just went camping in NY for 2 days and we took the BMW, because I hate the van.

I have not committed to the X5, but that's the mind's leader. I like the size of Tacoma and Dakota 4 door. (I like the size). I could take the kids places and the dogs (without the kids) and throw the bikes and kayak in the back. I could go camping and do scout stuff and all and not worry about tearing up a very expensive used SUV. I could also pay a bit less and then keep my 325 (which has terrible resale now). My commute is very short to an open parking lot and most of my weekday trips are solo trips. The weekends is when I'm doing stuff.

I'm afraid that I will seriously regret selling/trading the 325 and and stretching my budget for a nicer fancy SUV that I will be all worried about getting dinged up.

Some of this is irrational.....it's a car forum after all, so what say you all?

[id10t]

Check out the Mazda CX5 - if it isn't big enough, the CX7 or CX9 may do it for you. We've had our CX9 for 2 years, love it.

[onewhippedpuppy]

The problem as I see it is that you won't find a single car that does everything you want. From your post, it sounds like you want something fun to drive, seats four in comfort, can tow light/moderate loads, decent MPG, rugged and decent sized storage space for outdoor fun, reasonably priced. Does that sound about right? Because you're really asking for a vehicle that doesn't exist, the Subaru Baja XT is about as close as it gets.



My take is to keep the BMW. It's probably about a $5k Craigslist car at this point, is fun to drive, gets decent MPG, is more than big enough for your solo commute, and won't break your heart when it gets door dings and cooks in the sun. It checks pretty much all of your Mon-Fri boxes. That opens up way more options for your fun weekend outdoor toy. In this scenario, what would your price range be?

[Jim Richards]

Hey Steve, what's the amount of towing capacity that you'll need to pull the 944?

Have you considered the domestic SUVs for the job?

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

The problem as I see it is that you won't find a single car that does everything you want. From your post, it sounds like you want something fun to drive, seats four in comfort, can tow light/moderate loads, decent MPG, rugged and decent sized storage space for outdoor fun, reasonably priced. Does that sound about right? Because you're really asking for a vehicle that doesn't exist,

LOL, pretty much.

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

My take is to keep the BMW. It's probably about a $5k Craigslist car at this point, is fun to drive, gets decent MPG, is more than big enough for your solo commute, and won't break your heart when it gets door dings and cooks in the sun. It checks pretty much all of your Mon-Fri boxes.

This is kinda why I'm still on the fence about getting rid of it. If I had a payment or it was something else (Camry, etc.) it'd have been long gone. Hell, I drove from Northern VA to Watkins Glen on 1 tank of gas. It's a great car and I can work on it myself. The newer BMWs kinda scare me. Kind of, I'm not like some knuckledraggers that can't look stuff up on the net.

[kaisen]

If handling is why you're considering such an expensive SUV, but you know a pickup won't handle for crap and you might be okay with that...why not get a SUV that is less expensive, more practical, but doesn't have to handle like a sports car?

I'd just keep what you've got

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Hey Steve, what's the amount of towing capacity that you'll need to pull the 944?

Have you considered the domestic SUVs for the job?

I'd have to add it up. I don't own an trailer so it'd be a rental/borrow.

I have considered the Grand Cherokee. I like the 04 model's size. The idea was hatched of keeping the BMW when we went to CarMax and looked a bunch of stuff. The 05 version of the GC was like $17K, wife said just buy this and keep the BMW. I don't like the 05 version as much. The newest version has a high resale for some reason. I don't need 8 cylinders thumping away all the time, hence the X5 diesel idea.

My budget is kinda variable. I could "justify" paying more for a newer car. Was looking a X5s in the low 30's. Though that's what we paid for the van, I have a hard time swallowing that with my short commute/bake in the sun. The Sienna has 80,000 miles in 5 years. The 325 has 115K over 10 years.

I founds this locally online....I didn't know you could get leather...
2006 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner Double Cab, $17,863 - Cars.com

[kaisen]

It's "pleather"... A nice synthetic

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by kaisen

If handling is why you're considering such an expensive SUV, but you know a pickup won't handle for crap and you might be okay with that...why not get a SUV that is less expensive, more practical, but doesn't have to handle like a sports car?

I'd just keep what you've got

It's a little bit of handling and a little of "luxury". I'm a little bit of a car snob, but the practical side of me says that it's insane to pay that kind of money.

[Seahawk]

It is clear that the '83 Targa is at the center of all your car problems. Crystal clear.

My selfless recommendation is to unload the thing: Then and only then will you find the car wholeness and balance you seek.

I know just the guy

Seriously, and perhaps I may be alone in this, during my commutes and just general driving in DC traffic I could care less about handling and "performance", etc. in my ride. Just give me comfort and quiet, an excellent radio and an a/c system would make a well digger say, "bit chilly". Auto trans as well.

That's probably why I drive a Highlander. No "soul" but if I need that in a commuter mobile I'll play some Al Green. On weekends and local commutes, F-150.

So, I support selling the 325 and finding a nice used 4 door truck of your choice, mid or 1/2 ton. They are great.

[VaSteve]

Seahawk, I forgot you wanted my Targa.

Originally Posted by Seahawk

So, I support selling the 325 and finding a nice used 4 door truck of your choice, mid or 1/2 ton. They are great.

See, I'm thinking of adding to the fleet. The Mrs. likes the idea of having a sedan around as well. I sat in a bunch of 1/2 ton pick ups at Carmax. They were almost too big. Is that a punch in my man-card or make me non-American? :lol:

Oh these first world problems.

[BRPORSCHE]

I am in the same boat.

Wants:
Tacoma - be awesome to throw the bike, tent, and cooler in the back and just get away for a weekend.
135i - sporty and great handling.

Needs:
Four wheels to get me thru adverse weather conditions reliably.

Obviously, the Tacoma and the BMW couldn't be anymore different. But I am having a difficult not wanting a small car after driving them my whole life. I am sure I would like the truck, but I feel like I would just not enjoy getting in and being able to toss it around effortlessly as the BMW.

It really looks like I am going to end up in a carpet munching subie. /green.

[Jim Richards]

I've been eyeballing a Ford Edge or Flex. Flex might be better, towing capacity-wise if I want to tow/ramp-launch a small (22' or so) sailboat. Still it's early days for me on this so I have more time for research.

Good luck with your decision on this, Steve!

[David in VA]

Steve, earlier this year I traded my '08 GC with the hemi for a '11 X5d. The X5 is really nice, tows great (open trailer with track car), much more comfortable, and slightly bigger inside. I use it as a daily, tow to the track around once a month and do several long road trips a year.Having said that the GC was great except for the issues that kept popping up. Added to an absolutely terrible service dept. I sold it as soon as the warranty was close to running out. In my opinion:

WK
- Initial cost was MUCH lower than anything comparable. Lots of bells and whistles.
- Fun to drive, especially with the Hemi.
- Smallest SUV that could tow my trailer and car
- Terrible MPG
- Terrible build quality, although I hear the current generation is much better

X5
- Great looking in my opinion
- Ok to drive, diesel takes some getting used to
- Tows very well, better than the Jeep
- Very comfortable on long road trips
- Surprisingly low MPG for a diesel, I get around 22 on average

I didn't worry too much about dinging them up, bought Weathertech mats for both and they held up well. I would definitely not want to own either of them out of warranty. If you have a good Jeep service department close and MPG aren't too high on your list a WK2 might fit the bill.

Hope that helps.
David

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by David in VA

S

I didn't worry too much about dinging them up, bought Weathertech mats for both and they held up well. I would definitely not want to own either of them out of warranty. If you have a good Jeep service department close and MPG aren't too high on your list a WK2 might fit the bill.

Hope that helps.
David

I have heard similar. In fact, I have heard that X5s are the top of the list of cars NOT to own out of warranty. Which is probably prompting some of my cold feet on the matter.

I share your thoughts on build quality on the Jeep. My XJ Cherokee was rough, but I paid $22K in 1999 for it. I didn't expect much. I'm surprised on your low MPG for the X5.

[David in VA]

Yep, the X5 is currently in the shop for what I think is a dying battery. Crazy thing is you can't just replace it yourself, it has to be coded into the computer. Same with a lot of other stuff like adding a trailer hitch/harness, etc. Fortunately the dealership here is very good, albeit expensive.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by David in VA

Yep, the X5 is currently in the shop for what I think is a dying battery. Crazy thing is you can't just replace it yourself, it has to be coded into the computer. Same with a lot of other stuff like adding a trailer hitch/harness, etc. Fortunately the dealership here is very good, albeit expensive.

That's kind of a predicament I don't want to be in. There are plenty of dealers around here, but Fairfax is the closest and that's a pain to get to. I'm not "rural" like some folks but not close to everything. I'm spoiled since my 325 has really been very good and with the Bentley isn't terribly hard to work on.

I was on vacation with the Sienna and replaced a dying battery in the Wal Mart parking lot at 10pm. Something to be said for simple.

[David in VA]

Absolutely, simple is good. My old Jeep Wrangler is unbreakable, amazing how well it continues to hold up. BTW, if you are tempted to shop at Passport BMW in MD don't. I can tell you about my experience offline if you want.

[Monza_dh]

I went to an X5 3.0L from a 330 4 yrs ago and while I loved the 330 the X5 has been great with 3 kids. It is not a HD truck but hauling ski, hockey, baseball equipment along with bikes and kayaks on the weekends has been a breeze. It also handles pretty well and feels like a car 80% of the time.

Would I buy another? probably not. it looks good but is is dated and boring on the interior for me. I just got back from Germany and saw a few of these below. I wished to god they sold them in the US.....

[onewhippedpuppy]

Here's a slight off the wall suggestion if you keep the BMW - Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Seats 4, rugged hose out interior, surprisingly good ride in the newer ones, lots of cargo space in back, great for outdoors activities, incredible resale value. The 2011 Wrangler that I currently have is the funniest non-Porsche vehicle I've ever owned.