Quote from: sno_duc on December 12, 2012, 08:48:46 AM
I've also had an X3 as a loaner (yes Virginia some dealers still provide loaners while your car is receiving it's free service), go drive one with the 3.5 turbo 6.
Then get back to us.

Last I checked performance doesn't make a car prettier.  It'll still be fugly. I'd get a used X5 before an X3, on looks alone.

Quote from: Triple J on December 12, 2012, 09:39:44 AM
Last I checked performance doesn't make a car prettier.  It'll still be fugly.

Well, last I checked pretty looks doesn't make a car perform better either. 
And the X1 looks waaay better than any minivan.
As good as the in line 6 cylinder engine is in the 35i, I would go for the 4 cylinder turbo motor. The 8 speed auto on that thing is almost magical.

Quote from: Triple J on December 12, 2012, 09:39:44 AM
I'd get a used X5 before an X3, on looks alone.

I completely agree with you on this. The X3 seems to have some proportions that don't make it very appealing to the eye.

Panda, what about the GMC Acadia? Trailering is a bit down at 3500lbs but seems to have the other things you're looking for, roomy cabin, creature comforts, etc.

If a used vehicle is an option, maybe consider a full size SUV like a GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Tahoe. These options would have everything you're looking for on a vehicle that if new may not have otherwise been at your price point.

Quote from: Pedro-bot on December 12, 2012, 10:32:00 AM
Panda, what about the GMC Acadia? Trailering is a bit down at 3500lbs but seems to have the other things you're looking for, roomy cabin, creature comforts, etc.

If a used vehicle is an option, maybe consider a full size SUV like a GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Tahoe.

Acadia is on the working list too, though ranked lower. I think that was mostly on size - it's a biggun.

Used is an option, though I'm leaning towards lease as times they are a changing and vehicle needs may shift and override any wants (aka the mini van era)

I think lease is a great idea if you don't plan on driving the car very much.

You can get into the red pretty quick if you're over on miles when the lease term is up.

I don't know if you have kids already but congrats on your new expected joy.  

My wife and I just had our first in September. We found out she was pregnant 1 week after I bought my M3. From the pic you can obviously see it's a 2 door.
So not the best "family vehicle," especially considering it's a 6 speed manual.

I thought about trading the car in the last few months she was pregnant. But after a lot of serious consideration we opted to hang on to the car.
I'm a forum member at M3post.com and searching and reading posts with similar scenarios, "should I trade in my coupe for a family car, etc, etc.." it made the decision to keep the car a lot easier. Now keep in mind my daughter is only 2 months old, so much can still change, but some of the members with children posted things like...
- rear facing car seats for baby only last 1 -2 years, booster seats after that are much easier to deal with
- my wife stays home with baby so there's not much driving with the baby in the car, trips are minimal
- we have 2 cars

I'm finding that bringing the car seat in and out of the X5 is still somewhat akward. Especially since the recommendation is to secure it in the center of the back seat. We don't go many places with baby, at least not yet, so it's not really that big of a deal. I have a Thule roof rack on my M if we choose to take my car, I can strap on a soft cargo bag. We've only used my car once, all other trips in the SAV.

So far, 2 1/2 months into a new baby girl I'm finding that the inconveniences of packing strollers, carriers and diaper bags is not that big of deal. It can be if you make it.
I think if you accept the simple fact that a new baby will make everything just a little bit harder and take a little more planning, then you won't have a hard time dealing with the challenges you'll meet.

And another factor I really mind blanked on earlier - there's a 75 pound dog in the mix. So he'd need room if we all pile in for a family road trip. So sufficent cargo room behind the 2nd row for dog and some cargo is a weighting factor. He's pretty aged so don't know how long he'll be around. But he's tough too, so could be a while and he'll need his space.

My present wheels are a 6 speed manu, and M (the wife) won't drive it. She says she can drive a manu, but is scared to 'mess it up'. So an auto magic trans is in my future so we have more driver flexibility.

Yes, miles on a lease are a concern - but usual driving habits don't take me all that far each year. And I'd probably wrangle for some more Work From Home days once The Minion arrives in March.

75 pound dog?!
That's practically a horse for some people. 

Well then, sounds like you need max cargo plus max towing.

March is still a pretty good ways off so you have plenty of time to make up your mind.

Then again, purchasing this time of year may get you a better deal on most any new 2012 model.

Quote from: Pedro-bot on December 12, 2012, 11:37:14 AM
75 pound dog?!
That's practically a horse for some people. 

March is still a pretty good ways off so you have plenty of time to make up your mind.

He's a little thing... at least compared to his 85 pound youth. Not as much muscle in his golden years.

Aiming to decide before the end of Jan. Got a ballast or igniter on the current wheels HID that I'd rather make some dealers problem. Past the end of Jan it's my problem - annual inspection is up at the end of Jan and running 1 headlight, no matter how bright will fail.

I drive a 2012 highlander V6 SE 4WD.  It was bought last year now has 21k miles.  Previous car was a 2003 GTI VR6, and the repairs bill was getting to be annoying and AC gremlin did not help.

Wanted to get a SE with 2WD but it is nearly impossible to find in the midwest.  Also, All the V6s seem to come from the factory with the "upgraded" towing package for 5000 lb.  I have not towed with mine.

So far, the only problem was a dealer sold Compustar remote start controller that went bad. It was replaced under warranty.

Likes:
roomy cabin (the hatch with third row seats down should be roomy for the 75 lb pooch)
cushy ride
Larger rear view camera screen from GPS display vs highlander w/o GPS.

Dislikes
wind noise loud above 70 MPH.
seat bottom are uncomfortable for my bony butt.
Slow GPS.
MSRP seemed high...

Gas mileage:
City 15-18 MPG
MIX 18-21 MPG
Highway 20-25 MPG  (at avg speed of 65 MPH, multifunction trip computer calculates about ~24 MPG)

Thanks ZyMe - heard some other complaints about the seat comfort too. I'm spoilt by my current seats. In '04 Acura put some nice seats in my car. I'd take it out an stick feet on it for the house if I could.

3rd row down should be more than enough for the dog. He fits well in the wifes sorento, which is a bit smaller than the toyota or many of the other things under discussion here.

If I were in the market for an SUV, I'd have to look pretty seriously at the 4runner, especially if you're already considering the highlander...which is basically just a camry with a taller roof. Been driving an 08 Tundra for a while now and it's been good to me...

I looked at the 4Runner - but consumer reports and a number of other places panned it. From CR 'Great for towing and off road, and that's it'. I Do like the looks more, the Highlander is a bit soft looking... but probably better suited to the needs at hand

Durango...   

If you like tinkering, better intake and freer flowing exhaust has meted people about 5+ MPG jump..

yeah the new durango looks nice..and the 4runner is most definitely a better looking truck than the highlander.  I'd say if you're at toyota anyway, have a look at them both - you might be surprised.  also, something you might not have considered is if you get something with a high enough tongue weight, you can strap that KTM to a rack and it makes transporting really easy.  I have the pickup, and I still use a rack to get the dirt bike around...

Quote from: cokey on December 13, 2012, 05:37:07 PM
Durango...   

If you like tinkering, better intake and freer flowing exhaust has meted people about 5+ MPG jump..

Oh? Got some more info?

shift1100 - yeah i had a Versa hauler that came with my first monster. Sold it to another board member as I couldn't use it, but he doesn't use it much so I might see about a buy back. That's part of the reason for a 5k+ tow as that generally translates to a 500 tongue capacity which is enough for the KTM and hauler. I have pretty ready, but not guaranteed access to a buddies trailer - but a plan B like the hauler would be nice

Too bad this doesn't have a trailer hitch because it gets 37.9 MPG combined and hauls even more than my E 320.


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