Is something wrong with me or do we all have it?
Practical first of all... no sporty/hawt first of all... practical first of all... NO - sporty/sedan!... no, want practical space of SUV... (around and around)
I know your exact dilemna! But there is NO one vehicle that will satisfy all of it. Anything will be a compromise in dynamics, size, etc. Well a Cayenne Turbo is pretty amazing all around
but still freaking heavy. 
And that's why I got both an SUV and a LIGHT sports car (Miata!) and drive both depending on need (practical or fuel efficiency for example) or want (quiet/roomy/spread out or handles great, convertible fun, etc.
).
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,794
Likes: 0
From: Lake Country, WI
Yup, anyone who truly loves cars and is well educated about all the models available, will likely be in this situation.
I studied every model in my budget range for many months even before I knew when I would be able to get a new car. I got so into it. I read tons of reviews, browsed forums, thousands of customer reviews on the varous models and weighed everything that would be most important to me. I narrowed down about four cars and really wanted all of them because they all did something better than the next. But atlas, no car fulfills every need the best. So you make a ratings list of your priorities and come up with what fits you the best.
It could look something like this (rating 1-10 each)....
-Price
-Styling
-Comfort
-Fuel efficiency
-Reqiured utility
-Reliability rating
-Performance
-Overall appeal
ect....
It may not be a perfect indicator, but will certainly help point you in the right direction.
-
I studied every model in my budget range for many months even before I knew when I would be able to get a new car. I got so into it. I read tons of reviews, browsed forums, thousands of customer reviews on the varous models and weighed everything that would be most important to me. I narrowed down about four cars and really wanted all of them because they all did something better than the next. But atlas, no car fulfills every need the best. So you make a ratings list of your priorities and come up with what fits you the best.
It could look something like this (rating 1-10 each)....
-Price
-Styling
-Comfort
-Fuel efficiency
-Reqiured utility
-Reliability rating
-Performance
-Overall appeal
ect....
It may not be a perfect indicator, but will certainly help point you in the right direction.
-
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,629
Likes: 280
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I agree there's no perfect car, but a Turbo Outback would come pretty close. It has Subaru reliability, AWD traction, reasonably good mileage for AWD, a wagon body for carrying things, a relatively plush interior, easy-to-use controls, good power, car-like handling, good underhood acessability, and raised body clearance for sand, gravel, mud, etc.....
I dont know of another car on the market that can do so many things reasonably well at once. Other cars may excel at different things......an Outback does a LOT of things reasonably well. If it's power you want, however, avoid the base 2.5i...it can be sluggish.
I dont know of another car on the market that can do so many things reasonably well at once. Other cars may excel at different things......an Outback does a LOT of things reasonably well. If it's power you want, however, avoid the base 2.5i...it can be sluggish.
So, as many on CL know, I started looking for my next car a few months ago. This time, wanted it to be the "perfect" car. So far, "The absolute right pick, perfect for me, meets all I want, the most practical, yep- THIS is the one" choice(s) at one time, in order:
2009 Audi A4
2009 Lexus IS350
2008 Lexus IS-F
2008 Lexus GS350
2008 BMW 535xi
2009 Acura MDX
2005 BMW 545i
2003 BMW X5
2009 Hyundai Genesis
2008 BMW X5
I pretty much have settled (LOL, sorry, hard to keep a straight face there) on the X5 over the 5-series with the extra space and towing ability as the final winning points. Now, I worry about reliability and start second guessing myself, then I sit in a 5-series, then I see a GL550 in the next lot... then sit in another X5 and yep, that's the one, but will it last... hey, that's a SWEET ML550... wait, that color X5 is PERFECT....
What the ---- is wrong with me, or am I just a normal car addict? I know I'll get the X5, but how long til my eyes wander again? I did LOVE the week I had in the X5 during my Atlanta visit and it was no doubt one of the most fun vehicles I've ever driven...
Thanks Doc , here's $250.00 ....
2009 Audi A4
2009 Lexus IS350
2008 Lexus IS-F
2008 Lexus GS350
2008 BMW 535xi
2009 Acura MDX
2005 BMW 545i
2003 BMW X5
2009 Hyundai Genesis
2008 BMW X5
I pretty much have settled (LOL, sorry, hard to keep a straight face there) on the X5 over the 5-series with the extra space and towing ability as the final winning points. Now, I worry about reliability and start second guessing myself, then I sit in a 5-series, then I see a GL550 in the next lot... then sit in another X5 and yep, that's the one, but will it last... hey, that's a SWEET ML550... wait, that color X5 is PERFECT....
What the ---- is wrong with me, or am I just a normal car addict? I know I'll get the X5, but how long til my eyes wander again? I did LOVE the week I had in the X5 during my Atlanta visit and it was no doubt one of the most fun vehicles I've ever driven...
Thanks Doc , here's $250.00 ....
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,794
Likes: 0
From: Lake Country, WI
Yep, I'm going 08 or 09.... 4.8... no rush now, just need to find the best deal for the right X5....
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 751
Likes: 1
From: CA
sounds like what you really need is a cayenne gts or cayenne turbo. the utility of an suv with the power of....well...more power than an ISF. i would recommend an M X5, but they dont exist yet. oh and skip the options on the gts, it can get expensive really fast.
that said, i would also look into the FX50. slots in between the gts and an X5 for performance and its about the same size as a gts.
that said, i would also look into the FX50. slots in between the gts and an X5 for performance and its about the same size as a gts.
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,629
Likes: 280
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
No. Have you driven an IS-F on a rough road, particularly pavement warps/heaves? The IS-F's suspension, patricularly the rear suspension, will beat the ****** out of you, and make the car porpoise up and down. It is as stiff, if not stiffer, than any BMW product I've driven, including M-cars.
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