thanks for the advice - i appreciate it! i'll ask everyone, but i do need a break from it all right now. i can tell you that i would be happier in the s4, but i don't know that from a pragmatic standpoint that it makes sense because i have a pretty decent vehicle right now - the x2 m35i with a jb4 is super quick. everyone, EVERYONE is going to say buy what makes you smile because you LOVE cars and i totally do and i may very well wind up at the dealership tomorrow looking at it with me making the purchase and the SO taking the X2. i don't think that's going to happen, though.

i do think that you're absolutely right about the LC and if there were more of them in the area, that'd be fantastic, but they aren't selling well, so the used market is tepid. i might have to buy new later in the year if i were to decide that i really wanted that car.

if i decide that i truly want the s4, i can go down and buy it, there's nothing stopping me but myself and i'm only stopping myself because i'm not sure that i would be totally happy with the s4. i got lucky with the lexus IS that i absolutely loooooved but car shopping since has been a challenge (and the biggest takeaway) as a 20 minute test drive doesn't tell me nearly enough about a vehicle. the x2 m35i test drove beautifully but i didn't corner hard at all during the test drive, so i just knew it was quite quick but didn't realize that it handled much poorer than expected for a bmw m performance vehicle.

my thought processes have definitely changed over the course of the search because 1. we were gifted a significant amount after the search began for who knows what reason but we'll take it lol and 2. because this wasn't a fun search for me as two cars are now needed instead of me organically deciding that it was time for me to purchase another vehicle and the distinction between the two couldn't be any more clear in this case. it kinda started out fun but it was never truly fun and it grew tedious and stressful up until where it culminated today.

 

Good luck tomorrow.


as a complete curve ball If you drive by a Toyota Dealer and they have a 4Runner TRD PRO. And ONLY the PRO. Nothing else. Take a look at it for an Suv. Its understated class galore as It’s an exclusive ride

The suspension in the PRO gives them a superb ride quality that would be a treat to commute In.

The name is not luxury but the sure ride is.

over and out. No need to reply

 

good luck!

 

i wanted to thank everyone who constructively participated within this thread, giving insightful advice, encouraging words, and ideas that were novel to me. i am still thinking about the s4 and only because i know my SO does not care at all, well, rather only to the extent that the marque has to be premium and not pedestrian. on the other hand, i'm a total car nut.

 

Kindly remind your SO that an x2 and low level Audi is very pedestrian vs a Premium Land Cruiser / 4Runner in most parts of the world especially outside of the East and West Coast. Toyota created Lexus for North America Market where Premium vs Pedestrian could make them more money while selling the same product .

 

i mean, if that's what my spouse wants to drive, sure fine (not going to happen, though). but if it's my choice, i would never choose an even larger body on frame SUV because the capabilities of a machine like that aren't what i need and certainly the drive is not what i'm accustomed to. the cuv that i have now is a little rocket, but it's too high. i wouldn't want to drive an ancient toyota even higher up with a ride quality that is not at all what i am looking for.

i would not at all call the audi s4 low level - i would call the audi a4 an entry-level luxury car, but the s4 has an msrp specced as the one i was looking at of nearly 67k, which isn't a terrible amount of money, but i also have to realize the privilege here as the majority of the american public will never be able to purchase a vehicle that costs that much -- neither an x2 m35i with a sticker of just 55k. sure an x2 sdrive28i is within reach of the middle class but that's not what we're talking about here all things considered. i just have to be cognizant of the privilege that i have and what i can spend freely on a car considering all else that has to be accounted for in life.

 

If I were to get an Audi and didn't have kids, I would really consider an S5 coupe. That's probably my favorite Audi.

 

still not sure what your partner has to do with this.
i think you said you now each need a car, but only have 1 right now (x2), is that right?
your partner's willing to drive the x2 so you can get something else, right?
or if you sold the x2 you'd need 2 replacement cars.

it's still obvious that you're torn between being 'practical' and feeding your 'car nut' side of things. your car nut side seems strong so i have a feeling if you compromise we'll be seeing another thread in less than a year.

in other news, i went for a spin in the LC yesterday, just to get out and take a work break. the handling, sounds, controls, everything, are just AMAZEBALLS. it's was only a 20 min. drive, but i came back with a big grin, ready to get back to work. here's a clip.

 

so why he's involved is because the x2 is mine and he didn't have a daily driver (he has his father's classic 911 that is stored because it's a classic 911). so this really was either he takes the x2 and i buy a car or i keep the x2 and he buys a car (and that was what was decided after his parents gifted us a large sum). i'm the one, though ultimately who has a car, so that's why this isn't really in my court. that said, he doesn't really care if he takes the x2, and yeah, you certainly will see another car thread because i am torn right now between pragmatism and petrolhead-ness and you can't take the petrol out of a petrolhead.

also, the lc looks amazing. i have to drive one soon! how is caviar to maintain? it seems like it'd be a nightmare to keep free of visible micro-swirls.

 

the s5 coupe is cool. i contacted a dealer earlier in the week about a navarra blue s5 but they wouldn't budge much on price and i slightly prefer the s4 over the s5 coupe.

i don't think i'm buying a car, though. it seems to me that i'm likely keeping the m35i for a while longer because of the primary reason i listed previously: this was an abrupt need not an organic desire for a new car, so it wasn't fun searching. it was stressful and tedious.

 

having only driven the car maybe 350 mi. it hasn't been a 'nightmare' plus i plan to have ppf/ceramic done to it soon.

 

Have you thought about PPF for the whole car instead of Ceramic? At that price tier, I'd think about it

 

i would do that, too. i've done it once before and it was around 5k and worth every penny.

 

One thing, I know you aren't super-happy with the ride on your X2. Assuming you have the stock tires, that's your issue. The run flats serve a purpose, but they are ride killers and noise creators. They are, quite simply, terrible tires. Have you considered switching to a non-runflat? You'll have to live with a slightly greater risk without a spare but you can transform the ride/noise comfort. May be worth exploring, just choose the new tire with care and maybe buy from a place with a money back guarantee if you are not happy. If I were you I'd explore new tires and carry a can of fix a flat. Way cheaper than a new Audi

 

that's a really good idea that i hadn't considered, so thanks! it certainly would be a less expensive alternative to a new audi, although we need another car anyhow and my SO needs a bit of help but i'm not doing the majority of the work like i was earlier this week. pressure's off!