Considering a small SUV

[jsean]

I have a choice every morning between two cars (Tiguan is my wife's, she works from home, she might need it). Pilot? Only if someone put a gun to my forehead) 2018 Toyota Sequoia or 2011 BMW 328 stick. I have one life. I don't need to spend 10mls to the office when I go there, or to some other place in something that resembles my GE microwave. Every morning when I sit in the BMW, it is like: "Ok, let's go, man." Yes, our Sequoia is a good road trip car (boring, which becomes a problem when kids and wife fall asleep), has enough space, has good 4WD for off-roading, but it is, again, something I can sell tomorrow and never look back. Same as Sienna I had. On the other hand, I never got over the 2013 BMW X5 35d that I had to get rid of because. growing family.
And my FIL still had to change two transmissions on his Lexus, and I did not on any of the BMWs that I have owned.

Exactly! Much like you, we have the Armada. I only ever drive it if we are going on a long family vacation. For shorter ones, I always try to convince the wife if we can cram everything into the Passat or the E350 for shorter vacations. I used the Corolla to commute for 2 years, never going back to that again. The Passat wins hands down, day after day. Makes my long commute much more fun.
We have friends who bought a 2021 Highlander in 2023 as a Toyota CPO at above market price. It’s on its 3rd 8 speed.

 

[Pew]

I dunno if this was said but if you don't like the seats on the cx5 now, you'll hate them more later. YMMV, but one of the biggest complaint about the car is it's wildly uncomfortable [pleather] seats. Suspension is unreasonably harsh too (the cx5 does NOT handle good if you've driven any sort of sporty car). I personally can't take the seats longer than a couple hours now and thinking about getting rid of it once it's paid off for a mid/large sedan.

 

[grampi]

It all depends on maintenance. I haven't seen anything that makes me prefer a Japanese car over a domestic or European. The only one I really liked was the Subaru Forester, which has a decent amount of room for tall people. They have their issues, though. I sat in a Toyota Rav 4 and it didn't have any room in it; it would be miserable for me to drive that every day no matter the perceived reliability. My wife has a 2018 Jeep that has been almost perfect and zero out of pocket repairs. Just one issue under warranty. Just maintain your car and it should do fine.

I get a kick out you guys using the term "perceived reliability"...

 

[cheech279]

I have a choice every morning between two cars (Tiguan is my wife's, she works from home, she might need it). Pilot? Only if someone put a gun to my forehead) 2018 Toyota Sequoia or 2011 BMW 328 stick. I have one life. I don't need to spend 10mls to the office when I go there, or to some other place in something that resembles my GE microwave. Every morning when I sit in the BMW, it is like: "Ok, let's go, man." Yes, our Sequoia is a good road trip car (boring, which becomes a problem when kids and wife fall asleep), has enough space, has good 4WD for off-roading, but it is, again, something I can sell tomorrow and never look back. Same as Sienna I had. On the other hand, I never got over the 2013 BMW X5 35d that I had to get rid of because. growing family.
And my FIL still had to change two transmissions on his Lexus, and I did not on any of the BMWs that I have owned.

I've had a 325 and a 540, both manuals. What does your BMW say when it's on its way to the repair shop?

 

[grampi]

I have a choice every morning between two cars (Tiguan is my wife's, she works from home, she might need it). Pilot? Only if someone put a gun to my forehead) 2018 Toyota Sequoia or 2011 BMW 328 stick. I have one life. I don't need to spend 10mls to the office when I go there, or to some other place in something that resembles my GE microwave. Every morning when I sit in the BMW, it is like: "Ok, let's go, man." Yes, our Sequoia is a good road trip car (boring, which becomes a problem when kids and wife fall asleep), has enough space, has good 4WD for off-roading, but it is, again, something I can sell tomorrow and never look back. Same as Sienna I had. On the other hand, I never got over the 2013 BMW X5 35d that I had to get rid of because. growing family.
And my FIL still had to change two transmissions on his Lexus, and I did not on any of the BMWs that I have owned.

You have a very different set of values than I do...I don't give a crap about European cars, or their outrageously expensive upkeep...my Rav4 is more than comfortable enough, and fun to drive for me...my daughter just had a $4000+ repair bill for her 2018 VW Tiguan...now she wishes she had gone Japanese...

 

[grampi]

I've had a 325 and a 540. What does your BMW say when it's on its way to the repair shop?

It says "get out your check book...

 

[gregk24]

CX-5 or Rav4

 

[trd1zz]

2018 Toyota Sequoia or 2011 BMW 328 stick. I have one life. I don't need to spend 10mls to the office when I go there, or to some other place in something that resembles my GE microwave. Every morning when I sit in the BMW, it is like: "Ok, let's go, man."

Driving 15 year old BMW 328? By any chance do you happen to be a college aged female in a sorority? Let's go, girl!

 

[edyvw]

Driving 15 year old BMW 328? By any chance do you happen to be a college aged female in a sorority? Let's go, girl!

Are you feeling insecure with the fact that you need new car bcs. lack of technical capabilities? No wonder we have in manuals now warning not to drink battery acid.

 

[edyvw]

You have a very different set of values than I do...I don't give a crap about European cars, or their outrageously expensive upkeep...my Rav4 is more than comfortable enough, and fun to drive for me...my daughter just had a $4000+ repair bill for her 2018 VW Tiguan...now she wishes she had gone Japanese...

Hmm, I like driving, engaged driving. RAV4 and that don’t go into same sentence.
But tell us more about daughter, or her friend’s sisters boyfriend cousin who has European car.

 

[edyvw]

I've had a 325 and a 540, both manuals. What does your BMW say when it's on its way to the repair shop?

it doesn’t go there.
Some things are not for everyone. It is ok not to know how to maintain vehicle.

 

[cheech279]

Deleted

 

[edyvw]

That's not applicable to me. I've been doing it for 58 years. I was referring to significant repairs or those required at hi tech shops.

Hi tech shops? Is that now name fir a decent shop?
Then my garage really stands out.

 

[BISCUT]

In that category, probably a BMW X3 would be your best bet. Great in the snow (once you get rid of the garbage OEM tires, I run Michelin CC2s on it), loads of power, fun to drive, comfortable, quiet, incredible MPG (30 MPG average for city/highway mixed) and reliable. Have three of the G01s in my family, no issues with any of them. B48 engine and ZF 8 speed are proven. Much more refined and fun of a vehicle compared to anything else on the list (and I've driven most of them). second would be a CX5, but extremely slow without the turbo, seats were not comfortable for me, and its still wrong wheel drive.

Never thought a 14 X3 would satisfy me. I have 25k on it since I bought it used, and I like it a lot. Agree!

 

[jsean]

I didn't say "all" Japanese vehicles. Research still has to be done to find the cream of the crop...

This is your post #256:
“That isn't what this topic is about. It's about how much the maintenance required would cost, and would it be worth it, to make those vehicles last....cost per mile is much lower with Japanese vehicles....”
You didn’t say “all” Japanese vehicles and I didn’t call it a “blanket” statement. It’s all semantics

My Outback failed miserably at cost per mile is much lower with Japanese vehicles theory. LS400/430 would probably be in the hunt for cream of the crop.

 

[edyvw]

This is your post #256:
“That isn't what this topic is about. It's about how much the maintenance required would cost, and would it be worth it, to make those vehicles last....cost per mile is much lower with Japanese vehicles....”
You didn’t say “all” Japanese vehicles and I didn’t call it a “blanket” statement. It’s all semantics

My Outback failed miserably at cost per mile is much lower with Japanese vehicles theory. LS400/430 would probably be in the hunt for cream of the crop.

Sheesh, he did not see a dilemma when you are driving a Toyota Sienna, an ultimate appliance vehicle, and then the dealership sends you a $5,200 quote.

 

[dnewton3]

Apparently some of you cannot behave, and I've also had to delete several posts with profanity.
Warning have been sent.
Knock it off or I'll be issuing some time-outs and the thread will be locked.

 

[trd1zz]

Sheesh, he did not see a dilemma when you are driving a Toyota Sienna, an ultimate appliance vehicle, and then the dealership sends you a $5,200 quote.

Why did you let your father AKA the destroyer of transmissions drive your Sienna?

 

[edyvw]

Why did you let your father AKA the destroyer of transmissions drive your Sienna?

I think you have reading comprehension issues.
But, it is ok, we are here for you.