- Feb 10, 2000
- 30,029
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I currently own a 2006 BMW 330i and a 2002 M3. Both are manual-equipped. My 330i is a Sport package car and thus fairly compact inside and low to the ground. Prior to buying the M3 I used the 330i as a year-round car and have snow tires/wheels for it that I think (but am not 100% sure) will fit the M3. My M3 has a lowered Bilstein suspension and will have insufficient ground clearance as a winter car in Minneapolis, where I live.
My 330i is about 8 months from the end of its CPO warranty and has around 40K miles. It has not been particularly reliable, and at this moment has good resale value (KBB says around $20K in trade-in), so I think it makes sense to get rid of it and get a winter/practical car.
I'd like to have an SUV (a unibody/car-based one) or station wagon. I'd like to have a reasonably quick car, ideally with a manual. I would really prefer it to be under warranty and/or have Asian reliability. I care about the car handling reasonably well, being adequately quick, and having a road-oriented suspension. I also care about having Bluetooth. I won't drive off-road in any serious way so a body-on-frame SUV doesn't seem like a good idea.
I don't really care about new vs. used. I'd rather spend $30K or less, and preferably closer to $20K. AWD would be preferable - I definitely don't want something that needs snow tires.
I am thinking of a Subaru Legacy or Outback, a VW Touareg or Tiguan, or a Toyota Highlander (all used). The Audi Q cars and BMW X5 seem too expensive, and I hate the X3. Anyone have any bright ideas I haven't thought of?
EDIT:
Here is my 330i -
And my M3 -
EDIT: OK, I have been driving my 330i again the last few days, and I had forgotten just what an awesome car it is. I just love it. Actually in some ways I like the steering feel and handling more than my M3, and it's an amazingly comfy, practical car. It's in nearly perfect condition and has only 41K miles. I would be foolish to get rid of it - it's not going anywhere, at least for the time being. If it gives me reliability problems this winter I will probably trade it in the spring, but for now I'm hanging on to it.
My 330i is about 8 months from the end of its CPO warranty and has around 40K miles. It has not been particularly reliable, and at this moment has good resale value (KBB says around $20K in trade-in), so I think it makes sense to get rid of it and get a winter/practical car.
I'd like to have an SUV (a unibody/car-based one) or station wagon. I'd like to have a reasonably quick car, ideally with a manual. I would really prefer it to be under warranty and/or have Asian reliability. I care about the car handling reasonably well, being adequately quick, and having a road-oriented suspension. I also care about having Bluetooth. I won't drive off-road in any serious way so a body-on-frame SUV doesn't seem like a good idea.
I don't really care about new vs. used. I'd rather spend $30K or less, and preferably closer to $20K. AWD would be preferable - I definitely don't want something that needs snow tires.
I am thinking of a Subaru Legacy or Outback, a VW Touareg or Tiguan, or a Toyota Highlander (all used). The Audi Q cars and BMW X5 seem too expensive, and I hate the X3. Anyone have any bright ideas I haven't thought of?
EDIT:
Here is my 330i -
And my M3 -
EDIT: OK, I have been driving my 330i again the last few days, and I had forgotten just what an awesome car it is. I just love it. Actually in some ways I like the steering feel and handling more than my M3, and it's an amazingly comfy, practical car. It's in nearly perfect condition and has only 41K miles. I would be foolish to get rid of it - it's not going anywhere, at least for the time being. If it gives me reliability problems this winter I will probably trade it in the spring, but for now I'm hanging on to it.
Last edited:
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