[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by 86Zed

Has been a tremendous winter driver and has never left me stranded in a blizzard, ice storm, or long trip. Getting a bit old now however and is not the cheapest on running costs.

Might recommend something JDM - Civic Si? Used Lexus/Acura?

Yeah weighing my options... will see what the market does later this year as we're bound to see a pretty good correction on used cars (and ultimately new cars as well). Will do some test driving and decide between a small sedan/hatchback or a very small crossover.

[Bumpinjeep]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

This is what I'm considering for my criteria:
<$25k
4 doors
Preferably AWD, but will also consider FWD
Automatic
<180" in length (would like something small)
Somewhat reliable

Any suggestions?

VW GTI (Mk. 7.5).
Nice enough to not be a beater (SE trim or above, same level of luxury as an A3, actually it's nicer inside than the previous gen A3).
With winter tires, it drives like there's no snow on the ground (I run Blizzaks).
DCT Transmission (Better than an automatic)
168 inches long
No issues in the 3 years of ownership that we've had it
Fit's the bill.
Or, if we're going to simply use logic, how often do you take her X7 and she needs a car? If that is a rare occasion, get a dedicated set of winter tires for the X7 and simply Turo a truck or whatever you need for the times that you think you need another vehicle.
This will save you tens of thousands of dollars. It doesn't really sound like you need a third vehicle to be taking up space, paying insurance on, and collecting dust in the garage.

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by rogerthat00

I'm now looking at a Mazda 3. Thanks all - for whatever reason blind spot warning is elusive in these lower price points, even with the upgraded tech packages. Looks like the 3 might fit the bill! Slightly bigger engine than the Kia too. *bonus* LOL

Not sure why anyone needs blind spot warning unless they're not really paying attention. There are no blind spot if you set up your mirrors properly.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Bumpinjeep

VW GTI (Mk. 7.5).
Nice enough to not be a beater (SE trim or above, same level of luxury as an A3, actually it's nicer inside than the previous gen A3).
With winter tires, it drives like there's no snow on the ground (I run Blizzaks).
DCT Transmission (Better than an automatic)
168 inches long
No issues in the 3 years of ownership that we've had it
Fit's the bill.
Or, if we're going to simply use logic, how often do you take her X7 and she needs a car? If that is a rare occasion, get a dedicated set of winter tires for the X7 and simply Turo a truck or whatever you need for the times that you think you need another vehicle.
This will save you tens of thousands of dollars. It doesn't really sound like you need a third vehicle to be taking up space, paying insurance on, and collecting dust in the garage.

I'll check out the GTI. I'm also loosening my reliability concern a bit since I wouldn't drive the car more than maybe 3k-4k miles a year at most.

As for frequency of taking the X7 - it's random and sometimes unpredictable. In Chicagoland Turo doesn't have quite the presence that it does in say, SF or LA. So for me to Turo a truck would be a hassle in and of itself - take an uber to pick up the Turo assuming one relatively nearby is available, then drop off.

The other reasoning is, again, using this 3rd car for severe weather instead of my M3. While my wife thinks that's more for safety reasons, in my mind it's more for just not subjecting my car to severe weather.

You're right, I don't NEED a 3rd car. But I also don't need an M3 This 3rd car is 90% a want and maybe 10% need.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by XMetal

Not sure why anyone needs blind spot warning unless they're not really paying attention. There are no blind spot if you set up your mirrors properly.

In my case the blind sport monitor would be for my wife, not so much for me. She can't be trusted...

[rogerthat00]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

In my case the blind sport monitor would be for my wife, not so much for me. She can't be trusted...

and for me, it's for my future 16 year old who will be getting the car.

[Alfisti]

I always comeback to somethingsmallish, a touch f ride height but not too much and 5 doors. Toyota Hr...something HR or Mazda CX3 i think it's called? or 30? i don't fucking know.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I always comeback to somethingsmallish, a touch f ride height but not too much and 5 doors. Toyota Hr...something HR or Mazda CX3 i think it's called? or 30? i don't fucking know.

CX-3 would have been great - but yeah they replaced that with the CX30 which is a little bigger - still an option though. I'm gonna go test drive the hell out of everything this summer... can't wait

[tturedraider]

I just saw this is still available https://www.carvana.com/vehicle/2582410

[rogerthat00]

update - I ended up leasing a new Mazda CX-30. After doing some math, for me the lease made sense. I'll have it for 2 years.
Meanwhile, my B8 is stuck in Brunswick waiting for the wireless charging recall to be fixed.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by rogerthat00

update - I ended up leasing a new Mazda CX-30. After doing some math, for me the lease made sense. I'll have it for 2 years.
Meanwhile, my B8 is stuck in Brunswick waiting for the wireless charging recall to be fixed.

Nice, let me know how you like it. I'll probably start hunting for that 3rd car late summer

[rogerthat00]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Nice, let me know how you like it. I'll probably start hunting for that 3rd car late summer

It's quite small, but my kids are little so that isn't a problem. Gas mileage is just ok, but I'm driving it to keep around-town miles off my nicer car, not trying to save gas. It's also NOT a CVT which was very important to me. The Mazdas have pretty nice interiors for the segment. It's being delivered next week, I'll let you know how I like it after a few weeks.

[Amgeater2]

I am sorry but what’s the big deal (if you can and your finances are in order why NOT) I understand that you supposed to respect and have your wife as part of the decisions, but the fact that you have to justify and kind of ask for her permission it’s just mind blowing for me…

I understand marriage’s like this exist, but I can seem to understand why guys/men put up with partners/wife’s mandating or saying flat no..

Best of lucks but in my house hold, I’ll will show up with the damm car..

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Amgeater2

I am sorry but what’s the big deal (if you can and your finances are in order why NOT) I understand that you supposed to respect and have your wife as part of the decisions, but the fact that you have to justify and kind of ask for her permission it’s just mind blowing for me…

I understand marriage’s like this exist, but I can seem to understand why guys/men put up with partners/wife’s mandating or saying flat no..

Best of lucks but in my house hold, I’ll will show up with the damm car..

I mean this with all due respect..... but you drive a 600LT and a 296gtb... it's possible you might be a little out of touch with reality

It's not so much I'm asking for permission. This 3rd car would be more of a family car (as opposed to a his or hers), so it's a mutual decision we both need to be on board with. She makes roughly as much as I make, so many of our large purchases (and yes, I qualify a $25k.car as a large purchase) are mutual decisions. It might be different if I made all the money, but we make almost the same amount, and we don't separate our finances.

That's the basis of it. I might joke about it or say things tongue in cheek, but we like to make mutual decisions since we both bring the same money to the table. If I start showing up with cars and she starts showing up with expensive jewelry and designer purses, our finances would be destroyed real quick.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Amgeater2

I am sorry but what’s the big deal (if you can and your finances are in order why NOT) I understand that you supposed to respect and have your wife as part of the decisions, but the fact that you have to justify and kind of ask for her permission it’s just mind blowing for me…

I understand marriage’s like this exist, but I can seem to understand why guys/men put up with partners/wife’s mandating or saying flat no..

Best of lucks but in my house hold, I’ll will show up with the damm car..

This is insane. Inmost households buying and running a vehicle is a considerable expense, both parties should be good with it. We're not talking 328 vs 335 here, it's a 3rd vehicle.

My wife and I pool all our money, we have one account, there's no way either of us would spend more than $1K without running it by the other. In my case my mrs makes more than I do but even the other way around i'd do it the same way. It's either a partnership or it's not.

[ksa]

Originally Posted by Amgeater2

I am sorry but what’s the big deal (if you can and your finances are in order why NOT) I understand that you supposed to respect and have your wife as part of the decisions, but the fact that you have to justify and kind of ask for her permission it’s just mind blowing for me…

I understand marriage’s like this exist, but I can seem to understand why guys/men put up with partners/wife’s mandating or saying flat no..

Best of lucks but in my house hold, I’ll will show up with the damm car..

This is how I roll. lol.

Just picked up the 5th vehicle for the household of 2. Told the wife on the way to the dealer that I was picking up the M850 yesterday. But I know I am lucky in terms of how my wife is when it comes to these things and not all are same.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by mnddd

You’ve got pictures ??

Of?

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

I'll probably start hunting for that 3rd car late summer

So I was in a similar position as you - X5 with third row and an M3 comp X.

The M3 was amazing for a while, but then it grew agitating for the kids and the wife didn’t like it either - too fast, made them a bit anxious. Could have had to do with my driving, but the car is just so quick. It also drew a lot of attention on the daily commute.

So we decided to pick up a tesla model Y to be the work horse for commuting the kids to school and their various extracurricular activities, which amounts to 300 miles/week. They dropped the prices so much that even though I hated our first tesla (3 performance), it was a great deal and like the Y much better - more comfortable, better seating position - and it’s one pedal driving (less fatigue, mindless commuting), don’t care if the kids trash it, etc. I preferred the iX, but it’s too expensive.

So the M3 became the weekend car, as the X5 is the wife’s DD and used for family road trips.

But then I was like, wait, why do I have three commuter cars? I would get home from taking the kids to school, take the M3 to Starbucks or occasionally go for a long mountain drive. But it’s a big car - heavy, not super agile, long wheelbase… and I don’t go to the track.

So I wanted something more agile and fun than a sedan, blisteringly fast as it might be. I went in for my 10k mile service and while they were working on the car found a new z4 m40i on the showroom floor. Traded it that day. It’s an absolute blast. We take it for weekend trips without the kids, for my weekday coffee runs, and day trips through the mountains.

If I were in your position, I’d get something as fun as possible OR a workhorse that gets good gas mileage and you don’t worry about. Definitely get something you like to drive though. And consider the whole picture and the dynamic of having three cars.

Btw right after we got our tesla, we got hit and the car was out of commission for 6 weeks. I was so thankful we weren’t in our M3 or X5. The commute car needs to be safe and something you don’t mind getting dinged up or take a hit to the residual value.

Another nice thing with 3 cars is if one is in the shop for whatever reason, you aren’t stuck with just one car.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

So I was in a similar position as you - X5 with third row and an M3 comp X.

The M3 was amazing for a while, but then it grew agitating for the kids and the wife didn’t like it either - too fast, made them a bit anxious. Could have had to do with my driving, but the car is just so quick. It also drew a lot of attention on the daily commute.

So we decided to pick up a tesla model Y to be the work horse for commuting the kids to school and their various extracurricular activities, which amounts to 300 miles/week. They dropped the prices so much that even though I hated our first tesla (3 performance), it was a great deal and like the Y much better - more comfortable, better seating position - and it’s one pedal driving (less fatigue, mindless commuting), don’t care if the kids trash it, etc. I preferred the iX, but it’s too expensive.

So the M3 became the weekend car, as the X5 is the wife’s DD and used for family road trips.

But then I was like, wait, why do I have three commuter cars? I would get home from taking the kids to school, take the M3 to Starbucks or occasionally go for a long mountain drive. But it’s a big car - heavy, not super agile, long wheelbase… and I don’t go to the track.

So I wanted something more agile and fun than a sedan, blisteringly fast as it might be. I went in for my 10k mile service and while they were working on the car found a new z4 m40i on the showroom floor. Traded it that day. It’s an absolute blast. We take it for weekend trips without the kids, for my weekday coffee runs, and day trips through the mountains.

If I were in your position, I’d get something as fun as possible OR a workhorse that gets good gas mileage and you don’t worry about. Definitely get something you like to drive though. And consider the whole picture and the dynamic of having three cars.

Btw right after we got our tesla, we got hit and the car was out of commission for 6 weeks. I was so thankful we weren’t in our M3 or X5. The commute car needs to be safe and something you don’t mind getting dinged up or take a hit to the residual value.

Another nice thing with 3 cars is if one is in the shop for whatever reason, you aren’t stuck with just one car.

I think the difference for me is my daughter loves when I drive fast... and my daily duty of dropping her off/picking her up from school is done in the M3. It's my daily and it's one of my dream cars, so even if I didn't have kids I'd still have an M3.

For me the 3rd car would only get use in a few situations: 1) if I need to take the X7 for whatever reason (service, hauling something large, etc), my wife would be stuck at home with the kids and a car she can't drive (the M3 is a 6mt and my wife is unwilling to learn to drive stick). 2) as a car I can drive in really nasty weather so I don't put too much wear and tear on the M3. I still plan to drive my M3 in the winter, but would prefer to not drive it in especially bad weather and when there's a lot of salt on the ground. 3) we occasionally have family visit and it would be nice to have them just use one of our cars as opposed to having to rent a car.

I don't expect the 3rd car to get more than 2k-3k miles a year on it if even that. But it's nice to have available especially if my wife needs a car in a pinch if I've got the X7.

[Bimmerfun82]

Ah, so you took delivery of the M3, and you like it on the daily - makes sense and totally get your rationale. Subaru or Mazda or VW might be good options… I had a VW all track back in 2017 that we really liked, if you are looking at used you might get a good deal since they don’t make those anymore. Since you deal with snow and salt, another option might be a Mazda 3 hatchback or an Outback- something front engine, low center of gravity but still some ground clearance and decent interior volume and super low maintenance.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Ah, so you took delivery of the M3, and you like it on the daily - makes sense and totally get your rationale. Subaru or Mazda or VW might be good options… I had a VW all track back in 2017 that we really liked, if you are looking at used you might get a good deal since they don’t make those anymore. Since you deal with snow and salt, another option might be a Mazda 3 hatchback or an Outback- something front engine, low center of gravity but still some ground clearance and decent interior volume and super low maintenance.

I hadn't considered the alltrack but will definitely check it out. Mazda and subaru are definitely on the list as well.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

I hadn't considered the alltrack but will definitely check it out. Mazda and subaru are definitely on the list as well.

One cool thing about the alltrack is it came with a simple DCT and paddle shifters so it was lightweight and sporty. Also has a panoramic moonroof which the kids liked. Tons of room too if you ever wanted to throw a bike in the back instead of hassling with a bike rack.

Edit: Just got nostalgic about driving it from Atlanta to Columbus (Ohio) for an Ironman 70.3.