Or another option...

(Can’t believe I am suggesting this but there’s something about this new generation that I like)

https://www.volvocars.com/us/cars/new-models/v60

I like the Volvos but am uncomfortable with their current ownership structure for reasons I admit are jingoistic.

Old X5 is a possibility I guess.

If I have to go the SUV route I’m definitely waiting to see what the new RWD Explorer looks like. The Aviator has nice proportions.

But blah I don’t want to have to drive around in something like that.

The new v60 is very appealing to us. I just hope they bring over the t8 hybrid version.

lol

I’m telling you, let go of the hate and you would find there is no better fun, stick shift car.

I believe an Accord does make a lot of sense here. You didn't mention anything about wanting to tow ski boats or haul pallets of concrete mix home from Home Depot. You want something that can carry the kids and one of their friends, and a necessary amount of luggage, comfortably. For that you want hip and legroom, both of which come in generous quantities in the Accord. Add to that the great reliability, economy, and damn good resale, it seems like a slam dunk to me. And like you said, you can get it with a stick, which is a big plus.


I think the previous gen (2013-18) is nicer, in every way, than any Accord before it. I haven't been inside the new ones, but I'd be surprised if it wasn't in the same ballpark.

So the play here is you'd unload the Golf R and get a "larger than a Model Hamburger" second car to take on trips to the beach?

Is the driving requirement here 1) more luggage space or B) more elbow room for rugrats? If B, there isn't much other than "three row SUV" that fits the bill. Any sedan type thing is going to be about the same amount of space as a Model Hamburger for three kids across, right? I may be totally wrong, an Accord may truly have more hip / shoulder room than a 3. It certainly looks larger. But at that point why not just get rid of both the Golf R and the 3 and drive an Accord? Financially and functionally that makes the most sense.

If the answer is 1), some kind of cool hatchback/wagon type thing might be the answer. Panamera (though I hesitate to call that dog-taking-a-dump "cool"), Mercedes/AMG wagon (how much ya got to spend on maintenance and repairs?) might be options.

Haven't you for years promoted the merits of various Ford EcoBoost SUV things (Edge, Flex, etc, I can't keep those things straight)? Sounds like it's time to put your money where your mouth is :) At least they'll (probably) be cheap to own and operate.

This may all be true, but I don't think JST will end up liking it. He is coming from Model S, 3-series, 5-series, M3, Golf R, 987 level cars... An Accord may be a more rational purchase than those, but that doesn't seem to be his history.

My advice: Stang, the dark green Bullitt edition GT. Let the kids squish in the back.

:lol:

In the rear, the Accord has 2.5" more hip and shoulder room, and 5" more legroom. Assuming you were referring to the Model 3, and not a BMW 3.