Still figuring this out. I would prefer to have one car for many reasons (mostly financial), but it appears it would be a joy killer for that one car to be an SUV.

Edit: Apparently there's no reason to go down the rabbit hole of the X3 M. https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/bmw/x3-m

My dad has the new x1... it's fine. Drives OK, shifts better than my x5 and fits an acceptable amount of stuff. I wouldn't buy it, but I wouldn't dread it as a loaner/rental either.

The X3 with the b58 I had as a loaner was really quite nice. It is curently the most rational option to replace our x5 next year. I wouldn't want it to replace my 1er if I had a choice, but I would be OK daily driving it if it was necessary. I left it with my wife for a couple hours and she felt the same way (it was nicer in most ways than the e70 and would be a good replacement).

The x3m reviews all sound miserable. Sure it has a boatload of power, but it is still a heavy pogo stick SUV, I'd rather it be too far to the comfort side rather than too crashy /harsh.

You should check a v60 and report back. I'm really curious how those are. I read the polestar review on the news forum today, and while it wasn't glowing, it does seem like a pretty nice package.

The Cx-5 is my defacto recommendation to anyone thats not a serious car person but wants something nice.

Interesting all around.

I guess I should check out the Volvo. The last one I drove was about 9-10 years ago. The XC70. And it suffered horribly from turbo lag. I also owned a Volvo 850 sedan (my parents had the wagon). The cars were great for passengers, but no fun to drive. They were quasi-luxurious at a luxury car price for repairs. Maybe that's all improved.

The V60 does look great for dog hauling...Hoisting my 75 pound dog into the back of the X5 is no joy. But, if I keep the 2, I want the other car to be AWD. The Blue Ridge, Smokies, and other ranges are pretty close by to Atlanta.

Edit: Wait, now I see the "Cross Country" AWD version. Strange it isn't listed with the other V60s...

Yeah. Seems like most reviews mention the overly stiff suspension.

The F-Pace SVR sounds like it has a more compliant suspension (+ V8 sound). Would be more flawed in some ways vs an X3M but sounds kind of intriguing in the "super SUV" segement. But with either of those trucks we're talking a totally different price level

https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/...wd/first-drive

Kind of off-topic, but i also grew up with Volvos (240s and 740s). The v60 wagon looks pretty nice- but no idea how it drives. I saw and old 850 wagon on the street the other day was kind of digging it.

"Boxy, but good." The 850 had great room inside and in the trunk, and the best seats on the planet. It looks like that continues in the V60...Gotta go drive one.

I just can't see buying a Jaguar over a Porsche...

Speaking of which, what are your thoughts on the Macan? Too small for the dog?

(I think the value prop of the Jag would be that it's roomier/faster/has a v8 than a Macan of the same price, but I understand what you mean).

I appreciate the 850 a lot more after racing one. :lol:

Right.

Two dogs. I need to drive a Macan—at least an S. If I love it, I’d need to shop used. (I’ve only driven a Cayenne.)

The other factor is my growing son. He’s 5’7” at 13 and has not hit his growth spurt yet. I am often shuttling him and his friends to and fro.

Right! :lol: