BMW X3

Replying to: driver100 (Jul 25, 2006 5:03 pm)

"...the manufacturer respects me enough to make the safest vehicle possible..."
 
Really? You really think the manufacturer "respects" you, cares about you, wants you to be safe and sound, nice and happy?
 
You wouldn't think, by any slight chance, that they only want your money? You want safety, so they build safety. If enough people wanted, oh say, a big red gumball on top of the hood, out of "respect" for them, what do you think would start showing up on cars??!

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• driver100 (Jul 26, 2006 12:46 pm)

Replying to: bargamon (Jul 26, 2006 6:28 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Jul 26, 2006 7:38 am)

Replying to: driver100 (Jul 26, 2006 4:14 am)

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• driver100 (Jul 26, 2006 12:51 pm)

Replying to: bodble2 (Jul 26, 2006 8:13 am)

Replying to: tidester (Jul 26, 2006 9:36 am)

watch to buy - reliability, cost and style - in that order. On the other hand, there are probably dozens of factors that go into one's car purchasing decisions
 
I think you are right on with this synopsis, I will keep it mind when I buy my next watch!!

. . .but I started a very very generalized thread of conversations and perhaps some slight controversy over on the LPS forum when I postulated that there are three different kinds of buyers: American, European (but mostly German) and Asian (but mostly Japanese.)
 
The speculation that was somewhat criticized for being too general and was, apparently, most supported is that those who gravitate to Japanese cars do so for reasons other than "the experience behind the wheel" often for reliability and durability (and ability to bypass service intervals without too many consequences.) Those who seem to embrace the German cars are wont to talk about their cornering capabilities and mostly aspects of the driving experience.
 
Japanese car buyers seem to (generally) want as much isolation as possible from sound and feel -- an observation that those who buy the Japanese brands often talk about how quiet and comfortable they are, rarely mentioning how a certain corner can be taken at triple the posted speed with aplomb and with a downshift at the apex and a full-throttle controlled exit (perhaps with a hint of throttle steering to boot.)
 
American car buyers often are quick to indicate a certain sense of Pride in the ownership of an American product -- and often are quite happy to discuss straight line acceleration. It is difficult to evoke much conversation about "driving" or the more visceral (other than straight line "git up and go!")characteristics of "the automobile" from American or Japanese owners.
 
These days, much of the American car talk is around the new holy grail: third row seating, and the refinement of many of the American SUV's and pickup trucks.
 
Sporting Sedan owners and shoppers seem keen to wax poetic about German driving 'sheens -- not so much the Japanese and American owners and shoppers.
 
None of these owner traits is wrong or bad, nor is one better than the other -- what is important is what will make you a satisfied, happy and enthusiastic owner. What will make YOU rebuy the "country of origin."
 
It is damn near impossible to get "unhooked" -- and this is due in large measure, I think, to the match of "your personality" and the "car's country of design, engineering and even build somewhat."
 
The Infiniti M35X impressed me MOST as the closest to the German "feel" and I almost bought one -- at the last minute, I went back to Audi and got an A6. After numerous Audis, three TT's in a row in fact, my wife shopped Japanese, American and German and pretty much had decided to go with an A4 3.2, until she drove an X3 3.0 with the sport package and the 6 speed manual.
 
It was all over then.
 
We had driven the 330xi, the G35X, the Acura TL, the Mercedes C AWD version, a Saab, a Cadillac SRX, a Jeep Grand with the HEMI and on and on and on.
 
The SRX with MagnaRide -- still even NOW -- believe it or not was a pretty close second for my wife, the lack of a stick shift probably threw it to the X3. The Mercedes complete abandonment of sticks, too, ruled them out.
 
Even the 330xi cannot be had with a proper sport package, including sport suspension, seats, tires and wheels -- and servotronic, natch.
 
The X3 was not derived as far as I can tell from a truck -- it has crisp 3 series handling -- can be "dolled up" with the sport, lux and electronic bits lux and near lux buyers have come to expect. It has a smooth as BUTTA engine that with the 6 speed is not underpowered (as it is when equipped with the 5 speed stutter-tronic -- although this will be remedied in MY 2007 with the 6 speed Steptronic and the high output (non turbo version) of the 3.0 with at least 255HP and better gas mileage.)
 
If you are in lust with the Toyota you will probably not "get the X3" -- if you are a German car - type personality (way over generalized, I know) you will wonder "where's the beef" with the Toyota.
 
Both types of personalities are good, acceptable, moral, decent, frugal and in their own way "fun" even. But, the differences are real.
 
You probably won't enjoy the German car if you cut your teeth on Japanese cars and if your "crowd" is mostly full of Japanese car drivers. And, vice versa.
 
If your peer group is totally mini-vans and pick-em-up trucks the X3 will seem flimsy and not very capable.
 
The X3 is an SAV -- not an off-road SUV by any stretch.
 
It can run with the sport sedan crowd within limits, and can at least hang with the SUV's without embarrassing itself.
 
It is, however, mostly a sport sedan with some utility and space -- but it is most exciting when equipped with the stick. Virtually no one else offers this combination today.
 
I submit, that there is no Toyota that even comes close.
 
Conversely, if your "attitude" is more in keeping with Toyota's values and attributes, there is probably no way you will be happy with any BMW.
 
Get what is "you" that is.

Replies to this message:
• tidester (Jul 28, 2006 3:38 pm)
• driver100 (Jul 28, 2006 4:38 pm)
• bodble2 (Jul 28, 2006 5:48 pm)
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• wmdavis1 (Jul 31, 2006 6:47 am)
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Replying to: markcincinnati (Jul 28, 2006 11:05 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Jul 28, 2006 11:05 am)

Conversely, if your "attitude" is more in keeping with Toyota's values and attributes, there is probably no way you will be happy with any BMW.
 
I think you put things accurately in perspective.
 
I read a review of a Solara in the newspaper and I think it was a good review of Toyotas and most Japanese cars. The Solara is really a 2 door Camry, in 4 cylinder form it has beautiful finish, all the safety features and packs a lot of value for the price, around $25,000 U.S. It is totally anemic, no get up and go if you need it, say to move into traffic, and it is bland. Too bland to for the writer to consider and the 6 cylinder models are only slightly better. Even the writer acknowledges that these cars are as dependable as a car can be, but it is no joy to drive. And, I saw a similar review for the Lexus RX300. Competent but no enjoyment in driving...and no feel of the road or cornering ability.
 
And hey, that is all some people need or want.
 
Me, I am truly enjoying the ride and as far as repairs, I'll take my chances and see what happens. I think the risk is well worth it. I have driven quite a few rentals and tried out a few other cars and SUV's, but the X3 is truly a unique experience.
(If I run into repairs down the road I will have no regrets, I will have loved and lost and I will try again, though it will be something else if that happens).

Replying to: markcincinnati (Jul 28, 2006 11:05 am)

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• juanchypr (Jul 28, 2006 6:37 pm)
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