|
|
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
BMW X3?
I have a few sporty cars with stick shifts that I alternate as daily drivers. I have no desire to drive anything without a clutch pedal. I am at a point I need to drive something with more than two seats due to different times toting the grandkids.
I want a small SUV, but something with some fun. I looked at Porsche Cayennes, but there is only one I can find for sale nationwide with a clutch pedal and they want almost double the normal price due to the demand for a stick model. I stumbled across an early BMW X3 with a six speed manual. I have always thought of BMW’s to be wonderful in the drivers seat, but not all that durable or reliable. Any knowledge here about BMW’s in general and X 3’s in particular? They are so cheap on the used market it makes me suspicious. |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
I would not recommend a BMW to anyone. If you get one make sure it has n52 engine. Stay away from n56.
__________________
Jim |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Keep stumbling until you find a Toyota 4 Runner with a manual trans. The fun part of the ownership experience will be avoiding the need to sell your internal organs in order to keep it on the road.
|
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks Jim! I consider that advice conclusive. I think finding a fun to drive SUV is a hopeless search. Guess I’ll have to dig one of the 123’s out of the field.
|
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Okay then, anyone know anything about Porsche Cayenne. There is a base model with a six speed manual for sale.
|
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Complex, problematic, expensive to maintain…
|
#7
|
|||
|
|||
How about a Mini Cooper Clubman? Reliability is roughly as execrable as a Cayenne, but they are available with a stick, and are a lot less expensive…
|
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Appreciate the 4 Runner suggestion, but my late wife had one. Although it was incredibly durable and long lived, it had a solid straight axle in the back and was ver “tricky”, as my current wife would call it.
The later models may have received an independent rear. I will check into it. I think the Cayenne is really nice and have reputation for acceptable reliability, but they are SOoooo heavy. I drove first generation V8 and was disappointed. It feels heavy and rides like a lumber wagon. The newer model with active suspension might be better. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
If the Porsche were incredibly well handling with enough power to be fun, I might be able to wean myself from a clutch pedal……, maybe. Is there a fun to drive ML AMG?
|
#10
|
||||
|
||||
Look at a Honda CRV with manual.
__________________
Jim |
#11
|
||||
|
||||
I had a Porsche Cayenne for a while. It drove very nicely with the automatic. The steering was just right. Unfortunately it was caught up in the vw dieselgate which took the dealer 6.5 weeks to fix. After that I decided to sell it having lost confidence in it.
__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC] ..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis. |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
Which generation Tom? I drove a first generation with a V8 and no active suspension. I don’t mind a firm ride if I get handling in return, but this one fell short. I am wondering if a second gen with active suspension would put a smile on my face.
|
#13
|
||||
|
||||
__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC] ..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis. |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks Tom. I read your thread and started looking for a manual transmission Golf wagon and couldn’t find one. Do you still have it?
Also, did your Cayenne have the active suspension? If so, which setting did you normally drive withA. |
#15
|
||||
|
||||
The porsche was purchased when vw bought back my wagon.....I wish I had just kept it. The suspension was not active that I knew of though it was very nice to drive and the ride was good.
I got more thumbs up with that Porsche than any other driver car I have owned. The check out girls at McDonalds knew the Porsche badge.
__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC] ..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis. |
Bookmarks |
|
|