Re: Need your expertise & advice - cars to buy??
Hi all -
Thanks for the many great responses! First some specific answers:
69bossnine - If TX is the destination, a pickup will likely be in the mix. Different kind of fun, and I agree very useful.
Ferdie - Yeah, the pickup is pretty American. But I don't know, there is something fun about Saturday morning runs to the local hardware store in a pickup. Male Americana yes, but I don't know, enjoyable. Living in Asia for the last two years, I kind of miss it.
STRADALE - I like your thinking. Love Turbos and Cabs. Never tried the Turbo cab but I imagine it is much fun. Normally it would probably blow the budget, but there is that lease option. Hmmm. As far as Mercedes, I have never owned one, but I am sure she would love it.
wtsnet - Brave I don't know.
But I have been relishing the opportunity to go through the selection process and knew that there would be a lot of good advice. Plus it's fun!! Yeah, I must admit that Range Rovers are very sexy, but I have heard they rank very low in JD Powers Initial Quality survey. As far as fairness, please consider what I have been commuting in for the last two years (below). I have paid my penance and the automitive universe owes me a carmic debt! 
RC - Option one sounds very nice indeed. But then again, so does option two. As far as fuel consumption, it isn't for the money, just for environmental consideration. After living in a major Chinese city, I have seen the future of environmental degredation (or maybe past) and it isn't pretty. Or maybe I'm just personally trying to compensate for US non-compliance to the Kyoto Accord...
I don't think I can do the Cadillac. For me it is a bit too suburban ganster/thug, and I am not sure the quality is there. Plus, at $55K, Mercs and BMWs are viable alternatives. I'm a sucker for German cars. I would love a GT3, but maybe you're right.
Texas911 -
VKSF - Good point about the S-Class, but my wife is 25 and maybe a bit short. She might look really silly driving it.
FSU-997S - Yeah a nice old sailboat is in the plans for the weekend - supposing we end up in Vancouver or California.
Al Pettee - Awesome suggestions, but now I am $50K? over budget. My wife has been very understanding that buying these cars is of some considerable importance, but there is a limit.
MMD - I kind of agree about not driving a 997 everyday, but on the other hand, life IS short. I lived in Colorado before moving to China, and remember that one of my neighbors had a C4 with snow tires and a ski rack. I gave him huge credit for taking it up skiing every weekend. Something very sexy about a Porsche driven that way. I am sure Dr. Porsche was smiling. On the other hand, yeah parking lot damage sure sucks, and I am not wealthy enough to disregard $5000 scrapes.
schmuy - Thanks for the insight to Vancouver. In many ways it is my first choice, and it is definately #1 for my wife. If that's where I end up, I'll PM you.
Thoma - Very reasonable choice. BMW X? is high on the list of considerations.
Ente - Lot's of recommendations for A6s. Do you have one? How are they?
So for the general, here are my current thoughts (though they are eveolving as I read more):
I am not sure about the Cayenne/S/Turbo. I just don't quite like the way it looks. I've never driven one, and maybe that would compensate?? I have read that the X5 has great safety ratings, but they are starting to look dated. Anyone have experience with X3s? Someone mentioned a 2007 X5 - are they being refreshed or all new? I would love to get her an ML or Range Rover, but the prices are higher, and for the money I would want safety, style and reliability. Are AMG models reliable? Anyone know anything about the Range Rover Sport?
For me, a Porsche would be nice. The one car model could include:
997S, C4S, TT or Cabs of said. X51 would be nice. TT would be a great option, but not sure about the timing. I guess I could buy a 996TT, maybe even used, and hang on to it for 6-12 months until the 997TT is available?? Any AMG worth considering, or an Aston Martin?
Two car model daily: BMW, Audi, Merc or a pickup are all possibilities. I'd love to try an AMG sometime.
Two car model sports car: Preferably a cab of some sort...? Ariel Atom 2 to a Boxster S, to a 997S to ??? A Z06 and a Diesel F350 Crew Cab Dually? (I know wrong message board!)
Anyway, thanks for the great ideas - please keep them coming. If you were spending $150-$200K for 2 or 3 cars, what would you get?
Kindest regards,
Paul
Thanks for the many great responses! First some specific answers:
69bossnine - If TX is the destination, a pickup will likely be in the mix. Different kind of fun, and I agree very useful.
Ferdie - Yeah, the pickup is pretty American. But I don't know, there is something fun about Saturday morning runs to the local hardware store in a pickup. Male Americana yes, but I don't know, enjoyable. Living in Asia for the last two years, I kind of miss it.
STRADALE - I like your thinking. Love Turbos and Cabs. Never tried the Turbo cab but I imagine it is much fun. Normally it would probably blow the budget, but there is that lease option. Hmmm. As far as Mercedes, I have never owned one, but I am sure she would love it.
wtsnet - Brave I don't know.
But I have been relishing the opportunity to go through the selection process and knew that there would be a lot of good advice. Plus it's fun!! Yeah, I must admit that Range Rovers are very sexy, but I have heard they rank very low in JD Powers Initial Quality survey. As far as fairness, please consider what I have been commuting in for the last two years (below). I have paid my penance and the automitive universe owes me a carmic debt! RC - Option one sounds very nice indeed. But then again, so does option two. As far as fuel consumption, it isn't for the money, just for environmental consideration. After living in a major Chinese city, I have seen the future of environmental degredation (or maybe past) and it isn't pretty. Or maybe I'm just personally trying to compensate for US non-compliance to the Kyoto Accord...
I don't think I can do the Cadillac. For me it is a bit too suburban ganster/thug, and I am not sure the quality is there. Plus, at $55K, Mercs and BMWs are viable alternatives. I'm a sucker for German cars. I would love a GT3, but maybe you're right.
Texas911 -
VKSF - Good point about the S-Class, but my wife is 25 and maybe a bit short. She might look really silly driving it.
FSU-997S - Yeah a nice old sailboat is in the plans for the weekend - supposing we end up in Vancouver or California.
Al Pettee - Awesome suggestions, but now I am $50K? over budget. My wife has been very understanding that buying these cars is of some considerable importance, but there is a limit.
MMD - I kind of agree about not driving a 997 everyday, but on the other hand, life IS short. I lived in Colorado before moving to China, and remember that one of my neighbors had a C4 with snow tires and a ski rack. I gave him huge credit for taking it up skiing every weekend. Something very sexy about a Porsche driven that way. I am sure Dr. Porsche was smiling. On the other hand, yeah parking lot damage sure sucks, and I am not wealthy enough to disregard $5000 scrapes.
schmuy - Thanks for the insight to Vancouver. In many ways it is my first choice, and it is definately #1 for my wife. If that's where I end up, I'll PM you.
Thoma - Very reasonable choice. BMW X? is high on the list of considerations.
Ente - Lot's of recommendations for A6s. Do you have one? How are they?
So for the general, here are my current thoughts (though they are eveolving as I read more):
I am not sure about the Cayenne/S/Turbo. I just don't quite like the way it looks. I've never driven one, and maybe that would compensate?? I have read that the X5 has great safety ratings, but they are starting to look dated. Anyone have experience with X3s? Someone mentioned a 2007 X5 - are they being refreshed or all new? I would love to get her an ML or Range Rover, but the prices are higher, and for the money I would want safety, style and reliability. Are AMG models reliable? Anyone know anything about the Range Rover Sport?
For me, a Porsche would be nice. The one car model could include:
997S, C4S, TT or Cabs of said. X51 would be nice. TT would be a great option, but not sure about the timing. I guess I could buy a 996TT, maybe even used, and hang on to it for 6-12 months until the 997TT is available?? Any AMG worth considering, or an Aston Martin?
Two car model daily: BMW, Audi, Merc or a pickup are all possibilities. I'd love to try an AMG sometime.
Two car model sports car: Preferably a cab of some sort...? Ariel Atom 2 to a Boxster S, to a 997S to ??? A Z06 and a Diesel F350 Crew Cab Dually? (I know wrong message board!)
Anyway, thanks for the great ideas - please keep them coming. If you were spending $150-$200K for 2 or 3 cars, what would you get?
Kindest regards,
Paul
).
The interior, while mostly plastic, is a vast improvement from earlier trucks. Descent audiophile stereo though the acoustics require better speaker placement to sound really good. Agree w/ 69, can't do without a pickup (own 3 houses and NO apartments). Big Blazing Yellow FX4 SCab (not cabriolet) w/ 5.5' bed. ha.. have S Cab truck and getting S Cab 997! 
None of them seemed to be made for driving and utility.
To each their own. I actually own one and couldn't be happier...well, I'll be happier once the 997 arrives. 
