E46 out, Highlander in

cisco911 · 04-11-2012, 02:12 PM

Hey Guys! The sad day has come. My 330i is going. With a kid on the way, I needed to get something bigger. I was trying to convince the wife to get a used X5 (I wanted a 4.8is), but with gas and reliability, we decided to get a new Highlander. It drives nice, but like most toyota's it is not very spirited driving. All in all its a great ride. It has a tonne of room, good amount of power and I think it looks pretty good. A moment of silence for my 330i!

THE NEW:

THE FALLEN:

ScotcH · 04-11-2012, 03:23 PM

Whenever I hear these words: "With a kid on the way, I needed to get something bigger." the real car guys community dies a little bit more. Why do people feel they can't use a normal sized (ie, not ridiculously overhuge) car when they have a kid? People should take a page from Europe where everyone has a Fiat 500 and their kids don't grow up stunted or anything.

Oh, congrats or the kid ... I guess.

cisco911 · 04-11-2012, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScotcH

Whenever I hear these words: "With a kid on the way, I needed to get something bigger." the real car guys community dies a little bit more. Why do people feel they can't use a normal sized (ie, not ridiculously overhuge) car when they have a kid? People should take a page from Europe where everyone has a Fiat 500 and their kids don't grow up stunted or anything.

Oh, congrats or the kid ... I guess.

Your right, but it is just the reality of the situation. The stroller barely fits in the trunk of the 330 and the car seat to be properly installed requires the front passenger seat to be too far up to allow the passenger to be comfortable. With a kid on the way and a plan for 2 kids and travelling, the space is needed and will not be overkill. That is anothe reason why we went with the Highlander over something like teh X5 - has more room for cargo and seats 7 people which is handy with a couple of kids and the grandparents.

E36is · 04-11-2012, 10:35 PM

nice purchase! Im also in the same boat, kid on the way, and need to get rid of the car. hows the fuel economy on the highlander?

cisco911 · 04-12-2012, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E36is

nice purchase! Im also in the same boat, kid on the way, and need to get rid of the car. hows the fuel economy on the highlander?

It is not the greatest. We have the V6 4WD. We get 400kms mixed city and highway on 60L...so 15L/100kms. The specs say 12.6L/100, but I have yet to see that. I do have a heavy foot though. Highway is suppose to be 8.7L/100kms.

bmwm5lover · 04-12-2012, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotch

whenever i hear these words: "with a kid on the way, i needed to get something bigger." the real car guys community dies a little bit more. Why do people feel they can't use a normal sized (ie, not ridiculously overhuge) car when they have a kid? People should take a page from europe where everyone has a fiat 500 and their kids don't grow up stunted or anything.

Oh, congrats or the kid ... I guess.

+1...

nonlocal · 04-12-2012, 01:49 PM

My dad drove one of these when I was a kid:

Heh. Times change I guess.

gotcurry · 04-12-2012, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonlocal

My dad drove one of these when I was a kid:

Heh. Times change I guess.

yup i guess back then ppl would make do with what they got. Nowadays its about luxury and if ppl can afford it chances r more then likely they will get it. No offense to OP or anything.. just saying how times have changed and if i was in OPs position id probably want my family to be comfortable riding as well.. sad day but dont worry.. ul be back in a BMW soon

Oyster · 04-13-2012, 12:05 AM

get a smaller stroller!

Eurostyle · 04-13-2012, 12:40 AM

SUV's are great, i can not live without one myself (got addicted to wagon's practicality in my early 20's)...But why not have both!? Give the truck to the wife, and keep the fun car (BMW or whatever makes you happy). I know few new parents who did this, kids should not take away all the fun out of life!

cisco911 · 04-13-2012, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eurostyle

SUV's are great, i can not live without one myself (got addicted to wagon's practicality in my early 20's)...But why not have both!? Give the truck to the wife, and keep the fun car (BMW or whatever makes you happy). I know few new parents who did this, kids should not take away all the fun out of life!

We already have another car. We have a civic as a daily driver to work and the BMW for weekends. No room to have three cars at the house so BMW had to go. When the civic blows up, then I will consider something alittle nicer.

SiR · 04-13-2012, 11:27 AM

looks like youll be waiting a while. I agree with scotth. 100%.

My father had a dodge lancer turbo (small sedan) 5 spd and my family turned out ok.

ChrisTO · 04-13-2012, 09:38 PM

who the hell is this swasson poster...bot? reposts last line of first post.

back on topic ....what is it with the large SUVs because of a kid. i went through that and realize now that's it's all very good marketing on the part of the automakers that created the market segment. strollers are insanely sized too...and have you seen the $1000 strollers!!! HOLY MOLY!

yes i too was in your shoes...and would say don't do it!

325iExecutiv · 04-15-2012, 05:02 PM

it is all about affordability. I am sure the OP would love to sell the civic and keep the BMW. Congrats on the kid and I am sure in no time you will be back in a BMW. Maybe a M based coupe since you already have the family hauler.

cisco911 · 04-15-2012, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 325iExecutiv

it is all about affordability. I am sure the OP would love to sell the civic and keep the BMW. Congrats on the kid and I am sure in no time you will be back in a BMW. Maybe a M based coupe since you already have the family hauler.

It is. The civic is great for driving to work and is great on gas. Another side note, the new highlander is $400/year cheaper on insurance than my 11 year old BMW!

The thing is that we could have made due with the civic and BMW, but have the financial ability to buy something nicer and bigger for the family. Why try and squeeze all this stuff into a tiny sedan when we can drive comfortably in the SUV?

The plan is that in a couple of years the civic will be getting old and we can get something like an IS350. My 10 year plan is to be in a 911 Turbo for the weekends.