Quote:
Originally Posted by IGotId
My wife and I are expecting our third child this spring…our oldest is a 5yo girl & my son just turned 1yo. I am therefore selling my e46 M3 and looking at a more family-oriented vehicle. I had been set on getting a V8 (non-M) X5 as a replacement but recently read that Cadillac is producing a V wagon….I’ve been in love with the CTS sedan since I saw/sat in one at a Boston car show several years ago (I love both the interior & exterior styling). BTW, they also had a CTS wagon in red at the show; the wagon was a “concept” then. My wife (who in general hates wagons) loved the concept! I’ve been a wagon fan for decades, I drove several old-school wagons w/ wood panels after learning to drive decades ago!
I’m leaning towards going with the wagon but the X5 has a few advantages, IMO. First, I can order a third row seat in the X5. Admittedly, the third row seat in the X5 is tiny; however it is perfect for my daughter and is ideal for my family (for those not so rare occasions when I have to transport other family members/friends). Second, I believe the X5 may be a bit more practical than the wagon given the larger boot. Third, I’ve had 3 BMWs over the last decade and the last, my M3, has been very reliable for the 4+ years I’ve had it. Fourth, although I realize that although an X5 will never provide performance similar to the CTS-V wagon, it can be tuned for a somewhat reasonable price to about 500hp/500ft-lb tq.
Advantages for the wagon obviously include it’s appearance, interior (IMO), performance capabilities (& the fact that I can take the V wagon to a track!) & compliant suspension (from what I’ve read, I’ve test-driven the X5 but have not yet tested the CTS; I realize I won’t be able to find a CTS-V wagon to test drive so the sedan will have to do).
Finally, I realize that a minivan would be the most practical choice but I just can’t go there! Also, my wife has an Acura MDX so we already have a 7-seater in the family.
I’ve done research on Cadillac & Bimmer forums &, in general, owners of each love their vehicles; I’d love to hear thoughts on this comparison (this car would be my year-round daily driver & have a dedicated winter setup - 19s/20s for the Bimmer & 18s/19s for the Caddy).
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Go for what you know you want -- the V. The X may be slightly more practical, but it's clear from your post that any time you see a CTS-V on the street you will wish you got that the V.
I'm a big fan of the X, but it sounds like you are trying to talk youself into one instead of going for what you really want. And the wagon is certainly practical enough for kids, especially when they are younger.
Life is short - enjoy as much of it as you can.
