JCL you make a good point. The "tin cans" are still top safety picks.

My parents allowed me to get an X5 because:

1. I paid the difference between what they were willing to spend, and what i wanted
2. Going to school in upstate NY really isnt good without AWD. Honestly, I have seen those ford focuses, etc get really stuck--EVEN WITH studded snow tires. I have not gotten in trouble up here with X-Drive and my pirelli snows
3. I do think no matter what, The X5 is still safer than the focus and fit, etc. Put them in an accident with a larger car such as a suburban, and compare the results with how the X5 would do..Size really does matter in this case

However, the X5 was NOT my first car, in fact it was my third, I started out with a '98 infiniti I30T, and then a 94 325i. The BMW had a manual tranny--really taught me how to drive well.

If i had the X5 as my first car, i think the 4.4i liter V8 would have been too much for me.. This was proven when i took my dads e39 M5 out for a ride at 17 yrs old, and got pulled over for doing 85 in a 45.. whoops (no ticket though )

__________________
BMWCCA