Perspective on driving my X5

twm67 · #1 04-11-2005, 04:21 PM

I spent a few hours Saturday to get my Mustang up and running. It's a fully restored '67 coupe - originally my grandmother's - and heavily modified (new crate 302 V8 engine, new 5sp tranny, new brakes, suspension, oh hell - almost everything's new.) After getting the jump start out of the way, my 20month old son and I took off for the wilds of Princeton, NJ. This car is very loud, and pretty fast (about 245hp and 270 lb-ft at the rear-wheels) and did I mention loud?

This is not a car to teach someone how to drive a manual transmission. A Toyota or a 3-Series BMW would be a better tranny to learn on. It lurches, it needs to get gas fed in smoothly or it will lunge in 2nd and generally disrupt the ride. I went for a carburetor set up for an old-school feel to the car, and because of this, it's a little rough, and the "aroma" of a carbureted car is something you'll never forget. :p

When our ride was over, I let the car sit for a few hours to cool down and "fumigate." Then I had to re-arrange our cars to get the Mustang back in the garage. First I moved my daily driver Jeep, and then the Mustang got put into place. Lastly, the X5 had to be put into place.

Coming off the Mustang… MAN is this a nice ride!!! It’s sooooo smooth, and the little 6 spot engine has a surprising amount of power to it. We’ve only driven about 2,000 miles in the X since new, but every time I get behind the wheel, I’m amazed at what this car can do. I am so happy with my acquisition of this ride… I test drove a half-dozen cars or more in making the decision to get the X. I really, really like this ride. I had lots of fun using the Steptronic tranny in NYC last week. The little 6 has a nice growl at 4,000 rpm!!!

Thanks for indulging me here. Thought I’d spread the love.

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Curious Joel · #2 04-11-2005, 04:32 PM

I can totally relate... I drive a lot (this weekend I drove about 400 miles) and I practically lived in the X5. And let me tell you, every time I got out of the car I would look back at it and shake my head because I just couldn't believe the X5 was such a perfect car. I loved it so much! It's always great to hear about other people's X5s.

And that Mustang sounds sweet... My friend is obsessed with classic Mustangs.

asnpcwiz · #3 04-11-2005, 05:11 PM

amen

JCL · #4 04-11-2005, 06:31 PM

I spent 20 weeks travelling last year, mostly international flights, out on a Sunday night and home on a Friday, almost always with a rental car. Every time I came home, I got back in the X5 at the airport on Friday afternoon, and was amazed all over again at just how good it is. It is just so....competent. That doesn't sound particularly exciting, but the thing just works so well, it is a great example of design promise fulfilled.

Jeff

Juanted · #5 04-11-2005, 07:13 PM

Funny you'd say this. Just earlier today, my wife was driving me back from the hospital in my X5 (see "stones" post for more info), and I noticed just what a smooth, solid ride it is. I don't know why it felt so much smoother than when I drive it, but it did. I've owned this car for almost 18 months now, and to this day, I am amazed by this ride. Love that car...

Juan

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