True, but you may want to have your eyes checked. :rofl: :stickpoke

It's Infiniti.

305HP in FX btw, and I don't need excitement in a DD, as you say, I have another ride for that.

I need the DD to be able to get me in/out of snow crushed Pennsylvania/VT/NH and upstate NY in the winters, be able to carry my "stuff" for skiing and other sports (like my bike and hockey equipment), get somewhat decent mileage, not be a chick car, have AWD with a rear wheel bias, have some style, carry the dog(s) with all of the stuff, and not be a tank.

any other suggestions to help me in my quest?

:popcorn:

Do you have to buy new? Why not a CPO e53 X5?

If you have to have new, what about an MDX? A little less generic looking IMO. As you said though, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

535 xi wagon
335 xi (may be too small)

I know you have your Vette for fun, but why settle for a second choice car as your DD? Especially if you are going to spend as much as a FX costs? I don't get when people say I have a car for fun I need a daily driver. You are going to spend way more time in the DD you are buying than your Vette so why not get one that you really like and excites you to drive everyday? Like maybe a CPO 4.6/4.8is?

yes, i only buy new.
I've already had 2 X5's don't want another
X3's have potential tranny problems
535xi wagon? are you shitting me?
335xi? with 2 dogs, ski equipment, 2 people etc? too small.
MDX - FWD bias... won't EVER drive a FWD car. Don't like the sensation of being pulled.

Thanks for the suggestions, but it obvious you're a "BMW only guy" which is cool, but I'm not disqualifying a car just because it doesn't have a roundel on it.
btw- i should restate what i said above a bit... i don't NOT need excitement in my DD, what I should have said is that because I have another car that is sports car i dont' need my dd/truck/suv to be the epitome of a sports car or handle like one etc. The FX has an excellent engine, suspension, handling, interior etc etc. The vette is my #1 ride, my DD isn't.

My eyes are fine, you might want to take off the BMW Blinders :)

(i've had 3 bmw's don't forget...)

If you are buying new, why are you so worried about possible trans issues in the X5/X3? You will have a 4 year warranty and the option of extending it later.

What about the MDX? I have heard that it has a great all wheel drive system, should be reliable, gets decent MPG's and so on.

I suggested the 535xi wagon because it gets decent MPG's, can haul all of your things, drives and feels like a BMW, and is fairly quick at 5.7 seconds 0-60. With some tuning it can be low 5's. It was just a thought.

Sounds like you are set on a SUV/SAV. The Infiniti is not a bad overall package, but I just can't get by the looks.

To be honest with you I have really tried. I like the looks and ceratin aspects of other cars, then when I drive them they lose all of their luster. I happen to love the way BMW's feel and drive. Silky smooth engines, great handling, nice interiors, great ergonomics, safety, resale value and great looks (for the most part). They seem to put the best overall packed together, IMO. I have flirted with Audi's, 350Z's, Acuras and so on. I even bought an Acura and then sold it 2 weeks after to get back into a BMW. I really have tried to take off the blinders, but it is hard. I am the sort of person that would take a CPO Bimmer over a brand new anything for the most part.

As far as the FX goes, I think the older model was better looking. The new one just looks flat out bad. It is a good performing vehicle though and would be fine as a daily driver.

1) because i've done a lot of research on the x3 tranny problem, and when the car is afflicted, it's dangerous. BMW has been trying ot fix it for 2 years without success. (bimmerfest has a lot of info on it, i'm surprised that it's not on here more)

2) MDX - FWD bias unless it loses traction, I'm a RWD guy, can't stand the sensation of being pulled.

I appreciate the suggestions, honestly, I'm pretty frustrated with the process so far, I've looked at and considered a lot of options and none of them fit because I'm looking for too much in the car. The big issue is that it's going to sit in a parking lot for 12 hours a day 5 days a week yet I don't want some POS and it has to get me through the winters and provide some utility and carry the dogs etc....

I'll figure something out

Don't get me wrong, I'm a BIG BMW fan too, but the X5 3.0 is underpowered and the 4.8 is a friggin pig on gas. The FX35 compared to the X5 3.0 has a more powerful engine and better mpg.We've already discussed the X3 issues, and the BMW non-SAV's aren't big enough for my needs. I looked at the 535xi wagon but it's too much of a family car and that's not me. Trust me i'm not sold on the FX, but it's the front runner right now... (and the front runner seems to change a lot lol!)

Good point on the X3 trans being a safety issue.

I wasn't aware that the MDX had a front wheel bias all wheel drive system. I actually don't know which ones have front and which have rear wheel drive bias to tell you the truth. If you are leaning to rear drive bias, it sounds like your choices will be somewhat limited.

Good luck with your search.