Premium gas only costs $3-$4 extra for an entire tank when compared with regular. It really isn't that expensive like so many think.

More like $6-$8 bucks in all the places/states I drive in...
I agree the cost diff is minimal, but the diff you quote is about half of what it really is.

Knowing what I I now know, I would get a car that doesn't have a CCV system. so that you can take those short drives to the market or take the kids too school when the weather outside is in the Polar Vortex degrees and not having to worry about mayo building up inside the CCV system and possible freezing and hydro locking the engine.

A car that doesn't need the timing chain guides replaced at 100K or a car that have regular maintenance schedule for such thing as ATF and not lifetime ATF. A car that I can replace a simple part like a battery and not have to go to the dealer to get a new battery coded for the car or any other replacement parts. A car that I can go to a locksmith and get a spare key with programming for under 100 bucks.

And that is why I brought an Infiniti G35 Coupe last week.

Folks have made great recommendations....I must say I would love to be in your "predicament" :D. Now for every recommendation you like, label a 25 cent coin with the name of the recommendation and put them in a box. Shake the box thoroughly until your hand hurts and your head aches. Now pick only one coin in the box without looking. What you have picked is your choice. And do this only once! ;)

Don't forget to let us know what you picked! Good luck! :D:thumbup:

I'd highly recommend NOT a Range Rover.

They're wonderful (We loved our 95 LWB) but if you think that the X5 is a maintenance nightmare, it's only because you haven't had a Rangie.

The Tuareg is a nice vehicle, but just coming off of VW ownership, I can tell you that they're not all that much more reliable than BMW and not really much cheaper to keep running. My GTI ran fantastic, but it was a constant battle with minor electrical issues. CEL would come on warning of impending doom and most of the time it was just the friggen sensor or a bad connection.

If you don't mind something a little smaller, (and I know it sounds like a big step 'down') you ought to check out the Hyundai Tuscon. My dad has had a couple of them and the newest one is remarkably nice. The handling isn't stellar, but you could spend a couple grand on suspension upgrades and probably make it vastly better.

gosh your 4.8i is so noice!