Daily Dilema: Keep or Sell Imola 4.6is
 

So, here's the deal. For the last year or so, I've been on the hunt for my "halo" X5. That would be a pre-LCI 4.6is in Imola Red with black/alcantara interior and red interior trim.

Since this would serve as my daily transportation, I wasn't looking for a project like I usually am when hunting my next automotive conquest. This meant I was willing to pay more for a lower mileage example in good-to-go condition. I thought I found what I was looking for on a dealer lot in Florida. I made the deal and brought the car home. Life was good. Then I started to really look it over and began finding problems. Long story short: It ended up being a project after all. I have put blood (literally), sweat, tears, and a bucket full of cash into getting it sorted and reliable.

I have now spent way more on it than I can ever hope to recover if I sell it. But that's exactly what I may have to do. At the time, I was working from home and even though I have several cars, I didn't drive all that much. It was not unusual for me to not leave the house for several days at a time. So it wasn't really a big deal if I had an unreliable car, or if it got terrible gas mileage.

That all changed at the first of this year, when I started a new job and now have about an 80 mile round trip commute every day. None of my vehicles are really appropriate for commuting and I needed something reliable and economical to operate, but still interesting and entertaining to drive. I briefly considered something like a Honda Civic or a Prius, but HELL NO. I ended up scoring an amazing end-of-the-year deal on an i3 Rex. As a matter of fact, by the time the lease is up, I may actually eek out a small profit. As a bonus, my employer is very “Green Aware” and has offered to install a level 2 charging station as part of a construction project already underway. So I have the commute covered.

Back to the X5. Counting the i3, I am dangerously close to Rob Seigel’s 7 Car Rule with 6 vehicles crammed into parking spaces for 3 (I know, First World Problems). Insurance is starting to get pretty expensive too. Something has to go! I’m already preparing my E38 740i “Sporty Shorty” to sell, and may also try to unload the E36 M3. My particular X5 is something of a rare breed, and a little special. It will be hard to see it go, especially since I’ll probably lose about $5K on the deal. But I haven’t driven it in a month and need the breathing room.

I know I’ll be kicking my future self when the way-too-much-money collectors finally get over their obsession with old Mustangs and discover the model and they start crossing the auction block for stupid amounts of money. The same thing will probably happen with the M3 (but only after I sell it for peanuts)…

Anyway, I’ve been checking prices on similar X5’s and they seem to be topping out at about $10K. I can live with getting that for mine, I just wonder how much I’ll regret it after the deal is done.

There is a “halo” X3 that I can chase (M Sport Package, 6MT) if I get rid of everything else. Finding one would tick most of the boxes for my “pleasure” vehicle and trim the fleet down to a more manageable 3. One minute I’ll have myself convinced that’s the way to go. Then the next I think it’s the stupidest idea I’ve ever had.

Don't sell the X5. 4.6is rare and you have it sorted out. off load the 740 and wait for some time to pass before you off load or consider off-loading another vehicle. Great reliable, economical and fun to drive vehicles are the Fiesta ST or Focus ST.

Only Ford I ever owned was a Ford Ranger, not unless you count the Twincam Weber carbs Ford powered Lotus as a Ford, but my current fun car is the Infiniti G35. First cousin to a Nissan GTR. It's front mid-engine and rear wheel drive. A blast to drive and the exhaust note is should I say it better than the X.

Since we're talking about Fords, my #6 vehicle is a '92 F-150 Extended Cab Flare Side 2WD. Another oddball. Thinking about selling that one, too. It's not worth much, and doesn't cost much to own, but I rarely use it. It has dual gas tanks and I filled them both on Christmas Day 2014. Didn't have to put gas in it again until sometime in April! Although it does come in handy when I do need it…

After owning a 2013 Ford Flex, I wouldn't buy a Ford again. Cheap, low quality materials on an expensive car.

Well, if it IS actually sorted and reliable, drive it!

I HATED my 42 mile commute, even though it was an afternoon/midnight soirée, until I could do it on my GSXR 750. In fact, I hated running to the store on the GSXR, getting all suited up, helmet hair and all the rest, for bread or milk (sometimes eggs, but not often, I mean, they're eggs, right?). But the 42 miles? It was a treat and I wasn't looking for an excuse to ride the bike.

I'm biased, because I have one and money has started to trickle into it, but in the end, they were created to be driven.

Good luck!

A ford Fiesta ST or focus ST is an inexpensive Ford that is fun to drive without breaking the bank. I agree there are better choices in the market when it comes to a Ford Flex.

OP,

Maybe it's time to slow down....."wrenching and obsessing" ....off load some of your vehicles.....and spend more time "enjoying" other things...to do!

I've cut down to three vehicles.:(

Still to much for me.... and thinking on selling my E39......and keeping the X5 due to it's versatility and daily duties.:D

Like you I've been pouring to much time and money to get my vehicles in tip top shape and form.

Unfortunately, It's NOT my priorities now....Been holding off on overseas vacation with the missus.....because of cash flow gets diverted to car maintenance and upkeep.

I love my cars............but............I think.....the wisdom.....Less is more.....is my new purpose for 2016 and on.;)

Good luck on whatever decision you make.

if you plan to sell the X5 and get an X3? just keep the X5

If you are more of a driving purist, the Msport 6MT E83 will definitely please you, those cars are a hoot to drive, adding the 3rd pedal would make it pretty sweet.

A late LCI 6MT E53 would be equally as fun in the chassis you like, without the engine and transmission problems of the autos/V8's in the E53. Both the Msport 6MT E83 and 6MT E53 (sport package preferred I assume) would be fairly rare to find, the E83 a bit harder.

But yeah, I'd start thinning the herd especially as the charging station is going up. Good luck with everything man, I love Imola.