Blaine S

So I am growing tired of my E Class 4Matic, and was seriously tempted by an C63 yesterday, but it got me thinking. What car could replace both my E Class Estate and 4Matic sedan plus have some additional advantages. Ideally what I'm looking for would combine the following:

1) Excellent interior, livable on trips and weekend drives, and nice enough driving experience that I didn't always think I was taking the utility car.
2) All-season capability (snow tires could always be an option for 2WD)
3) Room for the dog kennel in the back and grocery shopping trips to Mitsuywa in NJ.
4) Possibly tow the GT3 (7k lbs total) on occasion (nice to have but not need to have).
5) Reasonable car to drive everyday to work and around town. Fuel efficiency would be a plus.

The two cars I've been test driving (C63 and S5) don't fit the bill and would require a second utility car, but maybe there could be a single car option?

lcrain

Hmm, interesting criteria. If you want a sedan, I would look at the Audi S4. Pretty fast and all wheel drive. Don't know if It could fit the dog kennel...if you want a big car that can tow/fit a dog kennel I would check out an X5. My cousin has a 08 (I think) x5 4.8 and its a badass SUV, very fun to drive. BMW just replaced that engine with a turbocharged v8 so it should be even better. Also the new porsche cayenne just came out and from what I have read those are pretty awesome too.

blake

+1 on the X5. It had a sporty car-like feel AND can haul your GT3/trailer. The Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7 might make sense as well... Definitely take them for a test drive and see what you think.

-Blake

Targa Tim

new Cayenne turbo.

Blaine S

The X5 diesel and the Q7 were run past the family and did not get a very warm reception. Good cars for sure.

Blaine S

Awesome, but fails on #5

Blaine S

I thought about the S4 Avant, wouldn't be a bad choice but could not tow the GT3.

masmole

S4 Avant is not available in the US though, at least not the latest version with the powerful yet fuel-saving 3.0T motor.

I wanted an S4 Avant but since Audi decided not to bring it to the US market this time around, I bought a Q5 instead. It replaced a gas-guzzling ML63 AMG. The Q5 has been great, handles well, goes quick enough to be entertaining, and doesn't feel heavy like previous X5's and other suv-types I've had. A dog kennel can be installed in the rear and it has a best-in-class towing capacity of 4400lbs. That means it can easily tow a GT3 to the track on a lightweight trailex or similar. I've seen it done by a fellow Q5 owner at a recent event and they claim it did a solid job during an 8-hour drive. Here's a pic I took of their setup...



If you want something just as fun to drive with decent fuel mileage and better towing, how about the new Cayenne hybrid. It uses the same 3.0T motor from the latest Audi S4, paired with an electric motor for extra power and efficiency.

Izzone

I have a Q5 and did not realize it could tow that much

Is 4,400 enought for a trailer, spare wheels and car?

It is probably at it's max weight

The Q5 is an awesome DD for running errands

Carrera GT

GL350 diesel
If you scratch the towing criterion, the Panamera V6 fits perfectly.

ADias

Panamera - pick your model.

911SLOW

Why is this thread in the gt3 forum?

John

Carrera GT

I guess he's looking for other GT3 owners with tow vehicle recommendations."Possibly tow the GT3"

Anyway, he's got a .2 GT3 and a 993 ('95?) in his avatar, so I think that merits some slack. : )

911SLOW

Ok so I can post everything here as long as I own a GT3 and somehow connect it to my thread. Ah thats easy. Carrera stay tuned for interesting threads in the near future.

John

ps. just kidding

LastMezger

Q5 FTW! S-Line package is a steal at $2,000 (includes black headliner, 20-inch wheels with high-performance tires, body kit, 3-spoke steering wheel with paddles...that I've never used but still).

Great turn-in, comfortable ride, quick, fantastic Bluetooth/Nav/iPod system. Really happy with it.