Schmed

Let me hear your thoughts on my daily driver choices. Some background:

- I drive about 20k miles per year for work
- Lease through the company for tax benefits
- Prefer not to drive something too flashy (possible customer perception concerns)
- Need seating for 5

Ideally:

- Fun to drive
- Not annoying
- Decent lease options
- Probably under $60k
- RWD/FWD/AWD doesn't matter to me
- I have a weekend/track car, pickup truck, and family SUV, so no need for vehicles that do double duty in those roles.

Thoughts and comments are welcome!

fastcars914

Something worth note, when looking at a new car, the Audi salesman said their leases were set up so that once the lease expired, the buyout would be reasonable compared to the way other brands set their leasing plans. This could be good/bad for you depending on your stance on it. Just worth noting. I was quite impressed by the Audi's, but found that I liked the BMW's even better. IMHO, I'd test drive the two Audi's and the BMW, compare specs, and see which one you like best. The only concerns I could see on the RS3 and Golf R is rear seat leg room; however, I have not physically sat in either. Considering you are concerned about customer perception, it's worth noting that some people view WRX's as "boy racer" cars, whether it's true or not. All that said, I'd probably go RS3.

Schmed

Thanks FastCars914.

I'm on my 3rd lease now - two with BMW and one with Audi. BMW had some really good leasing programs, and the tax benefits made leasing quite attractive. We'll have to see how the current Audi lease (SQ5) ends up. Maybe I'll buy that out at the end of the lease.

The RS3 is very interesting, but the Audi sales guy said they don't really do well on leasing. I assume he meant the residuals were low or money factor high.

fastcars914

Not a problem. I could certainly see the RS3 having a low residual, perhaps somewhat like the AMG's.

p912guy

From what I understand, BMW's leasing at one time was much more advantageous than it is now. That said, I think you'll still find it better than Audi's. If rear seat leg room is of any importance. I'd be looking 340i or S4 vs RS3. I know you didn't include the X3 on your list, but if you're moving from an SQ5, I'd really take a good look at the new X3 M40i. Until the new 3 Series comes out in 2019, the new X3 is the best "3 Series". I drive an (2016) M235i convertible as my daily and my wife has a (2016) Q5 3.0 as her daily and it's taking everything I have not to secretly trade her Q5 in for a new X3 M40i, but I value my marriage too much to do that.

Schmed

p912guy - I agree. We had an X3 35i before the SQ5 and my wife misses the X3. Mostly for the handling and planted feeling that the SQ5 doesn't have. So... she'll probably be going that way when we get rid of the SQ5.

In the interest of variety, though, I don't want both of us to have German mid-sized SUVs, so I was thinking a sportier sedan or hatchback for me!