What AWD car is better than this AWD 'X' car?

**muted** · 08-25-2017, 02:26 PM

My Tesla 3 is another year out, as I have to wait for AWD production. Fuck. So I'm gonna get a fun car meanwhile: my current car is old and getting crabby at me, so I gotta ditch it before it breaks down.

What I'm wondering is, what is comparable to roughly a 2014 BMW 5 series X-Drive 540i or 550i? (A 2014 may still have a year left on it's warranty, which is super valuable as I may only keep it a year.)

-I'm looking to spend the same amount as the Tesla, about 28-35k.
-I need backseats for kid seats (might still consider a 3 series size car though)
-I need AWD, it does not have to be cutting edge AWD.
-It has to have already depreciated a bunch, so when I sell it in a year I don't lose too much.

If I got an audi, it would have to blow away the BMW performance-wise. Volvos are not fun, sorry. Caddies have some AWD fast cars, but are they actually good? MB AMGs aren't AWD. Maybe a SUV that handles like a 5 series....kind of a long shot? What else, or is that it?

Ive just started my search today, for reference I test rode a 2013 BMW 7 Series 740Li xDrive and a 2014 BMW 535d xDrive Sedan today. The 7 was just for fun, but it was a bad-ass grandpa car that was fast and practical (if it fits in my garage). The Diesel 5 was cool, but clunky transmission. Not sure if that was a deal breaker though. It was fast and has great gas mileage, if I keep my foot off the gas, ha.

**4matic** · 08-25-2017, 02:31 PM

Acura. MB e550 will scream.

0-60:

Sport 4MATIC BlueEfficiency Sedan AWD 4.3 sec

**Caucasian Asian** · 08-25-2017, 02:40 PM

Jeep SRT8s are quick and make hooligan-fun noises.

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**Sirshredalot** · 08-25-2017, 03:10 PM

The Caddy ATS and CTS are great cars. That's where I would start.

**hawkgt** · 08-25-2017, 03:37 PM

Agree with shred, CTS awd sports wagon. Tons of room, good performance and good used ones out there for the right price

**plugboots** · 08-25-2017, 04:16 PM

I think your BMW choice is the tops, and the others are something to look for as well. Maybe there will be a screaming deal or whatever. I'm biased.

**Sirshredalot** · 08-25-2017, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by hawkgt

Agree with shred, CTS awd sports wagon. Tons of room, good performance and good used ones out there for the right price

If you want the interior space, that's a great call, but the sedans are easier to come by. For more fun and la bit less practicality, I bet you can get a used low mileage ATS-V sedan in that price range.

**Kenny Satch** · 08-25-2017, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by Caucasian Asian

Jeep SRT8s are quick and make hooligan-fun noises.

Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

Scary fast and love the look on people's faces when they get burned of the line. My buddy Jamie had one and regrets selling it.

**MagnificentUnicorn** · 08-25-2017, 05:50 PM

Mazda CX-9.

**Ski to Be** · 08-25-2017, 05:58 PM

Porsche Cayennes and Range Rovers both depreciate like crazy in the first 3 years. I have an HSE Supercharged RR that has been a great reliable car for 8 years. You can likely find a RR sport Supercharged in your price range.

**Tippster** · 08-25-2017, 10:43 PM

Pretty sure he wants a car, not an SUV.

Stay away from the E350 series 4matics. Nothing wrong with the car as far as transportation, but man they are pigs.

**BmillsSkier** · 08-26-2017, 05:54 AM

Originally Posted by Ski to Be

Porsche Cayennes and Range Rovers both depreciate like crazy in the first 3 years. I have an HSE Supercharged RR that has been a great reliable car for 8 years. You can likely find a RR sport Supercharged in your price range.

Oh, so you got the reliable Range Rover. I was wondering who won that lottery

I was always pleased with BMW's awd system in our X5s, actually impressed with how good they were in the snow. Never had an x-drive version of their sedans, but I'm sure they're fine while still giving you that nice performance. Personally I think the F series 5's are the best they've made in years.

**Bobby Stainless** · 08-26-2017, 05:59 AM

The 550i is a shitbox. Engine will fail.

Get a GS350 awd.

Certified for 35k: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...7941/overview/

**BmillsSkier** · 08-26-2017, 06:13 AM

I've always liked a GS. Buddy has an older one and I'm always impressed how well its looks have held up.

**schuss** · 08-27-2017, 05:12 AM

We just picked up a 535d x drive. Thing is stupid fun with 400 lb ft of torque, and we paid low 30's for a CPO. If you're inclined, you can also use racechip or other tuners to get another 60 hp and 100 lb ft. Drives a bit like a tank, but the torque is fun.

**Bite Me** · 08-27-2017, 06:45 AM

I had CTS AWD and it was the biggest POS I ever owned. A warranty is a great thing but not if it's always at the dealer. The only good thing about CTS is that they drop like rocks in value so you can get cheap. And ATS-V never came in AWD. If you're going to have more than front seat passengers, god bless the ones stuck in the rear penalty box in an ATS.

I just let my beloved Jag XF go to CarMax as I got an absurd deal through my company for an Audi, but the XF has been available for the last 3 years in AWD, and is an absolute stunner in looks and performance (supercharged V6). They also drop like rocks resale wise, so a good thing to get as a CPO and enjoy for a while.

**muted** · 08-28-2017, 08:46 AM

Thanks everyone, there's a ton of good info and ideas here. I found a used dealership that has almost every car recommended here on it's lot right now, so testing a bunch of different cars will be super easy. Now I know what to ask for.

**The Tortoise** · 08-28-2017, 09:12 AM

x2 on the Lexus GS. Supposed to handle really well and it's unlikely to give you any issues. That and they hold their value.

**GeezerSteve** · 08-28-2017, 10:27 AM

Has Toyota/Lexus improved their AWD system? Last Toyota AWD car I had sucked compared to Subie, Mazda and Audi AWD systems

**Kenny Satch** · 08-29-2017, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by DIYSteve

Has Toyota/Lexus improved their AWD system? Last Toyota AWD car I had sucked compared to Subie, Mazda and Audi AWD systems

I'm surprised Toyota isn't using Subaru's setup. They own shares in the parent company that owns Subaru

"Toyota expands partnership with Subaru parent Fuji. Toyota Motor toy will pay $311 million to raise its stake in Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries to 16.5%, and the two companies said Thursday that they will develop cars together. ... It currently owns an 8.7% stake in Fuji Heavy.
Toyota expands partnership with Subaru parent Fuji - ABC News

**shroom** · 08-30-2017, 12:20 AM

subaru may have screwed the pooch on that with the Camry thing

**Sirshredalot** · 08-30-2017, 06:12 AM

Originally Posted by The Tortoise

x2 on the Lexus GS. Supposed to handle really well and it's unlikely to give you any issues. That and they hold their value.

This is probably the safest pick among $35,000.00 CPO AWD luxury sedans.

**El Chupacabra** · 08-30-2017, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by DIYSteve

Has Toyota/Lexus improved their AWD system? Last Toyota AWD car I had sucked compared to Subie, Mazda and Audi AWD systems

Toyota's car and crossover AWD is different depending on which vehicle you are looking at. Their FWD based ones are (IIRC) "FWD until it slips" type, on the crossovers and Matrix. I don't know what's in the Venza, but I assume it's the same, as I think that's basically a Camry wagon.

The GS, IS, and LS AWD systems are all RWD based, and all full time in the sense of always sending torque to all the wheels. My IS 350 has something like a 35/65 default torque split, and the computers tell it more or less depending on slippage.

What affects my car in snow the most is 100% the tires. On winter tires, it's unstoppable until it simply gets too deep. On the UHP 3-season tires, it can't handle much snow without feeling very sketchy or sliding. The stability control steps in early too, but is defeatable.

**muted** · 08-30-2017, 01:11 PM

Drove a 328 BMW Xdrive and then a CTS 4 3.6L right afterwards today. BMW was so damn fun. The CTS is a good car but not comparable to a 3 series and it's gearing was fucked. Interior looked ten years dated. Total old mans car. CTS-V is out of my price range, I'm guessing that drives much better.

I'm leaning heavily towards a 2014 335 BMW with the M Package now, but i'll try to find a GS350 to test ride. I don't think I want a larger car anymore after driving the 328.

I can't put myself in an Audi for some reason.

Edit to say....the hatchback version of a 2014 335 BMW may be a compromise on handling/performance but dang it would be functional!!! Anyone here drive a GT 3 series?

**Sirshredalot** · 08-30-2017, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by muted

Drove a 328 BMW Xdrive and then a CTS 4 3.6L right afterwards today. BMW was so damn fun. The CTS is a good car but not comparable to a 3 series and it's gearing was fucked. Interior looked ten years dated. Total old mans car. CTS-V is out of my price range, I'm guessing that drives much better.

I'm leaning heavily towards a 2014 335 BMW with the M Package now, but i'll try to find a GS350 to test ride. I don't think I want a larger car anymore after driving the 328.

I can't put myself in an Audi for some reason.

Edit to say....the hatchback version of a 2014 335 BMW may be a compromise on handling/performance but dang it would be functional!!! Anyone here drive a GT 3 series?

Caddy ATS and Lexus IS are the 3 series competitors, if you're okay with that kind of size.