One of my favourite things is when someone says something like “I drive a BMW/Porsche/(etc)” and it inspires this idea of these very cool, very classic cars, and so that’s what you have in your head, and then you see what they actually drive… and it’s among the dorkiest things you’ve ever seen in your life.
Hilarious that every person that sees my 2024 iX in person has made positive comments on the looks and styling.
I purchased this vehicle because of the performance, handling, interior comfort and space (wife, 2 kids, large dog) and real world range.
It’s ridiculously fast and handles like a sports car, but without test driving it over a weekend with my family I wouldn’t have made the decision to go with the Bimmer since I have owned nothing but Audi and Porsche for the previous 14 years.
iamca: honestly, congrats on the new car. It's a polarizing choice, for sure. A lot goes into a vehicle choice, though, and there is more to consider than just looks. Not to mention you obviously like the looks. What else were you considering?
I've recently purchased a new (to me; it's a 2022) vehicle that very few people would have bought. I picked it up in early October and I have not seen one single other one in the 2.5 months I've owned. It's clearly an unpopular car. I'm sure CP will sht on it, so I'll let you pass the torch to me hah.
My priority was comfort and it had to be a sports sedan. I did make an exception for the Macan GTS, though. I almost pulled the trigger on that one. What a blast to drive, sounded insane and I just loved a lot about it. Ultimately, didn't go for it for two reasons: I couldn't handle the interior gloss black. It was everywhere and especially on touch points. Total deal breaker along with the subpar self-driving tech, which was another big thing that was important to me as I commute and spend a lot of time on the highway between Calgary and the mountains. Just wanted to be able to press a button and have the car drive me and the Macan couldn't do that.
Here are some of my notes on some of the cars I drove before buying mine to give you an idea of what I was looking at:
2023 volvo v60 Recharge - hybrid wagon with 4.5 0-60 (unavailable to drive)
2022+ Porsche Macan GTS. Require 14 way adjustable seat. 186" long and 76" wide. Outstanding! Drives amazing! NO android auto, no lane keep, no hud, no stop and go. Great driver, but not enough tech.
2018 e63s 4matic - cool, but looking to try something different than Merc
Audi S3 Technik (fits GREAT, sat in a 2023) (no cooled seats, FYI) (test drive a 2023 and it was insanely fun). Ear to ear smile. Loved driving it. Interior may be a bit austere and vehicle maybe overpriced...actually in fully loaded Technik interior is super cool. September 2023 update - kinda boring and right leg super uncomfortable beside hard plastic of centre console. Deal breaker, DON'T BUY!
Audi S5 sportback super comfy and nice. Sat in 2023, but I think a redesign is coming. The A5 sportback was just $72k and has much more gravitas than an S3 for the same price, but only has 260hp. That's why an S5 would be sick.
Genesis g70 (fancy stinger) (test drive with manager Chris Feb 2023. Tail happy, which is fun. Numb like cls, but more comfortable. Not exciting and slow off the line compared to Mercedes). Larger car, but cabin room no better than s3. Bigger trunk would be nice, but looks a bit dated with the tablet thing and didn't like how gauge cluster was only 2/3 digital. Nice, but not smile inducing. Wind noise. (last model year is 2023, which was announced in August 2023)
Acura TLX Type S (don't like acura's interior; busy and unpleasant)
Lexus IS F sport (472hp) - small interior
Others:
Porsche Macan
BMW 440i (2018+)
240i
OFF THE TABLE:
E-class wagon (21+ e-450) (TOO SMALL, I DON'T FIT)
Audi RS6 Avant (too small in that s3 was WAY more comfortable, sat in a 2023. Seat won't go back far enough and wheel won't telescope back far enough. Pathetic)
M340i (way too small, sat in it Feb 2023. B-pillar protrudes into vehicle right where my shoulders are. Have to lean to the right just to drive. Ridiculous)
2023 M2 Coupe (way way way too small, sat in it Feb 2023)
Audi RS5 Sport back (dated interior tho) (too small)
Anyway, those were just personal little notes and not even that extensive. I test drove other cars. What did I buy, though? I'll get some pics and post them in a couple days. Super happy with my decision, though. Being 6'4" eliminated so many vehicles. I think all the side impact beams and air bags are really fking over tall people in new cars. Like, I'm not even THAT tall and I don't fit comfortably in 99% of vehicles. It's actually maddening.
