Kia Stinger GT

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I test drove an X5 about 5 years ago and can honestly say that I've enjoyed few engines as much as that BMW I-6. It's just so well tuned, so responsive and seems to have all the power where you want it. Very good note for a V-6, doesn't feel heavy but feels plenty powerful.

I REALLY enjoyed that thing (but realized that the X-5 just isn't very useful when we drove it for an entire weekend). It convinced me that I'll have a BMW sedan someday, but that I wasn't terribly interested in their SUV.

My first was an m235i and absolutely loved it... some M bells and whistles without spending 6 figures on a real M, plus 30mpg despite all the power you'd reasonably need (of course, "unreasonable" power is fun, too).

And the one thing that still impresses me years later is the transmission... it's like the car isn't even shifting, it's so damn smooth. It was a completely new level of greatness from anything I had driven prior.

I have an X5 now... previously had a Rav4 that was barely okay enough to haul ATVs and camping gear (especially when attempting mountain drives when it's 105⁰ in Phoenix), and would end up taking it more often that not on long road trips given the lack of cargo space in the car (it was always sad to opt for the Rav4's practicality on road trips).

The X5 is the PERFECT blend of the two vehicles... same silky smooth transmission, great power and an especially fun responsive drive in Sport, and have seen 28+mpg on the highway. And on top of that, can easily haul the toys or for the Home Depot trips that weren't exactly coupe friendly.

If I have **** you money in the future, I'd love to buy a completely impractical M6 one day.... coming from a couple of sport coupes though, never thought I'd love driving an SUV.