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This is an interesting post. I'm looking at purchasing a new to me (slightly used) car next year.
I currently drive a Volvo S80, which is a great car.
I didn't take a liking to SUVs when they first started becoming popular years ago because I thought they drove too much like a truck. However, I have really been thinking that I would like something a little more utilitarian, and a lot of the new SUVs drive better.
I have been going back and forth between the BMW X3 and the Volvo XC90.
We had a BMW three series a few years ago. That was a really fun car to drive, but it felt so cramped to me, especially compared to the S80. We ultimately decided it was did not fit our needs and traded it for a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
I'm surprised to see so many negative comments about the X3, perhaps this is pushing me more towards the Volvo.
I'm interested in hearing more thoughts on these cars.
This is an interesting post. I'm looking at purchasing a new to me (slightly used) car next year.
I currently drive a Volvo S80, which is a great car.
I didn't take a liking to SUVs when they first started becoming popular years ago because I thought they drove too much like a truck. However, I have really been thinking that I would like something a little more utilitarian, and a lot of the new SUVs drive better.
I have been going back and forth between the BMW X3 and the Volvo XC90.
We had a BMW three series a few years ago. That was a really fun car to drive, but it felt so cramped to me, especially compared to the S80. We ultimately decided it was did not fit our needs and traded it for a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
I'm surprised to see so many negative comments about the X3, perhaps this is pushing me more towards the Volvo.
I'm interested in hearing more thoughts on these cars.
The previous X3 is complete garbage. The older X5 is small too but at least drove nice and the V-8 pulled hard. The new X5 is sensational, one of my favorite SUVs. The new X3 is now about the size of the old X5 and can ONLy be better but still looks like a dinosaur turd.
I haven't driven the new X3, but I've driven both the old one and an XC90 and done comparisons (my uncle has both, I was babysitting them when he was on vacation), if that's the models you are looking at, then the XC90 is a much more "complete" car, it rides better, is actually sportier (better in turns), despite the X3's firmer suspension, which frankly, just makes it harsh. BMW Automatics are better than Volvos, but unless you drive "spiritedly" you probably won't notice that as much.
Of the older models, I'd easily go with the XC90, throw a gently used, E70 X5 (second generation), we're looking at a completely different outcome though.
I owned both the x3 and a 328xi.... I would go for the x3 again rather than an x5.
The x3 retains more of that 3 series handling and nimbleness.the x5 to me was like steering a bathtub. It was just to big ,to heavy and lost what i think a bmw represents.
I owned both the x3 and a 328xi.... I would go for the x3 again rather than an x5.
The x3 retains more of that 3 series handling and nimbleness.the x5 to me was like steering a bathtub. It was just to big ,to heavy and lost what i think a bmw represents.
Having driven both the 3 series and X3, I'd honestly recommend a 3 series wagon.
Same interior room as an X3 (at least previous gen), and far better handling.
Though the XC90 was much heavier, taller and had a much slower transmission (the X3 I drove was a manual), as far as suspension goes, it was actually much sportier, it could maintain higher speeds on twisty roads, despite having a more subtle ride when driving normally.
I didn't find the X3 to have much resemblance to the 3 series at all as far as performance goes, it was just stiff and crude, without providing any improvement in handling. I haven't driven an X5, but out of an XC90 and an X3, I'd say the Volvo handled closer to the 3 series than the X3 did.
Now, I think an important note is that any SUV is going to act and handle like an SUV, though some hide it better than others. If someone wants regular car handling, and that's important, they should probably just buy a regular car.
Having driven both the 3 series and X3, I'd honestly recommend a 3 series wagon.
Same interior room as an X3 (at least previous gen), and far better handling.
Though the XC90 was much heavier, taller and had a much slower transmission (the X3 I drove was a manual), as far as suspension goes, it was actually much sportier, it could maintain higher speeds on twisty roads, despite having a more subtle ride when driving normally.
I didn't find the X3 to have much resemblance to the 3 series at all as far as performance goes, it was just stiff and crude, without providing any improvement in handling. I haven't driven an X5, but out of an XC90 and an X3, I'd say the Volvo handled closer to the 3 series than the X3 did.
Now, I think an important note is that any SUV is going to act and handle like an SUV, though some hide it better than others. If someone wants regular car handling, and that's important, they should probably just buy a regular car.
even going from the 328 to the 328xi was like driving a different car. the extra 300 lbs of the all wheel drive system really makes it feel like a different car.
the regular 328i was so much quicker and handled even better.
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