Advise please

tool fan · Sep 9, 2005

Do to the rapid raise in Gas prices and the amount of driving I do....I am seriously considering trading in my X3 for a 2006 Passat. My X3 is a HUGE gas hog and 100+ dollars a week for gas is alot more than I want to pay. I love it but don't think it is worth the price I am paying.

Only issue is that the new Passat comes with a 2.0ltr 200hp V6, and the X3 has a 2.5 ltr 186hp V6, do you think the Passat will get better gas milage do to the smaller engine size? If not any recommendations?

I cannot really afford to go with a smaller car, 2 kids, soon to be 3, a big ass dog and a wife.

Zee3Coupe · Sep 9, 2005

And with the money you save in gas, you can spend on repairing the Passat!

I don't know what the gas mileage is on either, but I suspect the passat's engine is not appreciably better. I'd look at Edmunds.com to confirm.

That said, why not go with the new Lexus RX400 hybrid? Same comfort and size as your X3 with better gas mileage. Of course, the wait list might be a mile long at this point, but worth a try.

Big Daddy · Sep 9, 2005

According to fueleconomy.gov if I am looking at the correct vehicles, your X3 gets 17 - 23 mpg and the Passat gets 22 - 31 mpg. The diesel Passat gets 27 - 38. Using a difference of 8 mpg you can figure your savings. Is it worth it, I really do not know. Tough question...

Bmw 325i 7803 · Sep 9, 2005

The small amount saved in gas probably isn't worth trading the X3 in early, besides the 2.5ltr engine is under a lot of stress to move that heavy X3, I'd imagine the 3.0ltr engine would give u not only more power but better fuel efficiency. Maybe the 2006 X3 which gets the newer more efficient engines, might seem better?

Also small displacement, high-output engines tend to get poorer gas mileage...

Stitch · Sep 12, 2005

Hey Tool Fan, this government website lists all the mpg of the 2005 & 2004 model car.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/feg2000.htm

Consider there is depreciation and dealer will take off at least $2,500 for profit. Maybe sell by owner is an option. Look like Ford Escape Hybrid is a good choice for you.

(P.S. all in U.S. dollar)

Hope this helps!

Take a look at Ferrari S… and Phantom, they sure get thirsty all the time.

nadroj · Sep 12, 2005

if it was me i would just keep the x3 because the gas prices arnt going to stay up too much longer and i just love bmw's

Stitch · Sep 12, 2005

I love BMW, too. But sometimes family comes 1st.

MrElussive · Sep 12, 2005

Jordan, gas prices are going to settle back down at around $3/gallon ($3.60/gallon for me now) so it's still a huge difference from $1.80 - $2.00 we used to pay.

tool fan, the VW Passat is available with two engines. The first is a 2.0 liter 200hp 4-cylinder turbo with FSI and the second is a 3.6 liter 280hp V6. Volkswagen has not posted fuel economy specifications yet but the 200hp 4-cylinder model should give you pretty decent gas mileage, probably in the mid 20's in the real world, as well as strong performance (0-60 in 7.4 seconds for the automatic).

tool fan · Sep 12, 2005

My wife has forbade me from selling the X3.......so now I am looking at other options. What to do?????

Chesty Bonds · Sep 13, 2005

tool fan said:

The price of oil will decline pretty soon. Now we're looking at just under $70 a barrel for West-Texas Crude and many people think that the natural price is somewhere between $40-50 per barrel. Hold out for a little longer Tool! [thumb]

Heaps of people are madly trying to sell their 4WDs because of the oil-price hike but they don't realise that they're going to lose a dickload of money.

DRWWE · Sep 13, 2005

tool fan said:

Get a Prius for running errands around town. Keep the X3 for when you really need it. Of course that option is ultimately more expensive that running your X3 all the time but, remembering your earlier posts about how excited you were with your X3 purchase you'll probably be happier keeping it.

We love our X3 too.

[bmwdance]

///M SPEED · Sep 13, 2005

Pete is right. Look at how many top-of-the-line SUV's (thinks Denali line) they are just about giving away now. I know the Washington State Sen. Maria Cantwell intends to introduce legislation that would give Bush power to investigate price gouging and, if necessary, cap price increases.

There is more to this article, but the gest is that it seems the oil companies are gouging oil prices. The price should come down at some point in time, but I doubt they will ever go down to the already high price we were paying before.....

nadroj · Sep 13, 2005

MrElussive said:

Well, where im at the prices have already dropped blow 3$ and are still dropping :\

The market will seek its natrual value.

frolf · Sep 13, 2005

tool fan said:

remember that Porsche 911 GT3 you were standing in front of in that one picture???....

BUY IT!!!! whoooohoooooo [burnout]

HornyHornet · Sep 13, 2005

Get a moped with a side car. In reality, I see more and more two wheel vehicles around here. I myself use my motorcycle as much as I can. Its better to pay $10 six times a month than $60 three thimes a month. Paying $100 a week seems like you sure drive a lot. What are the prices over there in Germany?

epj3 · Sep 13, 2005

HornyHornet said:

I would undoubtedly own a motorcycle, but the other drivers around here are complete idiots. They can't even watch out SUV's on the road, let alone a motorcycle.

HornyHornet · Sep 13, 2005

epj3 said:

Absolutely true. There are many idiots not paying attention to the road let alone others. But with an MSF course you learn to be defensive. I find it very pleasing riding and end up saving me a tons on gas. Just one avenue for him. You can pick up a decent used bike for a couple $K.

tool fan · Sep 13, 2005

frolf said:

Oh if it were really just that simple[headbang]

tool fan · Sep 13, 2005

HornyHornet said:

I am keeping the X3 as I said the wife won't let me sell it. Motorcycle here in Germany is suicide (at least for me) 100$ a week for gas is 650-700 miles a week. I just got my X3 in April and I already have better than 12k miles on her. Gas here for americans is about the the same as it is the states 2.98 super plus 2.68 for super and 2.38 for regular. Germans pay 1.34euro per liter that is 4.42 euro per gallon at todays exchange rate 5.58 dollars per gallon[thumbd]

HornyHornet · Sep 14, 2005

tool fan said:

Holy smokes! You are a big time road warrior. Sheesh, I put those kind of miles in a month. I see why it would be suicide.

Advise please

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