[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by E91WAG3N

Case closed, Mercedes S212 or S213 E Class Wagon is the play here. F11 5 Series would be if it was sold stateside. I won't be spending $30k+ on a new car until the pandemic has subsided. I might end pick up an E61 530i to hold me over until then.

The majority of reactions here of 'get an SUV or van, you NEED it' is surprising given this is an enthusiast forum. However, not surprising given what we see dominating the roads today. I'm guessing these are the same people that think you need a 5,000 sq ft house with 7 bathrooms and 5 bedrooms to raise a family. It's all overkill.

I drove shuttle duty when I worked at car dealerships at the turn of the century and every Toyota Sienna, Chevy Venture, Honda Odyssey I was handed to they keys to sucked in every way. I've driven a few since and still am not impressed.

Not wanting to own a minvan or SUV has nothing to do with being different or my ego. It's using a sledge hammer to drive a nail into a board. It's way too much metal in my opinion. swagon and mgmarsh39 and Tambohamilton seem to get it. I've puttered around in my mom's X3 while she's been here and the car is trash. It's heavy, large, and un-engaging to drive but somehow really doesn't have room for more stuff than my E91. The cabin is taller, but that's about it. I don't see the benefit, at all.

Great discussion and thanks for everyone's suggestions. I really liked the idea of the manual Accord and early model Tesla. Hadn't considered those.

This. Life is too short to drive boring cars.

I recommend the S213 for the interior alone, I have the same one in my CLS and it really just makes you feel special. There should be some coming in CPO/off-lease but they may be out of price range. Either way, S212 or 213, both are excellent wagons and should suffice for space.