Originally Posted By howard
Why does it appeal to you? What am I missing?

For my every day car I prefer a 4 door. I quite like the fastback or liftback style of 5 door but no one seem to make that any more. I want to be able to carry up to 5 people and some luggage on occasions. I guess I could always get around that problem by hiring a car when I need it idea

I had one of these years ago and quite liked it. Very dated to look at now.



I suppose there is the Toyota Prius but I don't really like the look of it.

The second thing is that I want something with a certain level of finish. Leather seats, and other finishings of reasonable quality.

Then I want something that is going to be reasonably enjoyable to drive.

I don't want to exceed 250hp. When I think of it I have never owned a car that has more and simply can't imagine what purpose a road car with more power has. I can get into enough trouble with less and that applies to bikes too. Can't see the sense in more than 100 hp on a road bike.

Also the ownership cost of anything over 250hp starts to skyrocket in Italy. Sure there are plenty of Italian super cars but they are expensive to buy and own.

Lastly I like the concept of AWD.

So what am I left with that ticks the boxes.
Probably the Jag XE AWD.
A BMW mid range model (I was looking at the X1 but it might be a bit small) Perhaps the X4 is worth a look.
Audi doesn't do it for me.
Maserati Ghibli - a bit heavy, I like the car but think a cast iron block engine from Jeep is out of place even if it has been re-worked by Ferrari to produce 250hp. Oh, and the AWD version is too powerful and too expensive anyway.
MB CLA, hmm a bit Teutonic but the CLA 250 4MATIC may be worth a look.

I've got about a month to make up my mind or I have to pay another year of tax on the car. SORN does not exist in Italy.

Peter

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