Loaded 3 or Stripped 5?

I rented a Chevy Equinox LTZ with all of the bells and whistles while in Denver this week. I loved the heated leather seats and power tail gate and all the toys it had, but it was a bit small compared to the Traverse parked next to it. For a family of three (plus dogs) I wondered which I would be happier with: more room or more features.

What does the board think? Civic EX-L or an Accord DX for the same $22K? How about a 335ix or a 528i?

I get a family of 4 plus dog into an E46 wagon just fine.

I went from a loaded 3, to a loaded ms3, which actually had less options (No heated leather, no power roof, etc) and I don't really miss the options. Also, you should be able to get a pretty solid 5 for the same price....

frankly, I'd rather the loaded small car... but I only have a wife and a dog. I'm not yet privy to the joys of small children. I'd say it depends on whether the smaller car is a sedan or hatchback.

I've gotten spoiled with the toys you can get on cars these days. Can't do without heated seats, sunroof, bluetooth audio, etc etc now for daily drivers. We got a loaded 3 five-door back in March and love it, though it's usually just me or me and the missus in the car, and no dogs. They only get to ride in the Santa Fe.

A good friend of mine has 5 kids. This limits his car buying decisions.

They bought a Traverse about a year ago and love it. It does everything they ask of it well, and returns 23-24 mpg. Pretty amazing mileage from a big crossover thingie.

GM is making some decent products these days.

I decided to have both loaded and large...

My wife and I shopped the Traverse and siblings after we had our third child early last year. They are nice and get good mileage for as big as they are. We ended up with an 06 R350 mostly because the GM products were still more money than we wanted to spend, I really like the looks of the GMC Acadia but oh man are they pricey.

Using the BMW is bad example IMO. The 3 series is superior in every way except room...

wcelliot wrote: Using the BMW is bad example IMO. The 3 series is superior in every way except room...

+1

wcelliot wrote: Using the BMW is bad example IMO. The 3 series is superior in every way except room...

Not in my experience. The 5s seem better built and more long-lived than contemporary 3s, especially in terms of interior trim and electrical accessories. The gap has varied somewhat from generation to generation, but it hasn't been closed yet IMHO.

I wasn't sure if this was about Mazda 3 and Mazda 5 or BMW 3 series and BMW 5 series. Looks like it is leaning towards the BMWs.

The answer is P71, that is all

02Pilot wrote:

wcelliot wrote: Using the BMW is bad example IMO. The 3 series is superior in every way except room...

Not in my experience. The 5s seem better built and more long-lived than contemporary 3s, especially in terms of interior trim and electrical accessories. The gap has varied somewhat from generation to generation, but it hasn't been closed yet IMHO.

I would take the complete opposite position... in fact interior trim and electrical accessories would have been two examples I would have used myself... ;-)

I've been questioning this myself, but on the Mazda side.

Blitzed306 wrote: The answer is P71, that is all

Quoted for TROOF!

On the Hyundai side, as base Sonata or a loaded Elantra Touring.

I vote for loaded three. When it comes to cars I rather be a big fish in a little pond (fully-loaded "reasonable" car) rather than a stripped down high-end one I can barely afford to maintain.

What makes you think a loaded 3 series is cheaper to maintain than a base model 5 series?

It depends on usage: I like the size of the 3 series better, but having a rear facing infant seat puts a dent in that...