Reply: ... the next best sedan... <wob-ish>

[SMILLER@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Henry's friend needs help finding a car that is like a Bimmer, but isn't:

>Date: Sun, 20 Sep 1998 14:18:13 PDT
>From: "Henry Butt" <henrybutt@domain.elided>
>Subject: <WOB> What is the next best sedan other than  a BMW ?
>
>My friend's got a E36 325is and his wife is looking to trade-in her
>Mazda 626. She doesn't want two bimmers in the garage but is looking
>for a car as good or close to her hubby's 325is (must be a 4D sedan). 
>
>Any suggestions ? I just couldn't give her an answer !!
>
>Henry ( BMW CCA, BMWCC )

Henry, it would help if we knew your friend's wife's priorities and her
planned use for the car.

Here's why people should buy Bimmers (Scott says, getting ready to
editorialize):

You want a sports car, but you need a back seat.  (I need to update this
philosophy now that BMW actually makes sports cars that don't have a
back seat.  Until the Z3 came out, this philosophy worker real well for
me.)

So if Henry's wife doesn't want a sports car with a back seat, what
does she want?  Safety?  Try a Mercedes or a Volvo.  Performance? 
Probably out of luck there, BMW defines the sports sedan.  Reliability? 
Something from Japan (or a Japanese plant in the U.S.).  Something that
tortures the driver and owner?  Try an American car.  Do they drive this
car in the snow?  Front wheel drive might be better for her.

What price range are they looking at?

Henry, I guess what I'm saying here is, we need a few clues to really
help you with this.  Find out the answers to these questions and we'll go
from there.

Scott Miller
Golden Gate Chapter
BMW CCA #44977

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