This past ski season I was in Vermont and I took a corner a little too fast and my Nissan Pathfinder slid right off the road and into a ditch.  So when I was looking for a new set of wheels I had a list of things the car would have to do for me.

A)  I want my skis to slide into the back without having to use a skipass in the rear arm rest.  Those things are a PIA to re-stuff.

B)  To get respectable gas mileage something in the 20's.  The Pathfinder was getting around 16.

C)  Something that had AWD and traction control for obvious reasons. 

D)  The car had to have a fun factor.

E)  Leather seats for ease of cleaning up after my muddy dog.

F)  reliability and good reviews.

After I factored all of these criteria I had eliminated most cars on the market.  Subaru could have been on the short list if I liked they way they looked.  But it was down to Audi all road, dodge magnum AWD R/T and the BMW XiT.  The Audi was quickly eliminated after a test drive, I just didn't like the Engine.  The dodge had a cheap interior but a monster engine which could have gotten me into a lot of trouble. 

Then I drove the BMW.  I've been reading car magazines for my entire life and have grown tired of the constant praise for the BMW 3 series.  It's like the New England Patriots of cars.  But the ride and silky smooth engine are undeniable.  MPG is respectable at around 26 on the hwy and 22 around town.  The skis slide right in the back.  The leather is nice.  The AWD and traction control are nothing but AMAZING!  I've spent days in the rain trying to slide this thing around corners.  You have to turn the traction control off! 

The car has been been a joy to drive and I think I may be a convert to the BMW cult. 
Amount Paid (US$): 12,000
Condition: Used
Model Year: 2002
Model and Options: 325 XiT