OK guys, so this is how this endeavor panned out.
We figured that Q7 is too small, and were thinking that Mercedes Gl450 would be our next vehicle. But, it just does not drive that good. Engine has power, but it is a barge, 5,800lbs barge. Then we were like: let's get Q7 and see how it goes. But, I just was not sold on compromise that Q7 would be same like X5, enjoying it all the time. I was thinking if I get car that is not that practical (well bit more practical than X5) and I do not enjoy it, then I will regret it.
So, I figured that all this thinking and finding flaws are taking me to minivan! I figured that I could get van, and save substantial amount of money over Q7 or MB and use that to get myself BMW 335i with stick shift. So I pulled trigger on Toyota Sienna AWD limited.
It is only AWD van so not much thinking there. It s very practical, lot's of space, nice JBL audio system.
It handles, well if one could call that handling, like a van. Brakes are abysmal and I will have to do some work there, maybe go with EBC or Hawk to improve response. Engine is pretty smooth for V6, transmission is seamless.
Final verdict is: Thank God it has JBL with subwoofer otherwise I would fall asleep driving it, but we need vehicle like that. I will just have to be patient maybe a year until I find good E90 335i.
