Adam R 
2006 BMW 5 Series Sedan 550i 4dr Sedan (4.8L 8cyl 6M)
I feel like Ari Gold in this car
 I'm a husband, father, and project manager who traverses all over the metro area from site-to-site, often handling business over the phone in my car.  Shortly before our first baby was born, I searched for a car with the following critera: rear-wheel drive, V8 engine, and room for a car seat.  At under $20k, that limited my options to a Dodge Charger, Pontiac G8, Mercedes E500.  I didn't even test drive the other three.  The 550i hit the lot and I took it for one drive and it checked every box I needed (except no fold-down rear seat--damn you original owner ;).      PERFORMANCE: 5 Stars.  This care is ridiculously fast.  My daily commute averages between 80 and 100 mph, and it completely capable at these speeds.  It has the best brakes I've ever felt in a car.  You stomp on the pedals and they bring all 4,000 pounds to a quick stop.  The active anti-roll bars and active steering are a must for enthusiast driving--do not buy this car without these.    However, there is a bit of "play" in the throttle pedal, about a quarter press before I get a response.  This is somewhat annoying when rounding a slow corner and trying to throttle out of it--I have to depress the pedal while still turning the corner.    COMFORT: 4 Stars.  The seats could be better.  I slide around a bit too much on fast corners, and can't quite get the lumbar in the right position on my back.  Also, the steering wheel tilt needs a little more motion--I draw it all the way out and all the way down and still need more.  With the windows up, the cabin is very quiet.  However with the windows down, for some reason I get an unusual amount of wind blowing from outside into the cabin and at my face--way more than any other car.  Because of this I just can't cruise at high speed with the windows down.  INTERIOR: 5 stars.  The trunk fits my golf clubs AND a stroller.  The instrumentation, logic & controls are all very intuitive and in the right place.  I think the cupholders are a marvelous innovation--high up and out of the way of your shifting, and can be tucked away when not in use.  However, the sunroof glass rattles when closed.  TECHNOLOGY: 5 stars.  If you can't figure out iDrive after a week of use, you have problems.  After learning it and getting used to control everything with my hand down at my side, I can't stand driving cars that require me to lift my hand up to the dash to press a button--that's how good this is.  I already spoke to the driving technology but they deserve another mention: active sway bars & active steering are simply amazing marvels.  This car is ten years old and STILL ahead of its time.  Bluetooth is very basic.  Forget the voice commands.  I use Siri to make my calls.  But once the call is made, the connection is crystal clear even at 100mph.  Like my title says: I handle business all over town feeling like Ari Gold in this car ;)  RELIABILITY: 4 stars.  No major drivetrain components failed.  However my central Nav computer broke, shutting down all audio, iDrive, navigation, etc.  This was a $1,200 fix.  Also my trunk release button (on the trunk) stopped working, but I can still open it with the button in the cabin or the key fob.  Little things.  It DOES burn about a quart of oil every month, but the iDrive is very good at letting me know when to top it off.  I do all oil & filter changes by hand in under an hour.  VALUE: 4 Stars.  Its amazing how cheap you can buy these cars for, and they have more features and better performance than brand new $30,000 sedans.  MPG is very low: 13 city, 17 highway.  I don't care though because every mile puts a smile on my face!