Musical cars!

Through an unusual (well, not that unusual) set of circumstances, not the least of which is that we simply love changing them up approximately every 3 years (typical manufacturer warranty period if you get my drift), 2010 seems to be the year to refresh every vehicle.

First this , turned into this . 

Now we've just ordered this , to replace this . 

And shortly we will order this to replace this .

That second one is a 2011 BMW X6 M.  Yes, a 555 hp SUV (or SAV in BWM speak).  Uses the same twin-turbo V-8 that will be found in the new (2012) M5.  It is the first M-series car to have a turbo *and* AWD.  It is as fast 0-60 as the previous generation M3 and that is saying a lot for a 5,200 lb. car.  There is not a single reviewer that said they didn't enjoy driving the car.  There were a few that said "why bother?".  I say "because it's fast and totally different".  The looks have had to grow on me over time, but I have come to find it very cool looking, especially in person.  Pictures don't do it justice.

The third is a 2011 Maserati GranTurismo S with its 433 hp Ferrari 4.7-liter direct-inject V-8.  Why you say replace one for the other.   Hello...3-year warranty.   Still not comfortable owning a Maserati beyond it's warranty period, though this time around it has been virtually free of repair.  Our first one was in the shop at least once every other month.   But our current Maserati has been missing some of the car creature comforts that we have come to expect from our driving experience (bluetooth, iPod adapter, Sat radio) which makes it difficult to be a daily driver.  Come on, the Italians had a cow when Americans wanted cup holders.   Maserati finally has pulled their head out and given the newer versions everything else we want.  The new one also has the bigger engine and faster transmission gear changes.  This one is Michael's configuration: Nero Carbonio (dark gray metallic) exterior, Nero interior with Giallo (yellow) contrast stitching and break calipers.

Can I just say before you start judging my carbon footprint that in our (admittedly weak) defense, we don't drive the cars much.  All cars together didn't drive more than 8,000 miles last year.  Also, I never said I was a full-time "greenie" :)