2011 BMW 740i

Pros: Extremely comfortable, feels smaller when driving, a luxury car that you can own even when you're in your 30's, wide array of gadgets even in standard trim, every option makes it even more special

Cons: Lack of the diesel engines in 7 series in U.S. market

Summary: First and foremost, I can't understand everyones fascination of ultra powerful V8 or V12's in U.S. market with such rediculous speed limits. Yes, 750, 760 and -my favourite- B7 are great cars to drive on the autobahn but even the 730d has more than enough umph to get you in trouble for speeding in the states. Please keep in mind that these cars -even 740i- are limited to 150mph in their factory setting and that's amost triple of the most speed limits.

So why 740i? Well, if you don't have real issues with the size of your, umm, feet; this engine is perfect for everyday use, even on highways. The only logical reason that I can think of a need for a V8 on 7 series is the X drive system, which is -let's face it- a must for most of the northern states during winter.

Once you pass this size complex that has already been explained by Dr. Freud around a century ago, you start to see this beast in it's best suit - comfort cruising. This is a cruiser, not a sports car or a collectors item. The seats are ten times more comfortable than any of the furniture you might have back at your home and they're flexible enough to adjust themselves in a million combinations which make even the gold medal winning gymnist turn green with envy. Standard leather upholstry deserves five stars and opting for more is really unnecessary -though I'd do so just to be sure that I spend all the money that's been saved from ordering a smaller engine. And this car is about that, order a smaller engine and with that money, BMW offers you a great toy store in order to take the same amount from you anyways.

With that extra, I'd definately go for the premium sound system, drive assist systems and connectivity options. But the most important one would be the night vision system with pedestrian detection. Whether you're driving at night on unlit country roads or cruising in the city, that's a great safety feature you should have. And especially for the city, a couple of thousand is not that much when you think of the settlement fee that you'll pay for running on a pedestrian in the city with a 7 series!

Backseats are -as they should be- works of art as well but I guess buying a car this good and using it with a driver is like marrying a supermodel and watch her with other guys each and everynight while claiming "it looks better from that angle and you don't have to do that much work". This is -although it's not a V8 or V12- still a great driver's car.

The only better option against 740 would be a 730d with X drive, afterall, I'm not the one who put 60mph speed limits and expect people to drive for hours between cities -don't blame me!