SUV Options

[FA-18C]

A byproduct of age is a much clearer perspective on value, and how hard it is to part with earned $$s when replacing a car. I inherited my wife's Highlander when we put her into a Venza hybrid robot car - she loves it and it does everything we need. The Highlander XLE is a perfectly cable and boring AWD, 2015 just over 100K miles. I like it, but it IS kinda of boring. I am number one on the list and was offered a 1st Edition Land Cruiser Friday - for $82K. While I can afford that, I an at the point in my life where I am not sure I will enjoy it for the price. So I since Friday, I have been torturing myself looking at 2019-2020 Cayenne Base models, 2017 Cayenne Turbo and GTS, and keep getting sucked into 2010 GTS models. I know each have their quirks. Also comparing to the Mercedes 2018 GLE350 to stay clear of the newer 4 cylinder models...

Decision GRIDLOCK. Thoughts from the brain trust?

[Seahawk]

CFIT.

Pull up and buy the Land Cruiser....new or used. If you have children, they will be delighted when they get it 30 years from now.

I was at the local Weis Grocery Store yesterday in the 80 and a guy and his daughter, Zara, stop me in the parking lot and we do the LC dance...he had a 2001 LC in black, Beautiful.

Turns out he is an F-18 driver (so many jet guys, so little time) at Pax and is also a paddle boarder, which I want to learn how to do. When the weather turns, I get some time on the board.

I have owned a Venza and a Highlander...this exchange would have would have never happened. Ever.

[FA-18C]

Damn you and your logic. I feel like a raccoon distracted by shiny baubles. Main struggle is the 4-cylinder engine I think.

[wildthing]

If it were me, I'd get a second or third gen Cayenne Turbo with a tow hitch. I'd settle for a second gen S or GTS with a tow hitch as well.

Only because I want to feel a livelier response when pushing the pedal.

If I want a bit more serious overland adventurer, I'd get the LC...

If I want a status symbol, I'd get a G wagen or maybe a Range Rover...

[Steve Carlton]

Thought about an EV?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by FA-18C

Damn you and your logic. I feel like a raccoon distracted by shiny baubles. Main struggle is the 4-cylinder engine I think.

4Cyl highlander?

Ugh, we bought the missus a vehicle back about 3-4 years ago. Based on recommendations here, we test drove a highlander. Neither the missus or I liked it, I'm sure for different reasons. But like you said, super snoozy, to say the least.

Maybe a 6cyl version would be better.

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

CFIT.

Pull up and buy the Land Cruiser....new or used. If you have children, they will be delighted when they get it 30 years from now.
.

I don’t see the new J250 becoming as coveted as the LCs we all know and love (60s-300s), and at $82 that’s a hard pass for me. I would explore looking for a minty 100 or 200 series and save yourself $30k.

[911boost]

I just went and looked at 2021 LC's for sale on Autotrader and about barfed. $90K plus for them, hell that is $20K more than I paid for my Heritage Edition new.

$82K for a 4cyl new one would be a hard pass for me too. I thought they were supposed to be cheaper and going back to their roots? Maybe that is why all the older ones are sky rocketing in price. Was there an ADM on top of the cost to get it to $82K I heard Porsche is adding a $300K ADM on the new 911 ST. FFFFFF that.

Based on Shawn's threads I'd look at a GTS as well. You only live once, while not being careless with my $, based on recent things happening with friends health and my own, I am definitely living more in the now.

Bill

[hcoles]

Originally Posted by FA-18C

A byproduct of age is a much clearer perspective on value, and how hard it is to part with earned $$s when replacing a car. I inherited my wife's Highlander when we put her into a Venza hybrid robot car - she loves it and it does everything we need. The Highlander XLE is a perfectly cable and boring AWD, 2015 just over 100K miles. I like it, but it IS kinda of boring. I am number one on the list and was offered a 1st Edition Land Cruiser Friday - for $82K. While I can afford that, I an at the point in my life where I am not sure I will enjoy it for the price. So I since Friday, I have been torturing myself looking at 2019-2020 Cayenne Base models, 2017 Cayenne Turbo and GTS, and keep getting sucked into 2010 GTS models. I know each have their quirks. Also comparing to the Mercedes 2018 GLE350 to stay clear of the newer 4 cylinder models...

Decision GRIDLOCK. Thoughts from the brain trust?

2015 Highlander is a good year and will last as long as you keep maintaining it. I would keep it for two more years and then get the new LC. Let Toyota get the "bugs" out.

[Gus Berges]

I get the age/value comment, as well as being able to afford something, but not necessarily choosing the most expensive option.

Nothing costs more than depreciation, thus a new vehicle, for me, is out of the question. I chose a SUV due to road conditions down here. Did not need a 7 passenger version. Wanted something that was a tad nicer than Korean/Japanese. Wanted gas power (no hybrid or diesels) only.

Ended up getting a 2013 Cayenne GTS. Really enjoying the truck, but if I had found a Turbo in similar condition as this GTS is, would have perhaps opted for the Turbo instead, but no regrets on the GTS. The 958 Cayenne models (2011 and up) are vastly superior (reliability, MPG and comfort, not rock climbing) over the 957 series (2006-2010) models.

Runner up was a 2014 Land Rover Ranger Rover Autobiography with the V8 supercharged engine. Still want one of those, but at the time, it was, still is, not worth twice the price that what I paid for my GTS. Most will think that I am nuts for suggesting a Land Rover product, but like all brands, some models/engines are better than others....

[FA-18C]

Steve our HL is the V6 XLE perfect daily. A great car… and yet. Struggle is the 4 cyl in the new LC.

Drove a 200 series today and an LX570…too big, less usable space and heavy. Love the V8 GTS… $$$$$

I will have to bide my time.

[otto_kretschmer]

How about joining a 4wd club and getting a Rubicon?

If you're just going to drive on the street, who cares? To me its like going to the grocery store and deciding which white bread to buy. Should I buy Pilsbury white bread, or Holsum white bread or Wonder bread white bread?

My SUV is a 2003 GMC Yukon XL 4wd. It tows, it hauls people, it hauls stuff from Home Despot, it doesn't stand out if I want to go diving in Mexico with a couple friends and all our gear. Its not exciting. Its really not a SUV, but a UV. If I want sport I have my 76 911 and my 59 Austin Healey.

[stealthn]

My choice would be a 2018 GTS, or Bronco Raptor 😂

[911boost]

My 200 doesn’t feel heavy, but I did go from an F350 as my primary daily when I wasn’t on a motorcycle or in the 911, so I guess I just do not notice. It is so quiet and smooth and capable on and off the road it doesn’t bother me.

[WPOZZZ]

I love my SUVs because I can haul all my tools/parts inside without having to worry about it getting stolen. I also use it to haul rubbish to the dump. That is what my X3 is for. OTOH, I have an Alfa Stelvio for fun, lots of fun!

Might I suggest looking at a Stelvio? At least drive one. If you want power, a used QV can be about $40k, and 500hp.

[look 171]

You want an SUV or another sports car would be my question to you? Sure those Cayennes are nice, fast, and hang corners well but too nice for SUV duty IMO. Still, I love to have my LC back. This time, I will keep them nice and clean.

[NYNick]

Take a look at the new Lexus GX. It's a LC in Lexus trim, but with a 6 cylinder not a 4. Every bit as capable, more bells and whistles, Lexus cachet and value and may be the same price or close. Downside is the MPG.

I'm a LC fan and a FJ62 owner, but at $80K I'll pass on a new one.

[Gus Berges]

LC/LX and smaller Prado/GX are all over the place down here and there must be a reason for it (reliability), but it all depends on what letter of SUV (Sports or Utility) you are most into.

Find it odd that on one hand the OP states "I can afford that" (referring to a $82K vehicle), but later says that "Love the V8 GTS… $$$$$" (referring to a ±$25-$35K vehicle with relatively little depreciation left in it).

Another SUV with a heavy focus on sports and not as unreliable as its other siblings (which are known to be somewhat unreliable, but again, have to do quite a bit of research to know which are problematic and which are not) is the 2015-2018 BMW F85 X5M. It's quite a bit softer than the Cayenne, quite a bit bigger inside, but still hauls you know what... A fair comparison would be to a Cayenne Turbo S. They are not that much more money than a Cayenne that has a couple of years more on it than the BMW...

[FA-18C]

Gus - to clarify, I am at a point in my life where I am fortunate to be able to afford the Land Cruiser, just struggling with do I want to. Not sure that I will get a satisfaction return on the front end. As a long term Toyota and Porsche owner, the Toyotas are kind of like my iMac desk tops. I have 2 2009 models and they work all the time. My MS based PCs are in constant updates and have conflict issues non-stop. The comment on GTS or Turbo Cayenne is more about the potential for loose pin grenade-level repairs. To summarize, I covet the bullet-proof LC, but am not an off road guy - I live on the coast. This will likely come down to which comes first, my allocation for a 1958 LC (first in line at the dealership), or stumbling across a 2018 Turbo shiny beast that hauls ass.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Having put 30K miles on a 2010 GTS just recently hitting 160K, it's an easy decision. If you want something of a Sports Truck with a little more emphasis on the truck part, get a low mileage '10 GTS. There's one local with 60K I think, owner wants $29K, it's virtually perfect. But plenty of these are out there. If you want something more refined, less truck and even more sport, I would go with a later GTS.

The '10 GTS requires you to do your own repairs and maintenance unless you have a reasonable independent or don't mind burning cash. It has been reliable but things do go. I changed the starter motor, water pump, thermostat, belt and tensioner in one day. Easy jobs, best quality parts were inexpensive. I have no qualms with any vehicle needing them at 150K but I have a feeling a Lexus would never need them. Note that the water pump was fine and could have been reused but the thermostat was stuck, didn't make sense to put the old part back on. New rotors direct from Brembo were cheaper than for a Honda Accord.

I would check on reliability for later Cayennes because those would be very expensive to have repaired.

The GTS is the ultimate if I could only have one car, car. I have driven to Colorado with a trailer to bring back a MK1 Scirocco, easy trip, refreshed stepping out there and back, and have towed 6500 lb easily. It is crazy fun on exit ramps in sport mode, with PSM turned off, it's quicker and handles better than any 6000 lb vehicle has a right to be, make sure you have excellent summer sport tires. GTS-only seats are the best I've ever sat in. You will want to own stock in Exxon Mobil.