OT: Help choose an SUV
 

My wife is going to buy an SUV for some ungodly reason, which one would you spend your money on? Only rule is it should be around $45k so it limits the field, and she likes MBZ's but that is another problem.

thanks

Have you considered the Volvo?

Tahoe,

Only uses 8 qt's of oil AND gets better mileage than the 911.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1092193253.jpg

Best SUV I've owned so far.

Nice thing about American iron, if I need a motor for it I can pick one up at the supermarket.

Whatever you get if they offer On-Star take it. It's definatley worth it.

Scott

THe quality on the MB one is aweful - worse than a Ford Exploder - I had one and got rid of it.

If I HAD to get one now it would be the VW. But I'd wait and get the Lexus hybrid SUV later this year. If gas goes to $5.00/gal you could be in a world of hurt otherwise. ANd it just might - surely within 3-4 years there is a big chance of it.

The VW Touraeg is not a bad choice. The major difference between that and the Cayenne is the suspension set-up I believe, well and the price and the badges. I am not a big fan of the Benz just because of the price. The bad thing with VW is you don't get the extra service level which you pay for in MB, and Porsche. Are you considering used (certified pre-owned)? Also take a look at an BMW X5 or X3. The X5 (1 to 2 years old) maybe a lease return with low-mileage might be something to consider.

Just don't get a Land Rover whatever you do. Ask anyone that owns one.

Get the Denali XL, we love ours and prices are cheap.

Michael

Why dont you talk her into a forester XT (turbo). It will waste most Suvs in acceleration and handeling (not tt cayenne of cours). It has the best crash test ratings of ANY small SUV. It is sensibly sized. Best of all it will cost you about 34k if you tack on every single extra you can think of.

VW Toureg V10 TDI w/Premium Plus V10 Package for only $64,814

the new subaru outback XT. 250hp, lots of room, and NOT an suv.

If she has to get an suv, the Infiniti fx35 is a pretty fun ride. But not particularly spacious.

Dad has a Suburban and loves it. Many in our company have Tahoes, Denalis, etc due to GM status. My wife's also in the market for an SUV but wants Acura MDX or X5...refuses to look at GM products...
Personally, I'd love a Cayenne but way too pricey.

I have found out recently that this women have an obsession about SUV's. Maybe they are compensating for something. I have convinced my wife, who really wants a SUV, to go with the Subaru Outback XT Limited. They can out accelerate 04 Boxster, 04 X5, 04 Audi allroad. They have better ground clearance than the Ford Explorer. I have driven one, without a salesman in the car, and they are awesome. Also you will only shell out 30K. It might be a hard one to get your wife into one but if you can I think she will love it.
David

Toyota Highlander, has the running gear of a Lexus RX 330 at 2/3rds the cost. Dead reliable. And not a huge vehicle. My brother-in-law is north american QA manager for Toyota in Torrance, CA and he says that the new ones will go 1/2 million miles. Also Toyota/Lexus is coming out with a hybrid at the end of the year that will get 40+ mpg and is as fast and reliable as the gas burners.

Scion xB. :D

JP

I think it depends on the purpose of the beast. Is it going to be used to hauling around the kids to soccer? Grocery shopping? Looking cool? Towing a trailer or boat?

I think the purpose would help make the decision.

For towing, I would buy American. For all else, I would weigh the options.

Good luck, David

you sick monkey.

Foo schizzle. And do you know what steer pizzle is? I just found out last week when my wife brought home a new chew toy for the dog.

Interesting conundrum.

Cayenne...at lesat the money goes to a good cause...

or....Toyota makes a sloid product..teh Sequoa is pretty nice..a Japanese Suburban.

I drive a GMC Sierra...better vehicle than I thought it would be. the SUV version is pretty good too.

But...I'd give the Toureg the most serious consideration over them all.

You can pimp the Shizznit out of an xB; just check out any of the SEMA photos. You can't tow a goldfish, downhill, but you'll look phat. 108 HP goes a long way (on a gallon of gas).

JP

Did you ever think about the BMW X3?

Curious..

Chris

yo yo yo

my beatch can swallow that goldfish. going down. word.

SEMA scares me.

I've had my LX470 over 3 years and haven't done one thing to it, except change oil and brake pads. Just add gas!(LOTS OF IT):D

i so want one of those.........so i could hack it up and stick a turbo dodge motor in the rear......it would do wheelies :D

Toyota Land Cuiser. Getting close to 200,000k. Not one drop of oil. I havin't replace ANY engine or tranny part. Just rad Hoses, and brakes. Sucks gas. 10-11 miles a gal. all wheel drive. Safe. Forget all the MBZ, and BMW. How much comfort do you really need? Leather seat? My friend's MBZ is always in the shop. It is only 3 years old. Becareful about the big American suvs. My plummer's Ford's gone through 2 trannies. 4 years old. Its for the wife, it's got to be realiable. Unless yu like to see your machanic often.

Touareg V8. Beats the competition on every front for me, and its a bargain at the price in the US compared to what they charge in Europe.

"My wife is going to buy an SUV for some ungodly reason"

What's the ungodly reason?

-MAS

There's absolutely no valid reason for getting an SUV. Particularly a "luxury" SUV. I'll withhold my venomous hatred of these vehicles beyond saying that. If you absolutely MUST have one, get a Ford Escape HYBRID. That's the only choice that approaches acceptability IMO.

Wait Mack Truck is bringing out a new line of Pickup size Trucks. Include will be a Suv type.

suvs suck. people in normal cars can't see what the he11 is going on in front of them, they do undue damage in an accident, and they are unsafe due to high Cg. They also don't protect the driver very well in an accident, contrary to popular belief.

I realize sometimes "the wife wants one" or people want to "sit up high" but it doesn't make driving an SUV any less like driving around in a big extended middle finger.

It's hard to tell what you're looking for but from the poll list it's a Euro model that goes fast. The P-car, VW, BMW, and MB are really station wagons sitting on high suspension. Yeah ok maybe not the Pcar and VW, still though I question their utility and durability beyond poser type stuff and weekly details.

For any real SUV type stuff I'd only consider the Ford Expedition. Good highway mpgs, fast, carries a ton, comfortable, and cheap to fix with loads of dealers around. Drive one for a day and you'll really start to like it. Nearly everyone I know who owns one loves it. Plus it's many many $Ks less expensive than the Euro models.

Ever concider the JeepGrand Cherokee?

The 2005 model will be available with the HEMI motor

Infiniti FX-35. 280hp. Handles like a sports car. 22-25mpg and you don't see them everywhere.

I'm in that situation now. Wife has to have one. She wants a 2003 or 2004. 12mpg and big payments.

Now the other thing is that she also wants to be a stay at home mom...so after the initial purchase I'll be making payments. Help.

Jeep. Best way to go. Very capable off-roading abilities, reliable, and plenty of HP.

GMC Yukon/Chevy tahoe--very nice rides. Fairly plush and comfortable on long drives.

Please for the love of God. DON'T BUY A F*CKING S.U.V.!!!

Have I been clear enough?

Whatchutalkin about Willis? A Ford Escape Hybrid is worthless.
My take on SUVs is that if you get one they need to have big tires, good ground clearance, big motor and towing capacity. Otherwise what is the point. If you get something with pizza cutter tires and low to the ground they are useless off road (other than driving on a dirt road or something). Without the big motor you can't tow much. If something is to drive like a truck it needs to function as a truck. I can't tow my boat with an electric car.

I also find it interesting that the enviros make a big deal about SUVs but don't say much about pickup trucks. And pickup trucks make the world go round.

No valid reason for owning an SUV? How about it's a free country and it's your money. We need to start drilling in Alaska next week.

Enviros want everyone to drive around in unsafe light cars. You can pry my heavy diesel mercedes from my cold dead hands.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/...flackwhore.gif

Tell us how you really feel.:)

I have an SUV and a pick-em-up. I must be satanSmileWavy

weight definitely does not equal safety.

http://www.cbn.co.za/motoring/pics/AVEO%20Chevrolet.jpg

Would you feel safe?

My idea of an SUV

http://rhein-zeitung.de/old/97/08/06...ws/funmog1.jpg

I beg to differ

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1092340775.jpg

The guy in the only rolled in to my side at less then 3MPH.

Damage to his truck $.50 nut that held the licence plate got countersunk, it actually looks better with the paint it scraped off my fender.


Damage to the 911 $8,700