OT: Help choose an SUV

[thomschoon]

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

[4to8m8]

Have you considered the Volvo?

[stomachmonkey]

Tahoe,

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



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

[Randy Webb]

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.

[84porsche]

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.

[david914]

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

[1973911s]

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

Michael

[aschen]

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.

[Yellowbird RS]

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

[nostatic]

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.

[88911coupe]

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.

[GenX Porsche]

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

[Hugh R]

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.

[Overpaid Slacker]

Scion xB.

JP

[DavidI]

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

[nostatic]

Originally posted by Overpaid Slacker
Scion xB.

JP

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.

[lateapex911]

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.

[Overpaid Slacker]

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

[rcwaldo]

Did you ever think about the BMW X3?

Curious..

Chris

[nostatic]

Originally posted by Overpaid Slacker
You can't tow a goldfish, downhill, but you'll look phat.

yo yo yo

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

SEMA scares me.