Cadillac SRX: Any Experiences?

[onewhippedpuppy]

With the birth of a second child, my wife and I are kicking around replacing her 2003 4Runner. It's perfectly fine for just the four of us, but my wife is the oldest of 10 kids. Why is this relevant? Because the youngest is 7, and they love to come and stay with us, several at a time. Unfortunately, with my 3 year old's car seat, and a rear facing baby seat, there's only room for one small person in the back seat. The 4Runner is a great SUV, and has been flawless, but we are thinking about something with a 3rd row seat.

Unfortunately, we don't have a ton of cash to spare. Buying a house will do that to you. The 4Runner is a V6, sport, 4wd, 65k, excellent condition, and book private party is roughly $21k. Looking at SUVs with 3rd row seats that aren't total boats, the SRX is one of the few that shows up used in our price range.

They've gotten rave reviews since new, have decent power, sporty handling (for an SUV), great quality (for America), and are decent to look at. So, any downside to these? Obviously there's the typical American car depreciation, but that's why we can afford one in the first place. The only other real option I've seen in the low 20s is the Honda Pilot, but they tend to have more miles, less options, and are far less sporty.

[kaisen]

Look at a Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, or Buick Enclave. Best in class no question. Better than SRX even. I'm partial to the Enclave. Leasing a new one might be a better 'deal' than buying a used Caddy.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally posted by kaisen
Look at a Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, or Buick Enclave. Best in class no question. Better than SRX even. I'm partial to the Enclave. Leasing a new one might be a better 'deal' than buying a used Caddy.

No thanks. First of all, the 4Runner is paid for. The new one will be paid for. I've only made payments on one car, and don't plan to do so again.

Second, the above SUVs are all sumos. Massively heavy, slow, and not at all sporty. All are decent looking, I'll give GM that, but they dropped the ball when it came to their drivetrains and MPG.

Edit: really, I shouldn't blame the drivetrains. They're just too damn heavy.

[kaisen]

So you're considering a Northstar V8 version?

I understand the no payment thing. Good for you.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Yes. The MPG isn't much worse, and 320 HP sounds like fun. Plus, they make nice noises.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Honestly though, I'd probably consider a V6 as well. They do 0-60 in 7.2, still quicker than my 4Runner (7.7).

Oddly enough, on edmunds they have the Northstar highway MPG as 20. They also have the V6 4Runner highway MPG at 20, but I've gotten as high as 25.

[kaisen]

Volvo XC90? 02-up Explorer V8 with third seat? Acura MDX?

Anyway, I've driven a few SRX and they have nice moves. Some of the V8's also have Delphi magnetic shocks (think Ferrari 599GTB, or at least Vette). Interior was not gorgeous until this year.

[kaisen]

Just to clear some misconceptions, the GM Lambdas (Acadia, et al) do weigh 500 pounds more than the V6 SRX (4750 vs 4250), but have 20 more horsepower (275 vs 255), a 6speed (vs 5), and EPA hwy rated 5 mpg better (26 vs 21).

I drove an Acadia SLT2 for 4000 miles this winter and was simply impressed. I'll order a loaded Enclave for my wife when her current lease is up.

[dbrisson]

I had a cadillac escalade that was good minus the typical gm issue (waterpump, brakes and alternator). There is a decent cadillac forum and the srx people always had issues with the vehicle.

Check it out here


http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/

[the]

Originally posted by dbrisson
There is a cadillac forum l

I'm surprised there are cadillac drivers that know how to work their innernets machine.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally posted by kaisen
Volvo XC90? 02-up Explorer V8 with third seat? Acura MDX?

Anyway, I've driven a few SRX and they have nice moves. Some of the V8's also have Delphi magnetic shocks (think Ferrari 599GTB, or at least Vette). Interior was not gorgeous until this year.

XC90 is a maintenance nightmare. Explorer is crap inside and not at all sporty. MDX seems smaller (not sure), price is borderline, and my wife didn't care for the old ones.

From what I know, the V8 had the magnetic shocks. Several tests I saw had it beating out the Cayanne S, or the X4 4.4i, so it's capable.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally posted by kaisen
Just to clear some misconceptions, the GM Lambdas (Acadia, et al) do weigh 500 pounds more than the V6 SRX (4750 vs 4250), but have 20 more horsepower (275 vs 255), a 6speed (vs 5), and EPA hwy rated 5 mpg better (26 vs 21).

I drove an Acadia SLT2 for 4000 miles this winter and was simply impressed. I'll order a loaded Enclave for my wife when her current lease is up.

Sorry kaisen, that's just what I had read in the reviews. They are nicely styled, and the material quality is supposed to be a huge leap forward for GM. Sporty really doesn't seem to be their goal though.

[dd74]

Great vehicles from those I know who own them. And with the Northstar V8, the SRX is supposed to be very satisfying to drive considering it's a big crossover.

I wouldn't fool around with a V6 version. The SRX is a lot of vehicle for a six which is really better slated for the CTS (another great vehicle BTW).

[onewhippedpuppy]

I agree that the Northstar is greatly preferable, but the V6 is fairly potent. Our 240 HP V6 4Runner weighs about the same as the SRX, has a 4 speed auto, and does 0-60 in 7.7. I've never felt that it was really lacking. The SRX V6 has 260 HP, 5 speed auto, and does 0-60 in 7.2. Of course, more power is always better, especially if it's a V8.

[jshape]

I have a 2006 Cadillac SRX AWD with the Northstar V8 and the gigantic sunroof. I am very happy with the car.

The mileage I get is not that great - maybe 22 mpg on highway and about 16 around town. The V8 is nice but if I was going to get another one, I'd probably opt for the V6. I don't tow things and I really don't need the extra torque.

I had one problem with the sunroof sticking in the open position that took the dealer three days to fix. That's been it for issues over the last 25,000 miles I've had it.

Seats are very comfortable, controls are good, handling is good. Stock tires were not very agressive for snow and I mght change them before next winter.

Overall, one of the better cars I've had. Hope that helps.

[Jim Richards]

Why get an SUV? How did American families survive before the advent of minivans and SUVs?

I'd suggest a good size 4-dr sedan or station wagon. Something that gets better gas mileage than the flying bricks everyone seems to want, easier to park, better stability in inclement weather or emergency maneuvers, etc. If you like Caddy's, maybe a CTS.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Jim, I 1000% agree with you, but there are two issues:

1. Convince my wife of that. For whatever illogical reason, she believes that she should have the capability to climb Everest while towing a boat, even though she's taking our child to pre-school. If it were me (the Decider!), I would have bought a 540 touring instead of our 4Runner.

2. 3rd row seat. The only reason we are getting rid of the 4Runner is for a 3rd row seat, to haul more kiddies (see 1st post). This is one feature you can't get in a sedan, or even most wagons. I tried to sell her on a '90s Audi S6 wagon with the rear facing 3rd row, and she wasn't having it. She just didn't see the merits of the turbo 5 with rally heritage, the mod potential with an RS2 turbo kit, or the awd system with locking center diff. I can't imagine why.

[Jim Richards]

rally heritage is essential, isn't it?

[chuckr]

I have friends with the 2006 SRX and a two year old boy !
I've driven the car. WOW ! really like it, they love it, no problems
and really good dealer service, like a loaner for oil changes.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally posted by Jim Richards
rally heritage is essential, isn't it?

Mod it to over 300 HP, take the kids to school sideways. What's not to love?