X5 or MDX?

[Grog]

My wife wants a AWD vehicle. We got it narrowed down to a BMW X5 or Acura MDX. She is afraid she won’t be able to make it up our new driveway. We bought a house with some property in August and it has a ¼ mile driveway that is all gravel and dirt with 2 short hills that are a bit steep. I had to use 4wd in my truck when pulling the horse trailer full of our household goods. The truck slips a bit when empty going up this hill. I use 4wd just so I won’t dig holes in the road. Her car is front wheel drive and does ok. I’m more worried about winter time when it gets muddy and as one neighbor said after a hard rain sometimes water comes over the drive. Part of the road follows a creek. Anyway does anyone have one of these 2 vehicles and how do you like them. We haven’t test driven any yet, will this weekend. We are looking at around a 2002-4 for around $20K. I like the looks of the BMW better, but if there was something I could not fix and had to use a dealer, the nearest is 35 miles away. The Acura is larger, more room for the kids in the back seat, better MPG and can be repaired in town (parts might be cheaper also).

Let me know your experience with these or any other vehicle suggestions.
BTW I would love to have a Cayenne but the used ones are not cheap enough yet.

Thanks

[onewhippedpuppy]

If you're buying a 2000-2002, and it's for your wife, MDX all the way. While it may not be as fun to drive as the BMW, it won't give you nearly as many problems either. BMWs don't tend to age well from a maintenance standpoint, as they get older and the miles rack up, they become expensive to keep. The Acura is a good SUV, and will last forever. Plus, the Acuras come pretty much fully loaded, and also offers a 3rd row seat (if you have kids).

To make a few other suggestions, Nissan Murano, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota 4Runner. All can be had used in the newest body style for about $20k. We recently sold my wife's 2003 4Runner V6 Sport 4wd, it was absolutely flawless over 65k.

We recently purchased a 2004 Cadillac SRX V8 AWD, and have been very happy with it. 320 HP Northstar V8, it beat out the Cayanne and X5 in a Car & Driver comparison test. They can be easily found for low-$20k.

[ejames19]

2002 MDX for years now, only issue was front wheel bearings (00' to 04' seem to be the only issue) been fantastic...I like the looks of the X5 myself but with kids, and basically wifes choice, MDX you can't beat.

[Tobra]

The MDX is the equal or superior to the X-5 in every objective measurement, except in initial cost and upkeep expenses, BMW is higher there.