Need a new Daily Driver SUV

[BeyGon]

Used Cayenne? I have been looking at them, is there something wrong with them? V8 not Turbo.

[vlocci]

Dean,

I considered the same, but the little I've read indicates these are expensive vehicles to keep on the road and in top shape. A few conversations with colleagues who own them seem to confirm the same. Everyone I spoke to loved them while they were on the road, but mentioned several trips back to the dealer for little things that never seem to be right.

There are a few known issues like coolant pipes and cardan shaft failures that are very typical and not inexpensive to fix in a vehicle that is not under warranty.

In the end, I decided to take a pass. This is my daily driver and I rack up alot of miles a year so something simple and reliable is what I'm after (even if this comes at the expense of being boring).

Vin

[gr8fl4porsche]

I just went through the same decision as you. I drove the Buick Enclave but did not like the V-6 engine or the chocolate colored dash.

I ended up going with the Yukon Denali.
Gas mileage is around 14 to 15. A little better on the highway, but not by much.

I love the truck. Just pulled a small trailer 1600 miles and it did great at 11.5 mpg

Doesn't meet your budget though. Paid around 55,000.

[vlocci]

Awesome to hear another first hand datapoint.

I really liked the Sequoia I drove yesterday and there are quite a few used trucks with low miles in my area that are the right price. They seem to hold their value very well which comes as no surprise given the Toyota name.

Not too muck luck on the Armada as there are very few to be found around here. What I see looks nice so I'll continue to hunt one down but expect to have little negotiating power due to the limited supply.

This said, I'm leaning Tahoe/Yukon simply due to availability and willingness to negotiate. Some cursory conversations with dealers indicate I'm in a well equipped 2012 with super low miles or a stripper new 2013 for 40K or thereabouts.

I liked the Suburban even more, as it ate up expansion joints and rode like my favorite armchair, but the thing is HUGE and I live in a parallel parking universe.

Off to the dealers this weekend to see what kind of deal can be struck.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions

Vin

[yazhound]

I have an 04 Sequoia with 160k. Great vehicle. Only real prob was the brake throw sensor which cannot itself be replaced but is within the booster, and its pricey. Handles well, and very comfortable. Parallel parking is a snap. Ex had a brand new 06 Tahoe, numerous problems and she sold it. It handled well, and was comfortable, and I have pulled a trailor loaded with a PCar without a problem. That said, the driver seat got cracks in the leather withing two years; steering column knocked and GM sold a kit to fix but no warranty action, power locks would nut up.... just too much too soon to keep the thing.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by vlocci

.....This said, I'm leaning Tahoe/Yukon simply due to availability and willingness to negotiate. Some cursory conversations with dealers indicate I'm in a well equipped 2012 with super low miles or a stripper new 2013 for 40K or thereabouts....

If you own another brand ask the dealer about a competitive brand discount.

I know they exist, my neighbor who works for Cadillac/GM has told me my Mazda qualifies even though I already have a Chevy.

Just not sure how you get the discount.

[onewhippedpuppy]

This is the last year of the current Armada, I suspect that there are good deals to be had. You should be able to get new, or very close to new, for $40k. I looked at them in the $35k range before we bought our truck, all of the options were low mileage 2012 models.

[flipper35]

How about the new Durango?