Reccomend your new SUV to me please :)

[laney]

Hi,

Anyone purchase a new SUV (midsize) lately? Would you reccomend it? What model, brand?

We are just starting to look and DH is interested in an SUV. We have seen the Lexus hybrid, the infinity crossover (FX), and today the Volvo XC90.

Anyone seen the redesigned MB -M-series?

Thanks in advance!

 

[hfollett]

I have an Acura MDX that I love, love, love.

 

[MissAva]

I cannot say enough good things about the Lexus RX. Why I love my Lexus
The new Mercedes are made just up the road from me in AL, I dont care for them too loud when your drive over about 50mph.

You might find this helpful.

 

[Sundial]

I have a 2006 Lexus GX470 that I would highly recommend. It is a little bigger, a little taller, and has a bigger engine than my previous Lexus RX330, but still considered midsize. Both are terrific vehicles and our family has had tremendous luck with Lexus products!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 1/14/2006 2:32:32 PM
Author:laney
Hi,

Anyone purchase a new SUV (midsize) lately? Would you reccomend it? What model, brand?

We are just starting to look and DH is interested in an SUV. We have seen the Lexus hybrid, the infinity crossover (FX), and today the Volvo XC90.

Anyone seen the redesigned MB -M-series?

Thanks in advance!

never hear anything good about those M series.i wouldn''t buy a German car made in the U.S.

 

[crafftygrrl]

My MDX is close to 5 years old with close to 109,000 miles on it and still going strong.

That being said, for my next car, I''d really like a hybrid. So when the time comes, I will seriously look into the Lexus RX 400. I think that''s the one that''s like the RX 300, but a hybrid. The only drawback is that it starts at $50,000.00 and there''s a waiting list.

 

[mingagreen]

I know its not a midsize but I HIGHLY recomend a Toyota Landcruiser. I absolutely love mine, it is the best vehicle we have owned, my FIL borrowed it to drive to Chicago and is now looking for one of his own! Not only are they well made the hold their resale value.
Have fun car shopping, I always loved gettin a new car!

 

[hoorray]

Date: 1/14/2006 2:54:08 PM
Author: hfollett
I have an Acura MDX that I love, love, love.

Me too. The Acura is great -- NO complaints. That said, we will look at the bigger Lexus hybrid next time. My old Lexus SC400 is the best car we have ever owned, and the best deal network we have ever dealt with, and we''ve had a good variety of high end cars over the years. I like our Acura better than the RX 300 or whatever the model number for the mid size lexus is. I think it''s mostly because my husband accusses me of carrying my household goods back and forth between our two homes and the Acura has more space.

We also considered the Toyota Highlander. My sister has one, and it is a really good car. We just got a better deal relatively speaking on our Acura.

 

[diamondlil]

My care is not new anymore, but I love my Lexus RX300. I had a really hard time deciding between the Lexus RX and the Acura MDX. I liked the size of the MDX much better, but it did ride a little *truckier* and the dealership was not as accommodating (read *butt kissing*), so I decided on the Lexus instead.

I''d love a hybrid Lexus RX, but the pricetag is steep for the little better gas mileage you get. It would take a heck of a long time to break even on that one. Not sure it''s worth it IMO.

 

[laney]

Wow, a lot more acuras than expected. We really didn''t even think to look at them. In fact, I think one of our friends have one - I''ll have to hitch a ride and see..

Another friend has the Lexus hybrid. She loves it. It is very nice inside - and surpisingly has a lot of pick-up! DH and I just don''t like the shape so much. I haven''t been in the larger lexus yet.

DH has his eyes set on the Volvo XC90. We went to see that too - anyone have it/ or know anyone? Do they like it?

Thanks for all the responses!!

 

[tanuki]

Let me chime in with another vote for the MDX.
I have a 2004 Acura MDX (which I bought new) and am very satisfied with it.
I have over 30,000 miles on it.
Mid size but with a third row seating that you can use when you ride with your friends and kids.

 

[monarch64]

I wanted the Acura MDX last fall when we were SUV shopping, but hubby and I decided on a Chevy Trailblazer instead--we got way more bang for our buck, especially since we waited until this past September to get a 2005 model. It has every gadget and option you could get, i.e. leather heated seats, navigation system, DVD player, etc. I love it, and since I only drive about .6 of a mile to work everyday, gas mileage is not a major concern. I had been driving a Toyota Corolla for the last 6 years, and when I drove the Trailblazer for the first few times, I felt like I was going to tip over every time I made a turn! Now I just careen around corners like there''s no tomorrow!

Just kidding!

 

[BrownEyes]

I ADORE my Volvo XC90 ...

Being a smaller person, I like the size and feel of it - when driving I feel like I''m sitting high but not too high.

It handles beautifully in all weather conditions, has a great turning radius for pulling into tight spaces, and gets great gas mileage.

PLUS, it''s sporty and fun to drive.

Sorry if I sound like a commercial for Volvo

but I REALLY love this SUV!

 

[ecf8503]

Toyota Highlander Limited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dee Jay]

Another vote for the Lexus RX330. Comfortable for both myself and my husband (we''re a foot different in height), great safety features, and plenty of room to haul things around. The hybrid wasn''t out when we bought so I don''t know that much about it, but our next vehicle is either going to be another of the same or the hybrid version.

 

[sslkrissi]

Hello,
I just got a new hummer h3. I absolutely adore it. The price was reasonable and the car is beautiful inside and out. The H3 is definately geared towards women more than men and is perfect for women with children b/c of the dvds in the back of the headrests. And the gas mileage isn't really as bad as everyone thinks.

 

[qtiekiki]

Date: 1/15/2006 4:34:44 PM
Author: tanuki
Let me chime in with another vote for the MDX.
I have a 2004 Acura MDX (which I bought new) and am very satisfied with it.
I have over 30,000 miles on it.
Mid size but with a third row seating that you can use when you ride with your friends and kids.

Would an adult fit in the third row seating at all??

 

[monarch64]

SDL, I actually prefer cloth to leather hands down! We bought at year end though, so there were not a lot of choices for us to choose from. Living in Chicago, though, I have to say that heated seats feature works out quite well! I dread the summer months now--the interior and exterior are both black!

Thank goodness we park it in the garage, but I do not look forward to days when I park it uncovered at work or at the grocery store or mall! I may have to go completely dorkish and drape a beach towel over the driver''s seat! LOL!

 

[1sophia]

We have a 2005 Infinity FX 45 and absolutely love it. We looked at Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, etc. and the best bang for the buck in luxury SUV was the FX 45. We got it fully loaded and with Infinity''s special financing through Costco Auto pricing it was a great deal. Just know that with any SUV they drive very truck like even with the crossovers, they don''t feel as smooth as a car. You can reduce cost with an FX 35 (6 cy) and it looks the same but without the V8 pick up.

 

[lisaC]

I also drive an MDX. Wow there are a lot of MDX owners on this forum! Then again I miss the V8 of the Grand Cherokee I drove before esp. when getting onto the freeway.
Mine is as old as craftygirl''s but I only have 40,000 miles if that. Thank goodness it seats 7 as we''re now a family of 5. The 3rd row is best for kids or short adults who are 5''3"ish (like me).
Lisa

 

[orangevixen]

I''m with brown eyes...definitely look into the Volvo XC90

 

[laney]

oooh someone tell me more about this Costco pricing??

Otherwise I''m thinking carsdirect. I''m really too impatient for the dealer experience (did it once, then did CARMAX no haggle MUCH better). But where can I find more about that.. going to search now!

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 1/15/2006 6:05:57 PM
Author: ecf8503
Toyota Highlander Limited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wholeheartedly second this.

I really really really really wanted an Acura MDX.....until I drove one. It handled more like a pick-up truck to me, and I felt the dash layout was inconvenient when driving (i.e. climate control out of easy driver reach).

I''ve been immensely happy with the Highlander, and even my husband (who''s not an SUV freak) loves it.

 

[diamondlil]

Date: 1/15/2006 9:32:25 PM
Author: qtiekiki

Date: 1/15/2006 4:34:44 PM
Author: tanuki
Let me chime in with another vote for the MDX.
I have a 2004 Acura MDX (which I bought new) and am very satisfied with it.
I have over 30,000 miles on it.
Mid size but with a third row seating that you can use when you ride with your friends and kids.

Would an adult fit in the third row seating at all??

As far as third-tow seats go, the MDX was the best I''ve ever sat in. I was comfortable, but I''m only 5''4". It would not be good for someone who is tall, but generally third-row seats barely seat kids comfortably, so the MDX was a step above, IMO.

 

[jennyann2]

we love our Pacifica, with the optional 3rd row seating. we''ve fit many adults in the 3rd row as well as hauled all sorts of stuff. it''s been a real life saver.

 

[Strawdermangrl]

One of my friends has the Volvo and she loves it. She works in the oil industry and is always haulling clients around, really nice ride and volvos you just can''t go wrong!!

 

[codex57]

What are you looking for? Preferences? Features that are important to you? Price range? Garage limitations?

Personally, we''re likely going to get an RX330 (or whatever the engine is at that time) when we replace our Camry. It''s super comfy, good pickup, gas mileage isn''t super horrible, should be reliable, and looks good IMO.

As for the hybrid version, take a good long look at the gas mileage differences btw the hybrid and regular one. If you do a lot of highway, the gas mileage is almost the same. Don''t expect to get anywhere close to the EPA mileage for the city. Various news articles have pointed out that owners aren''t getting anywhere close. If you do a ton of city traffic, it''ll still be a nice bump up. If you do a lot of highway, you won''t get much benefit from the hybrid tech. The price increase and hassle of the wait list might not be worth it.

 

[laney]

Hi codex.

Yep, we''ve analyzed the hybrid options. First and foremost we don''t like the shape of the option from Lexus right now. We wanted a luxury or "near" vehicle. Second, I have also read that the performance right now regarding mileage isn''t that impressive. I''ve read that in the US market - they focused on engine performance over the gas milage when tuning hybrid engines for the cars. Oh well.

Our range is pretty much open. All the options suggested so far fit our budget. We are not in Range Rover territory (even the new sport..well maybe)**my Dad works for Land Rover..

Our mix of considered vehicles (lexus, infiniti, volvo, bmw, volkswagon,mercedes) all fit into about a low 40K to high 50K range, at least that is what I''m seeing.

No Garage! So no limitations.. (ahh, that''s a better way to think of it right?).

Features - we have two large Great Danes that must, at certain points be in the car with us. So we need flat fold seats.

4wD or AWD

We travel and like to listen to CD books - must have CD 6 dash changer.

Navigation system - we have a portable one now, would like one in the car.

Heated seats are a must for me!

We like an upgraded cabin from my current car. Leather, wood trim, nice amenities.

That''s our very vague criteria!

Oh - and DH would not like to drive a house around (so my infiniti "armada" got nixed)

 

[bar01]

I have been searching for a midsize SUV too. I looked at the Highlander - even rented one for a long holiday weekend from Hertz, but I did not find it comfortable on real long drives (over 5 hours). Also there have been numerous complaints on the web about the V6 transmission (hesitation problems) in the highlander (and Lexus RX cousin). I did not experience this with my rental though.

This led me to look at the Acura MDX and its Cousin the Honda Pilot. I drove both and liked them a great deal. However, for the few extra minor features I could not justify the MDX’s $8,000 cost premium over a loaded Pilot. Not to mention the MDX’s need for premium gas these days.

So I am leaning towards a loaded Pilot and will probably buy one in the next few weeks.

Many people have mentioned the Costco program and for $45 bucks I might just get a year membership and try it. If it doesn’t work I still can buy discount bulk toilet paper for a year!

 

[icefisher]

Midsize no but I''ll put in a plug for the ol'' Chevy Suburban. Takes suitcase after suitcase loaded upright, and still has room for more. Honestly I feel like I should wear earmuffs & a jumpsuit when I pack it for a long trip, like the guy who (literally) throws your luggage into the belly of the 727.

Ride''s nice; the interior''s boring GM utilitarian but when I want art I''ll go to the museum (or SMTR).

Plus in buying it I helped some men & women in Wisconsin who I''ll never meet put food on their tables, not the be-all & end-all for me but not a little thing either.

As for midsize, a friend recently bought a Buick Rendezvous and raves about it. She''s in Phoenix so it must at least have fine a/c.