If you had to buy an SUV, which one???

**saejin** · 08-08-2004 08:07 PM

I know this is very subjective, but given all the choices of SUV's out there what do you guys think is the best overall.

Here's how it will be used - We are moving to Colorado Springs in October; my wife, two kids (4 & 6), and me. We plan to take numerous trips to the mountains for skiing, mountain biking, sightseeing, and hiking/camping. Will probably get some white water rafting in on my own without the family. Most driving will be done on paved roads, expect snow/ice. Some off-roading will be done for camping, mountain biking, and hiking. Off-roading will proably be limited to fire/logging roads, nothing to drastic or extreme. Trips to the city will be done in our Passat, unless snow or icy roads prevail.

Here's the choices I'm looking at in no particular order.

Touareg V6 with PPII and Xenons(of course, I'm hooked on German auto engineering)
4Runner Limited V6
Volvo XC90 T5 or T6
Lexus RX330
Honda Pilot EX-L
Acura MDX
2005 Nissan Pathfiner
2005 Land Rover LR3 (Discovery replacement due in October)

Goal is to stay at or below $40,000. Land Rover may pass that price, but i'm not sure since it's not out yet. If there's an SUV out there I didnt mention that fits what I need please post it.
Please no Fords, Chevy's, or GMC's...basically anything built by the US automakers. I'm not too thrilled about there build materials, quality, and overall price/performance specs. Basically they don't impress me much. Sorry.

**VRsic** · 08-08-2004 08:16 PM

I like those new volvo's, their damn nice. I'd take the Touareg though, hands down.

**DDR2** · 08-08-2004 08:27 PM

if you don't need anything fancy, i'd go for the pilot. without knowing the full specs i'd guess it's probably the roomiest (for both passengers and cargo) of the bunch, 3 rows of seating and honda reliability. only gripe i have about it is that it's boring as hell, anyway you look at it. but if you like something a bit classier and fancier, i agree with VRsic, i'd go for the volvo.

**saejin** · 08-08-2004 08:30 PM

I like the Touareg, but so many damn bugs in this initial build. Just go to vwvortex and read all the posts in the Touareg forum, it's incredible. There have been numerous buybacks already done by VW.

I'm afraid to buy it, plus if I'm paying $40,000 for a vehicle I expect better dealer service than VW is currently offering. Hell, I paid $22,000 for my A4 and I get outstanding service to include free maintainence, Audi loaners, and more.

***Anthony*** · 08-08-2004 08:30 PM

Yup, Touareg no question.

**saejin** · 08-08-2004 08:33 PM

Drove the Pilot last week. It's not a bad vehicle, but as you say, it's boring...very boring. No life whatsoever. It's like driving a minivan and I know from personal experience. that's the problem with vehicles from Honda and Acura, they're boring. I do admit the new TL and S2000 are pretty awesome, but that's it. Maybe when the Pilot get redesigned in 3-4 years it will get some pizazz.

**saejin** · 08-08-2004 08:36 PM

I think the Land Rover LR3 will come in at about $40,000 and from the website it looks amazing. I'm sure fully loaded it will hit te $50,000 mark, but so does the Touareg.

It may come down to these two, Touareg and LR3, with Volvo a third option.

**VRsic** · 08-08-2004 08:41 PM

That Range Rover with the sports package is hot! I love those things.

**VRsic** · 08-08-2004 08:44 PM

Hahahah, just looked more into the price on those things. RS6 a-hoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**angryswede** · 08-08-2004 08:48 PM

those volvo's are sweet. i was just looking at one. they're 40'ish though sticker.
i'd get one of those.

**saejin** · 08-08-2004 09:05 PM

Here's the LR3. Ford now owns Land Rover, so I wonder how much of ford engineering is in this new Rover.

***Anthony*** · 08-08-2004 09:07 PM

Seems to be about the same size and shape as the Ford Discovery.

**saejin** · 08-08-2004 09:13 PM

Originally posted by Anthony
Seems to be about the same size and shape as the Ford Discovery.

That's a good one

It does look a lot like the Discovery as it should becasue it's the replacement vehicle for it. One more thing, when you compare the interior dash of the LR3 with the F150 it's scary...very similar in layout. I'll have to read more about it, becasue I'm thnking it's also based on the same platform as the F150. I know the engine and trans are from Jaguar, but again Ford owns Jaguar.

What's up with Ford. Since they can't build a vehicle worth a crap they have to go out and buy the companies that can. And after they buy them, they just screw them up. Look at the new X-types... they're just rebadged Ford Contours, at least the entry level models are.

**angryswede** · 08-08-2004 11:32 PM

the new fords are sick. I love my f150.

I will say though, the jaguar contour is straight crap. most of the others in teh ford group are pretty slick though.

i thought the lr3 was a big explorer size? maybe the lincold aviator or something?

**VRsic** · 08-09-2004 12:01 AM

Yeah, i've seen a couple real good looking new Fords. Makes me kinda want to own a truck again....;-)

**saejin** · 08-09-2004 04:20 AM

They're getting better, maybe I'll have to go and take a look at a few.

***RippleChip*** · 08-09-2004 06:01 AM

Love the look of the VW and Volvo utes. Haven't considered looking at any, so that's purely off of appeal.

**madrussian** · 08-09-2004 07:21 AM

Range Rover would be my first choice... it's amazing and it's unbeatable I think as far as classies pertiest SUV.

Unfortunately it comes w/ a matching price tag and few things like a 6-disc in the trunk, wtf?, that are upsetting... hard to decide wether its worth the money.

2nd would be a Touareg, simply put it's the best bang for the buck you're going to get in an SUV imo and it's phenomenal. It's german, it's got great design throughout, all the options you want and is pretty affordable.

I know when my family was looking at SUV's it was really between these two and a Cayenne... but we decided a Cayenne is useless kinda if it's not a Turbo, I also don't like that they're making a V6 so that everybody on the road can have one, it's becoming like the Boxster.

Either way though, I'd def. go w/ one of the German SUV's over Japanese, unless you plan on keeping the car for years and years on end.

**EVIL-AUDI** · 08-09-2004 07:24 AM

FX 45 for me.

**DRA4** · 08-09-2004 02:27 PM

Touareg, no doubt, until Audi comes out with the A7.

**dparnas** · 08-09-2004 02:59 PM

If you're truly trying to keep the overall sale price under $40k, go with the MDX, although under $40k means probably $39,999. That is what I bought for my wife. With the MDX you get 265 very very smooth horses. We just drove up to Tahoe this past week, car loaded down with two kids, air conditioning on, and the car was zooming up the hills. You get a third row seat that is easy to put up and down. The interior is very very roomy and you get honda reliability. The downside is poor mpg (about 17-19 generally) and Japanese styling. But, I'd go that route over a V6 Tourag (only way to keep it under $40k) or even a Volvo TC90. The only two cars we looked at were the TC90 and the MDX (Tourag hadn't come out yet). We wanted a mid-size SUV w/ 3rd row convertible seating. Comparably equipped, the TC90 was close to $5k more than the MDX, so unless you buy one stripped down, you're not going to find it for under $40k, and the engine on the TC90 felt underpowered compared to the MDX, comparing NA vs. Twin Turbos, because the NA engine felt powerful and smooth and the Twin Turbos had a fair amount of lag. Also, the TC90 felt far less roomy on the interior. I liked the look of the TC90 better, but function won out, along with the reliability you know you're going to get, which is particularly important when it is the wife & kids that are going to be driving it.

For under $40k, hard to beat the MDX IMHO.

**Devious27t** · 08-09-2004 03:15 PM

Originally posted by EVIL-AUDI
FX 45 for me.

i just had a throw up burp when i read that. cheapest interior evar. VOLVO owns you. XC90 for sure. OR get a V70R its close enough.... AWD wagon hope you dont need ground clearance ha....

**saejin** · 08-09-2004 03:48 PM

Since my wifes car is in the shop, my insurance is giving us a rental. Enterprise just happended to have a Nissan Pathfinder Armada, so we said what the hell and took it.

Oh my god this thing is huge!!! Way too big to drive anywhere. I can't see why people buy monster SUV's like this. The interior is cheap looking too with way too many overhead storage bins. don't know why they did that. Interior noise is very annoying, seats are very unsupportive, and overall it just feels slapped together. The only thing I do like is the view...it's like your driving over the top of everyone.

Just test drove a 4Runner and it's not bad. Very smooth and quiet engine for the V8. Interior looks good. Very functional and capable. The only thing is the styling, not my cup of tea.

I think we're getting close. Touareg and Volvo.

MDX seems overpriced too me, especially when the Honda Pilot is the same thing just wrapped differently. Pilot cost thousands less too.

**quicksilver_S** · 08-09-2004 04:08 PM

Nissan Murano SE... heard its nice

**saejin** · 08-09-2004 04:28 PM

Originally posted by quicksilver_S
Nissan Murano SE... heard its nice

NOOOooooooooo.......

For some reason all the Nissan interiors look cheap to me...don't know why. I've test driven the Murano, Titan, and the Armada...none looks like they're worth the money.

**dparnas** · 08-09-2004 04:48 PM

Originally posted by saejin
MDX seems overpriced too me, especially when the Honda Pilot is the same thing just wrapped differently. Pilot cost thousands less too. [/B]

Not being defensive here, just sharing some info. When we bought the MDX, we compared to the Pilot. At the time, a year ago, Honda was marking up the Pilots, Acura was not marking up the MDXs. So, a fully loaded Pilot was mid to high 30's while a fully loaded MDX was about 40-41. Less than a $5k difference at best. At the time in the 2003 model year, MDX had heated seats & sun roof (which the Pilot did not have), and 265 HP vs. 240 for the Pilot. And, the interior of the MDX was much nicer and we liked the exterior better too. At the time, it was a no brainer. We got a fully loaded MDX w/ DVD for about exactly $40k w/ 2.9% financing. The TC90 was just out and Volvo was marking them up, plus they were having mechanical problems and the other issues I already mentioned. A comparably equipped one would have cost us about $45k at the time. Again, a no brainer since we liked the way the MDX drove better anyway. Can't speak for what the 2004 model options are and what the pricing is today.

**saejin** · 08-09-2004 05:01 PM

dparnas - We liked the MDX too, until we saw the Pilot. The 2004 models are very similar in options now, except the Pilot still does not have a sunroof. I think that changes in 2005. Honda is no longer marking up the Pilots and in fact you can get one now for about MSRP or below. It's not the extreme discounts that VW or Toyota is giving out, but Honda never does that anyway...another thing that erks me about Honda/Acura. Honda/Acura dealer are snobs...they think their cars are the best and will seldom sell below MSRP.
Anyway I just couldn't see paying another $4-5k just for the Acura nameplate given the options were the same. Although the MDX exterior is nice, I actually prefer the Pilot interior.

Well, I'm getting closer now...it's turning out to be a matter of money right now. I need to stay at or below $450/month before taxes. Only two SUV's in my initial list hit this mark, the Touareg and 4Runner. Both cars are selling about $500 above invoice plus add their rebates and the numbers work out to be about the same. Everyting else is in the $500/month range. I'm sure the Pilot would come in around $400, but it's a pretty boring SUV.

**audidood** · 08-09-2004 05:02 PM

i'd go with the touareg as well. but if you need A LOT of space, you might have to go for a full size SUV

**saejin** · 08-09-2004 05:03 PM

When I say $450/month, I'm talking a 48 month / 12,000mi lease with no money down.

Given the two choices, I'm probably going with the Touareg. I can jump up to the V8 for another $30/month, so I might do that.

**saejin** · 08-09-2004 05:04 PM

Originally posted by audidood
i'd go with the touareg as well. but if you need A LOT of space, you might have to go for a full size SUV

I have a Nissan Pathfinder Armada in my driveway right now as a loaner. It's a full size SUV and it's way TOO BIG. I can't even park this thing in my garage. Don't know why people need a vehicle this big.

**Hooligan** · 08-10-2004 07:05 AM

My wife has the MDX, plenty of power and room inside plus it has great fuel economy. My second choice was the 4Runner limited since the dealers were willing to negotiate, but the wife and I preferred the MDX overall.

**EVIL-AUDI** · 08-10-2004 07:24 AM

Originally posted by DVS18t
i just had a throw up burp when i read that. cheapest interior evar. VOLVO owns you. XC90 for sure. OR get a V70R its close enough.... AWD wagon hope you dont need ground clearance ha....

That's the exact reason why they make so many different vehicles. Cause not every jerk likes the same thing.

I like the hideousness of it.

Volvos are simply boring

**OOOO** · 08-10-2004 08:57 AM

dont forget the bmw x5, which will outhandle even the toureg and cayenne. :)

**quattroanillos5** · 08-10-2004 01:03 PM

go with the land rover...... no question

**Hutash** · 08-11-2004 05:10 PM

I void avoid the toureg until the recalls are done. Way too many problems still.

I seem to be in the minority here, but I would look a the 4runner. If you are going to get as SUV get something useful. All these cross overs are worthless IMO. I am still a Land cruiser fan, but they are way too expensive, and too fancy. I would want something I can put my muddy boots in.

**Live2Ski** · 08-12-2004 05:12 AM

Daimler is going to start selling (fairly soon I think) a Diesel version of the Liberty. That would be your way to go as far as mileage is concerned. And I also think in about a year they are going to start selling a Grand Cherokee with the Hemi in it!!! Those would be my choices. As you can tell Im a Mopar man!! But if I had to choose one from your list it would be the new Land Rover. I only consider SUV's that have proven offroad capabilities, everything else is just a large car.

**angryswede** · 08-12-2004 02:01 PM

I just saw a pic of the new land rover in wallpaper. it pretty much crushes all the other choices hands down.

Originally posted by quattroanillos5
go with the land rover...... no question

**angryswede** · 08-12-2004 02:02 PM

then it kicks sand in their face once they are down.

**angryswede** · 08-12-2004 02:02 PM

and spits on therm

**saejin** · 08-12-2004 03:22 PM

Base price on the LR3 is going to be $44,999 and it will include air suspension, etc

Top of the line LR3 will be $49,995 and it will add navigation and some other stuff.

Looks like a direct competitor to the Touareg with air suspension.

Also there will be only one choice for the engine, it will be a 4.4 liter V8 sourced from Jaguar, not ford.

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