$55k SUV/Crossover

[rstrohkirch]

New vehicle time is around the corner. I buy/sell my vehicles every 2-3 years and this year I think I'm going to change things up. I use to get crew cab trucks because I dirt bike a lot and was it convenient for work. Had an injury a couple of years ago and I've decided to hang up the dirt bike for awhile which frees up my choices.

The issue I'm having is I'm not seeing a lot in my price range that I'm meshing with style wise. The only two vehicles I'm really digging right now are the AMG GLC43 and the Fpace. Love the looks of both and they both come close to my budget of $55,000 when optioned similarly. Looked at the Q5 and SQ5 and I'm not sure what exactly the S gets you when you option the Q5 up. Plus I don't think it looks as nice as the first two contenders.

Anyone else have suggestions. Perhaps I've missed something so it's always good for other input.

 

[jlee]

You can get a GX460 around there, but it's probably a bit too truck-ish for your preferences.

 

[Fenixgoon]

What about a Q7/Touraeg TDI? Torque for days.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Volvo XC60 R-Design or a XC90. Also, Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Recently purchased a 2015 XC60 R-Design and loving it.

 

[hans007]

The glcs interior in my opinion is much nicer than the f pace. F pace in my opinion will stand out more and isn't as common I'd imagine.

But yea can't go wrong with the Mercedes it's one classy vehicle (I am biased my c43 gets here in a month...). The sq5 is in its last year so I wouldn't get it just for that.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Get a lifted Suburu Outback

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq6FPFpDkWE

Put the extra money into the lift, really good tires, and accessories and such.

 

[rstrohkirch]

What about a Q7/Touraeg TDI? Torque for days.

Can't find a TDI option for the Q7 TDI on their website. I see the reviews say there is one but perhaps it's not released yet? The base price for the q7 tfsi isn't bad really. Comes out to $55k with a tow hitch and most of the options I'd want are already there. I assume the TDI is going to be over $60k using past numbers. I'll probably look at one of these before the end of the year as the Audi dealer is 1mi from my house.

Volvo XC60 R-Design or a XC90. Also, Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Recently purchased a 2015 XC60 R-Design and loving it.

I think I'd want to look at the r-design in person as the stuff I'm finding online leaves me neutral about it. I do see the 2018 is getting a revamp but that won't be available till around this time next year.

Get a lifted Suburu Outback

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq6FPFpDkWE

Put the extra money into the lift, really good tires, and accessories and such.

Every now and then I'll go mudding with some buddies on terrain similar to what you see in the video. It's fairly entertaining but does not even remotely compare to a dirt bike. Maybe you ride already? I just can't see spending $40k on a vehicle when I can do way way way(maybe more way) more on something that costs $4k and have more fun doing it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Porsche Macan?

I've driven the GLC and wasn't overly impressed by it but I haven't driven the AMG version. The GLE is really nice but they option up in price quickly.

I despise VW/Audi. Wouldn't recommend them personally.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You can get a GX460 around there, but it's probably a bit too truck-ish for your preferences.

They are fantastic vehicles though and they actually hold their value fairly well if you don't put a ton of miles on it.

 

[rstrohkirch]

Porsche Macan?

I've driven the GLC and wasn't overly impressed by it but I haven't driven the AMG version. The GLE is really nice but they option up in price quickly.

I despise VW/Audi. Wouldn't recommend them personally.

Not impressed overall or with something in particular? I also assume you're talking about the new version? Performance wise the AMG version adds over 100hp.

In regards to the Porsche, I did look at it but I feel like they're trying lure you in with a false price. You get almost nothing for the base price. I'm even surprised they give you wheels and tires with the car considering how they option every damn thing possible. I'm sure if you look hard enough you'll probably see the windshield as an option.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Every now and then I'll go mudding with some buddies on terrain similar to what you see in the video. It's fairly entertaining but does not even remotely compare to a dirt bike. Maybe you ride already? I just can't see spending $40k on a vehicle when I can do way way way(maybe more way) more on something that costs $4k and have more fun doing it.

I wasn't really suggesting it as an offroad vehicle, just using that video to demonstrate what I was suggesting. I'm considering doing the same. Not such a dramatic lift though.

 

[rstrohkirch]

I wasn't really suggesting it as an offroad vehicle, just using that video to demonstrate what I was suggesting. I'm considering doing the same. Not such a dramatic lift though.

Ahhh,
I thought you were providing it as an option for off roading since I mentioned dirt bikes in my OP.

 

[BurnItDwn]

55K is a lightly used Cayenne.
I think that will be the best "driver experience" for a SUV/Crossover.

I've got a boring vanilla 2nd Gen Forester, and its OK, but not exciting. an XT forester would excite me, but the Cayenne is said to handle and grip the road like a proper sports car...

The X5M supposed to be pretty impressive drivers car as well...

 

[monkeydelmagico]

BMW x3 is sharp. FPace is the best looking. Some tough 1st world choices here.

 

[iCyborg]

Porsche Macan?
I despise VW/Audi. Wouldn't recommend them personally.

Porsche is also owned by vW.

I don't like Cayenne, but Macan S is pretty nice, it handles like a coupe. Decent choice as long as you don't need many options, those start adding up real fast...

@OP
Don't expect VW/Audi diesels in US any time soon...

 

[rstrohkirch]

Macan S with hitch, heated steering wheel, heated front seats and backup cam/collision sensors is $59k. Which is about $2k more than better spec'd AMG. I think I should still test drive one but would definitely have to order it.

I don't quite understand how this even works though. Most of these vehicles I'm interested in only have 1 dealer remotely close to me. Then I'm looking at engine options/trims that they more than likely don't even have in stock. Do I just ask them to find me one to test drive even though I plan on ordering one and not purchasing from them? I'm use to walking on a lot that has dozens of the vehicle I'm looking at.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Not impressed overall or with something in particular? I also assume you're talking about the new version? Performance wise the AMG version adds over 100hp.

In regards to the Porsche, I did look at it but I feel like they're trying lure you in with a false price. You get almost nothing for the base price. I'm even surprised they give you wheels and tires with the car considering how they option every damn thing possible. I'm sure if you look hard enough you'll probably see the windshield as an option.

Yeah, it was a brand new GLC. I had one as a loaner recently. It was perfectly fine transportation but the engine is a bit buzzy and underwhelming. I'm sure the AMG G43 is much much better.

I'm not a fan of Mercedes-Benz turbo 4 bangers. They aren't very smooth nor are they very powerful. I haven't driven the new E-class but on the forums there are a lot of unhappy E-class owners complaining about the lack of power and refinement from the new E-class sedan (Mercedes dropped the V6 in favor of a turbocharged 4 cylinder in the 2017 E-class). I would describe them as adequate but that's not saying much. I've driven the C300 with the new turbo 4 and didn't like it at all and I have driven the previous V6 C-class coupe which I liked very much.

With regard to Porsche pricing, all the German cars are like that. They start at $50k but if you add stuff your average Lexus comes with as a $2-3k option like NAV and cooled seats you might as well add $10k to the price of a German car to get those features.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Porsche is also owned by vW.

I don't like Cayenne, but Macan S is pretty nice, it handles like a coupe. Decent choice as long as you don't need many options, those start adding up real fast...

@OP
Don't expect VW/Audi diesels in US any time soon...

Yet Porsche rates very highly for reliability and VW rates absolute shit. I'd never own a VW. My wife owned one and it was complete garbage.

 

[iCyborg]

Yet Porsche rates very highly for reliability and VW rates absolute shit. I'd never own a VW. My wife owned one and it was complete garbage.

Only if you take certain sources as authoritative/definite, and dismiss others. E.g.
http://www.clark.com/most-and-least-reliable-cars-consumer-reports - VW and Porsche about the same, Audi well ahead, MB well behind.
Or long-term quality index for luxury crossovers: http://longtermqualityindex.com/veh...lass/Mid-size_Luxury_Crossover/InClassQIR.png
Touareg and Cayenne about the same.
Latest consumer reports ranks Audi just below Lexus and Toyota, Porsche and MB well behind, VW *is* crap on that site though...
Car and driver ranks Audi sedans at the top almost across all categories (A4/A6/A8) etc.

Yes, it's cherry-picking, there are sites where VW and Audi really are shit, I've seen them too. But I don't accept that it's a concensus or conclusively proven.

As for experiences: my dad has a Seat Cordoba, it's a value brand from VW in Europe with lesser reputation, the car is 18 years old and my dad is still hanging on to it as he's been very satisfied with it. A colleague from work has Audi A4 from 2005, he planned to keep it for 8-10 years, but now he's thinking 12-15. Experiences vary.
But it's a fair point, you had a bad experience. E.g. I'd never buy a Corsair product after 2 bad experiences (though I generally don't bad-mouth it )

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Doesn't really matter if its reliable or not. OP buys new and keeps for 2-3 yrs.

Do I just ask them to find me one to test drive even though I plan on ordering one and not purchasing from them?

Go on manufacturers site and configure your car. They usually have a feature that allows search of local inventory. If you live out in the boonies you might have to make a day of it. Or buy a domestic....

 

[BurnItDwn]

Doesn't really matter if its reliable or not. OP buys new and keeps for 2-3 yrs.

Resale Value might be of some importance though...

 

[rstrohkirch]

I have a few in mind so now I have to make time over the next few weeks to do some test drives. I need to get on the lot and really look at some of these. Will update in a few weeks once I've narrowed stuff down. Probably won't even end up with what I want in the first place.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Resale Value might be of some importance though...

Porsches seem to hold their value reasonably well. VWs do not.

 

[ElFenix]

New vehicle time is around the corner. I buy/sell my vehicles every 2-3 years and this year I think I'm going to change things up. I use to get crew cab trucks because I dirt bike a lot and was it convenient for work. Had an injury a couple of years ago and I've decided to hang up the dirt bike for awhile which frees up my choices.

The issue I'm having is I'm not seeing a lot in my price range that I'm meshing with style wise. The only two vehicles I'm really digging right now are the AMG GLC43 and the Fpace. Love the looks of both and they both come close to my budget of $55,000 when optioned similarly. Looked at the Q5 and SQ5 and I'm not sure what exactly the S gets you when you option the Q5 up. Plus I don't think it looks as nice as the first two contenders.

Anyone else have suggestions. Perhaps I've missed something so it's always good for other input.

new Q5 debuted in paris last month, should be on sale here in the US sometime in the first half of the year. new platform, slightly bigger but 200 lbs lighter.

 

[Demo24]

Can't find a TDI option for the Q7 TDI on their website. I see the reviews say there is one but perhaps it's not released yet? The base price for the q7 tfsi isn't bad really. Comes out to $55k with a tow hitch and most of the options I'd want are already there. I assume the TDI is going to be over $60k using past numbers. I'll probably look at one of these before the end of the year as the Audi dealer is 1mi from my house.



I think I'd want to look at the r-design in person as the stuff I'm finding online leaves me neutral about it. I do see the 2018 is getting a revamp but that won't be available till around this time next year.

Audi:
- sq5 gets you that awesome turbo v6 engine that makes the sq5 seriously quick. Given how long it's been out, that is most of the reason to get one but it is quite awesome. As you've also seen the new one is a significant upgrade that hits dealerships some time in the nearish future.
- q7, because of diesel gate good luck ever funding a TDI model for sale here again. That's a shame because the v6 diesels were fantastic. Only chance at a diesel is a used last gen model, and I'm not sure an Audi dealership can even sell those. The VW one will suffer the same fate, and unfortunately has a rather poor infotainment system. Other than that they are really quite nice to ride around in.

Volvo: as you've found, no real point in going xc60 given its been out around 10 years now with not enough upgrades to keep it very competitive in its class. However, the new xc90 is out and looks really sharp. Just don't expect it to win the speed battle, but on the other hand you may not get anywhere else more comfortably.


Fpace- love this thing! Just make sure to look at it in anything other than base silver and base wheel choice, every other trim looks incredible. It also sounds wonderful as it wails down the road. This would be my first choice to go drive and probably only beaten by an xc90 if I needed more space.


Also throwing in the ring the honda pilot and it's "luxury" sibling the Acura MDX. The MDX does have the option for sh-awd, which can help it's cornering. If nothing else these two should top reliability charts.