Buying a new SUV. Opinions please :-)

[olouie]

My family has decided to trade in our Audi A6 and get an SUV.

So far we are considering the Cayenne S, Land Rover LR3, Infiniti FX45, Lexus RX330, and Mercedes ML500.

Now if it was up to me I would buy the Rover becuase I love how it looks and its traditional truck look / ability, however we are primarily getting this for my mother (who is around 50-ish) and wants a small - mid size, easy to drive SUV. She doesnt drive that much because she lives out of the country most of the time, but still would drive it for most of the summer and random other times during the year.

Also going up to the snow in Lake Tahoe (CA) for skiiing etc would happen a few times a year, nothing major.

Anyone have any opinions on the cars or any other recommendations? thanks

 

[n0cmonkey]

Don't do it, there's enough of the damned things out there already.

 

[olouie]

yeah i know, but since it wont be driven much i take comfort in the fact that at least it wont eat up gas as if it were my daily commuter car.

plus for mom's / parents getting older they like the higher driving postion and view

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: olouie
My family has decided to trade in our Audi A6 and get an SUV.

So far we are considering the Cayenne S, Land Rover LR3, Infiniti FX45, Lexus RX330, and Mercedes M500.

Now if it was up to me I would buy the Rover becuase I love how it looks and its traditional truck look / ability, however we are primarily getting this for my mother (who is around 50-ish) and wants a small - mid size, easy to drive SUV. She doesnt drive that much because she lives out of the country most of the time, but still would drive it for most of the summer and random other times during the year.

Also going up to the snow in Lake Tahoe (CA) for skiiing etc would happen a few times a year, nothing major.

Anyone have any opinions on the cars or any other recommendations? thanks

Landrover: Pain in the ass to access rear seating, small trunk, small engine, very low to the ground.
Cayenne S: Crappy in the snow, crappy interior
Infiniti FX45: Ugly as sin
RX330: Waste of money, it's not even a real suv.
ML500: Voted worst car on the road by Top Gear, and they REALLY really suck.

Look at the X5, 4.8i if you're looking for an SUV that can haul ass.

 

[virtueixi]

You can't go wrong with any of those.

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: virtueixi
You can't go wrong with any of those.

You can really go wrong with the ML500.

 

[olouie]

LR3 does not have small engine and it def is not low to the ground .... but yeah its rear seats sux and reliabilty is always crappy on those.

bmw was ruled out due to bad experiences of almost everyone we know who has the X5 with both reliability and dealer service in the area.

 

[olouie]

yeah i heard the ML500 is horrible, but for some reason its toping my mom's wish list. gotta talk her out of that

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: olouie
yeah i know, but since it wont be driven much i take comfort in the fact that at least it wont eat up gas as if it were my daily commuter car.

plus for mom's / parents getting older they like the higher driving postion and view

ford 500 was designed for you. end of thread.

 

[olouie]

Originally posted by: acemcmac

Originally posted by: olouie
yeah i know, but since it wont be driven much i take comfort in the fact that at least it wont eat up gas as if it were my daily commuter car.

plus for mom's / parents getting older they like the higher driving postion and view

ford 500 was designed for you. end of thread.

not even close. ford 500 = crap

 

[jammur21]

What does she drive currently?

My grandma just got a Toyota highlander. Its their first Japanese car and first SUV, she loves it. RX330 is the same platform. RX330h (hybrid) should be out in a few months.

 

[olouie]

Currently drives a 2001 Audi A6 Quattro

 

[Ryan]

The Lexus RX Hybrid

 

[tbates757]

Give the BMW x5 consideration.

 

[cressida]

BMW X5

 

[olouie]

do you guys own the X5? if so how is the reliability and build quality?

 

[SuperTool]

Cayenne S

 

[imported_Mike]

Trade in your old A6 with the ugly ass for one of the new A6s that look seXay.

 

[imported_amx]

Uhm x5 is ok. I would look at the L3 as your mentioned. Cayenne S is always on the wanted list.

 

[ajayjuneja]

Audi A6 avant

get the wagon, it rocks!