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Buying a new car.

greygray

greygray

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 22, 2009
1,848
1
Hey guys, yet another 'help me choose a car' thread.. But I need help with regards to buying a new SUV. I am currently driving a Range Rover Sport 3.0 Tdv6 HSE, and I'm planning to have an upgrade to either a BMW X5, Range Rover, Audi Q7, Escalade or a Mercedes GL. I have a family of 3 kids and I frequently fetch my elderly parents around too. I don't mind SUVs with a sporty edge but they must have enough space for 7 and some groceries..

Suggestions? Thanks in advance!
 
Get a Marauder otherwise you're just playing about:
 

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Please no Escalade! Those things are god-awful, IMO.

As a young male I'd rank them as follows aesthetic wise:

1. BMW X5
2. Range Rover
3. Audi Q7 (too many curves)
4. Mercedes GL (reminds me of a Toyota Highlander)

Have you test driven any of them yet, OP? And I assume you're buying new?
 
Abyssgh0st said:
Please no Escalade! Those things are god-awful, IMO.

As a young male I'd rank them as follows aesthetic wise:

1. BMW X5
2. Range Rover
3. Audi Q7 (too many curves)
4. Mercedes GL (reminds me of a Toyota Highlander)

Have you test driven any of them yet, OP? And I assume you're buying new?
Click to expand...

Yes, I've test-driven the RR and the X5 and yes, I'm buying new. Hmm, the X5 is the best handling vehicle of the list above, while the RR offers the best comfort levels, space and practicality for a family SUV so far IMO. I've yet to test the Q7 and GP, though I certainly can't bring the family in a Q7 for off-road stints, as it isn't built for that based on most reviews.. Is the Escalade really that bad? :p I've been reading reviews about it too and I guess I'll give that option a skip...
 
Abyssgh0st said:
Please no Escalade! Those things are god-awful, IMO.

As a young male I'd rank them as follows aesthetic wise:

1. BMW X5
2. Range Rover
3. Audi Q7 (too many curves)
4. Mercedes GL (reminds me of a Toyota Highlander)

Have you test driven any of them yet, OP? And I assume you're buying new?
Click to expand...

Completely agree.

Have you thought about the Lexus SUV yet? I forgot the name, but it looks similar to a highlander (Which isn't necessarily a bad thing), and it has seating room for 7.

I'd also go with the X5, but I don't know if you could fit 7 in there. Maybe 5 comfortably. 6-7 would have to go into the trunk area, and I have no idea if the X5 has 'seats' in the trunk.
 
fireshot91 said:
Completely agree.

Have you thought about the Lexus SUV yet? I forgot the name, but it looks similar to a highlander (Which isn't necessarily a bad thing), and it has seating room for 7.

I'd also go with the X5, but I don't know if you could fit 7 in there. Maybe 5 comfortably. 6-7 would have to go into the trunk area, and I have no idea if the X5 has 'seats' in the trunk.
Click to expand...

There is a 3rd row option (2 smaller seats) in the X5 for something around $1,700.
 
fireshot91 said:
Completely agree.

Have you thought about the Lexus SUV yet? I forgot the name, but it looks similar to a highlander (Which isn't necessarily a bad thing), and it has seating room for 7.

I'd also go with the X5, but I don't know if you could fit 7 in there. Maybe 5 comfortably. 6-7 would have to go into the trunk area, and I have no idea if the X5 has 'seats' in the trunk.
Click to expand...

The X5 has the 7-seater option, though the trunk would be totally cramped out by then, leaving no space for groceries.. Do you mean the Lexus RX? Or the model that looks like a Toyota Prado Land Cruiser?
 
Escalades are lovely vehicles, but they're terribly expensive (at least for my budget!)

I have a Ford Expedition. Seats seven comfortably and still has room in the back for groceries. I don't know how sporty it is, though. I know it's bigger than most of the models you listed, but I average around 17.5-18.0 mpg overall.
 
greygray said:
The X5 has the 7-seater option, though the trunk would be totally cramped out by then, leaving no space for groceries.. Do you mean the Lexus RX? Or the model that looks like a Toyota Prado Land Cruiser?
Click to expand...

Oh okay, I didn't know that the X5 had 7-seater capabilities. But again, the X5 isn't exactly the biggest SUV, so it would be an extremely tight fit.


I mean the GX. Or the LX if you can afford that. But I don't know what type of budget you're on.
 
Abyssgh0st said:
Please no Escalade! Those things are god-awful, IMO.
Click to expand...
And also in the opinion of Consumer Reports. They ranked it the worst value for the money.

greygray said:
Is the Escalade really that bad? :p I've been reading reviews about it too and I guess I'll give that option a skip...
Click to expand...
Yeah, afraid so. Good choice.

Surely said:
Well, if you don't want to buy an Escalade, you could always steal one.

escalade-tops-list-highest-theft-rate
Click to expand...
Just another stupid criminal story. ;)

Tomorrow said:
Escalades are lovely vehicles,
Click to expand...
Looks isn't everything when it comes to automobiles.
 
Gregg2 said:
Looks isn't everything when it comes to automobiles.
Click to expand...

I don't only mean looks, although I think Escalades are quite beautiful aesthetically. I'm talking about interior comfort, amenities, the comfort of the ride, roominess, utility, etc. The biggest (and only, IMO) drawback to them is that they're VERY expensive. My SUV (in my opinion) comes close to an Escalade in all of these areas, but cost me about half as much.
 
Cadillac CTS-V Wagon (Corvette disguised as a family car). Just strap the last two people on the roof. ;)
 
Tomorrow said:
The biggest (and only, IMO) drawback to them [Escalade] is that they're VERY expensive.
Click to expand...

Consumer Reports:
Lowest overall road test score in its class
Second worst reliability rating they give out (one notch below average - it's a sliding scale)
"Lows: Braking, handling, fuel economy, high step-in, tiny third row seat, reliability" (or lack thereof)

rovex said:
Why no Jeep? Too cheap? ;)
Click to expand...
CR says "Too unreliable..."
Patriot - average
Compass average
Liberty - 1 below average
Grand Cherokee not rated in 2011
Wrangler - 1 below average
 
Last edited:
i'd go for something not mentioned here if i had to transport 7-8 people and still need some bootspace leftover and IF it had to be a SUV ...

Chevrolet Suburban

chevrolet_suburban.jpg



or a

Lincoln Navigator

lincoln_navigator.jpg





ok if i had to transport lots of people and groceries for them all i would never even choose a SUV and go for MPV like a Volkswagen transporter shuttle , LWB plenty of space for 8 with luggage space to get them all in holiday too , far more practical then a SUV, more economical , and more flexible too when it comes to the inside layout

shuttle_8_swb.jpg


and thats how it can look like (thats the SWB model the LWB is longer like pictured above)
2011-mr-car-design-volkswagen-transporter-front-side-view.jpg



4 motion optional, that means 4x4 as i know you americans have no tarmac on your roads
Tarmac is a type of road surface:D
 
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MacHamster68 said:
i'd go for something not mentioned here if i had to transport 7-8 people and still need some bootspace leftover

Chevrolet Suburban

or a

Lincoln Navigator
Click to expand...

Suburban - average reliability
Navigator - 1 notch above average

We're getting somewhere.

Best reliability in that class: Ford Flex


Yeah, I know that there's more to the choice than predicted reliability...
 
Its funny, I think both BMW SUVs are SUPER chickish. I'd put the Audi at the top of the list, its very nice probably has some of he best technology and other amenities of those on your list.
 
International CXT, of course. That way you don't even need to look at the great unwashed as you squish them into pulp. And the height of the cab keeps you out of the stench as well.

International_cxt_Black.333164704.jpg
 
Gregg2 said:
And also in the opinion of Consumer Reports. They ranked it the worst value for the money.
Click to expand...

Although I doubt CR took into account the fact that you can get a ridiculous amount of money off of the list price. You could walk in there with three shirt buttons and a rubber band and they'd contemplate the offer. And that's no diss on the Escalade, there just aren't that many people in the market for one right now.


Out of your choices, I'd have to go with the RR. I've always been a fan and the interior is first-rate. The only drawback, and it is a drawback, is the reliability. If you can live with that, and some can, I think it's your best choice by far. If you want something luxurious that can also haul around a lot of stuff, I'd take a look at the Lexus LX. This thing is a beast. My mom had a Land Cruiser (which the LX is based on) a while ago and it was a great car even though the brakes would constantly have to be replaced because of the mass they were trying to slow.

http://www.lexus.com/models/LX/index.html

So, RR or the LX in my book.
 
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Own an Escalade and it is awesome IMO. However I wouldn't suggest it in this case, especially after looking at your list.

After getting back from the local BMW today (taking deliver of a 3 series later this week) I would suggest the X5. If you really want have some fun get the M. I just love the vehicle.

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/vehicles/2012/x5/xDrive35iSportActivity/compare/default.aspx

And I was going to add: At ~ $40,000 more than any of the other vehicles I would avoid a Range Rover.
 
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