New SUV?

Q

quicksilver1122

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What would you guys suggest for a new SUV? We're looking for somthing around the 35k range, slightly more or less. It needs to seat at least 7. So far, we're thinking of looking at the Volvo XC90, Merc M, Lexus RX330, BMW X3. I don't believe the X3 seats 7 though.

What SUV's do you guys suggest? This would be an everyday driver too, not just performance.

And yes, this is in continuation of my family's attempt to buy a Van, but we're thinking a new SUV may work too.
 
If you want a Van... and performace, get the new Nissan Quest. Its the quickest out of Honda and Toyota. I heard it run around low 15s and actually dyno around 260hp instead of the rated 240.

I would rather take a SUV then a Van but thats just me. The new Honda Oddessey in 2005 will have a face lift.

Out of those SUV My choice would have to be in this order.

MB M
BMW X3 *6 speed :D*
Lexus RX330
Volvo XC90

All great suvs. If van is concern The Quest would be my choice.

Also great suggestion are Acura MDX and Honda Pilot.

I love the MDX its a great car and i would choose it over both the MB and BMW but thats just IMO.
 
Another thing to remember is that even though some of these SUVs have room for 7, they also sacrafice cargo carrying ability to hold those 7 seats. Some of them literally have the third row right up against the rear hatch. So you might have to think bigger.

The Mercedes M-Class and Lexus RX330 certainly would have minimal cargo space, the XC90, MDX, and Pilot might be better.

What about a Chrysler Pacifica? Halfway between a minivan and SUV, and room for 7.
 
The Pacifica is a nice vanish thing. Smooth ride and damn the thing is quite on the road.

To be honest those are all basically station wagons with big tires. You wouldn't take one of those off road. Hell I don't even have a true SUV. True SUV would be something along the Hummer lines.
 
I wouldn't get a Mercedes M-class just because it's so old. It's hard to go wrong with the rest, though I agree with the above sentiments to go get a Pacifica. 👍
 
Originally posted by Sage
I wouldn't get a Mercedes M-class just because it's so old.
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I have to agree, the M Class has been around for ages, The Volvo would be different but the RX330 would be my pick (make sure you get the top of the line audio system, Kick Ass Sound!
 
The Pacifica to me isnt that good looking, IMHO its kinda ugly. But you may think otherwise. The Acura MDX rocks its so nice and luxuries. The Honda Piolt is kinda like a smaller MDX? Anyways great cars, the RX330 do look very good its pretty nice no doubt about it.

Oh yeah if you want performance in a SUV, get the Infinti FX45 its so fast around high 14s for a SUV amazing car. the Porsche is alittle more faster but i think thats the only SUV that can beat the FX45 as far as i know of.


Spec of FX45

*4.5-liter 32-valve V8 with 315 hp and 329 lb-ft torque
*Standard ATTESA E-TS™ AWD (All-wheel Drive)
*Standard Sports Package: includes 20" wheels, 265/50R20 all-season tires and sport tuned suspension

Base Price : 44,225

Spec of FX35

*3.5-liter 24-valve V6 with 280 hp and 270 lb-ft torque
*5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode
*Vehicle Information System with 6.3-inch LCD screen

Base Price : 34,200

Great SUV.

Ill choose it over the MDX :D
 
Hah, just save yourself the trouble and wait until Doug gets here, he'll set you straight. I'd at least say get a van.
 
anything but the Merc benz M-class and the x3..... the volvo are nice... nice and safe... like a tank (in a acedent), can i suggest the fx40 or the the honda pilot
 
Originally posted by rollazn
If you want a Van... and performace, get the new Nissan Quest. Its the quickest out of Honda and Toyota. I heard it run around low 15s and actually dyno around 260hp instead of the rated 240.

I would rather take a SUV then a Van but thats just me. The new Honda Oddessey in 2005 will have a face lift.

Out of those SUV My choice would have to be in this order.

MB M
BMW X3 *6 speed :D*
Lexus RX330
Volvo XC90

All great suvs. If van is concern The Quest would be my choice.

Also great suggestion are Acura MDX and Honda Pilot.

I love the MDX its a great car and i would choose it over both the MB and BMW but thats just IMO.
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The 2005 oddessey will be a new model.
 
SEVEN SEATS

The Lexus RX330, Infiniti FX and BMW X3/X5 do NOT seat seven, PERIOD.

Go get a Honda Pilot EX-L, Mercury Mountaineer 4.6 AWD, or Chrysler Pacifica AWD. They're some of the best SUVs ever and a perfect choice for what you're looking at.
 
Originally posted by M5Power
[...] Mercury Mountaineer 4.6 AWD
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Woah, I think that's the first time I've ever even seen the Mountaineer mentioned at GTP (or a new Mercury in a positive context).
 
I was going to suggest a Ford Explorer, but the mountaineer = explorer. How much are the Yukon Denalis? Theyre pretty good from what Ive heard, but I dont know if theyre in your price range.
 
Originally posted by Sage
Woah, I think that's the first time I've ever even seen the Mountaineer mentioned at GTP (or a new Mercury in a positive context).
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Another brilliant 'sleeper' vehicle - it's got a nice, powerful 4.6-liter V8, it's loaded with stuff, it's cheap, reliable, roomy, surprisingly luxurious and huge discounts are available. Better by far than any Grand Cherokee. Still, even with my commendation, nobody takes it seriously instead touting Envoy when it really isn't as good.

How much are the Yukon Denalis?
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$49300 is the base.
 
The RX330 doesn't seat 7? I thought it has those seats in the back that fold down and then to the side? Or am I thinking of another lexus model?

My cousin actually has a Honda Pilot and he's driven it for a few years. He's experienced problems with the car so I'm trying to avoid that car. Although I've read good reviews but I think I'm going to trust someone who's driven and owned the car for many years. Thanks though.

We havnt thought about the Murcury or the Pacifica. I'll have to look into it.

My family's been looking into buying this new family car for some time now. We thought about a van but we're starting to lean towards the SUV side after we saw some of the Vans out there. If we decide back on a van, we will most likely be purchasing a Toyota Oddessey, but the model we want is out of our price range.
 
Originally posted by quicksilver1122
The RX330 doesn't seat 7? I thought it has those seats in the back that fold down and then to the side? Or am I thinking of another lexus model?
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This happens on the LX470 and GX470, both of which are well out of your price range.

My cousin actually has a Honda Pilot and he's driven it for a few years. He's experienced problems with the car so I'm trying to avoid that car. Although I've read good reviews but I think I'm going to trust someone who's driven and owned the car for many years. Thanks though.
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It's a great car, and probably one of Honda's most reliable. I've never heard of anybody who's had trouble with one, which figures as waiting lists are huge - back in New York, a friend ordered one in the summer, was promised delivery in November, and is still waiting. It's in demand for a reason - and notice Honda's strenuous ad campaign. ;)

We havnt thought about the Murcury or the Pacifica. I'll have to look into it.
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You'd be well-advised; I'd recommend the Mercury over the Chrysler, though the best trim of the Mercury is slightly outside your price range yet well worth the trip if you can afford it.

we will most likely be purchasing a Toyota Oddessey, but the model we want is out of our price range.
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Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna.

Neither are as good as the Nissan Quest. Though the Honda's close.
 
Oh sorry. I knew that sounds wrong. Yeah, we were highly considering the Quest too.

Yeah, the Mercury get's a little too pricey when it comes down to some of the better packages. BUt I guess this is true for most cars. The pacifica sacrifices passanger number for comfort. But besides that, it looks apealing. Some of the options actually look pretty good. I'll have to look into it somemore.

Where do you go to look up and compare cars? I use to go to kellybluebooks.com which is actually a really good site, but Ive been experiencing problems with it. My browser closes by itself whenever I try to view some parts of the site. But it offers a lot of information and comparisons. I would recomend it.
 
Originally posted by quicksilver1122

Where do you go to look up and compare cars? I use to go to kellybluebooks.com which is actually a really good site, but Ive been experiencing problems with it. My browser closes by itself whenever I try to view some parts of the site. But it offers a lot of information and comparisons. I would recomend it.
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I don't have an Internet source - I'm on 56K, and it would take way too long to go through all sorts of webpages looking for stuff.

I like the infinity QX56, well from what I've seen of it. What's the MSRP?
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Its Nissan twin, the Pathfinder Armada, starts at $33300. It's pretty big, though, and hasn't got the standard stuff of the Pacifica AWD or nice Mountaineers.

Yeah, the Mercury get's a little too pricey when it comes down to some of the better packages.
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I recommend at your price range the Mountaineer Luxury V8 AWD - $35800 can probably be negotiated to about $34700. A 6-CD player is $495 extra, and a power sunroof is $850 extra. This version has leather with heated front seats, driver seat and pedal memory, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt and climate and radio controls, all-wheel drive, a compass with an outside temperature indicator, automatic headlights, an alarm, heated power mirrors, a power driver seat, and a 239bhp 4.6L V8 which does 0-60 in about 8.4 seconds yet still gets 17mpg. It's too bad more people don't consider it.
 
Originally posted by M5Power
It's too bad more people don't consider it.
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The fact that it isn't generally viewed as very attractive might have something to do with it.
 
Actually, for once, I agree, the Mercury is a really nice car. A friend of mine had one, probably an older model, but it was still quite nice. It was relatively good looking, roomy inside, and had nice fit, finish, and a good feature set.
 
The older Mountaineers certainly don't look bad, especially since the differences between it and the Explorer were extremely minor.

But the current generation of Mountaineers just doesn't float my boat.
 
Originally posted by The359
The fact that it isn't generally viewed as very attractive might have something to do with it.
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People who make style the defining factor in purchasing a car should be shot. Why do I care their opinion? Hell, why do I care what it looks like when it's better than the competition?
 
I don't recall saying it was the defining factor, but it certainly is a factor.

Not only that, but the Mountaineer may not be exactly what people are looking for. It may have all the performance numbers and goodies and stuff like that, but if someone doesn't care about that stuff...then how can you really define it as "better then the competition"?

Opinions of all vehicles are subjective...
 
:irked: None... we don't need and more damn SUVs on the road... pretend we live in london or something, they don't have any there.

Nick:cheers:
 
Originally posted by The359

Not only that, but the Mountaineer may not be exactly what people are looking for. It may have all the performance numbers and goodies and stuff like that, but if someone doesn't care about that stuff...then how can you really define it as "better then the competition"?
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What else is it supposed to have? It's bigger inside, cheaper, quicker, and more efficient; it has more standard power and more standard spec than competitors. Given that this is about every single category of SUV comparison I can think of, if someone "doesn't care about that stuff" then what do they care about? Probably brand name or styling, in which case I don't care about them.
 
The guy said he merely wants an SUV to seat at least 7 as a daily driver without a need for performance for his family. So 1) Engine size and power doesn't matter. 2) It's rather cramped inside a Mountaineer when it's full in comparison to other vehicles. Heck, he might want the captain's chairs of the Pacifica or some of the other vehicles out there. 3) The fact that he was originally looking for a minivan, and might still want minivan-like attributes, or a minivan itself. 4) He might just not like the look of the Mountaineer.

Just because someone doesn't pick your ideal vehicle doesn't mean they don't know what they're doing. You don't even really pay attention to what the guy asked for. :rolleyes:
 
Originally posted by The359
So 1) Engine size and power doesn't matter.
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Cool. It's an added bonus. :)

2) It's rather cramped inside a Mountaineer when it's full in comparison to other vehicles.
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The Mountaineer is on the high side in both passenger and cargo room in its class. It's just about spot-on with the Pacifica, too. Good thing you didn't name any "other vehicles."

3) The fact that he was originally looking for a minivan, and might still want minivan-like attributes, or a minivan itself.
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Oh, right, you're pushing the Pacifica. Fine, I don't care. It's a good car. I like it too. I think the Mountaineer's better, but you can't go wrong in either vehicle unless you get a two-wheel drive.

4) He might just not like the look of the Mountaineer.
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Maybe not. So what? He didn't reject it. You did.

Just because someone doesn't pick your ideal vehicle doesn't mean they don't know what they're doing. You don't even really pay attention to what the guy asked for. :rolleyes:
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What are you talking about? The only person rejecting my picks is you - and poorly - and that seems to be because of some misguided personal vendetta you've got against me. To be fair, though, I don't care at all. You are correct in that I didn't pay attention to what he asked for. His exact words were this:

"We're looking for somthing around the 35k range, slightly more or less. It needs to seat at least 7."

I recommended the Mercury Mountaineer and Chrysler Pacifica, which are both around the $35k range and both seat seven, his only criteria.
 

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