Which SUV to get?
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Which SUV to get?
Been thinking of buy my gf an SUV and considering between the ML500 series, BMW X5 series, or the MDX. Now given the MDX is a little lower in price, the luxury and performance is similar to the lower trim levels of the ML and BMW. I have about 50k (CAD) lying around and can finance the rest, which would you get and why?
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My g/f looked at all of those but ended up with a LT Trailbalzer ...Personally I like the Acura because of the look and features, but tis your cash, get what YOU like ...
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Rep Power: 0 depends on how much u gonna spend, but i think the pilot looks pretty good and price is also good for the options, but its your $$$ get what u like[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]
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Depends if you want to use it as a truck (ie.. the sport utility part) or if you want a jacked up car. If you're going to beat on it and use it with a purpose, get one that is built on a truck frame (Explorer, Blazer, Durango,etc....) most of the American ones ride on truck frames. If your definition of off roading is a gravel parking lot, the car based ones (CR-V, RX300, etc...) or the "SAV" type (X-5, M-class, etc...). So think about what you want to use it for. The trucks are not going to ride like a car, and a car is not going to work like a truck.[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/IMG]
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Rep Power: 0 have you conidered a Land Rover? I recently purchased the new Discovery, and so far I am very pleased and satisfied with its performance and the service they give me at the dealers.
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Rep Power: 0 i really belive that the Acura MDX is the BEST looking SUV on the market today!!!
if i had the cash i would get it in a second!! Black with 22in chrome rims...DROOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!
if i had the cash i would get it in a second!! Black with 22in chrome rims...DROOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!
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Rep Power: 0 Hrm.. well i'm not into offroading and not into all that mud and happy stuff, but really for a family you know.. storage and plent of space for kids and good for long road trips. So the 'built like a truck' thing isn't really important, as long as the quality is good and it's spacey and very comfortable. I did consider a landrover but that's pretty pricey too. I like the designs of the MDX, BWM and ML series. I'll be going out to testdrive each of these 3 before making a desicision. I'll also stop by and check out the landrover, pilot and the infinity one. Thanx for the replys.
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Rep Power: 319 The best thing to do is go and look at as many SUV's as you can. Test drive them not just take them out for a "Sunday Drive" I mean really test drive them. After you have test driven a SUV write down what in your opinion are the pros and cons of it. This will help you deside wich one will suit you the best.
If you are asking for opinions on which one to test drive I'll have to say go and test drive the Envoy. I really like the looks of it, the power and how it handles. This again is just my opinion and you shouldn't let any opinion of anybody influence you on what you want to look at or buy; because at the end you're going to be the one buying it and your opinion is the only one that counts.
Hope it helps.
If you are asking for opinions on which one to test drive I'll have to say go and test drive the Envoy. I really like the looks of it, the power and how it handles. This again is just my opinion and you shouldn't let any opinion of anybody influence you on what you want to look at or buy; because at the end you're going to be the one buying it and your opinion is the only one that counts.
Hope it helps.
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Rep Power: 0 Well, if space and family-type issues are the ones you are facing, I'd say the MDX or the Pilot - but obviously I'd lean towards the Pilot..... [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG] There are only a few differences between the 2, and if you can live without them and go for the Pilot with leather and the DVD system, you'll be getting a GREAT SUV for about $ 4- 5k less.
Just my (predjudiced) $.02
EDIT: Plus, the CAD Pilots have a few additonal goodies US ones don't - like heated seats and mirrors..... Not sure about the 'X, though. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/IMG]
Just my (predjudiced) $.02
EDIT: Plus, the CAD Pilots have a few additonal goodies US ones don't - like heated seats and mirrors..... Not sure about the 'X, though. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/IMG]
I noticed you said girlfriend. Do you have kids yet? Are you planning on having kids before getting married? If you are waiting to have kids until you are married, lets figure a time frame here...
Get Married - how long? 6months - 1 year I'm guessing if you are talking about buying her a car and kids
Kids after marriage - how many kids? I doubt you'll be wanting to make kids right after getting married...so lets say 2 years before your first kid.
Thats 3 years. By the time you have kids, your SUV will be 3 years old and sucked $$$$ out of your wallet. Why not lease a car for 3 years, perhaps even another civic. Take the extra money you would have spent on an expensive gas guzzling SUV and invest it. In 3 years, when the kids are on the way, you'll be able to get an SUV and buy it for cash (if you invest wisely).
Ask yourself...
What do I need NOW? Do you really need all that room for kids when you aren't married yet and you don't have any kids yet (I'm assuming you dont have kids yet...you could and there is nothing wrong with that, I'm just assuming here).
If I were you, I would buy her a nice little economy sedan...also remember, when a woman is pregnant, they aren't as "mobile"...does she really want to have to "jump" up into a SUV with a baby in her stomach?
Matt
Get Married - how long? 6months - 1 year I'm guessing if you are talking about buying her a car and kids
Kids after marriage - how many kids? I doubt you'll be wanting to make kids right after getting married...so lets say 2 years before your first kid.
Thats 3 years. By the time you have kids, your SUV will be 3 years old and sucked $$$$ out of your wallet. Why not lease a car for 3 years, perhaps even another civic. Take the extra money you would have spent on an expensive gas guzzling SUV and invest it. In 3 years, when the kids are on the way, you'll be able to get an SUV and buy it for cash (if you invest wisely).
Ask yourself...
What do I need NOW? Do you really need all that room for kids when you aren't married yet and you don't have any kids yet (I'm assuming you dont have kids yet...you could and there is nothing wrong with that, I'm just assuming here).
If I were you, I would buy her a nice little economy sedan...also remember, when a woman is pregnant, they aren't as "mobile"...does she really want to have to "jump" up into a SUV with a baby in her stomach?
Matt
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Rep Power: 0 This review at Edmunds.com will at least give you a decent comparison of the X5 and the MDX. Worth a quick read.
2002 Luxury Crossover Comparison Test
2002 Luxury Crossover Comparison Test
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[hr]Originally posted by: mattskav
go with the acura navi...It's just as nice and eats less fuel.
AND DON'T GET BURNED, PUT IT IN YOUR NAME!
Personally I would never EVER do that.......[hr]
[hr]Originally posted by: mattskav
go with the acura navi...It's just as nice and eats less fuel.
AND DON'T GET BURNED, PUT IT IN YOUR NAME!
Personally I would never EVER do that.......
[hr]
oh so god damn true. and make sure you do that.
the real honda enthusiast would buy the passport (I dont think I would wanna passport), but i see youve got a mazda. (Ihad a 96 protege, it was a great ride. figureing the money and the performance in all of those cars I would say that the Acura is the best. It looks better than the x5 and to top it off it drives just as good.
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[hr]Originally posted by: mattymatt
Your gonna spend $50,000 on an SUV for your girlfriend? Your insane![hr]
[hr]Originally posted by: mattymatt
Your gonna spend $50,000 on an SUV for your girlfriend? Your insane![hr]
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[hr]Originally posted by: sovereign82
I noticed you said girlfriend. Do you have kids yet? Are you planning on having kids before getting married? If you are waiting to have kids until you are married, lets figure a time frame here...
Get Married - how long? 6months - 1 year I'm guessing if you are talking about buying her a car and kids
Kids after marriage - how many kids? I doubt you'll be wanting to make kids right after getting married...so lets say 2 years before your first kid.
Thats 3 years. By the time you have kids, your SUV will be 3 years old and sucked $$$$ out of your wallet. Why not lease a car for 3 years, perhaps even another civic. Take the extra money you would have spent on an expensive gas guzzling SUV and invest it. In 3 years, when the kids are on the way, you'll be able to get an SUV and buy it for cash (if you invest wisely).
Ask yourself...
What do I need NOW? Do you really need all that room for kids when you aren't married yet and you don't have any kids yet (I'm assuming you dont have kids yet...you could and there is nothing wrong with that, I'm just assuming here).
If I were you, I would buy her a nice little economy sedan...also remember, when a woman is pregnant, they aren't as "mobile"...does she really want to have to "jump" up into a SUV with a baby in her stomach?
Matt[hr]
[hr]Originally posted by: sovereign82
I noticed you said girlfriend. Do you have kids yet? Are you planning on having kids before getting married? If you are waiting to have kids until you are married, lets figure a time frame here...
Get Married - how long? 6months - 1 year I'm guessing if you are talking about buying her a car and kids
Kids after marriage - how many kids? I doubt you'll be wanting to make kids right after getting married...so lets say 2 years before your first kid.
Thats 3 years. By the time you have kids, your SUV will be 3 years old and sucked $$$$ out of your wallet. Why not lease a car for 3 years, perhaps even another civic. Take the extra money you would have spent on an expensive gas guzzling SUV and invest it. In 3 years, when the kids are on the way, you'll be able to get an SUV and buy it for cash (if you invest wisely).
Ask yourself...
What do I need NOW? Do you really need all that room for kids when you aren't married yet and you don't have any kids yet (I'm assuming you dont have kids yet...you could and there is nothing wrong with that, I'm just assuming here).
If I were you, I would buy her a nice little economy sedan...also remember, when a woman is pregnant, they aren't as "mobile"...does she really want to have to "jump" up into a SUV with a baby in her stomach?
Matt[hr]
But we'll see i guess you're point really makes a lot of sense.
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[hr]She wants the VW cabrio tho, but it looks so crappy inside.[hr]
[hr]She wants the VW cabrio tho, but it looks so crappy inside.[hr]
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Rep Power: 0 well as for the beemer, my bro has it, and he can't wait to get rid of hit and buy the porsche suv, then my sister has the mdx, she likes it, but she fell in love with my discovery. and i was really disappointed to find out the ml mercedez is the only benz maid in america, if i remember correctly, its built in either albaquerqe or alabama. you do not have to go off roading with the discovery, most of the people i know that own one, has never gotten mud on it. i do though but that is not the point. im just sold to the idea that the land rover is the best suv on the planet.
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Rep Power: 0 If she/you are into image, then get the X5...but that will be your poorest investment ever. It looks nice and goes like he11, but it's essentially an over-engineered station wagon. My father almost bought the MDX, but decided on the Volvo since the MDX was "too car-like". I personally drive an 02 Yukon. I love it! For a vehicle this size, it's amazingly maneuverable, decent on gas (if you don't have a very heavy foot), and VERY powerful. It's everything I want and need. My GF and I travel back and forth from Maine to Florida twice a year without a single complaint from the truck. 
3 pages of posts and only 1 mention of a Hummer H2?
that thing is awesome, and it can actually go off road. my buddy's dad just got one about 3 weeks ago and i rode in it when he got it. we were cruising through a farmers field and it was riding amazing
that thing is awesome, and it can actually go off road. my buddy's dad just got one about 3 weeks ago and i rode in it when he got it. we were cruising through a farmers field and it was riding amazing
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[hr]Originally posted by: Boilermaker1
Don't worry, it's gone. Being replaced by the Beetle Cabrio next spring. The ragtop bug doesn't look all that bad either, and in Turbo form, will probably have so go-power, but it looks very tiny.[hr]
[hr]Originally posted by: Boilermaker1
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[hr]She wants the VW cabrio tho, but it looks so crappy inside.[hr]
[hr]She wants the VW cabrio tho, but it looks so crappy inside.[hr]
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From: Dallas, Texas, US
Rep Power: 0 What the hell are you thinking? How are you gonna live in a condo, drive a protege, yet buy your girl something that costs close to 40K?
Just something to think about......................Do you rent your condo? You should probably be investing in a home instead of thinking of buying a luxury SUV. It will be better for the both of you if you do end up getting married. The mortgage market is a buyer's market right now and it is the time to get in. Also, homes appreciate and cars are only guaranteed to depreciate.
If that doesn't sway you, I would vote for the Pilot. Just realize there is not much negotiating room in the sales price and you will probably pay close to sticker.
Just something to think about......................Do you rent your condo? You should probably be investing in a home instead of thinking of buying a luxury SUV. It will be better for the both of you if you do end up getting married. The mortgage market is a buyer's market right now and it is the time to get in. Also, homes appreciate and cars are only guaranteed to depreciate.
If that doesn't sway you, I would vote for the Pilot. Just realize there is not much negotiating room in the sales price and you will probably pay close to sticker.
