Help me buy a new SUV
#91
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
i still say you should check out a Flex.
really quiet, great optional voice activated features, tons of room, no fuel cap, microsoft sync, etc.
http://www.fordvehicles.com/crossovers/flex/
really quiet, great optional voice activated features, tons of room, no fuel cap, microsoft sync, etc.
http://www.fordvehicles.com/crossovers/flex/
#92
FWIW, I have known XC90s to be very high maintenance. Evidently they blow through brakes almost every 10K miles and replacements are ~$1200. Computers are also somewhat prone to getting fried. My old boss was the service manager at a local Volvo dealer before he moved to Lexus and said they are probably even higher maintenance than an X5 or Touareg.
I have also seen several XC90s traded in for RXs and talked to many of the owners during the trade in/ purchase and all noted that after owning the Volvo their main reason for switching to Lexus was reliability and maintenance costs.
Just food for thought.
I have also seen several XC90s traded in for RXs and talked to many of the owners during the trade in/ purchase and all noted that after owning the Volvo their main reason for switching to Lexus was reliability and maintenance costs.
Just food for thought.
#93
Lexus Fanatic
Other SUVs to consider are the CMC Acadia and the Mitsubishi Outlander.
I still think the Highlander and Pilot are good choices.
Last edited by mmarshall; 03-17-09 at 06:23 AM.
#94
Highlander, Honda Pilot, Mazda CX-9, Mercury MKX.
The Highlander is MSRP priced about $5000 too high in my opinion. Pilot is good too but I don't like the looks. You are taking a gamble with the Mazda or Mercury.
Good luck!
#95
The Acadia is rather large and bulky, and its repair record has not been good. The Outlander is an OK vehicle mechanically, but its interior is cheaply done and the road manners are rather unimpressive. The slightly larger Mitsubishi Endeavor is also an OK vehicle mechanically and has a well-done drivetrain, but has quirky interior and exterior styling.
#97
Lexus Fanatic
The CX-9, though, overall, does not seem to have had any severe reliability problems....most of those reported have been in the trim/body hardware class, which is not that serious (unless maybe power-window hardware fails on you when it's raining). If you like it, you can consider it, but just know that it is not as likely as the Highlander and Pilot to be bulletproof.
Last edited by mmarshall; 03-17-09 at 01:23 PM.
#99
This statement is not accurate. The Honda Pilot is not bulletproof, far from it, don't believe these people who has never owned one and yet write like they know what they are talking about. Check out real owners discussing issues/problems regarding the Pilot at hondapilot.org
#100
Lexus Fanatic
This statement is not accurate. The Honda Pilot is not bulletproof, far from it, don't believe these people who has never owned one and yet write like they know what they are talking about. Check out real owners discussing issues/problems regarding the Pilot at hondapilot.org
I have read some of those owner-forums, especially the ones for Subarus, being a Subaru man myself. Some of the posters seem to have legitimate issues raised, others just seem to be talking for the sake of talking. Consumer Reports, however, analyzes the survey data they get, in detail, and publishes the results....from well over a million responses. Some of the CX-9 data, though, admittedly, is scanty, because the vehicle has not sold as well as the Pilot or Highlander.
#101
#102
Lexus Fanatic
Though the Highlander and Pilot are generally good choices, there are a number of others out there as well.
#103
Well, that's the thread title........."Help me Buy A new SUV". Most of the discussion here has (legitimately) centered around which one....and the supporting data for it.
Though the Highlander and Pilot are generally good choices, there are a number of others out there as well.
Though the Highlander and Pilot are generally good choices, there are a number of others out there as well.
Certainly the Pilot and Highlander would be 2 good choices, especially with the 3rd row seats that the OP requires. Just because they are both ugly and dull vehicles really isn't out of the ordinary or important for this type of vehicle which is often used as a "mini-van substitute".
Last edited by IS-SV; 03-17-09 at 02:33 PM.
#104
Well then, friend, your beef is not with me, but with Consumer Reports. They show both the Highlander and Pilot with consistantly well-above-average ratings going back to 2003 for the Pilot and 2001 for the Highlander, including the very important areas of engine and transmission.
I have read some of those owner-forums, especially the ones for Subarus, being a Subaru man myself. Some of the posters seem to have legitimate issues raised, others just seem to be talking for the sake of talking. Consumer Reports, however, analyzes the survey data they get, in detail, and publishes the results....from well over a million responses. Some of the CX-9 data, though, admittedly, is scanty, because the vehicle has not sold as well as the Pilot or Highlander.
I have read some of those owner-forums, especially the ones for Subarus, being a Subaru man myself. Some of the posters seem to have legitimate issues raised, others just seem to be talking for the sake of talking. Consumer Reports, however, analyzes the survey data they get, in detail, and publishes the results....from well over a million responses. Some of the CX-9 data, though, admittedly, is scanty, because the vehicle has not sold as well as the Pilot or Highlander.
No beef with you, just making a point. CR is not that accurate. Peace.
#105
Lexus Fanatic
CR and J.D. Power probably gather more automotive reliability data than any other organizations in the country. I served, though, for some time, on a long-term J.D. Power automotive focus group, and, to be honest, I wasn't as impressed with their intelligence-gathering as I am with CR, even though I've never been a formal member of CR.