Best 7 passenger luxury SUVs for 40-50 K
12-22-09, 05:08 PM
#76
(Don't take this poorly I8ABMR, because it's tongue in cheek)
But why is it that so many Americans feel they need a 7 or 8 passenger full-sized SUV when they have a family of 3 (1 kid)? It's a bit of mystery to me. Just something to think about..... lol and slightly offtopic but not completely.
But why is it that so many Americans feel they need a 7 or 8 passenger full-sized SUV when they have a family of 3 (1 kid)? It's a bit of mystery to me. Just something to think about..... lol and slightly offtopic but not completely.
12-22-09, 05:11 PM
#77
The one thing that nobody has brought up, is that many of the suggested SUVs are either car based (unibody, indpendent suspension) or truck based (body on frame, live rear axle). It is imporant to understand that both have their plusses and minuses, and the OP should understand the differentce between these, and decide which he would prefer.
12-22-09, 05:22 PM
#78
Lexus Fanatic
The one thing that nobody has brought up, is that many of the suggested SUVs are either car based (unibody, indpendent suspension) or truck based (body on frame, live rear axle). It is imporant to understand that both have their plusses and minuses, and the OP should understand the differentce between these, and decide which he would prefer.
Nobody brought up the car-based versus truck-based because most (if not all) are well aware of which models are unibody versus body-on-frame construction. The experienced CL posters and OP are very familiar with this and understand the pros and cons of each. Therefore much of the discussion has been about "specific" SUV models.
12-22-09, 05:34 PM
#79
Lexus Champion
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MIchigan
Posts: 2,025
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
12-22-09, 05:35 PM
#80
Lexus Champion
Exactly, I understand your choices, makes sense to me.
I too live like you do in a custom hilltop home overlooking the entire Silicon Valley (minus the pets and kids) and a garage that always has contained premium cars.
My question was more focused on lower-middle American with full-sized SUVs hauling 1.5 kids and complaining about gas at $3 per gallon.
Still waiting to hear your finalists.....
I too live like you do in a custom hilltop home overlooking the entire Silicon Valley (minus the pets and kids) and a garage that always has contained premium cars.
My question was more focused on lower-middle American with full-sized SUVs hauling 1.5 kids and complaining about gas at $3 per gallon.
Still waiting to hear your finalists.....
12-22-09, 05:39 PM
#81
Lexus Fanatic
12-22-09, 05:40 PM
#82
Lexus Fanatic
12-22-09, 05:49 PM
#83
Lexus Champion
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MIchigan
Posts: 2,025
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You were more correct the second time (with the Land Cruiser/LX570). The GX, a redone Toyota 4Runner, is not really in the same league as the upper-level Land Rovers or the Mercedes GL (I assume you meant the GL). The GX seems to fit in between the Land Rover LR2 and the Range Rover, price-wise....where Land Rover doesn't have a direct competitor
12-22-09, 05:59 PM
#84
Pole Position
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: NorCal
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Save yourself the extra dough and just get a Honda Pilot Touring AWD w/ DVD. You might not get too many compliments in the looks department, especially in this forum, but I'd rather take functionality over looks any day. Trust me, when you take the family to the pumpkin patch or christmas tree farm, you'll really appreciate the roominess of the vehicle. I managed to fit a 9ft tree inside and still had room for my wife and kid and another adult in the 3rd row. Of course, the tree was in a bag. The DVD player does its job with quieting the kid (or kids). The car gets 23-24mpg on the highway but it sucks driving around the city (16-18mpg).
12-22-09, 06:00 PM
#85
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Have you driven the new MDX yet with the 6 speed? I think it gets 1 MPG better or so.
I was at the Lexus dealer today and there was no new GX but they did have a LX and it was my first time actually spending time in it. I could not believe how much I loved the interior and dash layout. It made so much sense and I am also a big guy and there was TONS of room. Shame it costs so damn much.
FWIW they also had a LS sport and I REALLY liked it in person.
I think the ML and X5 are also worth a look here, I really liked the X5.
I don't know cargo and interior measurements of these vehicles off hand though.
Thanks for the well wishes.
I was at the Lexus dealer today and there was no new GX but they did have a LX and it was my first time actually spending time in it. I could not believe how much I loved the interior and dash layout. It made so much sense and I am also a big guy and there was TONS of room. Shame it costs so damn much.
FWIW they also had a LS sport and I REALLY liked it in person.
I think the ML and X5 are also worth a look here, I really liked the X5.
I don't know cargo and interior measurements of these vehicles off hand though.
Thanks for the well wishes.
Exactly, I understand your choices, makes sense to me.
I too live like you do in a custom hilltop home overlooking the entire Silicon Valley (minus the pets and kids) and a garage that always has contained premium cars.
My question was more focused on lower-middle American with full-sized SUVs hauling 1.5 kids and complaining about gas at $3 per gallon.
Still waiting to hear your finalists.....
I too live like you do in a custom hilltop home overlooking the entire Silicon Valley (minus the pets and kids) and a garage that always has contained premium cars.
My question was more focused on lower-middle American with full-sized SUVs hauling 1.5 kids and complaining about gas at $3 per gallon.
Still waiting to hear your finalists.....
I honestly think that the finalists are........ drum roll........... the Acura MDX #1 . It has all of what I need/want. The only draw back is the poor gas mileage but I can live with it with no issues. The MDX is rated at 5 stars for crash safety, has 7 seats if needed, 2010 model is set up with a 6 speed ( better acceleration and slightly better gas mileage/ 1 mpg), Japanese reliability, awesome sales incentives right now, and the 2010 model is refreshed with cosmetic changes, upgraded nav and bluetooth, chassis reinforcements, new transmission, and more features as standard, and even some new colors. I really would have gone with the Toyota Highlander hybrid limited but no loaner cars means no sale. I like the styling of the Highlander more with its longer body and the fuel efficiency is awesome. It doesnt beat the RX400h but also costs less than 50k with some of the bells and whistles
If we decide to do CPO then I will most likely go for a Lexus GX. I would really like to treat the wife to the awesome Lexus customer service and awesome dealership experience. We will have to see. I was going to pull the trigger on an 09 MDX to get the sales incentives, but when I heard of the new updates to the 2010 MDX I dont want to end my wifes TL 6 months early and have to eat the 6 months payment on the lease. I will probably wait another 2-4 months before I pull the trigger on a new SUV for the wife.
In case anyone is looking for an 09 MDX they are currently giving 6 k off the MDX right now
Last edited by I8ABMR; 12-22-09 at 06:04 PM.
12-22-09, 09:09 PM
#86
Guest
Posts: n/a
For the money it is hard to beat, but tier 1 brand like Audi, Mercedes and BMW all have v8s and are a higher grade of luxury and performance which the RX does not offer. The RX is built off the Camry/highlander platform...
The GX is built off the Land Cruiser Prado's chassis and design. So is the Toyota 4runner. The Land Rover Discovery is direct competitor of the Land Cruiser Prado worldwide and in North America the Land Rover Discovery is often cross shopped with the Gx470 and now GX460.
The GX is built off the Land Cruiser Prado's chassis and design. So is the Toyota 4runner. The Land Rover Discovery is direct competitor of the Land Cruiser Prado worldwide and in North America the Land Rover Discovery is often cross shopped with the Gx470 and now GX460.
How the hell do you call Audi, Benz, BMW Tier 1 and not Lexus when EVERY single press release by OTHER carmakers by THEIR EXECUTIVES have said it is
BMW, Benz, Lexus. (in America).
12-22-09, 10:12 PM
#87
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Have you driven the new MDX yet with the 6 speed? I think it gets 1 MPG better or so.
I was at the Lexus dealer today and there was no new GX but they did have a LX and it was my first time actually spending time in it. I could not believe how much I loved the interior and dash layout. It made so much sense and I am also a big guy and there was TONS of room. Shame it costs so damn much.
FWIW they also had a LS sport and I REALLY liked it in person.
I think the ML and X5 are also worth a look here, I really liked the X5.
I don't know cargo and interior measurements of these vehicles off hand though.
Thanks for the well wishes.
I was at the Lexus dealer today and there was no new GX but they did have a LX and it was my first time actually spending time in it. I could not believe how much I loved the interior and dash layout. It made so much sense and I am also a big guy and there was TONS of room. Shame it costs so damn much.
FWIW they also had a LS sport and I REALLY liked it in person.
I think the ML and X5 are also worth a look here, I really liked the X5.
I don't know cargo and interior measurements of these vehicles off hand though.
Thanks for the well wishes.
The dealers will get the 2010s this week so I have not had an opportunity to drive it with the new transmission. The 6 speed will aid in acceleration and give a hair more mpg. ( you're right its only 1 mpg ). I think the new front and rear facia and available 19's make the car look awesome. I drove the 09 without the sport ( Tech and entertainment) and blown away at how truly sedan like it felt and the awesome turning radius. The MDX is also very quiet and comes with a great stereo system. I was also very happy with the fit and finish of the car and the dash layout was not as complicated as the magazines make it seem ( especially if you already own an acura ).
I think the MDX is one of the sportiest SUVs in its class. Its styling is nice, the size is right, AND it comes with a sports package that includes magnetorheological suspension ( like the 599 and ZR1). Its a 4600 dollar upgrade but it would make it more fun to drive, especially when you are driving a vehicle that weighs more than 2 tons. These types of systems are available from OEMs for several vehicles, including the Acura MDX, Audi TT and R8, BMWs with EDC (X5, X6, E90-93 M3, E60 M5, E63-E64 M6), Buick Lucerne, Cadillac CTS-V, DTS, XLR, SRX, STS, Chevrolet Corvette, Ferrari 599GTB, 458 Italia and Holden HSV Commodore. These cars are no joke. The MDX is one of four SUVs on the market that come with this set up and 2 of the 4 car almost 2 times the price. The MDX is a special SUV and really hard to beat in its class.
The only 2 things I would like to see changed in the future is better fuel efficiency, and more front leg room for the driver, although I know that ergonomics engineers do not actually design cars for men of my size. It sucks but its the truth. (I was told this by a patient who was an ergonomics engineer that was also 6'5")
Last edited by I8ABMR; 12-22-09 at 10:23 PM.
12-22-09, 10:27 PM
#88
Lexus Champion
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MIchigan
Posts: 2,025
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
my wife absolutely loves the X5 but its over 50k new. We have looked at the Cayanne and even the X5 in cpo status.
we have thought of that as well but my wife say if you are going to get an SUV get a big one. She said that the RX is like having a midsized sedan with a large trunk
I honestly think that the finalists are........ drum roll........... the Acura MDX #1 . It has all of what I need/want. The only draw back is the poor gas mileage but I can live with it with no issues. The MDX is rated at 5 stars for crash safety, has 7 seats if needed, 2010 model is set up with a 6 speed ( better acceleration and slightly better gas mileage/ 1 mpg), Japanese reliability, awesome sales incentives right now, and the 2010 model is refreshed with cosmetic changes, upgraded nav and bluetooth, chassis reinforcements, new transmission, and more features as standard, and even some new colors. I really would have gone with the Toyota Highlander hybrid limited but no loaner cars means no sale. I like the styling of the Highlander more with its longer body and the fuel efficiency is awesome. It doesnt beat the RX400h but also costs less than 50k with some of the bells and whistles
If we decide to do CPO then I will most likely go for a Lexus GX. I would really like to treat the wife to the awesome Lexus customer service and awesome dealership experience. We will have to see. I was going to pull the trigger on an 09 MDX to get the sales incentives, but when I heard of the new updates to the 2010 MDX I dont want to end my wifes TL 6 months early and have to eat the 6 months payment on the lease. I will probably wait another 2-4 months before I pull the trigger on a new SUV for the wife.
In case anyone is looking for an 09 MDX they are currently giving 6 k off the MDX right now
we have thought of that as well but my wife say if you are going to get an SUV get a big one. She said that the RX is like having a midsized sedan with a large trunk
I honestly think that the finalists are........ drum roll........... the Acura MDX #1 . It has all of what I need/want. The only draw back is the poor gas mileage but I can live with it with no issues. The MDX is rated at 5 stars for crash safety, has 7 seats if needed, 2010 model is set up with a 6 speed ( better acceleration and slightly better gas mileage/ 1 mpg), Japanese reliability, awesome sales incentives right now, and the 2010 model is refreshed with cosmetic changes, upgraded nav and bluetooth, chassis reinforcements, new transmission, and more features as standard, and even some new colors. I really would have gone with the Toyota Highlander hybrid limited but no loaner cars means no sale. I like the styling of the Highlander more with its longer body and the fuel efficiency is awesome. It doesnt beat the RX400h but also costs less than 50k with some of the bells and whistles
If we decide to do CPO then I will most likely go for a Lexus GX. I would really like to treat the wife to the awesome Lexus customer service and awesome dealership experience. We will have to see. I was going to pull the trigger on an 09 MDX to get the sales incentives, but when I heard of the new updates to the 2010 MDX I dont want to end my wifes TL 6 months early and have to eat the 6 months payment on the lease. I will probably wait another 2-4 months before I pull the trigger on a new SUV for the wife.
In case anyone is looking for an 09 MDX they are currently giving 6 k off the MDX right now
12-23-09, 04:57 AM
#90
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Seriously why are you posting here? Why are you trying to disrespect the RX with items not related to this thread. On top of that, you CONVENIENTLY forget to mention the RX 450h offers performance and MPG those other brands can only dream of. We know why though, b/c we have read your tirades in plenty of threads.
How the hell do you call Audi, Benz, BMW Tier 1 and not Lexus when EVERY single press release by OTHER carmakers by THEIR EXECUTIVES have said it is
BMW, Benz, Lexus. (in America).
How the hell do you call Audi, Benz, BMW Tier 1 and not Lexus when EVERY single press release by OTHER carmakers by THEIR EXECUTIVES have said it is
BMW, Benz, Lexus. (in America).
Lexus rx over the x5 anyday..