LexLaw

I know you do. It was just an easy jab as we all know your affinity for their products.


Yes the GX's heritage is certainly in the back of my mind. It's dimensions serve as a reminder of what to do and not do in any tall SUV especially that particular one. I have no intentions of throwing it around turns. That would be rather foolish.


Point taken....and yeah I've pretty much decided to throw in the flag on the FF Range Rover for all of the above reasons. The Sport however does still intrigue me as it has generally been much less of a headache to it's owners. As I'm sure you are aware that it's based on the Disco/LR3 which don't have nearly the problems as the Big Boy. I love the aggressive exterior design blended with the classic RR theme. I thank you for your insight and candor. Upon doing a search I saw that you did a review on the Q5. I wish it were on the Q7, as I am fan of the vehicle. Though I know it's a different vehicle, I think I'm going to check back on your review to see what you thought of Audi's offering other SUV offering based of the A4.

You're absolutely right. I don't want to make the same mistake that I made in my younger years. My wife recalls me having to flatbed that truck on a few of our dates. It's a wonder she is till with me. RR reliability is nothing to dismiss and I think that's playing a significant role here in my poll. At my last tally the RR received a whopping 0 votes. You guys here at CL do not play.


As for sexuality in automotive designs I do have mixed feelings on it. Sheet metal just like clothing or any other form of art, touches our sensuality and emotions. Certain lines shapes and colors do tug at us in different ways for a variety of reasons. whether it be culture or whatever. That said I'm fully aware that companies market certain products to certain segments of society for different reasons and in various manners. All in all if I like something and can afford or fit it, I'm buying it. I wear plenty of pink and drive a car that in some circles is deemed a chick car and could personally care less. That's what I was alluding to when I initially said that. Sorry if you misunderstood me or I didn't make myself clear. I, along with you have had my share of laughs at some threads that have been posted on CL regarding which car is gay or not gay. Again Thanx for taking the time to share your automotive wisdom with me. BTW I'm curious as to your take on the current BMW X5.

LexLaw

Thanx...It's definitely looking that way. Well certainly for the Full Fat RR. My wife and I don't need the headache. My biggest fear is that it runs smooth all Summer and then begins to screw us come winter time. I don't want to make a decision that I'll later regret. I've driven all of them some more extensively than others. With the lone exception of the the current X5. However my wife and I plan to do that sometime this week. What made you decide on your ML as opposed to the GX470 or Audi Q7? How has your ownership experience been? I personally like the ML and enjoyed my time behind the wheel of it. It's just my wife who is caught up in the idea that we need the GL for its seven seats and slightly more upscale interior. As I said previously she test drove both back to back (huge mistake) And out of my list which would you pick. I see your a fan of the Audi and Lexus but which of the 2 do you prefer or suggest based on my criteria. Thanx again for your take.

As for the GX470 which seems to be the popular vote here, One of my chief concerns has been the idea of financing a car that's out of production for 2 years already. Though I know every car gets old and as it is I already have an out of production car that I plan to keep. I would like some "newness" or current feeling. Even if its just for a year or two.

rdgdawg

One of regular posters (sorry, can't remember right now) works in Lexus service and has mentioned many times how the GX is far and away the most bullet-proof... don't worry about out of production, you'll get 200K miles EASY on her!!!

mmarshall

I did a review, several years ago, on the Q7, but, back then, they were not as comprehensive as the ones I do today, nor did they include images.


Here's my latest X5 review.....on the diesel.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...5d-diesel.html

LexLaw

Thank you sir, I've always been intrigued by this car since I saw it years ago at the NY Auto Show. Ever since then I've been keeping an eye on it through the years. Like I said, my wife and I test drove it last year and we both fell in love, particularly me. She's intrigued by the car inside and out but for some reason she refers the higher stance boxy hard crease SUV's, hence her love for the GL, RR and GX, which all by the way affect MPG and overall performance. I'm all in to curves that's why the Q7 and X5 have a place in my heart.

You're absolutely right about the X5 seeming to have far more issues from their owners in comparison to the Q7. It's not as bad with other BMW models but certainly not par with the Q7 reliability. Many BMW owners on one forum that I frequent, constantly scream out about dumping them as the warranty expires and that alarms me. As for the Audi, I'm a AudiWorld member and see far less complaints and owners actually wanting to keep their trucks as opposed to jumping out of them. oh and trust me I will be PM'ing you on ur trucks. Any pics? and what color combo? Thanx again.

LexFather

Damn that is a tough list.

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

if this is important:

you can easily cross off the RRs and X5 (really, a 3rd row on that?)

I had a GX 470 and loved it. If you're lucky to find one with kdss, by all means, you should try to get one with it.

If you guys don't like the GX, I would probably go with the Q7 also-something different.

How is the Q7 storage space with the 3rd row seat down?

LexLaw

Well we just came from a test drive on a 3.6. Silver on Not my fave color combo. But we did see one with black like yours and that interior is Boss!. Nonetheless the drive was very smooth and certainly enough power. Both my wife and I were able to open it up as we had a really cool salesman at Jim Ellis Audi of Marietta. The spec we drove didnt have the nav but of course had the roofs and everything else. If I recall it was a 2009. A little over our budget but We just wanted to soak in the Q7 once again. She seemed to like it and was impressed by the rear seating (both rows). Very clean and simple design. Good materials, no surprise there. I would have liked to have driven a V8 but none were actually available at the time. He only had a handful on that lot. Anyway the V6 was crazy smooth and had a nice little rumble to it when you mash the pedal.

I can definitely see myself in it. Now the question remains if my wife was in love again with it. She definitely didn't seem disappointed. We'll probably discuss it over dinner again tonight. we drove during dusk saw we got a little sunset action along with decreased lighting which allowed for the AUDI red LEDs to seduce me again. In any event her and I both agree that we remove both Land Rover products from our list. Reliability, No need for serious off-roading, cost of ownership and the poll here on CL all attributed to this decision. She has also since decided to remove the MB GL off and was never a huge fan of BMW or their X5 specifically, so they are probably 3rd behind the Lexus GX and Audi Q7. The interior space is notably smaller than the GX, specifically the cargo area/3rd row. Obviously that's attributed to the style and design of the 2 trucks. But by no means is the interior cramped. We even fit in the 3rd row. which we won't even use 90% of the time. It's just nice knowing that it's there. As for the second row, I love the sliding and reclining feature of the seats. Very well padded and tons of headroom and that Pano roof gives you almost a convertible feel (perhaps I'm stretching it, lol). MMI is really cool and I welcome the customization that permits. Ergonomics seem fine, very Lexus like in that sense with equally good materials. And yes I did enjoy the head turns that I got behind the wheel.

Thanx for the links I will definitely check them out this evening, it is valentine's after all so I have to be cool tonight. I'm LexLaw over there and I sent u a friend request. So finally it's down to 3. I must admit I'm enjoying this search and help that I'm getting from all of you guys at CL.

LexLaw

Great points regarding the RR and BMW. Both Range Rovers have been removed from our search, as we don't need the inevitable headaches that they will bring. I'm somewhat scarred from my previous experience with LR and my family members who own their products. Some of them are in a really nice tax bracket so they can "afford" that gamble. I on the other hand am simply not there yet. What sold you on your GX aside from the Lexus name and reliability?

The KDSS has been rare as the truck is rare enough as it is especially with ML/Nav. Great product though and very capable for what I need and want. Which trucks are you a fan of or were seriously considering in your SUV search? As for the Q7 with the seats up space is not as abundant as is the case with most SUVs. But with the 3rd row tucked away. Very adequate room for things and such. I also liked that beneath the floor of the cargo area this is another small storage area. It's directly above the inflatable spare tire.

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

We had an 05.
I loved the V8, the seating, handling was tighter when the clunk was repaired, everything was ergonomically perfect for me, it was extremely easy to drive. My wife who is petite, drove it for the first time and it was easy for her also-that was the final deciding factor.
Off course, in the end, reliability is the most important factor for me so I tend to stay with lexus.

No more suv for us-we need a coupe.
I have the sienna se, as you can see in the sig, 3 row seatings with huge storage spaces.

Seems like the Q7 will be a good choice

LexLaw

Who are you telling?! Come on Mike, I know you got it in you. What's your take of the picks? BTW the RR has been dropped from the contest. As much as this has hurt me, I had to disqualify it due to unreliability and notoriety on this forum and many others and oh yeah the wife.

LexLaw

Niiice. First off, I love the Swagger Wagon. Easily my favorite minivan. My wife is petite and I myself am 5'6" and don't worry about hitting my head on any doorways when entering any rooms. I respect your honesty and insight as a former GX owner who endorses the Audi Q7, as it's currently my favorite of the group. If the GX were still in production and/or this were a cash purchase this wouldn't be even up for debate. I love Lexus and all that they offer for your dollar. I realize that no auto maker offers you everything, as much as they may try. I've always viewed Audi as the "German" Lexus as opposed to MB, the company that is most often associated with Lexus. I love their attention to detail, smooth ride and elegant interiors. I just feel they give you a little more fun and sportiness in the manner of BMW. To me they are the perfect blend of what Japanese and German automakers bring to the table. Thanx again for your take on my list and honest input.

mmarshall

If you (or your wife) can use the MMI, or BMW's I-Drive and similiar systems, without any problems and confusion, then more power to you. I find nearly all of those systems confusing, frustrating, distracting when you are trying to keep your eyes on the road, and simply a PITA.

jmax.garage

iTrader: (2)

I just went through this but in a more humble scale since my budget is not that great right now, but I can attest to the following 2 vehicles:

1. Old Faithful GX470
2. Land Rover Sport HSE or the plain flavor (to me they are the same vehicle but with upgrades)

The GX470 will have a new face lift pretty soon, so that might be a deterrent for getting one, but the only reason I like this SUV more than the others in the list is because I can trust in the auto manufacturer. I know if I delay a scheduled service for 2 months I don't have to worry about crap breaking or dealership breaking my wallet because some BS sensor needs to be reset to say "Service Completed". X5 and Merc cars have MANY of these BS sensors. Beware.

Now, if you like to deal with BS sensors, why don't you just do it a bit different? HSE all the way baby. Many family members own HSE/HSE Sport varying from 07~10. Yes, even if they have BS sensors, they are fun, spacious, and they look like the sexiest box you would ever drive. One uncle switched to an HSE Sport from a GL merc: he loves it. Another one switched from an X5 to an HSE. Auntie loves it. So do I when I visit cali.

Now, i'm not numbering this SUV since you didn't listed it, but have you also considered a Cayenne? Seriously, they are nice and they are fast. You could find one for the price of an HSE as well... but again, it would feel like driving a big Kermit The Frog head on the street so just don't pick a green one. White, black or charcoal would be dope.

Anyways, have FUN picking your vehicle, please don't pick a mer or X5, you will be in the shop more often than enjoying your car... or at least that what it seemed like to my family.

LexFather

Funny but had a similar conversation about 7 seat SUVs over dinner with some friends including wives. Sadly the GX just is missing the style factor here compared to the Germans but the quality/reliability are selling points.. A couple loves their RR but hates the 16 MPG they get (even though they don't drive it much). We like the Q7 but some don't like the styling (too wagonish). BMW was seen as nice but everyone heard of reliability issues. Most felt GL was too expensive.

For me I really am attracted to the Q7 diesel or Q7 with the sport line package with the warranty. I love how the BMW looks and drives and would also get the warranty. My Lexus experience wants to say GX but it never really appealed to me (oddly the older one has grown on me tons since the new one debuted).