<p>I am sure there is a similar thread and if it is fairly recent please direct me.
I have a 2006 BMW X3 which I think we bought in 05.I love my car which was purchased after driving a minivan for many years. I had hoped to keep this car 4 more years. I have been informed by two different mechanics that I need a very expensive part to do a repair. Add that to all the other repairs I have been putting off it adds up to basically what the car is worth. I could do the most urgent repairs but of course there are no guarantees that something else won’t go wrong.
H thinks we should just buy a new car. He would like to stay away from makes that are expensive to repair. Our other cars are Toyotas. I want a nice driving car.
Makes I like the looks of are Audi, BMW, Suburu and I would take a look at the new smaller Porshe SUV. I know H would prefer Lexus, Toyota or Honda due to reliability and repair costs down the road. I want something similar to what I have.</p>
<p>What have you driven lately that you loved? I want a car with some pep but I am not a speedster. Live in Ca so no snow driving.
Please don’t make this about who is the most frugal and drives the most practical economy car. I know this is a first world problem to have. So while I am not “rich” enough to have my own plane or fleet of luxury cars in my garage I can afford a new car. Would hope to spend 40000-50000. I have no clue what is out there since I really like my present car. If H wasn’t opposed to the idea I would just fix my present car.</p>
<p>We did extensive research into SUVs recently. The Forester, CRV RAV consistently get the highest ratings. The Mazda CX-5 has also joined their rankings…and that was our favorite. All are about the same comfort. We thought the Subaru had the best visibility.</p>
<p>I know you don’t want to talk money, but my husband felt that you didn’t get much worthwhile for the costs of the Lexus. The Audi doesn’t get decent enought mileage. That Porsche SUV isn’t exactly getting glowing ratings…and if it needs to be fixed, costs will be high.</p>
<p>The Subaru, Rav, CRV, and CX 5 all come in a higher end model that has all the bells and whistles of your BMW.</p>
<p>If you like the BMW, why not get a newer version of what you have now?</p>
<p>Oh…at the end of the day, I bought a Volvo S60 sedan. I decided I didn’t need a SUV sized vehicle. But if I had gotten one, it would have been the Mazda CX-5.</p>
<p>Funny that you should post this today. About an hour ago, I saw a Mercedes crossover next to me at a traffic light. It looked really sharp, not too big, not too small!</p>
<p>When I replaced my minivan I thought I wanted a sedan. I drove a few and while I love the look I like being higher when I drive.
The BMW is at the mechanic today so the idea of a new car is just 120 minutes old.
Thumper I am sure my H will X out the idea of even looking at the Porsche. The new X3 are larger and I have ridden in the X1 and I felt the seats were uncomfortable. Plus if I get something to fancy my H won’t want to be seen with me.
I think my car at least for the time being is at least drive able and I can do some research,
No Suburu dealer in town and the Volvo dealer is closing.
I want good visibility and something that is easy to park.</p>
<p>How far is the nearest Subaru dealer?
I love, love, love my 2009 Forester. When I bought it, it was the only car with seat warmers in fabric seats (leather is too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer for me).
DD just got a new Highlander.</p>
<p>I got the newly introduced Jeep Cherokee Limited and must say that the Italians have done an amazing job with interior design, function and performance. I could not be happier. My final list included the Porsche, BMW and Audi suvs. (The Audi was my 2nd choice). The little Buick Encore (loaded) is also worth a look. </p>
<p>Suburu dealer is 45 minutes away. I will definitely drive them. I just hesitate to drive that for service. I like the looks of the Jeep but I also think our Jeep dealership closed. </p>
<p>The Mercedes is nice…the smaller SUV…I forget the model number. I drove one that belongs to a friend and loved it. </p>
<p>I did not get a Volvo SUV…I got a sedan!</p>
<p>If you like the Lexus, check it out…but I haven’t seen a small one.</p>
<p>If you are looking at Subarus, look at the outback wagon. It’s actually the same size as the older Foresters. The Outback is nice…higher rode, and more amenities than the Forester.</p>
<p>You are smart to be thinking about service. I have a Volvo XC 90 that I really like, but I don’t think you want something that big. I have a friend who was looking for a higher end SUV, but decided on the Mazda CX-5 instead. I had a Subaru SUV many years ago, and I really liked it. but I recently drove a Forester as a loaner from. Volvo, and I was not impressed. I do believe it was a low end model, and I “need” some options, like leather heated seats
Good luck with the decision, and let us know what you decide.</p>
<p>I drove a 2007 Rav 4 and loved it. Still love it and still have it (long story). I just bought a Subaru Crosstrek. Love it. It’s sporty and peppy and very fuel efficient. It also comes in a hybrid.</p>
<p>EDT The model I bought has standard heated leather seats. Delicious.</p>
<p>I traded my minivan for a Forester in 2005; my only complaint has been the road noise. I would probably replace it with a new one but we are also looking at T@B trailers so would like a bigger engine. Yesterday we drove a new Outback with a V6 and loved it. It is quieter and plusher than the Forester, in addition to having more power. I do think it’s significantly longer than the Forester but probably “sits” as high. (That was not the case with the old Outback and is important to me.) We “built” an Outback on the Subaru website last night, sent it to the dealer and hope to be driving a new Outback before Christmas.</p>
<p>We spent the weekend with a friend who has the Audi, two years old. It’s had some issues already and was headed back to the dealer today with a new noise (very loud). Perhaps we were lucky but my Forester didn’t need anything other than routine service for six or seven years.</p>
<p>Once you zero in on the car you want, try pricing it via Costco Auto. I found that service very helpful in getting to a bottom line price w/o the hours of haggling. The Costco service offered me a price from a more distant dealer, so I printed the offer out, presented it to my closer dealer, and he begrudgingly matched the price. I imagine that a shrewd negotiator could have achieved greater savings, but the Costco prices was several thousand lower than the dealer had been quoting me.</p>
<p>I loved my RX 300, but since you already have the X3 I would stay with BMW. H has an X1-great mileage drives like a BMW and comfortable. I second getting a new X3. We used some car buying program where you put in criteria and get a no hassle price. </p>
<p>We’ve had just about every SUV through the years. I haven’t talked to anyone who has a Macan but if it’s anything like the Cayenne, I’d highly recommend it. I’ve had mine for 2 1/2 years and it’s a great car. The only car I’ve had that was easier to park was my Range Rover Sport. Amazing turning radius makes it much easier than so many smaller cars. Handles like a sports sedan.</p>
<p>Other SUVs family members have at the moment are the X5, the Forrester, the Crosstrek, the Outback and the CRV. My H who is a fanatic car guy thinks that Subarus are the best value you can get for your $$.</p>
<p>I replaced an Odyssey with a CRV, but it doesn’t have enough pep. Too much road noise as well. The Accura RDX. or Volkswagon Toureg might be good options.</p>
<p>We are on a second Lexus RX van (330 which followed the 1999 300 after Mr decided that he likes to have a nav). We will probably replace it with the newest version of the same model when the time comes (I keep my fingers crossed that the ectric tin can will not materialize before the need for upgrade). Lexus drives and handles differntly from BMW - it is powerful yet very smooth. We love it, but some who are used to the sporty drive feeling might not. </p>
<p>I really dread this whole process.
Picked the car up from the mechanic. It needs 3500 of immediate work (3000 for the part alone) and over another 3000 in additional stuff that isn’t urgent. It doesn’t make sense to fix it when it isn’t worth much more then the sum total of repairs. Though I am considering it. I love my car.
Jmek15 that is my concern about the CRV but I will look at it. I have relatives on their 3rd Cayenne which they love.
I like the look of the Subaru Crosstrek but I think I will find it underpowered.
Just hoping the car makes it through Thanksgiving without breaking down on the side of the road. I don’t have time this week to buy a car.</p>
