<p>Mom60…what else did you drive?</p>
<p>Thumper - I drove the BMW X1, Porsche Macan, Mercedes GLC and the Audi Q5. Will go back today and drive a differnt Mercedes SUV and maybe the Acura and possibly an x3.They are all at the same auto group. They gave me a good offer on my car but not as good as the Lexus offer.
We never considered Mercedes thinking it was out of our range but you can get the GLC for under 40000 and it is a nice car. I liked the drive, loved the size but my H didn’t find the seats comfortable. It was the smallest ans least expensive car aside from the Honda I drove.
Loved, loved everything about the Macan. I judged each car by getting on the freeway ramp near my house. It is a tricky on ramp and you need to get over quickly. The Macan handled it with what seemed like no effort. The seats were dreamy and the drive like nothing I have experienced. The big downside aside from the fact that it is over our budget is that the car I drove is just a demo and they are hard to come by. I had never driven a Porsche before.
Also loved the drive of the Audi. It performed the freeway on ramp test without difficulty but not the pickup of the Porsche or the BMW.
I liked the X1 and I love my X3 but I am a bit over all the small stuff that I have dealt with on my X3 that have added up to a lot of money.
All of these versus the Lexus. If I bought the Lexus I would be happy. It is a really nice car andi liked my salesman. I also appreciate they want to give me more then I know my car is worth. They have a huge inventory and I can get exactly the color and features I want and drive away today but at the end of the day it is the largest car I drove and those extra 5-6 inches make a difference to me. It drives super smooth but I like the feel of the steering of a German car better.
For now order of preference- Macan, q5, tie between Lexus and Mercedes, BMW. I think I will end up with the Audi.</p>
<p>I know these are wonderful problems to have. I am thankful to have a car that works. I grew up with a period of my childhood that we were pretty poor and I have memories of being on the roadside with a broken down car.
For those who have mentioned Toyota. My first 3 cars were Toyotas. Including 2 minivans. My H drives a Toyota and my D drives H’s 14 year old Toyota. They are great long lasting cars. Just not for me. Other kids have a Chevrolet and a older Volvo. I guess I am the only car snob in my family.
In the meantime I keep my fingers crossed that my car keeps running long enough to trade it in.</p>
<p>I used to drive Audis…love them but costly repairs on a continual basis. Will cost wayyy more in the long run and depreciate at a much faster clip than the Lexus. Different things matter to different people but I can no longer deal with car dealership service departments on a regular basis and the bills that come with them. Just my 2 cents and I’m still hearing from my friends who drive German cars about all their problems.<br>
Those 5 or 6 inches will keep you from getting to know the Audi service manager on a first name basis.</p>
<p>Winner is Mercedes glk350. They have to dealer trade for color so should get it Friday afternoon… It isn’t the most stylish car but I love it. I never thought I would buy a Mercedes. I knew right away and didn’t even drive the Audi again.
Glad the process is over.</p>
<p>I loved that Mercedes when I drove a friend’s. Glad you found your car!</p>
<p>Shopping for cars is a pita. Congrats! </p>
<p>Enjoy your new car. Great to have it settled.</p>
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<p>Because you’ll be tempted to buy one?</p>
<p>The Toyota RAV4 EV is already here. Sometime in the near future, the Tesla Model X will show up.</p>
<p>@mom60 I was in exactly your position last spring. My 2006 X3 had an issue that was just too much $$$ in the great scheme of things. (The sunroof was inoperable, but apparently leaking in heavy rain.) I bought a certified pre-owned 2011 X3 with 30K miles on it for a substantial discount off new. Very happy with it. The 2011 has slightly less power and pep IMO than the 2006 version. However, it’s slightly larger and definitely more fuel efficient. I am still amazed that I got exactly what I wanted – right down to color combo and added options right off the CPO lot – and it came with pre-loaded music from the previous owner that the dealership neglected to wipe!</p>
<p>I’m on my third Mercedes…just recently leased an ML350. We didn’t drive any of the smaller cars because my husband and sons are all over 6’3", so we need lots of headroom and legroom and my car will forever be the “family car”. However, even though repairs might be expensive, I have NEVER had a problem with a Mercedes that required repairs. My son thought the Audi “looked better”, but I felt the Mercedes drove/rode better. Smoother…quieter…both biggies to me. For that reason I LOVE the Lexus, and I had a huge Lexus once…but will probably never have a smaller one…unless I get rid of my husband…LOL! I’m also spoiled about needing an SUV because I want to sit higher, and we live in an area with lots of snow, so there are lots of “big rigs” on the road to have to see over and around. Anyway…all that just to say…I think the Mercedes is a good choice. Enjoy it.</p>
<p>Oh, and YES…can’t wait to see/try the Tesla Model X! I think that would be my dream ride!</p>
<p>Mrs wharfrat2 and I just bought a 2015 Honda Pilot yesterday. </p>
<p>Another vote for the Acura RDX. I got one of the new models April 2012. I still love it every time i jump in. I know it wa a good choice when H and I are heading out and h chooses to take my car over his Audi A4 convertible.</p>
<p>Mom60, congrats on the new car and also on being done with the decision making. I really hate car shopping and wish the Car Fairy would just leave the appropriate vehicle in our driveway and I’d happily send her a check.</p>
<p><<i am="" unsure="" if="" it="" is="" worth="" driving="" the="" subaru.="">>
This reminded me of a call to the Tappet Brothers-- a guy called looking for advice on new SUVs; his budget was $60K. They suggested he buy three Foresters. ;)</i></p><i am="" unsure="" if="" it="" is="" worth="" driving="" the="" subaru.="">
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