Time for a new SUV!

Parent Cafe
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Currently I am thinking the Lexus RX 350 with and without mild hybrid and the Acura RDX, and maybe the BMW X3. I do realize these 3 cars are very different, but each have a feature I love, or really would like to have, as well as something I don’t like, but maybe could live with.

For example, The Lexus has 14" screen, which is a huge plus for me. I am farsighted, so when I currently have to read my phone or navigation screen, I have to tip my glasses up to read. I think with the larger screen, I would not have to do that, which would be a big plus for me! There are other pros and cons for each car, so the test drive hopefully narrow down the choice more.

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Put my information into the Costco Auto Program site to get the dealership and sales person to get the Costco pricing. I figured I would go to that dealership for my test drive. The Acura dealership is the one by my house, but the Lexus was the one closer to my old home; not a big deal to go there to shop.

Interesting, when I put in BMW, I received the following message:
Currently, we have not located a dealership in your area that has met our strict pricing criteria for the manufacturer you selected.
I don’t remember every seeing that before. It isn’t for lack of dealerships nearby; there are 4, the farthest is 25 miles, the others much closer. I guess BMW doesn’t play the lets set a price on each car!

I likes the salesman at the BMW by my house, so IF I decide on the X3, I will have to play the game with him. He is knowledgeable, so I have a feeling he isn’t going to run to his manager every second. There also may be no negotiating at BMW, which will not bode well for me.

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Sorry I am having a one way conversation, but had to add this. When filling out the contact info for the Costco dealers, I used my landline number to avoid being bombarded with text. That didn’t work exactly as planned. My son, who lives in another state, gets a text from Lexus at 8:30 this morning. Now, his last car purchase was in New Orleans 4 years ago, and he didn’t use our home number. Before that, we helped with a purchase when he was in Medical School in 2010, which was in our state, but I dealt with that purchase, so if any cell number was listed, it would have been mine. Neither of these were part of the dealership as this Lexus dealership.

I am sure if one did a google search of my home number, the kid’s names would pop up as we have had this number for 37 years! But, I can not imagine also finding my son’s cell from that, at least without his name. I can understand finding my cell as the dealer has my name, but interesting that they came up with my son’s number. I also tried to keep our online information from showing up due to my husband’s work as a physician. We would have patients calling the house at all hours, so I would go through and make sure information was not public. Actually, I have always recommended people Google their name and see what come up; you may be surprised to see what is public! End of my PSA for the day! :rofl:

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Wow - that’s crazy!

Keep us posted on your progress. I’m enjoying your car search journey.

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I “think” I have made my decision, but questioning it. I was perfectly happy with the Acura RDX, but have a bee in my bonnet that I should purchase a hybrid. That hybrid would be the Lexus RX, with the large touchscreen I like.

Both cars drive fine on the test drive, especially after driving a 13 year old car. Actually, I am more comfortable driving my car because I know it! I am sure once I learn to drive whatever new car I get, I will love it. I haven’t taken either for the day, but plan to take the Lexus out. I drove tentatively as the salesmen were telling me about the features while I was driving, and not knowing the car yet.

As my BIL has purchased/leased all my SIL’s cars from the Lexus dealership by my house, I asked him for his salesman’s name. He has since retired, but still in touch with all at this location, I was assigned a gentleman that has been there for 19 years. He was no pressure, knew his product, and was helpful, as was the Acura salesman that also has been at the dealership for close to 20 years. Both happen to be the technology person that teach new customers on their car purchase. The Acura salesman looked to be at least 90, so I was a bit nervous going out with him, but he was great!

Seems most of the Lexus RX hybrids sell before they hit the dealership, so this location doesn’t have the color and trim I would like. I am hearing that most do not trade, but hoping if the websites are correct, 2 nearby dealerships might have what I want. My dealership gets their allotment list next week for cars coming in, and rumor is I am at the top of the list with my refundable deposit. Waiting to hear if they are willing to get a car from the other location, or if they are getting what I want coming in. I of course could work with one of the other locations on my own, but have decided to wait and see what my salesman comes up with as I am not in a rush for a new car.

As far as my current car, I have priced with Carvana and CarMax, as well as a trade in. Carvana and CarMax as of last week are offering $5200 and $5000; the price will go down as the times goes on. The Lexus dealership would only offer $3200, which didn’t surprise me at all as I told him what was wrong with the car.

So…here I sit and wait, while hoping I don’t change my mind!

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THIS, the CX90 PHIV is my next car!

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I looked at the Mazdas, but a 3 row is too big for me at this point. My last two cars over the past 28 years, not counting the minivans, have had a 3rd row. Will my kids gone, married and their own children, and it is now just me, I don’t need to buy such a big car.

@threeofthree Enjoy the new car!

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I’m not getting it until one of my other cars dies but that will likely be a while. Checkbout the cx-5(0) - they are smaller

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I did look at the CX-50, and it was nice. But, I currently think I want a hybrid, plus the Mazda dealer near me has a lot to be desired. It I am doing service at a dealership for 3 years or so, I want to be welcome and comfortable there.

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They are different. The RDX is shorter, bills itself as sportier. The RX is long the dominator in the segment and has been for many years sales wise…is longer and is considered more luxurious.

Do you have a favorite between Honda and Toyota ?

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Pretty good side by side comparison that looks at the specific models you are interested in.

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My sister has the Lexus…but not a hybrid. She LOVES it. Before this, she had a Lexus sedan…and loved that too. But the SUV, she says, is the best car she has ever owned!

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I had an RX hybrid. Best highway car ever - so steady and smooth. I replaced it with a much smaller Lexus SUV, still a hybrid, and since I bought it. I have gotten 45.5 mpg!!

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Do you have the NX? My uncle has the NX, his wife the RX, but neither have hybrid.

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No, I bought the UX. I had an NX as a loaner for a while and was definitely tempted, but I really wanted somethimg small. The UX, as the “entry level” SUV, is not as swank as the NX. My RX, which was very old, had all the bells and whistles!

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Any news?

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@1214mom I had decided on the Lexus RX-350 hybrid, but it seems I want a color that can not be found, which is dark blue. I have a refundable deposit down with 2 local dealerships, and one out of state dealer looking for me. He understood I was not going to put a deposit down, but if he called me and said one was on his allotment list, which they all seem to get a new list every 10 days or so, I would be happy to give him a deposit at that time.

The out of state dealer, is only 2 hours away, and really seems like he is looking for me, even without a deposit. He emailed me Wednesday late afternoon saying he found one, but it had a bit more on it than he thought I wanted. By the time I emailed him back as I was with the grandkids, he was gone for the day, and is now out until Monday. One of the internet sale people had contacted me and said she would send me the information I asked for once she got it from him, but didn’t hear back. My guess is he thought he might be able to trade with another dealer, but the car wasn’t available.

I am first on the list at both the local dealers in the trim and color combination I want, so hopefully one of them with get the car in soonish. I am not willing to chance exterior or interior color just yet, but if I have to wait too long, I might need to rethink my choice. I was told there are only 50 out there on lots and production in the entire US.

That is where I am today and of course I want it now! The longer I wait, the less my current car is going to be worth, but it is what it is.

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Glad you made your decision! I also spend tons of time researching prior to car purchase - then you can just enjoy it (when you get it) without second-guessing or regretting!

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@Jolynne_Smyth Oh, you don’t know me. I will indeed second guess my decision, but I don’t think I will regret it! :rofl:

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Check for current or recent recalls as Lexus & Toyota have had recent recalls. Serious enough that Lexus stopped plant production of at least one of its SUV models (not sure which one).

Lexus 350 has a history of issues with fluid leakages (oil, power steering, and transmission fluid). Not seeing any specific reference to the hybrid version. Oil leaks start as early as 8,000 miles and transmission fluid needs changed every 30,000 miles–but not sure about specific models.