<p>Thanks. I have been scouring the Internets and am aware of the base prices and what is the average price in the Madison area. I’m waiting to here back from one Internet person at a dealership. We’ll see.</p>
<p>In 1948, my father took a train from New Brunswick NJ to Detroit to pick up a Ford coupe that he drove back to NB. Ugly car.</p>
<p>Strong recommendation for a Chevy Tahoe from me. I love mine, and the new ones are just as classy and just as reliable as the old ones.</p>
<p>To update you all: after exchanging 15 emails with a manager at a local dealership I went in and ordered an Explorer. I was helped because a dealership 75 miles away had the exact Explorer on the lot that I wanted, or though I wanted, at a very competitive price. I pointed it out to the local dealer. He offered me the same car at $500.00 more. I accepted it as a matter of convenience. I did, however, decided to upgrade what I was going to get because I am very sure that I wanted the blind side warning system so I wound also getting the leather heated seats. I mentioned to him that I worked at the University, and he told me that they are a Ford Partner so I’ll get another 400 or so off. I was also very satisfied with the trade-in price they offered me on the 2001 Trooper.</p>
<p>The problem is that Ford is behind in their production of the Explorer so I’m not sure when I’ll get it. No real rush.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for their advice.</p>
<p>Thanks for the update. From all the articles I’ve read this newly designed Explorer is leaps better than the previous ones. I hope you enjoy it.</p>
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<p>I’ve a 2000 MB ML with 100,000 miles on it and it still going strong. I always had snow tires in last 11 years on it and take it regularly to Lake Tahoe.</p>
<p>It’s a pleasure to drive, a bit costly to maintain around $1500/year.
I know it’s not on your list but I would recommend that you at least give it a shot.</p>
<p>POIH, see post #63. :)</p>
<p>LasMa: Thanks for pointing.</p>
<p>tsdad: I also hope you like the Explorer as much as I like my MB ML.</p>
<p>Not the OP, but have also been looking for a new SUV to replace my Lincoln Navigator. I thought I was going to be so happy with the smaller SUV’s, but my husband and I prefer a bit larger. </p>
<p>Due to look, comfort, size or other issues, we have dropped the Nissan Murano, VW Tiguan and maybe the Acura from our list. We both loved the Audi Q5, but think since we keep cars for 10 years, we might be killed in repairs down the road. My mechanic about died when I mentioned looking at the Audi; said you couldn’t pay him to own one!</p>
<p>Looks like we are down to the Acura MDX, although we have no need for the 3rd seat and only a small child could sit there anyway; we would keep that seat down at all time. I also really like the Lexus RX350 which was not on our original list. The Volvo CX60 was the car I wanted to love, and while nice, I am not in love.</p>
<p>Here is my problem with many of these SUV’s and maybe they are just plain silly; there is no little cubbyhole or place in the from for put things. My Navigator has a open area in front of the console where I put my sunglasses, notepad, pen, phone and bluetooth when not driving. Most if the SUV have the cupholder and that is all. I usually have a water in one cupholder, so only one would be vacant; on trips that would both be used. The center consoles on most are very little and due to the placement of my driver’s seat, I almost have to reach behind me to open them. So, when I get out of the car and want to leave my sunglasses in the car, I would most likely have to leave them on the passenger seat. If I have a passenger with me, you all know what is going to happen to those glasses! I guess I will no longer need my bluetooth as all the cars are bluetoothed; but I still would like my phone to be out while I drive. So what I like best about the Lexus is there is a place to set my phone down!! Am I the only one that wants to have a few things close by?</p>
<p>While my husband would love a nice tight German driving car, I am the everyday driver. My main goal is a car that feels comfortable in the seat, I can see out of without a huge blindspot, and I have a place for my “things.” While we would love the Audi, I think we need to go with a car that won’t be a repair hog which leads us most likely to the Acura MDX and the Lexus RX350. We had no intention of spending that much, but this is where we landed. We figured again, if we are keeping the car 10 years, a few thousand more would be an investment. Still like the Volvo, but think it has moved to #3 on the list.</p>
<p>We have not driven the Acura or Lexus yet, but have plans to get a loaner for an entire day and night to see how they drive in my normal day to day driving. I know the Lexus will not be as much fun to drive and my husband first choice at the moment is the MDX. That said, we both loved the Volvo’s interior and drive, but the driver’s seat was the least comfortable for me. The seat is a bit long and hit me in the back of my knee, although I think I finally got it comfortable enough yesterday. The Lexus seat was the most comfortable. </p>
<p>Wish me luck!!</p>
<p>I think the MDX has a lot going for it and have considered it myself whenever I get around to replacing my 1998 Durango that has 185K miles on it. </p>
<p>The pros of the MDX to me are - handling, retention of value, comfort, usefulness of the third seat a few times/yr when we want to squeeze in a couple extra people to go to a restaurant or something, quality/reliability. My wife says she fits in the 3rd row of it okay. The cons are the requirement for premium gas, lower mileage than some other SUVs, and initial cost which is higher than some others. </p>
<p>Audi just doesn’t have a very good reputation for reliability which is a concern if you keep a vehicle past the warranty period (like I do). VW’s the same. </p>
<p>Volvo doesn’t usually have that great of a rep for reliability either although there seem to be anecdotes form people who haven’t had many issues.</p>
<p>The Lexus RX really isn’t that large of an SUV so if you’re willing to consider that one then there s/b plenty of others to consider as well that would be less expensive if that’s a concern to you.</p>
<p>The best thing to do is to get out and test drive your top contenders and make sure it’s a decent test drive where you (and H if he’ll also drive it) push it a bit to see the handling in curves, passing acceleration, comfort at freeway speeds, what it’s like over a bumpy road (or speed bumps in parkig lots), etc.</p>
<p>Good luck with your search.</p>
<p>The Land Rover LR2 has a cubby in the console. It also has great visibility. In looking for a mid-sized SUV for my daughter last year, we narrowed it down to the Audi Q5, Volvo CX60 and the LR2. We eliminated the Volvo because the quality was just not there - cheap interior and flimsy fittings. My husband preferred the Audi, but I thought the visibility was poor, and it has very tight steering - something that would be a problem for my petite daughter. The LR2 was the only one with optional rear sensors, and fully outfitted with heated seats and leather interior, it was less expensive than the Audi. </p>
<p>We’ve been very happy with the LR2 - great all around quality, fun to drive, safe, and no mechanical problems in almost two years. From what my husband says, it’s built on the Volvo chassis, if that means anything important.</p>
<p>We have had RXs since 1999. DH traded the first one in because, as I mentioned earlier, “just because” (the 1999 did not have a navigation system). It is not a huge SUV, but it fits 5 people comfortably because there is no bump in floor in the back (we drove our 2005 RX from Seattle to San Diego with 4 adults and a kid without any problems). I love the ergonomics of this car! The movable storage console in between the front seats provides ample storage, and works as a cell phone holder (I like that the console has two separate compartments with closeable “lids” so the contents are hidden). There are cubbies under the dash board where one can store small objects, too. As far as reliablity goes, with 80K on the odometer this car has had no problems, and other than new brakes due to someone’s driving habit, it did not need any major work, knock on wood. The 1999 had about 95K on the odometer and its brakes were still in good shape when we traded it in. The RX performs very well in snow and ice conditions, and last year it was the only car that could make it up our long private street when a snow storm hit suddenly. I thought that the rain-sensing wipers were a gimmick, but after using it for many years, I absolutely love this feature, which to my initial surprise handles our neverending rain perfectly.</p>
<p>We got our first RX in 1998, and passed it to D2 for her first car when we got our second in 2009. We love it. We love them both. The 2009 has a nice cubby between the seats that closes, plenty of cup holders, and lots of comforts. Between the two we have had no repairs other than maintenance. Nothing. We have only driven them in Florida, so no snow experiences. My husband will likely buy this care again in another 8-10 years. Normally he is not like that and changes up. But not this car.</p>
<p>While I would be happy with either the Acura MDX or the Lexus RX 350, it looks like we will get the Acura. My husband really likes it better for fit and feel and likes that it is bigger. We are coming off of a Navigator, so the Lexus is small in comparison. Of course, I am no longer hauling a car full of boys and their sports gear, but we have other uses for a larger back. It will also be nice to have the 3rd row seat every so often when needed. With our entire family on both sides in the same city, it is not unusual to have more than 5 in the car.</p>
<p>I really liked both cars for different reasons, so since my husband drives my car when we go places, I let him make the final decision. I get to pick the color! I fine the Lexus to be more of a car where as the Acura is more like a SUV; coming from my truck, I guess I still like the SUV feel.</p>
<p>While at the Acura dealer yesterday to pick up the demo to drive for 1 1/2 days we had a nice long chat with the owner of the dealership as he was outside with his MDX with all the addons my husband liked. My husband was telling him how I was the queen of finding the best deal and he said to make him an offer and he would beat any deal. As my husband noted, this is like buying a Gillette razor handle; the real money is made on the sell of the razor blades (accessories.)</p>
<p>Snowball, this might be a little late since you seem to have already made the choice, but have you looked at the infinity SUV? My friend drives one, and it is very sporty. Her SUV got the surprising “seal of approval” of her comany’s VP who would not drive anything short of of a Cayenne. So if you H like a car with an extra “vrroom” factor but without the Porsche sticker price, he should take a look at the Infinity. 
As far as reliability goes, my friend’s car is 5 years old and has not had any issues.</p>
<p>Received notice from the dealer that I should have the Explorer by the middle of April.</p>
<p>@$£¥ iPhone. </p>
<p>Please pardon my iPhonics. :)</p>
<p>Yes, we looked at the Infiniti EX and FX; still like the Acura better. </p>
<p>BB- Slightly off topic, but I received an email from a woman that was sent from her iPhone. Her signature was- Excuse the spelling, this email was sent from my iPhone! I have thought of adding that to my signature on my iPhone. </p>
<p>tsdad-Enjoy your new ride!</p>
<p>A bit late, but here’s my 2-cents.</p>
<p>First off, most of the “SUVs” listed are actually CUVs (car-based crossovers), including the new Explorer which went from BOF to unibody on Ford’s D4 platform (which is a modified version of Ford’s D3 platform which serves as the basis for the Taurus, MKS, etc.).</p>
<p>Both the new Explorer and Grand Cherokee have been getting a lot of positive press.</p>
<p>Any concerns about the quality of the interior materials of the GC should be assuaged; it’s higher quality than what one would find in the Highlander these days (Toyota’s interiors, in particular, have really cheapened out over the past decade or so); otoh, the reliability of the new GC is in question.</p>
<p>Btwn the 2, I personally would go for the GC (looking past any reliability concerns), but that would only be after the GC gets the new powerplant and transmission (which should come in the next model year or the one after that).</p>
<p>Many of the other suggestions are considerably smaller vehicles such as the X3 (btw, the new X3 is much improved over the previous X3 which had an overly rough ride and chinzy interior).</p>
<p>Other good choices (limiting to those vehicles w/ an available 3rd row) are the GMC Acadia (prefer the design over the Chevy Traverse; the fuel economy on the Lambda CUVs may be an issue for some), the Honda Pilot and Kia Sorento.</p>
<p>If any of you are interested in the new Explorers check out this on-line discussion board, which is apparently monitored by Ford: [2011</a> Ford Explorer Discussion - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®](<a href=“http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=152]2011”>http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=152)</p>
<p>My car purchase update- We decide on the Acura MDX, come to agreement on the price with a dealer we like, they locate the car for us at an out of state dealer and car arrived yesterday. I knew the car would have 90 miles on it, and while not happy, I figured it would be fine. Turns out the car was shipped to one dealer, traded to another and must have been driven between the two. My dealer had the car trucked in so as not to add more mileage.</p>
<p>Car arrives yesterday and I go check it out before adding the accessories we want on it. I am a bit anal, ok really anal; I wanted to make sure the car didn’t looked “used.” Inside was clean, but saw that there was 120 miles, not the 90 that my dealer was quoted. Then I noticed there is what looks like some paints overspray on the bumper; a very small amount, but there nether less. My sales guy says that will be removed when they detail the car. I leave the dealership and start think-why is there paint on the bumper? When they build a car, the bumper is not on the body. I wasn’t 100% sure if this was actually overspray or if the car got something splashed on it when out driving.</p>
<p>I had my husband go look at the car on the way home as something just didn’t seem right. He said it is definitely paint overspray and that it looks like the left rear quarter panel has been repaired. the seam is not lines up like the other new MDX on the lot, and if you run your finger over the area you can feel a bump. So the car has been repair from what we don’t know, and not repaired well.</p>
<p>Called my salesman this morning and said, thanks, but no thanks. Not spending that kind of money on a new car that has had body work done. I do believe my dealer had no idea this car had been damaged as they are having it checked out and plan to return it to the dealer it came from. While he has been tight lipped, he did say I don’t want this car. I will be curious to see if this car is still on their lot in a couple of day.</p>
<p>So we are not back looking for the car, color, model we want. A few dealer have one coming in and I am working through email to get prices on these. I was hoping my dealer was going to try and get one of the other cars in for me, but either they don’t trade with these dealers or they want me to wait for the one they have coming in to them in May. I might wait or I might go with an out of state dealer that is due one in the next few weeks. Once I get pricing, I will have a better idea.</p>
<p>I had a new car for a brief moment, but have time to wait for another!</p>