Okay, I need some SUV advice..

[Britishbloke]

Well, my wife is in the market for a new SUV too replace her Jeep. She originally looked at the Lincoln Aviator (thanks for the advice by the way, SnM..your write up was exhausting).

So, she wants something about the same size as a Jeep Cherokee, payments are no biggee as long as we're under the $650 ish mark for a 36 month lease.
Current choices are:

05 GMC Envoy
05 Lincoln Aviator
05 Jeep Cherokee Ltd. (redesign)
05 Yukon

I would love her too drive a Lexus RX330 or the BMWX3. She already drove the FX35 and wasn't thrilled by the design. So does anyone own one of these afore mentioned cars?? Pros, Cons?

[GeoBau]

My sister had to make the same decision, only with 03 models. She (and by 'she', I mean 'I convinced her which one to get) chose the Envoy. Lincoln's a little too old for me, the Yukon's not worth it unless you're going Denali, and I just steer clear of Jeeps all together.

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35s
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / XM / Tint
Z-tube, Pop-charger, Borla True-Dual Exhaust, Eibach Pro Kit, GroundingGear

B.A.S.T.A.R.D Squad

[GeoBau]

PS- why no RX, X3, FX, XC, or MDX?

Wow... too many luxury "X"s out there.

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35s
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / XM / Tint
Z-tube, Pop-charger, Borla True-Dual Exhaust, Eibach Pro Kit, GroundingGear

B.A.S.T.A.R.D Squad

[Britishbloke]

Well, my choices would include the FX35, X3 Bimmer (which I think looks absolutley stunning), Lexus RX330 to name but a few.
It's my wife, she's funny about certain things, she makes a lot of money, but is incredibly frugal when it comes too certain "material" items. Funny, because for many years all she drove was BMW and since she got her Jeep I think her priorities have swayed. I suppose it's her choice, so any info on the cars I mentioned would be great.

[WRAH]

Hey man! Count yourself lucky, she makes money and you bought her a jeep, and she's still with you! [img]/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Ford Explorers come a long way, I really like the RX330. Not too much but very nice!!! Sporty

[Britishbloke]

Ford Explorer, interesting. It's really a toss up a this point because my wife has little interest in cars and has a real hate for car shopping. I'll have too get out there and start test driving myself.

[bsgoren]

One of the best SUV's out there is the Acura MDX imo. We almost got one loaded with the Navi and DVD Rear Entertainment System, but we got a loaded '03 Infiniti FX35 instead (prem., sport, and technology packages). However, since my wife drives the FX35 mostly, she now wishes we got the MDX instead though b/c it has more room and the DVD player is in the front dash with the stereo system for much easier access (when the little one(s) request another dvd ;-) Our DVD player in the FX35 is in the rear behind the front armrest, although it does have a remote control. I love the FX35 (very sporty, drives great, sounds mean, and has the same VQ engine as the G35!!! ;-) but I see my wife's points; she does love the Infiniti FX35's Intelligent Key System though...it's her fav. feature!

I would recommend looking at the MDX...it should be in your price range (although maybe for 39 or 48 mo. lease); otherwise I would go for the BMW X3 or X5...I hear they're very close in price (especially if you're considering a loaded X3); plus, the X3 is very small. It hasn't done that well (at least here in S. Florida)...I've heard lots of stories where people went into the BMW dealerships to buy and X3 and they drove away in a new X5 instead!

One last SUV/Crossover to consider if you can wait...is the new Ford Freestyle (based on a car platform, so it should drive really well and they consider it a Crossover vehicle)...3 rows of seats in a brand new SUV with all the goodies!!! From the pictures I've seen online, it looks very cool...very Lexus RX330 like with a nice looking interior. I think it's supposed to have that Ford/Mazda 3.0 Duratech engine and I believe it's supposed to be out later this fall. Something to consider. Good luck!



2004.5 G35-S 5AT Black/Willow - Prem, R. Spoiler, Navi, Sport Wheels, Alum. Pedals, Tint, Z Tube, K&N, Coupe Midpipe

Edited by bsgoren on 09/28/04 09:58 PM.

[SunnyD]

got an 03 MDX over here...its great, could use a little more power but i love the all wheel drive and its got the most user-friendly navigation system I've used.

[WRAH]

I would agree with you guys on this one, but his wife isn't a big car person. I think an Explorer would fit the bill, not over priced, even if it breaks Ford stands behind it (at least their explorer). Really come a long way, and I think this combo is its nicest yet.

You really don't want to spend a lot of money, on a person thats not really wild about cars, at the same time you don't want her to drive a POS. You can get some great options!

I still have my '98 Explorer Sport, and what never had a problem.
Its worth a look!

Keep us updated what you chose!

[bsgoren]

Yes, but if they're going that route, then that new Ford Freestyle may be worth the wait (if it's coming out later this fall)...it's supposed to be much nicer and drive better than the Explorer (and it's not too big). Just do a seach on '2005 Ford Freestyle'...check it out.

Here's what Edmunds.com says about the 2005 Ford Freestyle...

The all-new Ford Freestyle is a seven-passenger vehicle that the company claims was engineered as a crossover from the ground up. Riding on the successful Volvo S80 platform (now shared with the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego), the Freestyle is intended to appeal to SUV, minivan and sedan owners alike. With three rows of seating (with options for six or seven passengers), the interior can be configured up to 12 different ways, proving convenient for both people and cargo. Both the second- and third-row seats fold flat to create a flat load floor, and the front passenger seat folds forward as well to extend the cargo load length. The Freestyle is available in both front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive (a Volvo system which is shipped from Sweden) versions, with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) as the only transmission. All Freestyles are powered by a 3.0-liter V6 engine which produces 200 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. Safety features include an adaptive steering column, dual-level driver and passenger front airbags and optional seat-deployed side airbags for driver and front passenger, as well as optional side-impact airbags and a rollover curtain safety canopy that covers all three rows of seating. Family-oriented features include a DVD entertainment system with wireless headphones and remote control, a reverse-sensing system, adjustable second-row seats (six-passenger only) and a plethora of cupholders and storage bins.



2004.5 G35-S 5AT Black/Willow - Prem, R. Spoiler, Navi, Sport Wheels, Alum. Pedals, Tint, Z Tube, K&N, Coupe Midpipe

Edited by bsgoren on 09/29/04 09:00 AM.

[Britishbloke]

Thanks all for the input, but truth be told even though it'll be her car, I for one am pushing the X3. I think it's lines are simple, it's not too big and black on black loaded would look great. But I shall keep you updated..thanks again.

[bsgoren]

Here's a picture of the 2005 Ford Freestyle.



2004.5 G35-S 5AT Black/Willow - Prem, R. Spoiler, Navi, Sport Wheels, Alum. Pedals, Tint, Z Tube, K&N, Coupe Midpipe

354424-2005 Ford Freestyle.jpg

[Britishbloke]

bsgoren,
I think I read about that car, I'm pretty sure on last weeks Chicago tribune auto section. Truth is I would never buy an SUV for myself, never not in a million years, so I'm not up too speed on what's decent. But the one vehicle that stood out was the X3. I'll try and push for a test drive this week and get the missus' reaction.

[bsgoren]

Ok, let us know what you think; I believe it's supposed to drive just like the 3 Series sedan (which is a good thing I guess), but I've heard the deals on them aren't so appealing for such a smaller SUV (about the size of a Ford Escape). Good luck!



2004.5 G35-S 5AT Black/Willow - Prem, R. Spoiler, Navi, Sport Wheels, Alum. Pedals, Tint, Z Tube, K&N, Coupe Midpipe

[link91]

I'm not sure if you've considered it, but alot of my coworkers drive Jeep Liberty's for their jobsite application. We typically spend all day in our cars, and I've driven the Liberty for a lengthy period of time.

I found it was quite the comfortable vehicle. Plus, its cheaper than all the other choices, looks different from all the other SUVs out there, and kind of has a 'cute' factor to it.

Its not as roomy as say, the explorer or aviator, or yukon, but you get a shorter wheelbase and if you do a lot of city driving, it might be worth a look.

link91
04 G35 Coupe -- Ivory Pearl
97 Lincoln Continental 4.6 DOHC (retired)
93 Ford Crown Victora, Police Interceptor (retired)