SUV shopping, R3V weigh in

[blocke]

So my wife and I are due to have our first baby in early May, and have begun the process of searching for a smaller SUV to replace my wife's E46.

I'm currently looking at the following used models, under 45k miles, and in the $25-30k and lower price range. Also open to other suggestions.
Currently wife has 100+ miles a day commute, but we are hoping to reduce that. So considerations are low miles, Good on gas, must be leather, and preferably something that doesn't require my attention every weekend like my E30 or her aging E46.

Anyone own or have experience with any of these?

07-Current X3 3.0i. Preferably with Sport Pkg.
06- Current Volkswagen Taureg VR6
06-Current Porsche Cayenne
08-Current GMC Acadia

[Mlarsen]

What about a Honda Pilot?

[blocke]

What about a Honda Pilot?

Wife is not fond of most Japanese SUV's. I did research a few, but found them to be largely overpriced for the options/mileage.

I wouldnt mind a sequoia, but the V8 kills it for us.

[priapism]

Good on gas and SUV aren't really compatible. Ford Escape Hybrid is the only one that comes to mind, and hybrid will be of limited help on the freeway. What about a Dodge Magnum 2.7L? Volvo V70?

[Mlarsen]

Fj cruiser?

[M-technik-3]

Wife is not fond of most Japanese SUV's. I did research a few, but found them to be largely overpriced for the options/mileage.

I wouldnt mind a sequoia, but the V8 kills it for us.

That statement about overpriced and mileage is true for all SUV/SAV's in general. How about a simple Subaru Legacy or Forrester? Has the semi high seating and has a good crash rating.

[MrSlacker]

Toyota Highlander or Lexus RX. Cannot go wrong with either. She might not like Japanese SUVs, but she will love reliability.

[ohthejosh]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jeep-Grand-Cherokee-REARVIEW-CAM-2008-JEEP-GRAND-CHEROKEE-SRT-8-AWD-HEMI-SUNROOF-NAV-48K-/400264980106?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item5d31a6e68a#ht_26527wt_1092

lol do it

[priapism]

Grand Cherokee CRD.

[jason952]

acadias are great, we just traded ours after 3 years on a yukon denali. the acadia got 24 hwy all day long, the 403hp denali...not so much!

[Emre]

So my wife and I are due to have our first baby in early May, and have begun the process of searching for a smaller SUV to replace my wife's E46.

If you live in SoCal and are having your first baby, there's no reason in the world why you'd need an SUV. There's plenty of room in any mid-sized sedan for a baby seat or two. You don't need 4WD or locking diffs for offroading, nor do you need to tow a trailer, so there's really no advantage to an SUV.

SUVs are far less safe than a good sedan when running 70 mph on the freeway. Since that's her primary use, I really don't think she'll be happy with an SUV at all.

07-Current X3 3.0i. Preferably with Sport Pkg.

My dad has one. It's a piece of junk.

06- Current Volkswagen Taureg VR6
06-Current Porsche Cayenne

These are basically the same car, but you're paying a lot more for the Porsche badge.

[jason952]

would avoid the X3/vw/porsche at that price range due to maintenance costs

how about CPO acura RDX or MDX?

[jason952]

If you live in SoCal and are having your first baby, there's no reason in the world why you'd need an SUV. There's plenty of room in any mid-sized sedan for a baby seat or two. You don't need 4WD or locking diffs for offroading, nor do you need to tow a trailer, so there's really no advantage to an SUV.

SUVs are far less safe than a good sedan when running 70 mph on the freeway. Since that's her primary use, I really don't think she'll be happy with an SUV at all.

True in theory, SUV are much nicer in practice!

[SacE30]

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/ctd/2769956060.html

There you go

[SacE30]

Get the cayenne there in the 16000-24000 price range, amazing car. you will be satisfied.