SUV shopping, R3V weigh in

[jrobie79]

If your going to buy a SUV then BUY a SUV Chevy/GMC Tahoe/Yukon or nothing. Yeah yeah Gm Domestic = junk blah blah blah Full size SUVs is one thing GM has gotten VERY VERY RIGHT.


Edit: as far as the acadia goes, you dont get any better fuel economy, and it smaller does not ride quite as well and is nearly as expensive as the Tahoe/yukon in similar trim, and you lose a lot in the way of capability when you drop down into the cross overs from a full size

what he said....yukon/tahoe IS BEAST

[regnu]

We don't get wagons in the states anymore, we get the F11 GT series

Because too many peoples choose SUV over Wagon. :(

*Buy wagons!1!1!1! :hitler:



*yes I am serving my own interests here as I would love an M5 Wagon one day after I am promoted above my competency.

[Emre]

Interesting thread, what's r3v's opinion on the x5? Ive only seen one or two people mention it so far...

I have two close friends from the BMW CCA who bought X5's as daily drivers. They figured they'd double as tow vehicles for their track cars. Both of them ended up with bent frames, despite towing rigs that were (1) under the X5's tow rating and (2) under the tongue weight limits.

I just don't see the point in car-based, unibody SUVs. If you want to go offroading, pull trailers, haul gear, drive across Outer Mongolia, etc. then get a real truck with a ladder frame. Otherwise, just get a sedan or a touring

I've driven Levent's Dinan 540 Touring. There's nothing my dad's X3 can do that the E39 Touring can't do, plus the Touring handles and performs like a real BMW. Looks better, too.

[priapism]

what he said....yukon/tahoe IS BEAST

Agreed that the GMT twins are fantastic (I had an Avalanche for years, I miss it) but at 16-18mpg highway it won't work all that well for a commuter.

I still vote for a nice wagon or at least a small diesel, like the Grand Cherokee CRD.

[Dominic49]

No diesel x5s in the US. We dont get all the cool cars

since when do we not get diesel x5s in the us?

[pureaudio]

I just saw a diesel X5 in town the other day, so it was either misbadged, crazy rare or people in this thread are mistaken.

[priapism]

since when do we not get diesel x5s in the us?

It's only very recently that we've gotten the diesel, and they are insanely rare. Unless you're planning on ordering or buying new, don't count on finding one.

[mikeedler]

I have two close friends from the BMW CCA who bought X5's as daily drivers. They figured they'd double as tow vehicles for their track cars. Both of them ended up with bent frames, despite towing rigs that were (1) under the X5's tow rating and (2) under the tongue weight limits.

I just don't see the point in car-based, unibody SUVs. If you want to go offroading, pull trailers, haul gear, drive across Outer Mongolia, etc. then get a real truck with a ladder frame. Otherwise, just get a sedan or a touring

I've driven Levent's Dinan 540 Touring. There's nothing my dad's X3 can do that the E39 Touring can't do, plus the Touring handles and performs like a real BMW. Looks better, too.

yeah right, I don't believe that for1 second without some pics??????? and 2 that you know of RIGHT!!!!

they are SAV's in the BMW world. there is nothing an E39 can do that an X3 can't also.
they are alot easier to get in/out of, and sit a bit higher to see plenty better. Personally I think e39s are the ugliest BMWs built, so that is a matter of your taste

the older X3s are great cars- basically E46 technic. I have seen a few transefer cases go out (secret is good tires and good tread to keep them healthy)
My wife will be getting an X3 next year- the new F25 is great too, but a bit expensive.

[MrSlacker]

BMW introduced X5 Diesel in 2009 model year. You can find 2009+ diesel X5 easily, but expect to pay over $40K

[M-technik-3]

It's only very recently that we've gotten the diesel, and they are insanely rare. Unless you're planning on ordering or buying new, don't count on finding one.

For some unknown reason they are a 4K premium over a gas powered one. Funny Diesel is THE fuel for a DD in EU as it's generally more efficient.

[MattBimmer]

I work at a fancy smancy golf club and I have seen a huge surplus in the ACADIA and Enclave suv. These seem to be really well optioned and pretty good gas mileage. Also the american cars won't be as pricey to repair if they need it. Plus they are bigger than an X3 so really spacious.

[beta14ok]

Gotta agree on the Jeep GC, I've had three of them. all over 100K miles. We sold our 2000 4.0L with >235,000 miles for $800. It still ran fine, but we didn't really want to have 2 cars that were on the lift every other month. They have easy parts availability and lots of room to fix stuff. We just got 20mpg on our trip to Long Island and back....so not great, but you can do a lot worse. We have a 2003 V8 and a 2006 V6. both are solid. I prefer the old pre-2000 boxy versions with the 4.0L straight 6 motor, 'cause they are easier to work on, but they are more of a gas hog. The 2006 has the Mercedes V6....I was nervous about it, but so far splended performance. Routine maintenance uber alles...and they will be a trusted friend. I'd buy another if I needed another SUV.

[MattBimmer]

Also the diesel X5s are not insanely rare, homeboy needs to visit the dealership more often they have 3 at my local dealer at this moment and there are two members at this club who have them. The rims on them look awful nasty, but they really do just purr like a kitten not very loud at all.

[MattBimmer]

Gotta agree on the Jeep GC, I've had three of them. all over 100K miles. We sold our 2000 4.0L with >235,000 miles for $800. It still ran fine, but we didn't really want to have 2 cars that were on the lift every other month. They have easy parts availability and lots of room to fix stuff. We just got 20mpg on our trip to Long Island and back....so not great, but you can do a lot worse. We have a 2003 V8 and a 2006 V6. both are solid. I prefer the old pre-2000 boxy versions with the 4.0L straight 6 motor, 'cause they are easier to work on, but they are more of a gas hog. The 2006 has the Mercedes V6....I was nervous about it, but so far splended performance. Routine maintenance uber alles...and they will be a trusted friend. I'd buy another if I needed another SUV.

+1 on this didn't even think about the GC. Probably the best American made SUV on the market

[cale]

Oh no!!! Big EVIL SUV!!!! Everyone run and hide! Theres no need for them, they suck too much gas, their lights blind me, they dont turn, they sit too high, they're useless ... Jesus, people... Take your tin foil hats off and get a life.


mrsleeve pretty much got it right for the suggestions.

They do use way more fuel than an equally cabin-sized touring, they do suck in the corners and if you spin..you're more likely to topple with a higher center of G, they do sit extremely high giving the driver a false sense of safety while smaller sedans often fair better in crash tests, they are for the most part useless to soccer moms. I don't think you understand the meaning of a tin-foil hat, it does not apply here.