Volvo XC90... Acura MDX... What do you know? OR..... X5 3.0?

[MR 325]

Awesome replies guys, thanks! We're going hunting this coming weekend so we'll see what they like.

Probably going to get something 2005-ish to stay in their price range.

[Herr Faust Schinken]

Isn't the XC90 notorious for having the most recalls for any single vehicle?

Dosen't that title belong to the p38 range rover, and the e65 7er

[MR 325]

So another option is a X5 3.0. Thoughts?

[stanhayward]

I don't know about the price range you're looking at, but our family has a Volvo XC60 which is honestly one of the nicest cars I've driven. The safety features in the car are unbelievable, awd is great, really neat adaptive cruise control, and it goes like a raped ape. It is a small SUV, though, so rear leg room isn't extensive and if you choose the 3.0t engine, it sucks V8 amounts of fuel in the city.

[mrmckie]

My aunt had both generations of the MDX and is getting the new one pretty soon she said. I drove they both and loved them, she had no major issues with either one. My uncle in FL has the XC90, drove that too and it had a better "built" feel to it than the MDX, he hasn't had any issues either so far that i know of. My Brother owns a 05 x5 3.0, he doesnt care of it that well but it still drives and rides like a champ, only issue he had was the cooling system and some air pump & valve thingy he had me change because it keep throwing a code.

I vote MDX, overall i think it's a solid choice and of the three might have the lowest price, maintence cost and insurance cost depending on what year you get.

[slammin.e28]

XC90s suck dick and eat transmissions, transfer cases, diffs, and driveshafts.

100% of T6s do that. Others are hit or miss.

[e30james325]

x5 3.0 is quit good (from what i experienced). it does 17mpg in city and can do 24 highway (super light footed driving). good engine response for a 225hp engine on a suv body.

[slammin.e28]

X3/5s are spotty quality because built in USA. I'm not shitting here either. They had quality control issues in Spartansburg. Also, the thick folders at the dealer are typically the X3/5....

[avery0829]

Lexus RX350? Goddamn bulletproof. If you have some extra cash go for the hybrid, which is quite a bit quicker than the V6. Either way great vehicals.

[e30james325]

X3/5s are spotty quality because built in USA. I'm not shitting here either. They had quality control issues in Spartansburg. Also, the thick folders at the dealer are typically the X3/5....

i see... maybe just got lucky on the one we have.

[slammin.e28]

i see... maybe just got lucky on the one we have.

Yeah, I was looking at maybe a manual trans, base, 3.0 x3, but talking to a friend who worked at the dealer, that's what he told me.

So I decided I'm going to get a 15 year old Range Rover instead. If I'm gonna have headaches, I may as well make it worth it.

[Stanley Rockafella]

I don't know about the price range you're looking at, but our family has a Volvo XC60 which is honestly one of the nicest cars I've driven. The safety features in the car are unbelievable, awd is great, really neat adaptive cruise control, and it goes like a raped ape. It is a small SUV, though, so rear leg room isn't extensive and if you choose the 3.0t engine, it sucks V8 amounts of fuel in the city.

Is your name really "Stan"? or are you a "Stanley"?

[achtunge30]

Actually 1st Gen X3s are built in Austria...

I went from a 1st gen MDX to a 1st Gen X3 with the N52...
I miss the MDX's trunk space and I never considered the MDX a small SUV, its more mid-size than anything...the X3 is smaller in every dimension by comparison, but gets better MPG than the MDX, makes more power in less displacement, and handles like an E46 sedan.

I do/did the maintenance myself on both cars...the MDX needed a timing belt at 105k, at 100k, I drained and filled 3x the tranny and tf case fluids, and just basic oil changes and brakes never let me down.
I've logged 13k on the X3 so far, thats about 2 oil changes (coming up on #3), will need brakes soon, and the t-stat failed right when I was about to buy it, so the dealer good-willed it for me!

[e30trooper]

Have you thought of the RDX? MY brother in-law has one and its a blast to drive. Small k23 turbo awd , clean int and smaller than the mdx.

[slammin.e28]

Actually 1st Gen X3s are built in Austria..

Intradesting. I thought all the Xs were Spartansberg.