JCE
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2005
- Messages
- 2,714
- Location
- DFW Texas
- Car(s)
- 2016 Dodge Charger RT / 2015 Jeep Renegade
Getting a saloon car is out the future wife says. I (we :lol want something with more space and bigger. Now, the only SUV I was considering was the Infiniti FX35 and the Ford Expedition. However, after driving a few SUVs lately on my hunt for a new car I'm left with a couple of burning questions. I want something newer than 2004, fast and or has a massive V8. And by fast I mean at least as fast as my SVT Focus. 0-60 mph in ~7s average in real world driving.
PRICE RANGE:
Low end $16,995
High end $24,995
YEAR RANGE:
Low end 2005
High end 2008
MILEAGE RANGE:
10,000-79,999
The data.
What I've driven so far:
What I haven't driven yet:
I DO NOT WANT THE FOLLOWING:
*-Out only because of the initial cost to buy and cost to maintain/repair. I really want a Porsche Cayenne V8 or VW Touareg V8 actually.
Highlights:
Infiniti FX35 = Still the daddy on my list. Is literally 100% perfect in every concievable way. The only problem isn't with the car, it is with the availability of the year, mileage and price of the vehicles out there. I'm picky about my car color and there are only a couple of colors I want. Hell, I could get lucky and find that Sapphire FX45 I've always wanted. Doubtful...saw only one within 200 miles a few months ago.
Toyota Sequoia = Extremely good road manners and handling for such a large beast. Very good engine (381bhp 5.7L V8, 0-60mph in 6.7s), and makes all the right noises. Very comfortable and has a good interior quality feel. Was pleasantly surprised on how awsome it actually was from every angle. The 2008+ models are very good looking too. If I can get a 2008 model with the 5.7L in my price range I'd be hard pressed to not get this over the FX or Edge. I really do love this thing, and it's from a car company I do not like as a whole. Odd...:lol: This is my #2 choice behind the Infiniti FX!
Toyota 4runner = Not as impressed with anything I just mentioned above. Everything is a couple of ticks down from the Sequoia. Granted it was less money new...but pre-owned the prices are close enough. I was left a bit "meh" and feeling empty really. Too bad because it looks very good too.
Ford Edge = Great handling car, easily the 2nd best behind the FX35. Very good and very strong engine. Interior was good and it was comfortable. Downside is it wasn't "sporty" feeling enough and the engine didn't make a noise that I'd prefer. I want something manly (*see Sequoia or Expedition). I'd have to get the chrome grille painted body color and I'd have to get at least a good exhaust put on it otherwise I'd be bored without any stimulus. Odd really because it isn't slow but without the atmosphere of speed it feels it.
Ford Expedition = We have the best all-rounder here. Does everything as good as the Sequoia except for one "tiny" item...it is 2 seconds slower to 60mph at 6.7s for the Toyota and 8.7s for the Expedition. Acceleration is important in my choice actually. I'd literally have to have it upgraded at the dealer before purchasing it and that adds at least $4,000-5,000 to the price for a supercharger or some other upgrades. Thus puts this out of my price range. Sad really due to my overwhelming Ford bias. :sly:
Ford Flex = Brilliant at everything when equipped with EcoBoost (2010 model). This looks awesome and from what I've heard from several car reviewers very good to drive on the road. I sat in one but not drove it. The seats were perfect, the interior was very good and the cargo space was just massive. Also, the 3rd row seat actually was quite good even for my 6ft 237lb frame. The only downsides to the Flex are you have to get a 2010 SEL AWD or Limited AWD to get the EcoBoost and it is quite bloody expensive. And, the normal V6 while good in other lighter vehicles with well over 4,000lbs to lug around the 0-60 time is only around 8.6~8.8s. Not fast, but the reviewers did comment that the passing power was decent. The last downside is the non-AWD model is FWD. Ugh, something this large should NOT be FWD. Therefore I'd ONLY accept the AWD model. These apparently hold their value too...even 2009 models with AWD are decently pricey.
Ford Explorer = Does everything well enough to get on my list. It is like the 4runner compared to the Sequoia when this and the Expedition are lined up. The downside is the Explorer feels less stable in the handling department. Plus the gas mileage is about the same as the Expedition despite being lighter...
Cadillac SRX = The only GM product that is worth a damn to me and only in the 1st generation. Does everything well enough to get on my list. The only thing is I will not get the V6. The interior is very nice for a GM product and the cargo space is acceptable for it's size. The pricing is good too even with the V8 and they are available relatively easily in the colors I want. I still have to get over my hatred for GM before I buy it however. When I test drive it this thing better knock my socks off and be perfect otherwise I'll dismiss it.
The wild card on this discussion is the Subaru Forester XT (might as well call it an STI). If I find a good low mileage one to test drive it might make this decision harder. It is one fast SOB, and I really mean it. 0-60 in less than 5.5s is no joke. A couple of upgrades for not much money and it gets less than 5. Looks good, comfortable enough in the front and a decent interior layout make it ok. There are a few downsides that are huge. The rear seat room is terrible, the interior while good looking doesn't feel like a quality product and of course the big one to me is the potential repair costs on the AWD system as well as the turbo engine. Those aren't cheap. I will be getting a huge extra warranty with whatever I purchase but that only lasts a few years...
Yes, all of this is my fault but I need to live with this as the kid and grocery hauler for years to come. This means I will make a decision on something I WANT, but, at this point I just need the stimulating discussion that this web forum provides to help me make that decision. I would appreciate any owners of the posted vehicles to share their ownership experience.
-----------------------------------
QUESTION #1: Of these SUVs listed and using NO bias what are the pros and cons that you can think of each of these?
QUESTION #2: Is AWD/4WD vs FWD/RWD actually something I should consider?
PRICE RANGE:
Low end $16,995
High end $24,995
YEAR RANGE:
Low end 2005
High end 2008
MILEAGE RANGE:
10,000-79,999
The data.
What I've driven so far:
- Toyota Sequoia (granted it was the new one)
- Toyota 4runner
- Ford Edge
- Ford Explorer
- Ford Expedition (EL)
- Infiniti FX35
What I haven't driven yet:
- Ford Flex
- Subaru Forester XT
- Cadillac SRX
I DO NOT WANT THE FOLLOWING:
- ANY GM product that isn't the SRX posted below
- Honda
- Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep
- Lexus
- Mercedes*
- BMW*
- Audi*
- Volkswagen*
- Land Rover/Range Rover*
- Porsche Cayenne
- Kia
- Hyundai
- Suzuki
- Ford Escape
- Mazda
- Nissan Pathfinder
- Nissan Armada
- Nissan Murano
- Infiniti QX
*-Out only because of the initial cost to buy and cost to maintain/repair. I really want a Porsche Cayenne V8 or VW Touareg V8 actually.
Highlights:
Infiniti FX35 = Still the daddy on my list. Is literally 100% perfect in every concievable way. The only problem isn't with the car, it is with the availability of the year, mileage and price of the vehicles out there. I'm picky about my car color and there are only a couple of colors I want. Hell, I could get lucky and find that Sapphire FX45 I've always wanted. Doubtful...saw only one within 200 miles a few months ago.
Toyota Sequoia = Extremely good road manners and handling for such a large beast. Very good engine (381bhp 5.7L V8, 0-60mph in 6.7s), and makes all the right noises. Very comfortable and has a good interior quality feel. Was pleasantly surprised on how awsome it actually was from every angle. The 2008+ models are very good looking too. If I can get a 2008 model with the 5.7L in my price range I'd be hard pressed to not get this over the FX or Edge. I really do love this thing, and it's from a car company I do not like as a whole. Odd...:lol: This is my #2 choice behind the Infiniti FX!
Toyota 4runner = Not as impressed with anything I just mentioned above. Everything is a couple of ticks down from the Sequoia. Granted it was less money new...but pre-owned the prices are close enough. I was left a bit "meh" and feeling empty really. Too bad because it looks very good too.
Ford Edge = Great handling car, easily the 2nd best behind the FX35. Very good and very strong engine. Interior was good and it was comfortable. Downside is it wasn't "sporty" feeling enough and the engine didn't make a noise that I'd prefer. I want something manly (*see Sequoia or Expedition). I'd have to get the chrome grille painted body color and I'd have to get at least a good exhaust put on it otherwise I'd be bored without any stimulus. Odd really because it isn't slow but without the atmosphere of speed it feels it.
Ford Expedition = We have the best all-rounder here. Does everything as good as the Sequoia except for one "tiny" item...it is 2 seconds slower to 60mph at 6.7s for the Toyota and 8.7s for the Expedition. Acceleration is important in my choice actually. I'd literally have to have it upgraded at the dealer before purchasing it and that adds at least $4,000-5,000 to the price for a supercharger or some other upgrades. Thus puts this out of my price range. Sad really due to my overwhelming Ford bias. :sly:
Ford Flex = Brilliant at everything when equipped with EcoBoost (2010 model). This looks awesome and from what I've heard from several car reviewers very good to drive on the road. I sat in one but not drove it. The seats were perfect, the interior was very good and the cargo space was just massive. Also, the 3rd row seat actually was quite good even for my 6ft 237lb frame. The only downsides to the Flex are you have to get a 2010 SEL AWD or Limited AWD to get the EcoBoost and it is quite bloody expensive. And, the normal V6 while good in other lighter vehicles with well over 4,000lbs to lug around the 0-60 time is only around 8.6~8.8s. Not fast, but the reviewers did comment that the passing power was decent. The last downside is the non-AWD model is FWD. Ugh, something this large should NOT be FWD. Therefore I'd ONLY accept the AWD model. These apparently hold their value too...even 2009 models with AWD are decently pricey.
Ford Explorer = Does everything well enough to get on my list. It is like the 4runner compared to the Sequoia when this and the Expedition are lined up. The downside is the Explorer feels less stable in the handling department. Plus the gas mileage is about the same as the Expedition despite being lighter...
Cadillac SRX = The only GM product that is worth a damn to me and only in the 1st generation. Does everything well enough to get on my list. The only thing is I will not get the V6. The interior is very nice for a GM product and the cargo space is acceptable for it's size. The pricing is good too even with the V8 and they are available relatively easily in the colors I want. I still have to get over my hatred for GM before I buy it however. When I test drive it this thing better knock my socks off and be perfect otherwise I'll dismiss it.
The wild card on this discussion is the Subaru Forester XT (might as well call it an STI). If I find a good low mileage one to test drive it might make this decision harder. It is one fast SOB, and I really mean it. 0-60 in less than 5.5s is no joke. A couple of upgrades for not much money and it gets less than 5. Looks good, comfortable enough in the front and a decent interior layout make it ok. There are a few downsides that are huge. The rear seat room is terrible, the interior while good looking doesn't feel like a quality product and of course the big one to me is the potential repair costs on the AWD system as well as the turbo engine. Those aren't cheap. I will be getting a huge extra warranty with whatever I purchase but that only lasts a few years...
Yes, all of this is my fault but I need to live with this as the kid and grocery hauler for years to come. This means I will make a decision on something I WANT, but, at this point I just need the stimulating discussion that this web forum provides to help me make that decision. I would appreciate any owners of the posted vehicles to share their ownership experience.
-----------------------------------
QUESTION #1: Of these SUVs listed and using NO bias what are the pros and cons that you can think of each of these?
QUESTION #2: Is AWD/4WD vs FWD/RWD actually something I should consider?
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