$30,000 for an SUV/wagon - thoughts?

impolyt_one · Dec 7, 2010

30 large might get you into a W211 E350 wagon or a 530XiT that could have some sort of factory/CPO warranty left on it.

Kyoung05 · Dec 7, 2010

Originally Posted by Mr. Moo

Thank you all for your comments and ideas!

No minivans, please. Not quite there yet.

I looked at some more cars today and found that the Infiniti EX35, lightly used 2008 model, is also a contender. It has a million gadgets and almost 300hp/AWD, and seems like a good choice. The downside is legroom in the back (not a big issue in the foreseeable future) and smaller cargo hold (bigger issue). Sadly, the one I was interested in is a few $$ too much and the dealer won't back down (as of yet).

The Subie is definitely still high on the list. I was told by a local dealer that if we order one (instead of buy one off the lot), the price would go down to $29,700 with the $3,000 navigation package included. The lowest price I have seen on the lot is about $31,000 for a similarly equipped car, so that's a good savings. Does anyone know why the car would be cheaper if I ordered it instead of buying it off the lot? Doesn't make sense...

Re: the Subie, are you getting offered the car for invoice price? If not, shop around, as there are definitely a few dealers in the Bay Area who would be willing to give you the car for close to invoice.

Rambo · Dec 7, 2010

Moo - PM me if you want the Consumer Reports ratings for this category.

Quick glance:

Midsized sport-utility vehicles in your price range (tested price close to the $30k target) 2011 models:

Kia Sorrento v6 and v4
Hundai Santa Fe v6 and v4
(both v4's were rated 5 or 6 points below the v6 models)

They also rate the Subaru Outback third in the WAGON category behind the Volkswagon Jetta and the Mazda 5 wagon. Surprisingly, they give the Mazda 5 Wagon a 95 which, is the highest rating I've EVER seen a car get.

antirabbit · Dec 7, 2010

Volvo....they were made for what your needs are.

bigbjorn · Dec 7, 2010

Originally Posted by Rambo

Kia Sorrento v6 and v4
Hundai Santa Fe v6 and v4
(both v4's were rated 5 or 6 points below the v6 models)
I think you'll find the 4s are in an inline configuration, not a V. There hasn't been a V4 engine used in a car since the Cologne Ford V4 was used in the Taunus and Saab 96. In any case, despite their advances over the last few years, I don't think I'd buy either of the Korean wonder twins.

Originally Posted by Rambo

They also rate the Subaru Outback third in the WAGON category behind the Volkswagon Jetta and the Mazda 5 wagon. Surprisingly, they give the Mazda 5 Wagon a 95 which, is the highest rating I've EVER seen a car get.
The Mazda 5 is a minivan, so probably doesn't really compare to the others. It's a great car, but the interior is cheap. The new Jetta is an absolutely unbelieveable turd. They vastly decontented the car from the 2010 model.

JohnGalt · Dec 7, 2010

I know they get no love here, but a Lexus RX.

Pilot · Dec 8, 2010

Originally Posted by JohnGalt

I know they get no love here, but a Lexus RX.

Gross

People actually use Consumer Reports for an accurate representation of how good a car is??

suzuka · Dec 8, 2010

why not a lightly used A6 avant?

bigbjorn · Dec 8, 2010

Originally Posted by JohnGalt

I know they get no love here, but a Lexus RX.

Eeeeeeeew. Camry wagon. Eeeeeeew.

PrimusPilus · Dec 8, 2010

I bought a 2010 Forester in September and just had the opportunity to test it in the snow. I was really impressed. I haven't had any problems so far (although I haven't had it long). It gets decent mileage (around 24-25 mpg) on my 80 mile round trip commutes. My only complaints are the cheap looking plastic interior and the stereo. Overall, I think it was a good buy for the money.

I love the looks of the XC60, but reliability would be a concern. Also love the Q5.

Mr. Moo · Dec 8, 2010

Guys, thanks again for the additional comments/suggestions.

We test drove an Infiniti EX35, and while it was fantastic in every respect, it was ultimately doomed by the small backseat, lack of legroom, and a trunk that was seemingly smaller than our Civic and about the same as our 330i. :confused Sucks, because I really enjoyed the car and the color combination and price were on the nose. Oh well.

The RX350 we are probably going to look at, but I have never liked them.

Audi A6 Avants are either too expensive in the later 09/10 models, or past their warranty, or both. Love the car, but won't buy one without a CPO-type warranty on it. Parents had an A6 and it was in the shop more frequently than other cars we've had.

I keep going back to a new Outback Limited 2.5i. It would be ~$32k out the door loaded, which is $2k more than we want to pay. Perhaps I can work on the price with the dealer...

Next on the list to drive:

2007-2008 Lexus RX
2007-2008 4Runner
2007-2008 Acura MDX
Maybe the RDX, but I fear it is also too small like the EX35

As a note, the 2006 330i we own is an AMAZING vehicle. The handling/feel of the car is seriously hard to touch. I knew this already, but after driving some of these larger cars there is a canyon sized gap between them and the BMW (I know it's apples/oranges, but I feel that if I had a Camry and was test driving the EX35, for example, I would be way impressed with the EX35).

blofeld · Dec 8, 2010

Originally Posted by Mr. Moo

The family is expanding and we are looking for a lightly used (still under factory warranty) or new SUV or wagon for, preferably, $30k and under. We test drove a 2011 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited (leather, navi, etc.) and loved it - that is probably the front-runner for now, and it is a hair over $30k. We recently adjusted our price from low $20k to $30k, so now we are looking at what else may be out there. We prefer leather/navi over rock-crawling, and it must be baby safe.

Any ideas/thoughts would be appreciated! P.S. our other car is a 2006 330i, so we have the "sporty, but still family hauling/safe/etc." segment down. Just need a larger/go almost anywhere comfortably type of car.

Funny, I just went through the exact same predicament last December: -I also have a 2006 330i -My wife was also pregnant We had a MB ML350 and wanted to go bigger...ended up with a 2007 Audi Q7 4.2 S-line and I have to tell you we have used EVERY BIT of that extra space. Between the giant stroller, diaper bag, shopping bags, etc, etc, etc the Q7 has been a godsend. It also looks ******* mean on the S-line's 21 inch wheels and the V8 is very adequate. We got a great deal - but were still about 10K over your limit though. That said - I definitely recommend the MDX at the price you are looking for - good size, good engine, good tech. If you are cool with it being very, very ugly and borderline mini-van (and Japanese), it's a great car. The RX350 is ******* terrible - avoid Lexus at all costs. You have to turn your balls in when you purchase it. Have you looked for any used Q5s? I drove the 3.2 and it was awesome, just a little small. I think you can lease the 2.0 for like $400 a month...

blofeld · Dec 8, 2010

Maybe go check something like this out

JohnGalt · Dec 8, 2010

Originally Posted by blofeld

The RX350 is ******* terrible - avoid Lexus at all costs. You have to turn your balls in when you purchase it.

Why is it "******* terrible"? It's not the sexiest or best performing vehicle in the group, but it's a good family car. We just bought my wife a cpo rx 400h and looked at all the other cars in this class. it was the right size for us - mdx was too large and the infinitis and rdx were too small and/or lacking storage. glk and x3 were unimpressive. i've sworn off audi after the repair bills on my last one. a quick search will pull up a rundown i gave of the various vehicles a couple months back when we were leaning toward the rdx. to add a few more bullet points to the lexus:

- comfortable to drive or as a passenger. excellent tech.
- good storage space (just right with a kid on the way and a dog in the back)
- safe
- comparatively low maintenance cost
- 26 mpg
- high resale value
- great warranty coverage

that being said, it is for the wife - i wouldn't buy one for myself, though i don't mind driving it.

blofeld · Dec 8, 2010

Originally Posted by JohnGalt

Why is it "******* terrible"? It's not the sexiest or best performing vehicle in the group, but it's a good family car. We just bought my wife a cpo rx 400h and looked at all the other cars in this class. it was the right size for us - mdx was too large and the infinitis and rdx were too small and/or lacking storage. glk and x3 were unimpressive. i've sworn off audi after the repair bills on my last one. a quick search will pull up a rundown i gave of the various vehicles a couple months back when we were leaning toward the rdx. to add a few more bullet points to the lexus:

- comfortable to drive or as a passenger. excellent tech.
- good storage space (just right with a kid on the way and a dog in the back)
- safe
- comparatively low maintenance cost
- 26 mpg
- high resale value
- great warranty coverage

that being said, it is for the wife - i wouldn't buy one for myself, though i don't mind driving it.

it's nothing personal, I just hate lexus. they are so, so, soooooo boring. if you don't give a **** about any attributes related to actually driving, which judging by the above list you do not, then they are perfect.

$30,000 for an SUV/wagon - thoughts?

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