Wife needs new car, narrowed down choices: need opinions.

Only because my wife has one, I would recommend looking into the new grand cherokees. She loves hers. It is a insanely nice ride as well.

 

Infiniti JX35

 

I haven't owned a BMW although several friends have gone through M3's over the years. I don't know much about them except that I always hear that maintenance is not an easy DIY thing and can be costly. While I appreciate the build quality, I don't see them as a good overall value (unless you are getting an M-series sport model). The sense of prestige seems to be the main driver.

In the same size and general "looks" category:

Honda CR-V/Acura RDX
Acura MDX (WAY more car for about the same money)
RAV4
4Runner
Subaru Tribeca

I would consider all of those before spending 40K on an X3. Looks and "prestige" aren't worth an extra 8k to 10K.

 

Let her get what she wants... "What honey? Did I just hear you say Porsche Cayenne???" That's exactly how it would turn out

But wmdpowell and TenBeers has got a great point. I'll definitely do a more thorough research with loading and unloading the rear seats with a car seat. Reaching back. More research on rollover safety. How easy it'll be for her to maneuver the vehicle in the Bay Area traffic + parking.

And thanks for everyone who contributed practical and unpractical (those made me laugh) opinions.

I'll look into the Venza and Subaru wagons, both have AWD, great value for what I get and reliable. I'll keep the X3 as a last option since from the opinions I'm getting, it's not bad; but, for what it is, there's better value. Thanks everyone.

 

Don't forget BMW has free maintance to 50ki. That's a big factory for savings, just lease one for 3 years 12000mi year. If you guys still like it at the end than buy it out right. Remember happy wife happy life!

 

Jeez, you live in UK!?! you got your Tacoma there too? Or did you pick up a Hilux?

 

he lives in az, but hes from the UK. and he drives a jeep, traitor. i'd be jealous if he had a hilux
oh, and the new subie's look good

 

I do wish our Tacomas' were named Hilux instead. The new XV is in serious consideration since some members were talking about safety of vehicles along with ease of access to the rear seats, size, reliability, and it drives amazing. Saved my life one time too. '05 WRX, that thing was pure bliss.

 

Where you from in the UK?

 

Toyota Highlander Limited

 

Just tell your wife your getting what you can afford

 

skip the Q5 and go straight to the euro spec Q7 tdi. nothing says daily driver family car like a 6L twin turbo tdi making 500hp and 740 ft-lb of torque while being economical and getting like 35 mpg. though at around $180,000 probably out of everyone on here's price range

 

Y was the q5 ruled out immediatley? Theyve gotten great reviews and handle well with the 3.2 v6 if your looking or for more than a 4 banger. Its no jeep when it comes to offroading ofcourse but as far as safety goes its top notch. Also very comfortable ride that drives more like a car which a lot of women prefer over having to drive larger vehicles. The quattro awd beats anything else out there and i think its a great looking crossover. Just a thought

 

Have her check out the Volvo XC-90. It's not bad looking, it's a decent soft roader, and it's a Volvo, so the build quality is good and it's safe as houses for your wife and little one.

 

I understand this more than you know, we are car shopping for her now as well. If we go into a Toyota dealer to look at a Rav4 if I leave her alone for more than 5 minutes I'll come back to find her sitting in a Land Cruiser.

It's the same thing at every showroom we've been to.

I get it.

The only way I've found a compromise was to get her to agree to a max limit. I'd suggest you do this as you are going over the monthly bills.

Now all I have to say is, did you look at the sticker?

For your own well being if you pick her car for her she's going to resent it and every time there is even the slightest problem you are going to hear THE WORDS----------"see I told you".

Good luck

 

We paid around $30K. It's an 09' bought it in March this year. Had only 27K miles and got extended warranty. Won't pay to put a wrench on it till it hits 100K.

Exactly what I'm saying. Plus she's getting 25 MPG out of her V6 AWD.

 

I woke up with a new revelation. Little kids wreck shit. Spill on the seats and carpet, kick the front seats, break off knobs, hit doors on things. I wouldn't buy any nice vehicle until the kids are old enough to respect it.

 

So you want a nice DD that's safe, reliable, capable off road, low cost of ownership and looks good? Is their a reason why your not looking at a 4runner? Sounds to me like it would be the best. My moms had 3 all were used and she put over 200k on all of them with no problems just regular maintenance. That's where I would start. Also Nissan would be worth checking out, but from what I gather they won't offer enough luxury in their SUV as she wants.

 

Q5 and X5 are the best looking SUV's on the road IMO. The Q5 will have a diesel option in 13, might get one of those for the wife.

 

40k is max, which is a lot of options. Your point along with safety makes the most sense. I'll be upset with a spill in any luxury car. Can't the FJ be hose out in the interior?