[///austin]

Guys,

We are expecting and I need to get an SUV. My wife and I both love our current vehicles--2008 M3 coupe and 2008 328i convert with sport package.

In these times we want to be extra conservative. We can do what we want but we "want to watch it" as I'm sure many of you understand.

We've got 0.9% on my wife's car which I would prefer not to give up. And we are paying extra every month against my car to get it paid off totally.

So here's the question: we could trade my wife's car and get her an SUV--anywhere from something like a new RX to the new 2010 Range Rover Sport. Either option over 5 years though adds A LOT more money, especially when you figure what we'll lose on trading my wife's car.

For comparison, we've looked at buying something like a 1-owner 2003 or 2004 Discovery for in the $10ks.

If we do the latter, pay it off, plus keep my wife's car and pay it off, over the time it takes to do that we'll save a lot of money, versus trading my wife's car on an SUV, whether something like the Lexus or something more expensive like the RR sport.

To me, it seems like the smart thing to do is to save our money etc., but I thought you guys might have some really good feedback.

Thanks!

[drivendriver]

Three questions: 1) Do you really "need" an SUV? 2) How big does it have to be? 3) Does it have to be a Rover?

An X3 would not cost much more (if anything) than your wife's 3-series.

Generally speaking, now is a good time to buy a new car.

[RealSanaii]

My sister had one for 9 months.....everything started to break down. CD wouldn't come out, engine wouldn't start and etc....

I say stay away from early rovers.

[///austin]

(1) yes, (2) roomy, and (3) no

[reRESERVEDFX]

It's a car, you're obviously gonna lose money on it. I say you should maybe buy a new X5 3.0si with sport package and whatever other options you'd like? How about 535i Touring? It will def. be more fuel efficient while you have same amount of space as in the X5, only lower.

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by ///austin

Guys,

We are expecting and I need to get an SUV.

To me, it seems like the smart thing to do is to save our money etc., but I thought you guys might have some really good feedback.

Thanks!

Why not a smaller SUV if you need one? Why not something less "upscale" too than Range Rover and Lexis? The Ford Escape or if you need something more upscale a Mercury Mariner (same as Escape, higher end) are good options. You won't end up paying for "brand" that way and unless you're looking at some serious offroading you're buying performance you don't need in a family vehicle with the RR. The Lexis isn't any more capable than the Ford, so that's a wash, and really it's just a Toyota with a fancier badge.

Ford is offering zero, yes zero, percent APR on 09 Escape. There are various models, new, from 20 to 27K. Before you dismiss this out of hand consider that Ford build quality is quite good; the prices for these are pretty low to begin with; good reliability; reasonable fuel economy; and they're big enough for trips and carrying most stuff around.

We've got one, leather package, appearance package, etc. and it's been problem free for 40K miles and been great for family vacations. With the AWD it's pretty much good to go in any conditions. In fact, it's large enough to put a water heater in and do some general light duty carrying.

The Escape is built on a car, not a truck, chassis so it handles much more like a car than a truck (the Explorer and up are all truck based).

It's not a BMW or Range Rover; but then again it doesn't cost as much, and you can't beat the financing. It's comfortable--no problem sitting in it for long hours on the road. And it looks pretty good as well.

Safety wise the 09 gets 5 stars (best) on everything except rollover (typical of SUVs which all score less than 5).

Of course, you could buy a used 08 for 15-21K. Same safety profile as the 09. Depending on what kind of interest rate you get, you might do better than a new one.

Interior room on the Escape front and back is comparable to the RX, but there's more cargo room in the Escape.

Either way, it's an option I'd consider. Kids eat up more money more quickly than you'll plan for (vacations, furniture, clothes, etc. etc. etc.), so go cheaper on the transportation and build up a reserve for when you'll need it. Plus you're losing something on the wife's 3 series, so saving where you can makes sense IMO.

If the goal is safe, reliable transportation with more room for a family, a conservative choice in terms of expense, then this is a good option IMO. Note, if you're interested in the Escape--and I encourage you to test drive one--I'd go with the V6. The extra torque is nice for hauling things and for some light offroad/bad road driving and mountains.

[linsm3]

Whatever you do don't get a range rover, they have a terrible history and everyone I know who got one won't do it again. Around here they are more of a statement. I have kids and when they were little I started with a jeep and had to move to the big suburban. Not practical for now though with gas mileage and all. Friends have the Acura and LOVE it. The Volvo I heard doesn't have a good safety record, told to me by someone who was in an accident with her kids on board. We currently have our second X5 and the first one is still going with 100,000 plus miles. They have awesome financing and we just got the other one for 0.9 I think. Whatever you do its the kids that come first.

[krnnerdboy]

I like the idea of keeping the e93 and buying a used cheaper SUV. You will take such a hit for that 1 year of ownership that your loss would have paid for your used SUV. It would be a different story if you were paying conventional interest though. I come from an 07 z4m and 09 328i and our truck is my 07 titan. My wife is due in jan 2010 and traded our 08 mini s for the e90, and we only took a 3k hit for that car. You should go get your e93 appraised before making any decisions and I'm sure you will see a lot clearer

if your budget is in the 10k range look no further than 03-04 4runners. As much as I would like to one day build a LR discovery for safari status I would never put my wife in one for her commute, period! Even if you are getting a new suv, do not purchase a land rover(lease them)b/c if you do you will realize what real depreciation is

not to mention that he third car insurance premium is next to nothing...on mine it made a $30 ,onthly difference for full coverage

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by krnnerdboy

I like the idea of keeping the e93 and buying a used cheaper SUV. You will take such a hit for that 1 year of ownership that your loss would have paid for your used SUV. It would be a different story if you were paying conventional interest though. I come from an 07 z4m and 09 328i and our truck is my 07 titan. My wife is due in jan 2010 and traded our 08 mini s for the e90, and we only took a 3k hit for that car. You should go get your e93 appraised before making any decisions and I'm sure you will see a lot clearer

if your budget is in the 10k range look no further than 03-04 4runners. As much as I would like to one day build a LR discovery for safari status I would never put my wife in one for her commute, period! Even if you are getting a new suv, do not purchase a land rover(lease them)b/c if you do you will realize what real depreciation is

not to mention that he third car insurance premium is next to nothing...on mine it made a $30 ,onthly difference for full coverage

Good ideas and good points. The insurance savings on the vehicle could go to life insurance premiums if the OP doesn't have coverage or enough coverage there.

[EmPower]

Originally Posted by ///austin

Guys,

We are expecting and I need to get an SUV. My wife and I both love our current vehicles--2008 M3 coupe and 2008 328i convert with sport package.

In these times we want to be extra conservative. We can do what we want but we "want to watch it" as I'm sure many of you understand.

We've got 0.9% on my wife's car which I would prefer not to give up. And we are paying extra every month against my car to get it paid off totally.

So here's the question: we could trade my wife's car and get her an SUV--anywhere from something like a new RX to the new 2010 Range Rover Sport. Either option over 5 years though adds A LOT more money, especially when you figure what we'll lose on trading my wife's car.

For comparison, we've looked at buying something like a 1-owner 2003 or 2004 Discovery for in the $10ks.

If we do the latter, pay it off, plus keep my wife's car and pay it off, over the time it takes to do that we'll save a lot of money, versus trading my wife's car on an SUV, whether something like the Lexus or something more expensive like the RR sport.

To me, it seems like the smart thing to do is to save our money etc., but I thought you guys might have some really good feedback.

Thanks!

Tough times call for practical measures. YOu have 2 premium cars. You dont need another one. Get a 3-4 year used low miles Honda CR-V or a Santa Fe. I would go the Hyundai route since the 10 yr 100,000 mile warranty is unmatched. Plus 4 year old car would be cheap. Lease it if you must. You wont be paying a lot out of your pocket, and once times start getting better, sell it without losing too much money on it in a couple of years. You may make some money off of it too. Makes the most financial sense to me.

[dcgolfdr]

We have recently gone through your exact situation, we have a 7 month old and I would have to say you have to carry a lot of shit with a kid. We had a RR sport, traded for an E class which didn't work at all and now we are in a GL class, which is nice. The problem with small SUV and a kid isn't just the amount of storage in the back it is the amount of room in the back seat for the infant carrier. If the seat is small then you are going to have to push your seat forward to give the carrier room(unless you are short). The GL can carry lots of shit and I got the Bluetec which gets 28 mpg on the highway where the RR sport averaged 15 and diesel is cheaper than premium gas which we all know the price of that stuff.
Hopefully this helps.

[EmPower]

Originally Posted by dcgolfdr

We have recently gone through your exact situation, we have a 7 month old and I would have to say you have to carry a lot of shit with a kid. We had a RR sport, traded for an E class which didn't work at all and now we are in a GL class, which is nice. The problem with small SUV and a kid isn't just the amount of storage in the back it is the amount of room in the back seat for the infant carrier. If the seat is small then you are going to have to push your seat forward to give the carrier room(unless you are short). The GL can carry lots of shit and I got the Bluetec which gets 28 mpg on the highway where the RR sport averaged 15 and diesel is cheaper than premium gas which we all know the price of that stuff.
Hopefully this helps.

A GL class is expensive. Yes the OP has an M3 and a 328 cab, but he does not want another expensive vehicle. A used Honda Pilot is good value for money and if space is such a problem, whats wrong with a used minivan? I bet you could get an Odessey/ Sienna for cheap. Understandably, they are not diesel, but if he wants to use it for a couple of years until the kid is a little older and they get their finances in check, they can go for a premium brand and a diesel.

[Georgeair]

When you answer how big with "roomy" I assume this means you never want or need to actually use it to pull anything, haul around appliances, beds, furniture, car bits, etc, you, two kids and 5 of their friends or actually use it off-road, right?

IOW, a slightly bigger high-riding cruiser. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[vjordan]

I have owed many of those suv's mentioned above...traded in a ml55 for the x3..surprise..surprise..the x3 was the best car of that type I have ever owned..that's with the new 3.0si engine..not the 3.0i..next would be the ford explorer.believe it or not...the Range Rover and the Discovery both were good..but COSTLY to own..Funny..my CA for the Rovers and my Porsche then ..is my urrent CA for my BIMMERS...haha..I guess he knows something we are just finding out.....I think the key word here would be TROUBLEFREE/DEPENDABLE...good luck

[11Past9]

Please spare him the BMW fanboi crap. X3 this and X5 that. Truth be told they are both useless off-road, expensive, ugly, and or both. The X3 is EASILY out done in its class... The X5 doesn't offer enough SUVness to justify the price.

Buy THIS:

Toyota Land Cruiser: Hands down the most reliable out of the ones mentioned, VERY off road capable, roomy, top notch build quality and you can get them used rather cheap.

[ragingclue]

How tall is your wife? Reason I ask is because my '03 Disco is extremely difficult for mine to get in and out of (she's about 5' tall). It's also a pain in the ass for small kids, and the rear door openings are ridiculously small. The doors feel like they may protect you from mosquitos, but weigh practically nothing and seem like they were put there as an afterthought. I've never felt so unsafe in such a commanding vehicle. It also guzzles gas at an alarming rate for its size.

However, it's an off road monster, has a good torquey V8, and you can fit lots of crap in the back.

Having that and an RX, I would definitely recommend the RX if family hauling is your priority. If you hit the trails every once in a while, or tow shit, then get the Disco. If you do get the Disco, stay away from the self-leveling rear suspension, look for cracks forming in the head or exhaust manifolds, and you should be golden.

[coh4777]

Have you ever checked out the Chevy Tahoe? It is super comfortable, smooth and powerful. I also feel that the interior is quite refined for an American-made car. It shares the same chassis as the Cadillac Escalade and GMC Yukon. If I were going to get an SUV I would lean heavily towards the Tahoe, although it may be TOO big for your needs.

You may also want to consider a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Very solid vehicles and can be had for great prices these days! Obviously, neither the Tahoe or the GC have the cache as the other options you are looking at, but IMO they are good-looking SUV's that offer a great value.

As for the Range Rover Sport, I test drove one a few months ago and was rather disappointed in it. They are beautiful to look at from the outside, but the interior felt cramped (both the front and the rear seats), the center console looked cluttered with too many buttons, and the NAV screen seemed small. I also thought that the engine power was rather weak, although I tested the HSE, not the Supercharged version. Overall while the RRS may the most stylish of all the SUV's on the market, I feel like the functionality is lacking, and a poor value given the price point.

I'm not a big fan of the RX since it screams soccer mom, but maybe that works for you and your wife!

[LI E90]

audi Q5