SUV Decision: RX350, RDX, or X3...any experience with these?

[nowstime]

Hi~

Planning to purchase our second car this December (heard December is the best time to get a new car...so the dealers can get their scores up for next year)...

Budget: Around $40,000 plus tax ($45,000 max including tax).

Buying for: work, sometimes fishing or camping...but most of all my wife wants the high clearence of a SUV...it's hard to see the sides of the street and front when another SUV is next by or in front.

What I want: A reliable car that I can ride for good 7~8 years...good residual value, just in case I want to trade it in or sell it for another new SUV in the future (maybe the new X5 after 3 years, once they fix all the bugs), less maintenance cost and repair cost. Smooth ride with good acceleration from stop and good high speed passage ability.


Cars considering are;
1. Lexus RX350: Good reliablity and smooth ride...but seems like the SUV is aging a bit...the interior not refined...OK but not good. Has an image of a girly SUV.
Qs: For those who had or have this car...Does it have enough power and how about the maintenance cost?

2. Acura RDX: Test drove this one last week and loved the interior and navigation. I also like the exterior but while driving the turbo engine made a werid HISS noice on acceleration and car was kinda jumppy at start...What I'm concern about 1st year reliability...

3. BMW X3: Friend of mine has this one and I loved the handling and sportiness. But the reliability and repairing cost concerns me for the long run. Although the BMW free mainteance program is awesome I worried about after the free program if I decide to keep it.


If you have any experience with the above cars, I desperately need your feedback...

Key point...I want a good reliable car but don't want a car with high mainteance cost and repair cost...while having good residual value (3~5 years).

Best...

Jack from Austin, TX

[RUSH2112]

Alright, heres my 2 cents

First off, I drive a 2002 Mercedes ML500 with 100,000 miles. Its a great solid car. Of course, as with any old german car, it needs occasional work but its really solid and great.

Anyway, German vs Japanese:
With a german car, you get much more car. The interiors are generally nicer, they drive better, handle better, and are overall better engineered. Of course, after youre out of warranty, youre gonna be spending more money on maitnence than with a jap car.
With a Japanese car, youre not gonna get quite as nice of a car in terms of luxury and sportiness, but you'll save some money down the road.

I know BMW has the full coverage warranty -- covers everyting down to brakes etc -- for 4yrs/50k miles. After that, who knows.

Personally, I'd take the BMW in a heart beat, but I am willing to eat the cost down the road as a tradeoff for having a nicer car.

You may also want to check out the ML350 or ML320 BLUETECH Diesel (although I hear the W164 ML's dont drive quite as nicely as the W163's like I have -- I hear they have more of a minivan feel to them).

You might also want to look at the Touraeg and/or Cayenne

I know some people may disagree with me, but this is my experience and I am not crazy for the interior feel of Lexus. I've never looked at the Acura so I have no clue on that car.

[Manarius]

Why do you want to go with High-End cars like Acura's and BMW's and Lexus's ? Why not save your self some money and get yourself a Honda Pilot or the like...if you really need a gas-aholic SUV.

I myself would prefer something like a Subaru Outback Wagon. It has the room of the SUV, a bit of increased clearance, the refined design, AWD, and good gas mileage. Plus, you can get out the door with one for under $30k (if you don't want an LL Bean Edition).

[tomh009]

Two words: Audi Q7. Drive it and be impressed. The interior is a full class above the Japanese competition, too.

[nowstime]

I want something luxury...that's the only reason I'm not considering Honda, Toyota or Subaru, etc...

I'm going for the brand power and service...

[Turbo Audi]

Hissing is a good thing! With turbos, its air going into the intake. My turbo Audi (hence the name haha) makes the noise. I did not know there was a turbo on that SUV.

[RUSH2112]

Hissing is a good thing! With turbos, its air going into the intake. My turbo Audi (hence the name haha) makes the noise. I did not know there was a turbo on that SUV.

Oh man I love the sound of the turbo boost...

[tomh009]

Hissing is a good thing! With turbos, its air going into the intake. My turbo Audi (hence the name haha) makes the noise. I did not know there was a turbo on that SUV.

Which Audi?

[ennma]

I know you are not considering subaru,

but get a forester, stick, luxury package, and turbo(great feeling) ,

great big sun roof covers front and back seats and with the extra

dough get bilstein suspensions, (suspesions in german cars)

I already have the forester but not the suspensions.

ennma