I wrecked my Gs430 and want a bigger car so wont get hurt here in texas because people here drive like maniacs so if you guys have some insight let me know. I want to buy an luxury Suv so can some one give me some insight I was tryin to push a few models out so here it goes cadilac escalade, Lincoln Navigator, GMC Denali, and thats it for now but if you have any recomendation please let me know Also what about a BMW X5 . also if someone have forums so i can look up some of these SUVs let me know i want to do some further research. can u guys let me know about driving experience
thank you in advance for your comments
sam

 

Get a loaded V8 Limited 4Runner www.t4r.org

Since you owned a Lexus especially a GS430 you might get bored with the Navigator, Escalade and Denali, those are like boats.

If a Loaded V8 4Runner is not your thing then check out a GX470 or an LX470 which is a tank, check out a Range Rover or an LR3, you can even look at the Infiniti QX56.

The X5 are nice but they seem to need dealer visits more often then others, whats your price range and how long do you intend to keep it, the domestics lack in their offerings, the Escalade is like looking into a Suburban that was made in mid 90's, Navigator is on the list for worst vehicle when it comes to repairs, Denali is same as the Escalade.

I'd get an LS or a 745

 

I disagree with Edge on the LR3.......Land Rover products have a BAD reliability history. They are on the bottom, in last place, on Consumer Reports' reliability lists every year.

Edge is correct, though, that the 4Runner Limited and GX470 are high on your choice list. However, they are very narrow for their height, have a high center of gravity, and would probably get the tipsies pretty good in turns. They are also truck-based, which means poorer ride comfort and steering compared to, say, a car-based SUV like an RX330. I would look at an RX (in regular or Hybrid form) before going with a GX.

 

4Runner is on the top of my list. Legendary history.

 

mmarshall
I just threw the LR3 out their, I don't have a clue about it and I've read afew thing that said it was built with Fords help, think they used the Explorer platform, I really have not looked into it, if any1 is reading this and has info on it shoot

The 4Runner with Xreas handles like a sedan, handles very well in the corners and the GX with the KDSS handles just as well, mmarshall when you have the chance test drive a new 4Runner it's not the same as the last model, it has been widened and lowered, still a hell of a truck.

 

The X5 weighs a ton - that will keep you safe and it handles a lot better than the others you have listed.

 

OK, Chief.....I'll try out the latest version, but still, no matter what kind of tires or suspension you have, you still cannot overcome the laws of physics. All other things equal, a high, narrow, vehicle will still be more prone to rollover than a short, wide one. Stiff suspensions and anti-roll bars, of course, will help by decreasing the amount of body roll you have, but wide, grippy tires on an SUV can actually INCREASE the chances of a rollover. How?...... Think about it. The more a tire grips the road, the more it allows the high, heavy SUV body over it to lean over more and more without the tire sliding sideways to compensate. Before you know it you have a situation where the body is leaning at a dangerous angle but the tires are still gripping. A narrow, low-friction tire, on the other hand, will slide out sideways and prevent the body from rolling at these dangerous angles.
Electronic Stability Control, which is becoming more and more widespread in SUV's, is a definite plus, but ESC does not control roll angle...only oversteer and understeer yaw angles.The Volvo XC-90 has the best system yet......the RSC......Roll Stability Control, which has sensors that detect and correct both roll AND yaw angles. Fortunately, because of Ford ownership of Volvo, you will soon see this technology in other Ford-brand SUVs

 

Do you mean the Land Cruiser?

***Edit
Sorry lol, I thought I was in the rebadging thread!

But if you are looking for safety and want reliability/Toyota quality I too suggest the 4Runner.

 

No...you're comparing apples and oranges here. The Toyota Land Cruiser is a twin to the Lexus LX470, not the GX470. The GX470 and the higher-line 4Runners are twins.

The Land Cruiser, IMO, is a better buy than the LX470. For some $8000-$10,000 price differential or so typically equipped, the only real differences between the two vehicles are the LX470's slightly plusher wood-trim (the Land Cruiser also has wood trim) and the trick automatic ride-height mechanism on the LX470 that raises and lowers the body depending on speed, terrain, road conditions, and whether you are getting in and out.

 

I'll agree with mmarshall here, that RX would be my first candidate - of course I'm biased, having had both an RX 300 and an RX330.

I came to the RX after many years behind the wheel of truck-based SUV's. If you are accustomed to a sedan, these are going to be a real disappointment. Most are loosely based on a pickup truck platform, and tarting them up with wood and leather is the automotive equivalent of putting lipstick on a pig. T/L does it much better than the Americans, but even the LX represents a lot of money for a tall, heavy, gas-guzzler. Unlike domestic brands they seem to represent a slightly better trade-off of ride and handling . . . and they are slow.

The SUV experience is not without compromise; however the crossover vehicles, based on a car or a van chassis are more car-like than the truck-based SUVs. Of these, the RX, I believe represents the best combination of bullet-proof reliability, good braking, surprisingly good handling, and reasonable, if not breathtaking performance - especially in the 330. The RX has long legs and great long-distance accommodations for two - or a family of four and a lot of luggage. Despite weeks on the road, covering thousands of miles it has been a joy to drive on long tours; a silent, comfortable companion that combines efficiency (28 mpg highway - observed) with a nimbleness unmatched by any pickup-derived vehicle. As a commuter it is a relaxing place to spend those long crawls on the freeway in comfortable isolation.

Given the immutability of the laws of physics, the RX is an extraordinarily safe vehicle, with anti-locks, a dynamic skid control, panic brakes, a solid passenger cell, and ultimately a plethora of airbags for your protection. The mass of the Escalade may be able to survive a heavy impact slightly better, but the RX at least gives you a chance to avoid it.

Finally, service . . . Unless you are a rap star, forget the Navigator, Escalade, and Denali - you are going to be the recipient of the same treatment afforded every other poor mutt that shows up to get his Geo serviced: You will be treated like just another fool that the sales department held up at gunpoint.

 

The Infiniti FX45 is the coolest SUV available, IMHO. #2 for me is the 400h (b/c I hate paying thru the nose to fill my tank these days). Good luck & happy hunting.

 

thanks for the in light Wat do you guys think of a sequoia or a infiniti qx45 those look good tell me your opinion now thanks

 

I rode in a Sequoia... wow that thing is huge but very smooth!

 

Ok I have some time.

First off lets see your asking about a luxury SUV right..
So that rules out the sequoia 4 runner and such.

For honest input on the SUV's i'd highly suggest going to the different web sites to get honest true to life views of each. Never go to a import (Lexus/ MB/ BMW/ ACURA etc). site and ask about Domestics(GM/FORD etc) and vice versa, doing this you will never get the info you really need to make an informed decision unless you need to be stroked on a decision you've already made. For Caddy got to their site. For Denali go to SUVworld.com for the Navi start off with FTW Ford Truck World .com. This way you'll see and get an idea of exactly what ownership is truly like with one of these vehicles. Please don't get me wrong I'm not out to insult your intelligence or anything its just something I learned when making a serious choice with these things its one reason I personally haven't gotten the car I really thought I wanted (Audi A8L) I got the hard truth from actual owners.

You'll need to ask youself what will you be useing this SUV for, towing? People Hauling? Off roading? This will make a difference. American luxury SUV's tend to be the pullers with tons of power and torque and big enough to haul people all at the same time. Import SUV's tend to be Slower with less cargo room. Its all in what you want the SUV to do for you.

Now I can tell you about the LX470 and I can tell you a little about the Denali.

LX470 - positives: Rock solid, built like a tank, yes of course reliable, beautiful fit and finish, plush ride, can crawl over rocks like nobody's business, Dealership service is top notch.

Negatives - Slow slow slow for me this thing is a punk when it comes to power, its one of the reasons I'm in my GS more often than not. Third row is a pure joke I don't even understand why they even bother. The truck exterior is dated but soon to be refreshed.

This SUV is best suited for people who can care less about a useable third row who live on flat land (no California hills to get up) who wants to be titillated by pure luxury. this truck is for you.

Denali - Only reason I can talk about this SUV is because a good close friend of mine owns one, oh and a repeat buyer. I'll give a little bit more time on this one seeing they get such a bad rap, they are due some credit you know.

Positives - Power power power a freaken 6.0 engine that can easily be turned into one smokin hot rod by adding a simple air intake and exhaust, can you say american muscle.
The Denali has plenty of room and if plenty is simply not good enough for you than you can opt for the XL. You can also tow a house with this thing. If your into the Bling bling thing well you know you can put dang near any size wheel on it and still look hot....or not. The ride is much better than the reg Yukon actually much better than most truck based SUV's (debatable) so its not that bad at all actually kinda comfy on long trips to my surprise (my LX of course kills it in this area) reliability, actually this thing ranks ok I think they call it average well what does this mean in real life, my friend has had his for a few years with hardly no issues and the one issue that did come up was covered under warranty and if not covered wouldn't have cost him hardly anything to get fixed. The same was true with his last one. Dealer Service experience. Now I went with him on one occasion to get his routine service done, seeing he needed a ride home. In his case he was treated very nicely and got his auto back in the time frame mentioned, this has always been his story, they've always took good care of him, this is not to say others at different dealers had the opposite experience. Needless to say he like my LX but he loves his Denali.

Negatives - To much gas, all that power just drinks it like its a Miller on a hot day at a family BBQ.
I really like the looks i.e. grill and front side rear claddings the truck is pretty, really nice modest touches, particularly in white. But its still a Yukon and looks like one on every note from interior to exterior its basically a Yukon with a really nice kit, now this could be a bad thing or a good thing depending on where and how you like to put your money, I say this because theres a huge I mean Huge price difference between a base model Yukon and the Denali. Another thing is although one of the smoother riding truck based SUV's you still will get that jitter over pot holes and bigger bumps which I don't feel in my LX.
I edit this post to include also something that mmarshall mentioned below which I've forgotten I have heard my buddy complain about his breaks in the past, needing to replace them a little too often, but he just figure its the price for such a huge and heavy SUV.
Interior - Cheap cheap cheap its like they don't care, the dash still looks like that 72 K9 blazer, is this on purpose?? panel gaps, not nearly as bad as the Ford Expedition, thats about all I can say on that, the leather, the two tone is nice thats it. I wish I can say it gets better with the 03' + but in my opinion it gets worse they change out the signature head rest for the base model Yukon head rest and also get rid of the nice touch denali monogram on the doors, they also drop the the transmission temp gauge, typical consumer pocket gouging tactics by GM.

I see this truck being for those who wish to support american products, or ones who need cargo space, and want power all in one in a pretty package. People who are tired of Escalades but want something that still looks good with 24's. People who aren't big interior buffs. This SUV is for you.

 

You forgot one important point with nearly all of the GM truck-based SUV's, Milla, of which the Denali is one....the weak brakes. And....I'm not saying this just to "bash" domestics, either. These vehicles have had a history , reaching back about 10 years or so, of poorly designed brakes, with everything from a spongy pedal to low stopping power to brake fluid leaks to ABS problems to wheel cylinders to warped rotors to short pad life to you-name-it.
Now....I'm not saying that every one of them will be faulty or go bad, but if you test-drive one, BE SURE that you can stop the thing quickly if you have to. These are HEAVY vehicles...5000-6000 lbs. and more....and the power boosters just don't seem to work well on the ones I've seen.
My ex-supervisor, after he retired, wanted a Yukon XL (Suburban)...and sure enough, the one we test-drove had brakes that felt like a soggy sponge. They took an enormous amount of pressure to stop from anything more than about 20-25 MPH.

So...I'm not saying this to alarm either you or Gs430, but just to make sure that if he test-drives an Escalade, Denali, or any other large GMC or Chevy truck-based SUV, make sure that the brakes are acceptable .