Who has an SUV?
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 876
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From: IL
Who has an SUV?
Who here has an SUV in addition to their Lexus? The wifey is going to need a new car in a few months, and we have started to brainstorm. We are going to need something big enough for when we start having kids. Post pictures of what you got. I have been thinking about getting an 07 Tahoe. 
SUV is o.k, but if you just need more space because of a growing family, I suggest a crossover or even an xB (or perhaps a minivan?).
SUV's are too heavy and gas-guzzling for everyday family use. Get something that gets rid of the off-road and towing capability (which adds a lot of weight to the vehicle), and just get something that is more functional.
SUV's are too heavy and gas-guzzling for everyday family use. Get something that gets rid of the off-road and towing capability (which adds a lot of weight to the vehicle), and just get something that is more functional.
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,388
Likes: 621
From: IL
Our RX is more than big enough for three adults and our son, plus all the stuff we can take for a weekend getaway (or luggage for a flying vacation). And we actually bought it more for the height than the "space". I'm 6'4" and my wife is 5'11", we both have differing degrees of back trouble, and it would have been too much to bend down to put a car seat/baby in the back of a sedan. If we were shorter, we would have gone with a car instead.
Something like a Tahoe is only really necessary if you're having 3-5 kids, or if you tow a boat. Other than that, you'll be a lot better served by a crossover, wagon or minivan (which can also deal with 3-5 kids quite easily, but not the boat). Especially with gas prices being where they are and headed where they are. 13-15mpg gets old REAL quick.
Something like a Tahoe is only really necessary if you're having 3-5 kids, or if you tow a boat. Other than that, you'll be a lot better served by a crossover, wagon or minivan (which can also deal with 3-5 kids quite easily, but not the boat). Especially with gas prices being where they are and headed where they are. 13-15mpg gets old REAL quick.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,921
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From: Washington
I have a truck and a Jeep Grand Cherokee along with the GX. I will always own a truck and we didn't need 2 SUV's so we sold the GX and have been looking for a car that my wife will drive. We haven't bought a car but we've looked at the GS, IS, M35, and 5 Series so far and haven't made any deals yet. The Jeep will either get traded in or sold after a car is purchased so it will have to be big enough for our family, we started with the IS but it was ruled out for it's size.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,468
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From: Vancouver, BC
definately drove an 03 envoy before the is300 ... not a bad truck, u can get the XL version w. 3rd row, i drove a normal sized one, it was small enough to take it most places but big enough to take full sized dogs {in crates} in the back ... it wasn't my first choice but i didn't hate it and if another one showed up at my house i'd drive it again
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We used to have an RX330. To be honest, it definitely can fit more cargo than any car we had. We moved twice carrying most of the boxes in the RX and only used open bed trucks and a mover for the large stuff.
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well depends on ur budget. if money is no option, consider a porsche, mb ml, x5, gx, or maybe a mdx. personally if u want to start a family for a decently priced suv, i would also take a look at the volvo xc90. as for the tahoe idea, they look nice, but im not sure about gas on that one
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,618
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From: NYC/ATL
I have a 4Runner to, love every minute of it and I don't mind it at the pump, I looked into replacing it but I would need a vehicle in the 40-50k price range to feel like I got an even trade after driving such a vehicle for this long, I could not replace my car with a Camry, just don't want a car that over 400,000+ are driving
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,618
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From: NYC/ATL
well depends on ur budget. if money is no option, consider a porsche, mb ml, x5, gx, or maybe a mdx. personally if u want to start a family for a decently priced suv, i would also take a look at the volvo xc90. as for the tahoe idea, they look nice, but im not sure about gas on that one
Whatever happen to having a family and driving a sedan or wagon, most SUV don't have anymore rear legroom them cars, I see plenty of people driving small cars with kids in the back, OMG
are those the less fortunate people in life
Who here has an SUV in addition to their Lexus? The wifey is going to need a new car in a few months, and we have started to brainstorm. We are going to need something big enough for when we start having kids. Post pictures of what you got. I have been thinking about getting an 07 Tahoe.
Will you need/use a third row seat? If so, trunk space will be extremely limited. The tahoe cargo is probably bigger though.
I find that in the GX with the back up camera, it is verry useful than the sienna without a camera.
Will you be towing anything?
I know that no one wants to drive a minivan nowadays, but from experience, nothing beats the cargo space, access convenience, and gas mileage
Suv sits higher up than the minivan, so taking the baby seat in/out will be straining for the low back.