I'm from Lincoln. The Huskers.......

 

I've spent many a day at memorial stadium! I would advise staying away from Lexus of Lincoln..i went to get a new key for my sc300.. They didn't know what model it was....

 

By "real" SUVs, I assume you mean body-on-frame off-roaders?

 

Might want to check out a Mazda CX-7 or CX-9 (depending on the size that you're looking for). I test drove a CX-7 and I liked it a lot (and I am not one to be driving an SUV ever). I've also read that the CX-9 is quite good for the money though I've never been in one so I can't say firsthand. The "Grand Touring" trim level on their cars is very nice.

 

You should check out a Acura MDX, they are excellent SUVs and also do surprisingly well off road for a non truck based SUV.

 

If your budget caters for it how about a new shape LandCruiser? 4.5 litres of twin turbo diesel goodness

 

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the entire "SUV because it's safer" thing.

As mentioned previously, there are some situations in which a car might be better, such as accident avoidance. Cars generally handle and brake better - when it rains here in CA (admittedly, most CA drivers don't know how to drive in the rain) we see SUVs on their sides or even completely upside-down. We call them "turtles." I can't think of many occasions when being upside-down would be good.

For example, when looking at an SUV like the RX 350, we all know it's based on the Camry/ES 350 platform, right? Has it been proven that sitting 5" higher is safer?

I think that there are few better ways to protect yourself than by taking a high performance driving school. Most people think "I'm a good driver..." and most of them are WRONG. America, hang up the phone, stop trying to text, and pay attention. The life you save might be mine!

 

That's because (as I've said before) the whole buisness of 4WD/AWD, traction-control, and stability-systems often fools people into cockiness and thinking that their vehicles can do more on slippery-surfaces than is actually possible. And SUV stability-systems, except for some of the ones on Volvo and Ford SUVs, generally correct only for yaw-input and understeer/overster, not body-roll from the high SUV centers of gravity.

 

I consider myself a "good" driver. I know the risks of driving a high center of gravity SUV (own a 2002 4Runner with 11.5" above the ground and narrow). The reasons I want an SUV is because I feel protected against other careless drivers.

It comes down to either a 1GX or 2GX. It is hard to swallow a $40k purchase for a 3 years old SUV with 40k + in miles but if I go with a NEW one with similar options then it is above $60k (hard to swallow as well).

May have a status update on this purchase in couple days......