If I want something with performance, I'll buy a car, not a SUV. If I want something with space and utility, I'll buy a SUV and not a car. The FX and X5 have very small cargo areas, they are tall station wagons. Yes they are fast, but who wants to see Carl Lewis run the 100meter on stilts?

And if I DID buy a sporty SUV (maybe I was high on drugs when I went to the dealer), the Porsche Cayenne is what I'd get.

FOr me, a true SUV like the GX 470.

 

I'd pick a used LX470, Landcruiser or GX470 and try to keep the GS for dry days. Also consider an older LX450 or Landcruiser.

 

Yes, I kind of agree with Sick and TT Pimp...

what is the purpose of this purchase? Will you use it for utility reasons? If not, then keep your car and mod it...if you must have a Sports SUV, and it is not for the utilitarian purposes, so be it. But if I buy an SUV, it will be to pull, load, carry. It will be in style of course, but it will have to be a big-boy....Expedition/Navigator/Tahoe/Denali....got to have ***** and room to tow the Lex and 6-7 friends, know what I mean?

 

I agree with all the guys who said keep your car for sport and get a used SUV for utility. I use the SUV most days for the "commute from hell" and when it rains (more like monsoon in So. FL). I drive the GS on sunny days and weekends. It works.

If you go the car and SUV route, let me throw another suggestion into the mix...
Look for a good used Pathfinder. They are reliable, and the later models have good pickup and decent handling for an everyday driver. Since my QX4 is just a "gussied up" Pathfinder, I speak from experience.

BTW, if I did decide to trade both for an SUV it would definitely be the FX35/45. Generally more reliable than German, a great driving experience, and my Infiniti service experience has been top notch (better than Lexus).

Good luck!

 

Personally, I'd go with the FX45 w/Technology package.

 

Check out the QX56! Definitely a BEAST with class! Some may not like it, but I think that's one of those cars that you either like it or you don't.

 

I still like the fx45 although I have not driven it as of yet. I just drove the x5 4.4 with sport package and it handles great, better than my gs4. I was though disappointed with the acceleration, not as quick as I thought it would be.

Maybe I should just get a used jeep and keep the gs. I found a used 2001 jeep cherokee with 55k for under $10K.

the FX still impresses me and since no one drives one yet around here all the better. I like driving unique cars. EG) only 4 gs4's around here that i have seen in 1.5 years.

 

Probably not a good idea to buy the first year but how about a Cadillac SRX? You can buy it with a V8 and a third row bench. Edmunds gave a good review.

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/cadi...s..5.Cadillac*

 

The srx looks ok in pictures, but I do not like it in real life. it appears like a cross of a minivan and station wagon. My wife can not stand it so this makes it out of the contention.

I agree first years are not good. although I have a first year GS4.

 

The rear of the SRX reminds me of a ML..I think it's the rear 1/4 window. As far as being a cross between a station wagon and a suv that's true but so is the FX. Actually, the FX looks more like a station wagon on steroids then anything else. You either love it or hate it. You didn't mention the Touareg..has that been eliminated already from your list?

The used cherokee idea sounds the best since it's a winter vehicle. Depreciation is another factor. I've already seen a FX35 offered for sale used @36k private party. Depending on the options, that's a 45k vehicle plus fees.

 

I did like the toureg, but being that there are 10+ on the road here and over 5 still on the dealers lot I am not excited about buying that. Plus the reliability of VW scares me some.

I agree with the either like or hate with all of these vehicles.

For winter maybe the cherokee is the best bet, and with 4.99% I could refinacnce the last few years of the rx with this and maybe drop my payments. ?

 

I agree with your take on VW. Plus, the Touareg is not cheap either. I read that they are taking a 2-3k off of msrp on the Touareg but a nicely equipped one with a V8 is MSRP 55k! That's a lot of jettas.

Lowering your payments could be nice depending how much you owe on it. If you are good with your budgeting and if you own a home with some equity maybe you could borrow against it to refi the RX. That way you could deduct the interest from your taxes. If you can, you might as well let the tax laws work in your favor.

 

Meanboy, I like the way you think. I will look into the tax part with financing on my house. Good idea.

 

The only bad thing with using the home equity line is that they might charge an appraisal fee if you don't have a line of credit opened already. When we refi'd the house we open up a HELOC at the same time. We don't use it so we don't pay for it but it is available in case we need it. Currently, our HELOC rate is 4.05%. It's not fixed. Fixed is 6 point something but the rates should remain the same for awhile. Talk to your favorit tax advisor and see if it's something the can work for you.

 

The bank will give my 4.7% interest and refinance the rx into the loan if I buy the used 2001 Jeep. So increasing my payment $100/month for the rest of the loan. I currently have 6% on that vehicle.

Is it worth this or should I wait until the summer for a used fx45, maybe for around 35k, but I wonder where interest rates will be at that time.