Needing to move away from the GS
12-14-18, 12:29 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Needing to move away from the GS
Let me just summarize this by saying that I love the GS and would not consider selling/trading AT ALL but I am faced with little choice because I need 6 seats due to a growing family.
My wife drives a brand new Odyssey in Elite trim so this would not be our primary family vehicle but I am a firm believer in “two is one and one is none” and so I am looking to switch it up.
I started looking at possibilities in the 35-55k price range and here are my preliminary findings for possibilities (in no particular order) :
1. The BMW X5 looks terrible these days, but is available with a third row. Again, gross.
2. Lexus RX350L. Completely uninspiring.
3. Audi Q7. It interests me though I am uneasy about getting back into a German.
4. Toyota Sequoia. I owned a 2010 before and thoroughly enjoyed it, though fuel economy sucked.
5. Land Cruiser, nice but tough to carve corners in.
6. Mazda CX-9... the new ones are sweet.
7. Nothing Infiniti.
8. Some kind of crew cab pickup truck with a good amount of bells and whistles.
9. Mercedes GL.. elephant on stilts.
So I am wondering what like minded drivers would opt for in my circumstances...
My wife drives a brand new Odyssey in Elite trim so this would not be our primary family vehicle but I am a firm believer in “two is one and one is none” and so I am looking to switch it up.
I started looking at possibilities in the 35-55k price range and here are my preliminary findings for possibilities (in no particular order) :
1. The BMW X5 looks terrible these days, but is available with a third row. Again, gross.
2. Lexus RX350L. Completely uninspiring.
3. Audi Q7. It interests me though I am uneasy about getting back into a German.
4. Toyota Sequoia. I owned a 2010 before and thoroughly enjoyed it, though fuel economy sucked.
5. Land Cruiser, nice but tough to carve corners in.
6. Mazda CX-9... the new ones are sweet.
7. Nothing Infiniti.
8. Some kind of crew cab pickup truck with a good amount of bells and whistles.
9. Mercedes GL.. elephant on stilts.
So I am wondering what like minded drivers would opt for in my circumstances...
12-14-18, 03:02 AM
#2
Honestly if you are looking at the Land cruiser you might as well look at the Lexus LX570 the pricing really isn't that far apart between new and used. If reliability isnt an issue to you I would say the Audi Q7 for sure it is amazing and still fun to drive.
12-14-18, 03:37 AM
#3
Racer
Is there some reason the MDX and QX60 are not on your list?
I recently purchased a 2015 QX60 to replace our 2006 MDX, and I'm pretty impressed with the car.
It's versatile, comfortable, great set of amenities.
I recently purchased a 2015 QX60 to replace our 2006 MDX, and I'm pretty impressed with the car.
It's versatile, comfortable, great set of amenities.
12-14-18, 06:20 AM
#5
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What about Lexus GX?
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12-14-18, 09:53 AM
#8
Racer
I think out of the cars you've mentioned, the CX-9 would get my vote. Mazda seems to be heading in a great direction and the CX-9 looks great inside & out. Reviews are also quite favorable of it.
I'd agree with you on nothing Infiniti. I've driven many QX60 loaners as well as RX350L and RX450hL loaners and if you think the RX is uninspiring, oh boy that QX60 though...
I'd also lean towards the Highlander rather than RX L if you wanted better usable space in the 3rd row.
MDX could also be a good choice, looks great in A-Spec trim and with their SH-AWD system would likely still be fun if you hit a few corners here or there.
I'd agree with you on nothing Infiniti. I've driven many QX60 loaners as well as RX350L and RX450hL loaners and if you think the RX is uninspiring, oh boy that QX60 though...
I'd also lean towards the Highlander rather than RX L if you wanted better usable space in the 3rd row.
MDX could also be a good choice, looks great in A-Spec trim and with their SH-AWD system would likely still be fun if you hit a few corners here or there.
12-14-18, 10:57 AM
#9
Driver
We had a 2015 Mazda CX-9 Touring for a couple years and it was nice, but it had random electrical goblins that would light up the dash like a Christmas tree so we traded in last December for a new Acura MDX. Both have a third row but the Acura has more power and way more bells and whistles. CarPlay wasn’t an option for the 2017 model year, but added in 2018 in the Acura.
I’m a fan of Mazda (my first new car 20+ years ago was a Mazda, and we bought our son a Mazda 3), but the biggest reason we didn’t get another when leaving the 2015 was because the engine is only the 4 cylinder in the newer CX-9’s - fine for everyday driving but you’re not towing much.
The MDX is worth a look, especially if you go with the SH-AWD and various packages.
I’m a fan of Mazda (my first new car 20+ years ago was a Mazda, and we bought our son a Mazda 3), but the biggest reason we didn’t get another when leaving the 2015 was because the engine is only the 4 cylinder in the newer CX-9’s - fine for everyday driving but you’re not towing much.
The MDX is worth a look, especially if you go with the SH-AWD and various packages.
12-14-18, 11:12 AM
#10
Are you wanting fun to drive to lead? Resale? Reliability?
I'd say if I had to replace my GS to accommodate a 3 row SUV, I'd go Volvo XC90, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, or Acura MDX Sport Hybrid. I'm a fan of the electric motor boost over the MPG savings.
I also loved my Wife's 16 Explorer Sport with the Twin Turbo V6. Powertrain was worth it alone. Bigger but just a well sorted motor and chassis.
I'd say if I had to replace my GS to accommodate a 3 row SUV, I'd go Volvo XC90, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, or Acura MDX Sport Hybrid. I'm a fan of the electric motor boost over the MPG savings.
I also loved my Wife's 16 Explorer Sport with the Twin Turbo V6. Powertrain was worth it alone. Bigger but just a well sorted motor and chassis.
12-14-18, 11:21 AM
#11
Instructor
MDX handling is above par for the class, but the ZF9 tranny has a mind of its own and prone to hunt gears alot. I absolutely hate the double stack center console and the button shifter.
12-14-18, 11:45 AM
#12
Another vote for '17-'19 MDX Sport Hybrid. We have the '17 Sport Hybrid. It seat 7 comfortably albeit third row is for kids only.
The MDX drives super smooth and is very quiet. It has the better DCT 7 Speed vs the ZF9 in the regular gas model.
My only complaint about it is the poor and confusing dual screen Infotainment system and the down-market cheap interior. Not as nice as Lexus, but it serve its purpose as a family hauler and great road trip car.
My second vote is 5G 4Runner Limited, but it's pretty expensive. If you're looking at that might as well move up to the Lexus GX.
The MDX drives super smooth and is very quiet. It has the better DCT 7 Speed vs the ZF9 in the regular gas model.
My only complaint about it is the poor and confusing dual screen Infotainment system and the down-market cheap interior. Not as nice as Lexus, but it serve its purpose as a family hauler and great road trip car.
My second vote is 5G 4Runner Limited, but it's pretty expensive. If you're looking at that might as well move up to the Lexus GX.
12-14-18, 11:47 AM
#13
Look into the new Honda Passport with the V6 option. A little larger than the CRV and more sportier than the Pilot. It should hold it's resale value pretty well. It may end up being cheaper than an Acura MDX too.
12-14-18, 12:02 PM
#15
Advanced
Thread Starter
Should’ve mentioned the 4R but it is out of the running at the moment because of the 4.0L. Poor gas mileage and poorer acceleration. If it was available with a souped up (ie, over ~310 hp) 3.5L then this wouldn’t even be a conversation.
As as far as Volvo’s, I love the old ones and have an old Volvo project car I wrench on but I completely lost interest when Volvo went FWD as a brand. Also, resale value is down the tubes.
As as far as Volvo’s, I love the old ones and have an old Volvo project car I wrench on but I completely lost interest when Volvo went FWD as a brand. Also, resale value is down the tubes.