New/Used Wagon/SUV Suggestions?

[GoodRevrnd]

Replacing POS '08 Acadia for wife. The only reason we had this one is due to a family GM connection. We do NOT need a car this big, as much as she thinks she does for literally no reason. No kids, but I suppose that possibility is always around the corner. Thankfully, our rental in Europe was an A3 hatch which opened her mind to the possibility of a wagon (but something a hair bigger). Whatever we get needs to be marginally practical for cargo since I'm in an '03 M5. Will probably also get AWD for snow trips and eventual move to rainier climate even though it honestly isn't needed.

BUDGET < $50k

Haven't looked at much in person yet, but considering:

Mazda 6 Wagon - I just listed this so I can bitch about it not being available in the states.
Mazda CX5 - I like Mazdas, seems like a far superior car to everything else in the compact SUV class despite lacking some power.
Mazda CX9 - Bigger and more premium to satisfy her needs.
Ford Explorer - I think Ford is making a lot of compelling vehicles these days, and the Explorer is no exception, but they're still plagued by spartan American interiors.
Audi Allroad - I don't know shit about this car, other than being in my boss's a few times and it was quite comfortable and looked very roomy for cargo. Seems way overpriced for what you get, and that atrocious plastic body cladding...
BMW 3 Wagon - I kinda like these, but I seriously doubt we could find one in a configuration we want and a new one would be too pricey. One of the only wagons out there that doesn't have a stupid lift or smeared with plastic.
BMW X5 - These seem like pretty solid premium SUVs for the most part as long as you stick with the 6 cylinders. I'd do a 2012+ e70 or an f15 if it were priced right. I think this is probably what she wants the most.


What else? Q7 is spendy, and I don't trust Audis--hell I barely trust BMWs and I'm a fan--so I don't know about a used one. A used Range Rover in this budget is probably a ticking time bomb. Acura/Honda SUV is listless and a poor value compared to Mazda. I haven't been in the most recent Highlander, but last one I was in was very cramped for how large a vehicle it was. Volvos seem very mediocre for how expensive they are. I will NOT touch another GM.

 

[jlee]

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=444989986

Or go older / non-CPO for low 20's (or a 2003-2009 GX470 for $8-20k).

 

[GoodRevrnd]

I don't understand the forum's love for that Lexus. Dated car with a guzzling V8. I'll grant it's a good way to get something large and plush on the cheap, and at least you can tow with it.

Are v6 Outbacks any good? CVT sends me running away screaming...

 

[pauldun170]

I don't understand the forum's love for that Lexus. Dated car with a guzzling V8. I'll grant it's a good way to get something large and plush on the cheap, and at least you can tow with it.

Are v6 Outbacks any good? CVT sends me running away screaming...

Maybe folks are confusing the LX470 (Land Cruiser for the Fancy pants crowd) with the GX470 (4-runner for the fancy pants crowd)?

Appeal of the LX is that your children can pass it down to their children after decades of basic maintenance, at which point one of them will turn it a mud crawler and destroy the thing. Tradeoff is that you get 5mpg so ideally it should be just an occasional use kind of vehicle.

Appeal of the GX is that you get a smidge more legroom over the LX and you get to say your 4-runner is best 4runner.

 

[jlee]

I don't understand the forum's love for that Lexus. Dated car with a guzzling V8. I'll grant it's a good way to get something large and plush on the cheap, and at least you can tow with it.

Are v6 Outbacks any good? CVT sends me running away screaming...

Because they're awesome, at least if you want to buy something that can run for 400k+ or more without emptying your wallet. If you're only going to own something through the warranty period, by all means go find a BMW.

 

[agent00f]

I don't understand the forum's love for that Lexus. Dated car with a guzzling V8. I'll grant it's a good way to get something large and plush on the cheap, and at least you can tow with it.

Are v6 Outbacks any good? CVT sends me running away screaming...

Subarus are very practical cars, in all manner of speaking. It's worth trying one to see if you can live with the CVT.

 

[postmortemIA]

I'd add Volvo V60/ V60 CC to your list.. new 2018 XC60 too

 

[NutBucket]

I test drove a GX and considering it's a truck it's damned nice. Smooth ride, comfortable and will last forever. I agree the mpg is pretty bad but it's really the only downside.

 

[BurnItDwn]

If she likes the x5 have you also considered the Cayenne and the Macan?

 

[herm0016]

FWIW the new volvos are down there with the Minis for reliability.

hard to recommend something for someone that believes a rover will be better than a modern gm product.

how about an Fpace? they are pretty cool for the money.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

I don't believe a Rover is more reliable than gm, why do you think I called it a ticking time bomb? I have additional personal biases against gm that makes me ignore all but their most compelling performance cars.

How unreliable have Volvos gotten? I had mostly written them off from hearing similar and I think the V60 is a bit cramped and under trimmed for what it costs. That new V90 is nice looking tho, but really a bit out of budget.

 

[PricklyPete]

We recently purchased a Q7...but it is in the same size category as your Acadia. As for reliability, Consumer Reports recently rated it one of their most reliable vehicles with Audi as a company in slot #3. Audi has come a long way since the mid-2000s in the reliability space if you believe CR.

This is coming from an Audi fanboy...so you're warned.

As another option, I'd look at a Q5. More the size you are likely looking for with much better gas mileage.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

What is the cutoff for getting a good Q7 if we go that route (too big imo)? 2010+ facelift, or 2015+ second gen? Same question for Q5 I suppose, 2013+ facelift okay? At least the X5 is easy: don't get a V8. After market warranties are quite a bit more for the Audis than the X5s...

 

[Dr. Detroit]

The best compact SUV's are the Mazda CX5 & Honda CRV - 2017 models were all new for both.

If you like the Ford Escape but with more luxury go with the Lincoln MKC - it also has the available 2.3L Ecoboost for more powah.

Acura MDX is quite nice, the Pilot fails in luxury. Lincoln MKX is quite nice as well - all new 2yrs ago with the Ecoboost V6 available.

If you want bigger - no idea where the spartan interior of the Ford Explorer comes from -Highlander interior is Toyota plastics everywhere.

Jeep Grand Cherokee still gets rave reviews and aside from the Pacifica - best of the Chrysler cars for sure.

The Ford Explorer Platinum is a very premium SUV. At $53K before incentives it comes fully decked out with safety and technology while also having every luxury feature you could want. It's significantly larger and more comfortable than a Q7 and the feature set below would be $75K+ with Audi. Ford did a complete redesign for 2016.

3.5L Turbo V6 365Hp 350TQ
AWD
Twin Panel Moonroof
20" wheels
Active Park Assist (Forward & Side Sensors)
Adaptive Cruise Control
Blind Spot & Cross Traffic Monitoring
Lane keeping Assist
Class III Tow - 5000lbs
Power Folding Mirrors
Hands Free Liftgate
Rain Sensing Wipers
Remote Start
Push Button Start
Nirvana full quilted leather interior
Heated/Cooled front seats
Heated 2nd row seats
Inflatable rear seatbelts
Dual Zone Climate Control
Heated steering wheel
Memory Drivers Seat
Sony 500W Stereo
8" Touch screen with Sync3 (Apple Car play + Android Auto) WiFi updates
Navigation - Pinch to Zoom, Swipe, Voice
Power Fold 3rd row Seats

 

[Insomniator]

For 50k you can certainly get a CPO of a nice vehicle... unless you plan to keep it forever or put a ton of miles on it you don't have to worry about terrible reliability. I just picked up a CPO Evoque... not saying its the smartest purchase in the world but damn its a nice car inside and out. A CRV in comparison... give me a break. although you would indeed end up with an extra 10k to throw down on a black jack hand.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

She liked the Q5 & allroad the best, then the Outback. Q7 tossed for size, hated the Mazdas, didn't like the X5. Didn't look at Explorer after tossing Q7. Will probably go look at RDX/MDX still. Still need to test drive everything after just looking at stuff.

I'm not sure how the Outback interior was a win and the Mazda was not... I guess the dash layout was a little more sculpted, but I found the seats pretty uncomfortable. Definitely wins on cargo space by a mile though. CVT, ugh. Do I still need to be concerned about Boxer oil consumption and head gasket issues?

I'm not sure the allroad is a good value compared to a Q5. Nice it's a car, but it still has a dumb lift and barely better gas mileage. There's probably one used allroad for every 15 Q5s available. More(?) cargo length is nice, but total volume is a fair bit less. This just makes me wish we had the estate which would drive nicer and probably cost less. Might go look at a 3 wagon, but I'm not sure there's any point since we'd probably be stuck buying new, and BMW gouges for addons, many of which should be standard in a lux car, and the F30 fit and finish is a little substandard to Audi.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

BTW, does AutoNation really not haggle on their used car prices? What's that nonsense.

 

[NutBucket]

Yeah, no haggle is BS. Just means you pay more.

 

[Soccerman06]

FYI if you want, you can get a 14-15 CPO Lincoln MKT (explorer) for 25-30k depending on miles and dealer. They can come with fridges where you can put snacks too!

 

[Herr Kutz]

She liked the Q5 & allroad the best, then the Outback. Q7 tossed for size, hated the Mazdas, didn't like the X5. Didn't look at Explorer after tossing Q7. Will probably go look at RDX/MDX still. Still need to test drive everything after just looking at stuff.

I'm not sure how the Outback interior was a win and the Mazda was not... I guess the dash layout was a little more sculpted, but I found the seats pretty uncomfortable. Definitely wins on cargo space by a mile though. CVT, ugh. Do I still need to be concerned about Boxer oil consumption and head gasket issues?

I'm not sure the allroad is a good value compared to a Q5. Nice it's a car, but it still has a dumb lift and barely better gas mileage. There's probably one used allroad for every 15 Q5s available. More(?) cargo length is nice, but total volume is a fair bit less. This just makes me wish we had the estate which would drive nicer and probably cost less. Might go look at a 3 wagon, but I'm not sure there's any point since we'd probably be stuck buying new, and BMW gouges for addons, many of which should be standard in a lux car, and the F30 fit and finish is a little substandard to Audi.

Don't forget, the mid cycle refresh outback will be out this summer.

 

[Demo24]

I honestly wouldn't be worried about Volvo these days. They've made mass improvements in recent years compared to the early/mid 00's. Keep in mind the s/v/xc60 you currently see on the lots are 10year old designs. There is a new xc60 coming this summer that looks amazing and is well equipped within your budget.

I'd also trust the Audi Q5 in that segment. It also just got a model refresh so make sure it's a new one and not the older model (the old model is reliable and fine, just dated).

On Honda, if you've not given the new pilot or CR-V a look, you might be surprised.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

What about a Lexus CT200? (Compact wagon, of 5-door hatch, depending on your marketing playbook.)

Neighbors have one, and they have a kid and a dog. (Although dude's a little on the shorter side; maybe 5'9"?).

It's a nice car; I rode in a coworker's and it was pretty roomy for the size, but we were only going on a short trip.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

I actually thought a CT200 would be a good choice, but she won't go quite that small. It's looking like a used Q5 at this point (probably a 2015), barring anything super interesting come up. The Outback would be cheaper to maintain (unless we got a leaky Boxer) and has more cargo room, but a trimmed out one costs as much as a Q5 and isn't as nice. I also had no idea it was due for a refresh. Hopefully they ditch the CVT (doubt it on a midcycle). I've also been one to avoid new platforms to let manufacturers work out the kinks, which is one reason we also skipped over the 2018 Q5--although a midcycle refresh should generally be fine. Not sure the current car would make it to the Outback release, let alone a 2019 Q5 or Outback.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I doubt anybody'll completely ditch CVTs - mileage is too important, anymore. I suspect they'll just gradually get better and more reliable. (They've already made a lot of progress.)

 

[GoodRevrnd]

But we have all these 8+ speed automatics that have also gotten significantly better and more reliable which are now even suitable in high performance vehicles. Putting a CVT in Subaru's top end car is just nonsense to me. Along that note, I find it odd with all the progress in automatics that Audi has switched over to DCTs in so many vehicles. Seems like that's a high cost to pay in weight and reliability for mass market cars.