OOOPS! I haven't been around in so long I didn't even know this forum existed! I just posted this in the regular off topic section:

Ok I know this is terrible, I haven't posted around here in ages, and then I go and post about SUV's!!! I know, I know, I'm so sorry, but I'll make it up to you guys I promise!

Anyway I could really use some help here. My mother's land cruiser just crapped out on her, and she needs to buy a new car asap, but she's really nervous about makeing any uneducated decisions. She loves BIG cars, absolutely despises station wagons and mini vans, and swears she needs room for at least 6 people. I've been slowly swaying her towards the Volkswagon Touareg but it's been a long hard battle as it only seats 5.

Does anybody have any links, info, articles, message boards ect. that I should check out? Any info on the Touareg or almost any other SUV out there will do. Her price range is in th 50's, and her ideal vehicle is the real Hummer(not the H2).

Any help is greatly appreciated

 

Hey Katie, it's good to hear from you! :smile:

If your mom insists on driving a huge vehicle, hopefully she'll at least try to avoid the worst gas guzzlers (although if she likes Hummers, maybe I'm being too hopeful!). When it comes to vehicles of that size (6+ passenger), I think the best one as far as fuel economy goes is the Acura MDX. Decent fuel economy, nice looking (for an SUV ), Honda quality/durability.

The Touareg is nice-looking (for an SUV), but VW's reliability is in the toilet, and the Touareg is pretty terrible on gas.

Come back and chat with us about MINIs, too! You still have your car, right?

 

Hey stranger. Good to hear from you. I'll agree with chris, MDX or Honda Pilot is the way to go but check out http://www.carsdirect.com for a complete comparison between any two cars, thrid party reviews, buyers guides, etc.

--
Cheese

 

My ‘96 GMC Suburban (The Miata Masher) served me well for 98,000+ miles. Never a problem except consumables - tires, brakes, wipers, fluids. Able to haul a whole crew of Boy Scouts with their camping gear, pull a trailer, and still not be too bad on fuel consumption. I’d still have it, but my boys are both off to boarding school so I no longer have a need.

 

Hey Katie! Good to see you back.

Maybe your mom could be convinced to try a recent model USED SUV? I hear that the price on Expeditions, Navigators, and Hummers (H2s probably) has fallen through the floor. Seriously. Someone's got to buy these things...and it might as well be your mom. The money she saves from buying new could be invested for spending on gas when it reaches $3/gal by the end of the summer....

 

I think your mom needs to take a closer look at the new Dodge Magnum wagon R/T. HEMI V8, 350HP and RWD for around $30K. Much better looking and safer than any crappy SUVs.


SUVs are crap, sorry but that is the truth.

 

Audi All-Road gets my vote for AWD, capacity for 5+, and good looks in a large package.

 

She should really buy a van. The SUV creates an optical illusion that it's big becuase it's tall, but the interior space is actually no bigger than a station wagon in most cases.

 

^ This exact point was recently made in a Road and Track review of minivans (which the authors have consistently recommended over SUVs). Unfortunately it seems less cool to drive a more spacious, more fuel economic, and safer vehicle than a big stupid truck.

 

Check out the FX35. 3.5 liter V6 AWD 280hp, mpg 16/22. The car is based on the G35 platform and handles well. The technology package is pretty cool.

 

SOme options are avail, if she wants towing abilities a Tahoe, Burban' or Expedition is a possiblity. They are all pretty hard on gas, and handling is well, slow...

The Acura MDX is a great Xover vehicle, you can also get deals on the Cadillac SRX if you look around (and it gets 20MPG on the highway w/V8, realistically around 18). If you get it with the V6, a bit better...

Maybe check out a Touraeg TDI??? Good fuel econ, and it'll last quite a while.

Besides the towing abilities argument, I can usually counter every argument for an SUV with a x-over, station wagon or mini-van...

 

Nick_T, if a Suburban is "not too bad" on fuel consumption, what is bad? The 2WD gets 14/18! :evil:

The Infiniti FX is a perfect example of a vehicle that people only buy because they WANT an SUV. It has no more interior space than a midsize wagon; it just has enormous wheels and look of an SUV.

_________________
"In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane." -Oscar Wilde