403portside

Hi folks,

We finally need a second car and while we could go big, we have been thinking about spending around $25K for a used SUV. We are considering the following:

E53 X5 (frontrunner but am reading about reliability issues after 50K miles)
ML350
GLK350
What else?

Not considering Cayenne as we want something other than a Porsche for a daily car.

At Law

Raise your dollar amount about $10k and you should be able
to find a certified 2006 or 2007 low mileage RANGE ROVER SPORT HSE.

stevepow

Lexus GX4?0 or the 4Runner is it based on.

Both great cars - we've had both an LX and GX and both were bullet proof - excellent service from Lexus as well. Lexus dealerships seem more professional than Toyota and for similarly optioned cars, sometimes the Lexus comes in at a better price. Used ones (including Land Cruiser and 4Runner) hold the price well.

utkinpol

i like lexus gx too. or toyota landcrusier.

ecostellodo

Denali XL

Macster

ML350. Local Porsche dealership's senior tech picked up a nice used one. Says the ML350 a nice vehicle.

Stay away from Range Rover. I was talking to a service manager at a dealership a while back that told me Land Rover and Jaguar were the two most problematic brands in a multi-brand dealership collective.

Sincerely,

Macster.

utkinpol

ml350 is an OK car but I am not sure what does it have to do with requested $25K price range - after lease 3 year old ML350 is about of $35K-$38K car.

At Law

I would be much more concerned with the reliability on an ML350 than
I would a nice pre-owned Range Rover Sport.

Range Rover has come a long way in the last five years.
Mercedes has been spiraling down significantly in the last five years.

henrysko

Touareg's my suggestion.

We've had our '05 V8 since new and with 105K on it now, utterly reliable. It's very safe, has a sporty ride, and built like a tank.

If you do consider it, recommend getting an extended VW warranty.

Good Luck!

Targa Tim

Go Porsche, there is no substitute.

beowulf

Luxury SUV for 25K...... sounds like an oxymoron to me.

For DD reliability I would NOT go with anything from Range Rover/Land Rover; anyone who gives you this advice is giving you bad advice.

First for me it's Lexus -- LX then GX then RX

However, the better bet for you at 25K would be a slightly used Toyota Highlander. Looks nice, drives well and you wont worry about dings, scratches
etc and maintenance cost will be very reasonable. No use buying an "cheap"
lux vehicle then have huge maintenance bills.

good luck

philooo

I have a Lexus RX, and they ride extremely well. It is the opposite of the Porsche, no sounds, no road feel so when you get back in the Porsche you enjoy it even more
The RX also got a really punchy engine for it size. Very nimble. If you don't go off road, I think it is a great compromise.
Only downside, you look like you are only a few month away from the assisted living facility

zanwar

I think any luxury SUV that's near 25k is going to have issues. I'd go for a lightly used Tiguan if you must have an SUV. But you'll get more car for your money with something like an A4 Avant.

brad@tirerack.com

I have a Volvo XC-90. You can find them used with decent miles on them all day long for 25-30. Look for a 2.5T, NOT the T6 (terrible tranny issues, all over the net). The car is very comfy, well laid out and built, and SOLID. On a good set of snow tires it's unstoppable in the winter. Check them out.

RED HORSE

Second this. I just traded a 2005 Lexus LX 470 on a new LX 570. Shop for a clean LX and you won't be disappointed. Great ride, great comfort, very reliable and very capable. The only problem with the LX from those years is they are a little under powered.