HELP in decision.

[darktiger]

Okay I test drove quite a few cars today with my gf. We test drive the X3, Honda Pilot, Lexus RX330, Suburu Forester XT(turbo), Acura MDX, and the Infinity FX35. I have narrowed down to the Lexus RX330, BMW X3 and the Suburu Forester. What do you all think? The Lexus is a great all around car, the X3 feels like a sports car, love the handling and the speed, and the Suburu is just plan fast (almost faster then the Porshe Cayanne Turbo). What do you guys think?

 

[02sport]

Im thinkin Lexus

 

[jharris2]

Friends who have had Subarus in the past have had problems with the paint peeling after just a few years.

The BMW probably will be finicky on maintenance.

Of the 3, I would lean strongly to the Lexus.

Just my $0.02.

 

[rando]

I'll be hated for it, but out of that group I'd go for the MDX.

 

[Good Times]

It all depends on what she is looking for. I feel that all of the above are great vehicles. Just depends on what she can afford and which one she likes ultimately. Since we all know that none of these are capable offroad vehicles, it will be used primarily as a "mall cruiser". Therefore, I feel that any of these vehicles are capable.

My personal preference is the MDX though as that thing is puuurtie!! hehe

 

[TranceKrayz]

i think the x3 is too small, of the three i'd get the rx330. but i really like the mdx or fx35.

 

[Mark86]

I would say the BMW. My parents have two X5's and they drive amazing! BMW does have some service kinks, but overall they are great cars. Also, BMW has a great service plan. You never have to pay for oil changes, brakes, and any other service done to your car for the first 50,000 miles!

 

[darktiger]

Both the RX330 and the X3 is tempting. She will not be doing any offroading. Does anyone know the 1/4 mile times of the 2.5/3.0liter X3???

 

[4route]

as someone whose dad had a passion for all things BMW (had a 2002tii since new and kept it that way)(as well as many other BMW models over the years), and as someone who owned a '91 4wd 3.25ix in Colorado, I have to defend BMWs and insist that they are incredibly reliable vehicles with great service plans. I never had trouble with my '91 and my dad never had any major trouble with his '76 either.

the cars you listed all are great, and i have to agree that it just depends on preference and what she likes ... but i just had to defend BMW!

 

[peter78]

I have narrowed down to the Lexus RX330, BMW X3 and the Suburu Forester. What do you all think? The Lexus is a great all around car, the X3 feels like a sports car, love the handling and the speed, and the Suburu is just plan fast (almost faster then the Porshe Cayanne Turbo). What do you guys think?

I am just trying to figure out how the Subaru Forester got in that group? Having a wheel base of under 100 inches, it is more like a Honda Civic. Plus it has a 4 banger, I know it is turbo charged, but is that sucker almost as fast as a Porshe Cayanne Turbo? Heck if you like that one, that sucker has to be the cheapest car in the group, right?

Personally, of the 3 choices, I would go for the BMW.

 

[darktiger]

Well the reason the Forester got in this group is because I wanted to look/test drive that car. I know it it is not really part of of these luxury cars, but it is fast and fun to drive. And yes peter it is almost as fast as the porshe cayanne turbo, I can attest to that.

 

[GatorGreg]

Re: Re: HELP in decision.

I am just trying to figure out how the Subaru Forester got in that group? Having a wheel base of under 100 inches, it is more like a Honda Civic. Plus it has a 4 banger, I know it is turbo charged, but is that sucker almost as fast as a Porshe Cayanne Turbo? Heck if you like that one, that sucker has to be the cheapest car in the group, right?

Personally, of the 3 choices, I would go for the BMW.

According to Car & Driver's review:

The force-fed flat-four's combination of torque, gearing, and weight will get you a blazing 0-to-60 time of 5.3 seconds and a quarter-mile of 13.8 seconds at 97 mph, just 0.3 second slower than an $89,665 Porsche Cayenne Turbo (see page 62).

To put things in perspective, I just checked my copy of "Standard Guide to American Muscle Cars" and the Forester's times are fast enough to have beaten a '70 Hemi 'Cuda and a '69 Corvette 427 Tri-Power back in their prime

 

[darktiger]

We got the Lexus RX330. Got a great price from 41,900 MSRP price to 36K fully loaded. Hehehe Now we have a 4runner and RX330. But damn that new M5 is NICE!!!!!!!

 

[peter78]

We got the Lexus RX330. Got a great price from 41,900 MSRP price to 36K fully loaded. Hehehe Now we have a 4runner and RX330. But damn that new M5 is NICE!!!!!!!

Well the Lexus oozes quality and comforts. It has to be the best built and most reliable of the group. It is good you looked at several different vehicles before choosing. Congrats.

 

[02sport]

CONGRATS on the new ride!! looks like you got a great deal too i think you got the best on the list

 

[Only4Gold]

The MDX, of course

Go ahead and get the MDX...I came "that close" to buying one, and probably would have if I had a dealer that really wanted to sell one...he backed off, and so did I. I went back to the 4Runner, which I had been looking at as a "second choice" to the MDX for months. Once I made the decision, I was really comfortable with the 4R, and love it, and am glad I didn't go with that somewhat boring, conservative looking 04MDX. But I would get that over the Lexus 330...will be out of date in no time!

 

[V8Limited4wd]

don't know about you guys, but the mdx is pretty ugly. i think honda tried too hard to differentiate it from the pilot and jacked up the design.

and out of your choices i would probably lean towards the infiniti fx45. power, luxury, comfort, and not based on a cheaper nissan version. (murano uses different platform)