Opinions on a new ride for the family

[krupnation]

Well, I knew this day would come and we are now expecting our second child! Very excited but now we must get a bigger car for my wife who currently is driving a 2000 VW Golf 1.8T. 2 kids and all the stuff that comes with them will not fit in a Golf, so I've been scouring the interwebs for options for the new ride. I've narrowed it down to 3 options and wanted to get everyone's opinions:

2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser
2003-2006 Lexus LX470 (same as LC, just more plush)
2007-2008 Acura MDX

We really want something with 3rd row seating and these three fit that bill. Also want some luxury and reliability. I've always loved the LC and LX470's but the MDX gets better gas mileage, has pleny of safety features and a 3rd row. I can't make up my mind! :redbrick::redbrick::redbrick:

Any insight is appreciated. I'm looking to spend $20-$23k, no more.

 

[superman3043]

Well my vote is for either A or B. Can't go wrong with either. C is a whole different animal. Solid vehicle I'm sure, but it's seemingly apples to grapefruits.

I've owned Honda products and I can testify to how good of a vehicle they make.

But you already know what you're in for with those Toyota offerings. And you know what you're getting with the 2UZ! Put those 3 together same price... Then it's the LX for my wifey and shorty's! They deserve the best!

Good luck brother!

 

[450exc115]

All good joices but the MDX is a CUV so don't expect anything other than a vehicle that is snow capable. Towing capacity and abilty isn't steller. Trust me I drove and looked into them before settling on the 4runner. The new MDXs look nice too. My family has owned Toyotas since 1975 but in the last 2 years a honda Accord and Acura TL-type S made there way into the family and we are all pleased so far.

Why not a Sequoia?

 

[krupnation]

Understood that the MDX is a different kind of animal. I'm not entirely looking for an off-roader for my wife (that's why I have my runner ) but of course the off-road capabilities of the LC and LX are a definite plus. I've also looked into Sequoia's and she doesn't like them, they're too big for her. The LC is a little bigger than my runner inside and she likes that. I've also looked into the Audi Q7 but after all my issues with my previous S4 I don't think I'll ever own an Audi again.

 

[ridefast]

Put your wife in the MDX!

She won't have to worry about shifting into 4x4, the front wheel drive that honda uses in that suv gives great traction in all weather conditions and you can't beat the honda reliability! Also you have the locking diff and 4 wheel independent suspension! Plus it has v-tech

The awd system in the mdx kicks ass i was in colorado springs last year and there was 14'' of snow on the streets and my honda pilot (same as the acura mdx) surprised the heck out of me! I totally thought we were gonna get stuck but we made it with out a hitch to the main roads that were plowed!

The only reason i sold my pilot is because my wife wanted something a little more rugged so i put here in a t4r!

 

[boondoggle]

Land Cruisers are awesome. Gonna be horrible MPG compared to your VW (I had a 2002 MKIV GTI).

But you already know that.

 

[JustSomeName]

Lexus RX350!

 

[rebelbowtie]

I am going to assume you had a B5 S4 since you are so turned off by Audi reliability. I am partial to Audi's myself but I can't argue Lexus is more reliable so my vote goes to the LX

 

[krupnation]

Put your wife in the MDX!

She won't have to worry about shifting into 4x4, the front wheel drive that honda uses in that suv gives great traction in all weather conditions and you can't beat the honda reliability! Also you have the locking diff and 4 wheel independent suspension! Plus it has v-tech

The awd system in the mdx kicks ass i was in colorado springs last year and there was 14'' of snow on the streets and my honda pilot (same as the acura mdx) surprised the heck out of me! I totally thought we were gonna get stuck but we made it with out a hitch to the main roads that were plowed!

The only reason i sold my pilot is because my wife wanted something a little more rugged so i put here in a t4r!

Good to hear, we're going to drive one this weekend to see what they're like. It does get a little better mpg than the others (over 20 highway). I'm still leaning toward the LC but we'll see what I can get in my price range.

 

[krupnation]

I am going to assume you had a B5 S4 since you are so turned off by Audi reliability. I am partial to Audi's myself but I can't argue Lexus is more reliable so my vote goes to the LX

I had a B6 S4 Avant 6MT. LOVED to drive that car it but just had so many issues with it. For one, it had the 4.2L V8 crammed into the nose of an A4 so to do any work on the engine they had to PULL THE ENGINE. I only owned it for a little over a year and then had to come back to Toyota as we had our first child and needed more room. The car seat didn't fit in the back of it.

 

[rebelbowtie]

I had a B6 S4 Avant 6MT. LOVED to drive that car it but just had so many issues with it. For one, it had the 4.2L V8 crammed into the nose of an A4 so to do any work on the engine they had to PULL THE ENGINE. I only owned it for a little over a year and then had to come back to Toyota as we had our first child and needed more room. The car seat didn't fit in the back of it.

I bought my Toyota because I couldn't fit a car seat in the back of my B7 so I know your pain...that and carbon build up, oil consumption and fuel dilution from the FSI engine....the 4.2 is an amazing engine but not engineered to be worked on. The timing belts are at the back of the engine wtf? Lol yea

 

[stanleybb50]

Highlander..!

 

[mrrab]

If this is going to be a vehicle your wife drives, then I would recommend the CUV option -- anything will probably fit the bill. A "truck" seems over kill.

What is she interested in driving?

Another option would be a 03-09 GX 470. See a lot of soccer mom's driving these. Good balance, because there still cool enough for a guy to drive.

Highlander and all those other CUV's scream chick car!!!

 

[krupnation]

Totally forgot about the GX! Great, now I have another one to add to the list. This will totally be the mom car. The newer Highlanders are sooooo stinkin' expensive! I want the newer body style that's larger and we have to have 3rd row seating. All the ones I've seen are in the high $30's. Insane.

The search continues...

 

[rebelbowtie]

RX330 or 350 if you're including CUV's now

 

[ChaosStarter]

Wait wait wait. She thinks the Sequoia is too big, but the LC is ok, when the LC is even bigger? LOL.

 

[zerowkul98]

I have to vote for the Sequoia. You can pick up an 1-2 year old SR5 for a decent price. Its got he 5.7L power and plenty of bells n whistles. I had a 2010 and it was great. Just had to go back to a 4Runner for other reasons. When we have to get a newer vehicle, i'll be lookin for another Sequoia.