lairdside

Hmm.. just got of the phone with a friend I know that owns a car dealership which sells several different makes of cars. Had a long conversation with him (I initially called to ask about the BMW X3 as a possible replacement car for my hubby).

He feels that the VW SUV is going to have build quality problems and at 30-40k he advises coughing up the extra 10k for the Porsche Cayenne V6 which is just out.

He highly recommended the Volvo SUV as a mid sized SUV for families. He said it is designed specifically for people with children.

For those who need something BIGGER he does not recommend the larger Lexus. Too much money for too little in his opinion.

Food for thought perhaps.

Pulaski

I might not have studied math since high school, but I am pretty sure that the difference between $40k and $56k is not "an extra 10k".

The entry level Porsche Cayenne is $56k, before tax and, no doubt, various other dealer add-ons. The Cayenne runs up to close to $90K! ..... And in any case it is the ugliest SUV since the Musso Ssangyong!

Englishmum

We have the Volvo XC90 T6 (the turbocharged engine). It has been wonderful in all the snow and icy conditions we've had in the last few weeks. I particularly like the Volvo safety features on this car as I was wary of the reputation of SUV's rolling over in accidents, but we were 'sold' when we saw the on-line video showing simulations of accident situations - it was even designed to protect any pedestrians who step out in front of it when crossing the road.

It's very thirsty on petrol though....

Franklin

How does that advert go? "Have you looked at a Ford lately?"

I suppose the Volvo is a classier Ford.

lairdside

Hmm.. 56k sounds suspiciously like the Cayenne S 4.5litre V8 - rather than the V6 version which has just been released.

Looks aren't to everyone's taste but considering it was being compared to the VW SUV and the two are terribly similar in appearance?

Lots of people have the Cayenne around here, I thought it looked a little strange at first but have gotten used to it somewhat. It drives beautifully.........

dbark

LOL! Yep, someone else told me the same, that they are gas-guzzlers. A bit like an old friend who owned a boat, he always said that owning a boat is a bit like digging a great big hole at the bottom of your garden and tipping all your wages into it.

BTW, the Ford Explorer is looking promising on my research!

Thanks again guys

Debbie

lairdside

I've heard a few.

F.O.R.D. = Found On Road Dead / Fix Or Repair Daily

B.M.W. = Bought My Wife

F.I.A.T. = Fix It Again Tony

And probably the worst....

P.O.N.T.I.A.C. = Poor Old Nigga Thinks It's A Cadillac

lairdside

Before I came to the US I'd had horses since I was a little girl.

Same deal as boats ..lol

BritGuyTN

a used BMW 4.4 v8 X5 or the V6 cayenne which is $42,000 - a veritable bargain

yes the cayenne does look pretty weird to start with BUT

depreciation should be reasonable, reliability should be great AND as the porsche adverts say: 'there is no substitute'

(dunno how this translates the suvs, but anything that doesn't feel similar to driving aboat in my book is a good thing!)

TimFountain

Try owning a plane. Richard Brason was once asked how he became a millionaire. He said he started off a billionaire and then went into the airline industry!.
I would love to own my own plane, but apart from the cost, you have to be a USC to own one, so I guess I'll wait....

lairdside

I can empathise with that. I gained my PPL at 17, it's long since lapsed, have never owned my plane but have always wanted a helicopter.

The cost of ground maintenance is PHENOMENAL, costs more than the price of the aircraft before you can blink.

I didn't know that you had to be a USC.