SUV Purchase. which would you think is best?

[Ashman]

My dad is looking at getting an SUV. For whatever reason I don't know, but he's looking.

In anycase, he's doing a lot of looking at the followinf SUV's, and I have read various things on them from good to bad.

1. MB G500
2. MB ML500
3. Range Rover
4. Land Rover Discovery
5. BMW X5
6. Cadillac Escalade

Out of these, and no MB Bias please, he doesn't care as long as its the best SUV to get.

He really likes the X5, but I have read that the reliability on those is poor.

I have been pushing the ML500 or G500, but he feels the G is overpriced. He knows the ML and doesn't really consider it out of the cars I have listed.

He feels the Escalade is well just a dressed up chevy, and really not worth it.

So basically it boils down to
Ranger Rover 4.6 HSE
Land Rover Discovery
BMW X5.

He has found some nice 1995-1998 model discovery's with low mileage for very good prices, around $10k-$15k

The range rovers are also similar in price.

As far as money, I don't think he is that concerned with paying more for the bmw, but I feel it is well ok form the front, but that thing under the rear bumper is just plain ugly and well plain looking. I am concerned about the reliability ratings I have read on them. though a lucrative choice, I think he would be best suited to a low mileage discovery, great looking, fun to drive, and well they are nice.

The range rover is also very nice, so he's spending most of his time looking at both.

Out of the cars I listed, what would you consider the best SUV, based on reliability, price, look, and overall fit and finish.

I'm curious to know everyones thoughts, perhaps it will help me sway him into something else...

Alon

[Kuan]

Are you kidding? The G500 of course, 3 locking differentials, 4ETS+ bombproof construction, E-Class amenities, guaranteed production for another 25 years (NATO requirement)...

I could go on and on, and of course, no MB bias here

Kuan

[Frank X. Morris]

Howdy Alon,
Is he going to go off-roading?¿ If so then the one he might look at is a 2000 G500 or a G320. There have been some electrical issues with the 2002 G500. If he wants one for on-road the ML500 (which can be taken off-road) or the Caddy. Another choice is the Grand Cherokee. The problem with them seems to be that you have a 50/50 chance of getting a good one. And when you get a good one it is a very good one. Toyota has some good ones too. You can always look at the Hummer Hope this helps.

[suginami]

From what I've read and comments from friends / acquaintances that own them, I would recommend the Tahoe / Yukon / Denali / Escalade.

Owners love them. They have tons of power. They ride nice on the highway.

You couldn't pay me to own a Range Rover / Discovery. I've read an inordinate amount of negative comments on these cars from owners.

Take a look at msn carpoint. They have a section for each car year / make where owners can put in comments on their ownership experience. I did this for my cars. Most cars have generally good comments with a few unhappy ownership experiences. The comments on the Discovery and Range Rover are baaaaad. Real bad.

[BenzOnline]

http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/JeepGrandCherokeeLtd/Photos.htm



I have one and I love it!!!!!!!! The reports on the new Jeep Grand Cherokee are good and are really improved!! It is a good price and looks good and rides like a dream!

[suginami]

Yeah, the Lexus LX470 is a beautiful car. I would've put this on my short list, as well.

Any of the Land Cruisers certainly would be worth consideration. I've never heard of any bad comment on the Land Cruiser.

[Holson Adi]

I love MB's.... however I definitely prefer the BMW X5 over the ML. Especially the X5 4.6iS
The interior looks like a limo compared to the ML's. However if you put the G500 in the list... you know

I like the Escalade, not a bad truck at all! However if you have one, it must have 24" chrome wheels!....

Put the Land Cruiser in the list of the three trucks and I would take the Land Cruiser over a BMW X5. I remember driving the Land Cruiser Turbodiesel (the one before this new one).
The 4.2L I-6 turbodiesel was good enough to move this truck around the city. In fact despite the size, the truck was soo quick off the line. However it did smoke

The car was such a hot item that it outsold the Toyota Corolla and Corona, yet it cost a lot more.

[jjrodger]

If it isn't going to do serious off roading, a G-wagen's talents will be wasted; on-road G usage involves too many compromises.

The Range Rover has just been replaced, so now might be a bad time to buy a new 4.6HSE (or a good time to buy a used one). The Disco is about to be replaced in 6 months or so. The Range Rover looks like a fantastic vehicle, hopefully with BMW build quality (I know, Land Rover is now owned by Ford but the development on the new RR was done by BMW).

As I have posted before, our 4.0 County Range Rover (99 model) is a fantastic car. It is indestructible. I have been towing a horse trailer with two big horses in it all day today and that car never faltered. But for the horrendous petrol consumption, you wouldn't know there was an extra two tonnes out back.

The BMW gets all the rave reviews. It is probably the best "on-roader".

Personally I think the ML is the weakest car in the MB range, although some people say they are brilliant.

A colleague of mine has just bought the Lexus and reports back favourably, but it has no class whatsoever.

Just re-read your post and it's clear your dad is after a used model. Get the Range Rover. The electrics will go wrong, but you won't care.

[Ashman]

I too think the landcruiser is a great truck, but my dad wont buy japanese cars, he prefers the english/german made vehicles, hence the reason he has a rolls royce and a benz.

He already has a 2003 SL on order to replace his sl 600.

My brother has a 93 or 94 Range Rover County LWB with 4.2 Engine. It drives great once you fix EVERYTHING.. hehe

The discovery he has found is a 95, with 65k on the odo, all books and records, and is only 10k. Thats a big swaying factory as he can buy it cheap and get good use.

It will most likely never see off road use except light dirt at a camp ground, and it will probably be used to tow our 5500 lb boat.

The Newer rovers should be decent. While my brothers 93-94 has been in the shop lots, now it drives excellently, but then again my brother is one of those keep pouring money into the bottomless pit types.

The G my dad wont consider because he feels it is overpriced, and he wasn't impressed with the ML when he drove my older brtohers one in new york.

I have shown him reports on the X5 and its low reliability ratings by many publications.

I think that a vehicle driven maybe 5k a year will not have too many reliability issues.

BTW, his rolls has well over 220k on the car and still drives excellently.

Jeep is out of the question, he doesn't seem to want to buy american, as we had lots of issues with my jeep that I had, and every grand cherokee I have seen has serious fit and finish issues after only a few years.

So the list of original 3 is in my mind only rovers now, because I don't even consider the x5. While the 4.6IS is a lucrative sounding one, it just doesn't appeal to me that much. BMW has been making SUV's for how long? nto very long, but land rover has been making them for 40+ years.

I'd still go with rover myself, excellent styling, smooth engines.

My one brother drove a discovery for a few weeks, and he loved it tremendously. He normally drives a mercedes 380SL, and he was seriously considering buying one himself, but then he decided to keep the SL, and save to get a w210 E420 or E430.

All in all, I really appreciate the comments, I will show my father and I will hear what he has to say.

Alon

One of my friends has a Tahoe Z71 and from what he has said its not that great of an off roader it's air filter turns into a sponge in low waters. But Its a very very nice truck. But I still love the G wagon.

[BenzOnline]

BUY ALL OF THEM!!! You make your self seem loaded with all your boats and benzes!!

[Hi-Power]

Alon,

My only advise is to stay away from the Land Rover Discovery. My wife has a 98 one and we are not very pleased with it.

To many weird things with it, problems with the ABS system and oil consumption at 38K miles.

The customer service at the dealer ( Redondo Beach, CA ) is terrible. It took me three visits to get repaired the headrest on the drivers sit that was loose and every time I adjust it I ended with it on my hands.

Defenitely not a reliable car for the money.

Just my $ 0.02

[Ashman]

Well he looked at two land rovers today.

a 95 discovery with 65k on the odo. he bought it for $9500 and it is in immaculate condition.

He also looked at a 96 range rover 4.6 HSE. so he bought that too.

Now he has to choose which one he will take delivery on.

I think if the range rover checks out att he mechanic, he's going to get it.

Overall, its going to be a weekend vehicle for him and a tow vehicle for the boat.

Alon

P.s. We aren't loaded. My father works very hard for what he has, and likes to live well. He still works at the least 10 hours a day now, and spent 40 years working almost 20 hours a day to have the things he has.

I bought my benz, it was easy, and less exspensive than a new honda. At the time I owned my own business and was able to afford to buy things. But since I left the business due to irreconcilable differences with my business partners, I am on the open market, just trying to find a good job to enjoy myself in. If it wasn't for my father, I'd be in trouble, but I am going to work at his office for the time being until I find something I will enjoy doing.

All I really want is to be able to make a decent salary and not have to put up with too much responsibility. That was my main issue with the business, I was doing all the work and my partners expected me to also do a good share of the business end of things. Well I couldn't handle doing business end and all the actual work that kept the business in business, so I got out.

All the more power to them if they can make things work, they just wont do it with me, even though I still own my share of the business. I refused to relinquish my ownership, unless they buy me out for a ridiculous sum, which is what I feel my portion is worth.

In anycase, all I can say is if you want nice things, you have to be prepared to work your ass off for years. you also have to know how to get a good deal on things. My father is notorious for getting ridiculous deals on things, hes and expert negotiator when it comes to those things. So I always take him with me when I am buying a car, he will wheel and deal them, and I get to learn, and geta good deal in the process.

[jjrodger]

I think either of the two cars your dad has options on will be ideal for your needs, especially towing. Both the Disco and the RR are very well suited to towing because they are heavy and have strong, torquey (as opposed to high power) engines.

Our 4.0 RR has no problems towing a horse trailer and two horses; yesterday the car was loaded up with 4 people as well. It was able to maintain a steady sixty even up steep hills. More importantly, when going DOWN steep hills, even under braking, there is no sense that the tail might wag the dog!

The RR is a complicated beast, no doubt. Ours has proved extremely reliable in all departments. You do hear stories about the electrics going awol, but the fundamentals really are bullet proof. It is a very tough car that can stand a lot of neglect.

The early Discos had fairly horrendous quality control problems. But by 1995 I think they will have been sorted.

I'd still advise your dad to get the RR!

[Ashman]

My brothers 94 4.2 county lwb tows our boat like a mad dog, at 70 mph easily up the hills. It towed my benz on a flatbed trailer around the city to different bodyshops with ease, and that was at least 3500-3800 for the car along, probably another 500-1000 for the trailer it was on.

With the boat, it tows solid, and thats 5000 lb boat, wiht trailer around 5500 to 6000. toungue weight ont he trailer is rated at 500 lbs I think.

The best feature is that the suspension raises the car back to level witht he trailer on it. most of our other tow vehicles in the past, sagged in the rear, except my old GMC Jimmy K-5, which took it and towed it like a bat outta hell. Unfortunately that car was plagued with problems.

He is excited at the range rover 4.6 over the disco. If all checks out well witht he mechanic, he's said its been bought. If not, he's bought the discovery.

Both are well maintained, low mileage and in excellent condition throughout.

Price on both is excellent, I think he is getting the 4.6 for around 15k with 70-80k on the odo. The disco has 65k and his price is $9500.

So either way, both are a great deal.

I believe both are white with creme interior too.

I'll be posting pics of the new toy as soon as we have it.

Hopefully I'll get to drive whichever one he gets while my car is in the shop. I don't mind driving the Rolls around, but I would much rather drive the SUV... I just feel a bit out of place driving the rolls, but I do get a kick out of the looks I get from people, being 26 and driving around in a beautiful white on creme rolls royce silver spur.

Tourists often take pictures of me when I drive it through beverly hills as if I am some famous person. LOL.

Alon