Wife wants an SUV <$60K - recommendations?

[Moocow]

Hi all
as the title states, the wife wants to replace the 2006 Subaru Liberty wagon with a SUV. She doesn't want a serious off roader, or something that drives like a truck.

I am thinking of turbo diesel, several cars have come to mind;

2nd hand 2011 X3 2.0d ---> my pick
2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel ---> wife's pick at the moment
2nd hand Volco XC90
2nd hand Merc ML280

Thoughts?

[Zuzu]

The New Forester is about $52K fully loaded on the road.
I looked at buying one a few weeks ago.

[Caduceus]

We recently bought a Volvo XC60 to replace the wife's Lexus RX350. Bigger than your Subie and comparable in size to the X3 which we also cross shopped.

We are very happy with it. You could probably get a new one in T5 for your price or a near new one in T6. I wasn't impressed with Volvo's diesels, especially vs. BMW and Audi but their petrol motors are gems.

The XC90 is due for a model refresh and is showing its age. The XC60 is roomier than you might think.

[thewafflecaust]

2nd Hand Q5 2.0D
2nd Hand Evoque TD4

are both worth considering.. wouldnt bother with the ed4 evoque.. literally slower than walking

[RadiuM]

Touareg V10?

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...sortby=TopDeal

[Kiwi Peter]

For up to $60,000 Lexus RX350 for the soft 4X4 or the real deal Toyota Prado 120 Grande or 150 GLX

[1BimmerNut]

RX350 are thirsty I hear from owners...get a AUDI Q5 Might get a new 2.0t petrol for that if you bargain hard enough and take stock. 2.0TD is slow from what I hear.
Petrol used by the wife is around 10 l per 100 so 30 odd mpg goes like stink too - 750Kays per tank
Mate has a 3.0TD man is that fast for an A4 on stilts. Good buy second hand.
Only one very small reservation - every AWD we have had we have given a run on the beach on holidays - the Q5 you cannot switch off the stability control so no good in sand - you would go down faster than the Titanic.
Best SUV I have ever had is a Prado - quiet, refined unstoppable off road 180 litre fuel tank 1000k per tank- would buy another in a heartbeat but too big for wifey - Kluger is crap/low rent...had em all

[1911A145]

2012 X5

[bmw1mc]

rr evoke or x3 3.0d

[Moocow]

Originally Posted by bmw1mc

rr evoke or x3 3.0d

wife not a fan of the evoke, the 3.0d too expensive - mid 60's - there is no way Id be getting a pre 2011 one as they were fugly as hell!

thanks to all suggestions

If the coalition gets in and abolishes the new rules, then we'd look at getting an new car, and getting 10% off rrp novated lease.

[woosh]

how could she not like the evoque? its interior was designed by victoria beckham haha

[sparoz]

Sure you can't get a 30d around 60?

[Ninjaoz]

I'd go for Jeep Grand Cherokee..best value for money and performance-wise, can't comment on the quality though

[Superdaws]

X3 20d we didnt like, very peaky engine.

we have a 2012 Grand Cherokee Overland diesel in the extended family, and holy crap it comes FULLY LOADED for the price. It drives nice and smooth, but quite fake in the steering (no feel/feedback). Value for money it has to be the pic.

XC90 we didnt like, interior and engine.

Ended up buying the wife an 2010 X5 30D 2 years ago.

[HecticX5]

Im in the same boat and i am strongly considering the new facelift Jeep Grand Cherokee for my wife to be. The diesel limited is the pick and for all the goodies they come with standard at 60k it's hard to look elsewhere. Hell even i want to get one for myself when the X5 is due for retirement, at least for me it would only be the SRT8 version. Ever since Fiat took over it has been good things for the Jeep brand.

[oystero]

Originally Posted by HecticX5

Im in the same boat and i am strongly considering the new facelift Jeep Grand Cherokee for my wife to be. The diesel limited is the pick and for all the goodies they come with standard at 60k it's hard to look elsewhere. Hell even i want to get one for myself when the X5 is due for retirement, at least for me it would only be the SRT8 version. Ever since Fiat took over it has been good things for the Jeep brand.

OT: congrats

[mcmn]

Kia Sportage

OK I've had a few beers at time of writing.

[clfive02]

shameless plug 2012 X3 20d M Sport

Not sub-$60k but almost...!

bit.ly/19FAtQN

[Moocow]

Originally Posted by clfive02

shameless plug 2012 X3 20d M Sport

Not sub-$60k but almost...!

bit.ly/19FAtQN

Nice, but too much for me, especially by the time I add on-roads etc.

My pick is the Evoke, wife initially wants a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Haven't had a close look at either yet.

The interior of the Evoke is growing on her! She is worried about the size of the boot and back seats. Can 3 fit in the back, or would be massively cramped?

[clfive02]

Originally Posted by Moocow

Nice, but too much for me, especially by the time I add on-roads etc.

My pick is the Evoke, wife initially wants a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Haven't had a close look at either yet.

The interior of the Evoke is growing on her! She is worried about the size of the boot and back seats. Can 3 fit in the back, or would be massively cramped?

Evoque if you can find one under $60k, Jeep would be more difficult to move later on in its life. Have you considered a Hyundai Santa Fe?

[Zen]

Originally Posted by Moocow

Nice, but too much for me, especially by the time I add on-roads etc.

My pick is the Evoke, wife initially wants a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Haven't had a close look at either yet.

The interior of the Evoke is growing on her! She is worried about the size of the boot and back seats. Can 3 fit in the back, or would be massively cramped?

The Evoque is pretty much the same as the Freelander 2, it won't be massively cramped but probably not in comfort (depending whos sitting at the back).

Jeep would be the one I would look at if I am in the same situation as it is packed with features and pretty much within your budget but resell + reliability might be an issue in the future.

[woosh]

Originally Posted by Moocow

Nice, but too much for me, especially by the time I add on-roads etc.

My pick is the Evoke, wife initially wants a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Haven't had a close look at either yet.

The interior of the Evoke is growing on her! She is worried about the size of the boot and back seats. Can 3 fit in the back, or would be massively cramped?

boot is a little bigger than that of a mazda3 hatch (the 04-07 model),
rear seats can fit 3 kids with ease. as for adults... depends on their frame and build.

check out the tech package option while you're at it.