Looking for a new ride - not having great luck

[HHGT]

Well my oldest boy is making me proud. He will be finishing 8th grade as a Valedictorian, 3rd Degree Tae-Kwon-Do Black Belt - Olympic Style, accomplished pianist amongst many other achievements and good looks to boot. I don't think there is a more proud Dad than yours truly.

When he started looking for high schools he evaluated them all and since we are a private school only mentality, he ended up picking Orange Lutheran for many reasons. He aced all his tests and he'll be in all AP courses. He is destined for greatness. Unfortunately the school is approx 35 miles away which I will have to do twice a day for the next 8 years assuming his brother decides to go there - and oh by the way he's following in his brother's footsteps.

So now I'm looking for a specific type of transporter which has proven to be difficult. I honestly don't think this vehicle market segment exists. My (ok hers too) requirements are as follows:

All Wheel Drive not 4WD
SUV not car - clearance is an issue and a steep driveway.
Seating for Six - Third row with electrical motors for up & down
Grocery space. I have a truck for towing and loading etc.
25mpg city 30mpg Hwy
5 star safety with side curtain air bags
luxury - scale of 7 or better out 10
Navigation
Appeals to the taste of women - wifey does not like boxes
Below $40K
100K miles warranty or proven to last for the next 8 years. After that I'll donate the vehicle.
No BMW unless it lays golden eggs and does not attract gays:ack.

Essentially I am looking for an Audi SUV for half the price.

Suggestions??

 

[dbackg]

You just described my Escalade. :biggrin

www.cadillac.com/escalade

Good luck with your search.

You wont find anything under 40K.
Unless you find a used 2007 with mileage.

You wont find anything with better gas mileage unless you buy foreign and way under powered.

Don't buy Hybrid. There is no replacement for displacement.

 

[Kayvan]

Congrats!

With all APs he will probably place as a Sophmore when he is ready for college.

Price is you biggest filter here.

I would say Tahoe or Infiniti GX SUV

 

[nota4re]

Well my oldest boy is making me proud. He will be finishing 8th grade as a Valedictorian, 3rd Degree Tae-Kwon-Do Black Belt - Olympic Style, accomplished pianist amongst many other achievements and good looks to boot. I don't think there is a more proud Dad than yours truly.

Well, thank God that Mom's strong genes prevailed much more than fathers! Phew!

 

[HHGT]

You just described my Escalade. :biggrin

www.cadillac.com/escalade

Good luck with your search.

You wont find anything under 40K.
Unless you find a used 2007 with mileage.

You wont find anything with better gas mileage unless you buy foreign and way under powered.

Don't buy Hybrid. There is no replacement for displacement.

Believe it or not I'm getting rid of her 2008 Escalade. Two main reasons:

1) Gas mileage sucks and the transmission has a mind of its own. There is no smooth shifting in this turd. Her 2005 was a far better vehicle.

2) Door actuators break frequently. Rear camera goes out and dealer says impossible. Bose speakers went out - twice and the third seat is broken in the up position. Cadillac makes a manual seat lever that most American women at 5"4" can not reach. Needless to say quality has been sacrificed..

 

[SYCO GT]

Essentially I am looking for an Audi SUV for half the price.

Suggestions??

Mazda CX-9

 

[HHGT]

Well, thank God that Mom's strong genes prevailed much more than fathers! Phew!

I sense a bit of hostility towards me Kendall. BTW, you were supposed to come out and see me this week. Promises promises!!!

 

[HHGT]

Mazda CX-9

AWD and electrical third seats?

 

[SYCO GT]

and good looks to boot. I don't think there is a more proud Dad than yours truly.
Suggestions??

Hmmmm. I'm suspicious of the good looks, but easily believe all the other attributes.

A paternity test might be helpful, since you asked for suggestions.

:lol

 

[SYCO GT]

AWD and electrical third seats?

Yes, AWD is an option.

I don't know about the electrical seats, but it's an easy latch.

>>>from the net>>>>>

Seven-passenger seating is standard on all Mazda CX-9s. The prospect of hauling around seven people can be daunting, but this crossover SUV's third row can hold actual adults, though you'll have to slide the second-row seats forward, making legroom tight for both rows. Also, third-row headroom is limited. On the bright side, access to the rear is relatively painless thanks to an easy-to-use latch that lets you slide past the second row into the back. With the second- and third rows folded flat, the CX-9 can carry 101 cubic feet of cargo.

 

[HHGT]

Hmmmm. I'm suspicious of the good looks, but easily believe all the other attributes.

A paternity test might be helpful, since you asked for suggestions.

:lol

If I did not know any better, I'd say you work for MSNBC Randy.

Are you going on a drive with us on Sunday?

 

[getbit]

Certified Used Mercedes GL320 Diesel or GL450...both have AWD, seat 7 and the rear seats are powered...and certified used will get you the warranty and avoid the initial depreciation.

Optional off-road package gives you a low gear.

The GL450 does it all with the exception of fuel mileage...thus the GL320 which gets great fuel mileage.

My wife's GL450 is a 2007 with 57K miles and has had very few issues.

It travels for soccer events all over the state of Texas and engine runs and shifts very smooth.
Great steering and handling with lots of room without feeling oversized...no humpty dumpty/bread truck feeling when cornering yet is a very compliant ride.

I just ordered a GL550 to replace the GL450 which will be relegated to dog hauling or other such dirty work or may become a company car for an employee.

It has been a great SUV...and I greatly dislike driving SUVs.

 

[SYCO GT]

Here's an option.

I bought a used 2008 in mint condition (below your budget range) last October and have already put 6,000 miles on it. It has carried Soccer Teams, inlaws, friends, families, and been all over California and to Vegas.

It looks big, but is really just tall. I can park it in any regular parking space, and drive it several times during any week. It's a standard roof, about 8 feet tall, so still fits in most drive throughs.

The diesel ones get great mileage. The older ones got over 30 mpg. It can carry 10 people.

I needed a Minivan, but refused to drive one. This drives much better.

I sold the 2005 LR3 V8, and this gets better mileage and can haul my whole family, and still carry ten 6 foot banquet tables, 20 adult chairs, 15 kid chairs, and a ton of party stuff at the same time.

It's made and sold by Mercedes.

Skiing, biking, shotgunning, surfing, kayaking, whatever the sport, no problem with people and cargo.

AWD is expensive, but can be converted reliably.

 

[SYCO GT]

If I did not know any better, I'd say you work for MSNBC Randy.

Are you going on a drive with us on Sunday?

I'll be at a Red Egg celebration for a friend's newborn.

I know, my jet setting lifestyle invokes jealously.

:rofl

 

[Thugboat]

All but electric rear seats fits my wifes Subaru Tribeca. And she thinks the car looks good.:eek

Larry

 

[fjpikul]

You might look at the Ford Flex, although it is boxy. Rented one while we were in Vegas for Stigs Day Out and everyone thought it was pretty nice. Fits all your criteria except looks, and depending on color (mine was all white), you could make it look pretty attractive.

 

[SYCO GT]

Plus the Ecoboost Engine is available in the Flex.

 

[HHGT]

You might look at the Ford Flex, although it is boxy. Rented one while we were in Vegas for Stigs Day Out and everyone thought it was pretty nice. Fits all your criteria except looks, and depending on color (mine was all white), you could make it look pretty attractive.

Does the Flex come with Electric third row seats?

How long is the warranty?

Actual mileage?

 

[RV King]

How about a Prius? No third row seat, but it wont rattle you to death like your union made Cadillac! :biggrin

 

[HHGT]

How about a Prius? No third row seat, but it wont rattle you to death like your union made Cadillac! :biggrin

I'd rather ignore a rattle than be killed by a floor matt - thank you very much. Also, I did not know that prius' had a second seat let alone a third seat.:willy:willy:willy