workhurts

I like the X3 for a small SUV. One can probably be had for close to 20k in the 2-3 year range. I also like the Audi wagons.

Love the old Land Cruisers and semi old 4runners but it all really depends on what you need it for.

FJ does seem to hold value. I was kinda looking at them but can never pull the trigger on an SUV.

Vorsicht

THIS

993Brendan

Thanks Ryan- I love how it turned out. I had always wanted a BMW wagon and after 10 years of passively looking found a great one a few miles down the road!

AOW162435

I purchased my 2001 4Runner new and now have 313,000+ miles on it. Amazing truck that I intend to keep for many more years.






Andreas

FJJB

I've had a great experience with my 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Form factor is not perfect (absurd suicide doors are a pain with kids and visibility and aerodynamics are weak) and fuel economy stinks, but it's provided 50k trouble free miles and utility.

Available with a manual to up the fun quotient, and reasonably capable off road. Easy to clean/maintain interior and a good aftermarket if you need a hole in the wallet.

My 2008 with 50k is probably worth around $20k these days so probably in the budget range.

willus

I am also looking for something similar. My current DD is a Subaru Legacy GT wagon ("road" version of Outback) with a modestly tuned turbo engine, upgraded Bilstein suspension and 5 speed manual. It's great to drive and swallows amazing amounts of stuff for its size. If you don't want to go off-road, tow something or haul a bunch of people, a wagon is an awesome choice.

But now I am looking to drive from Texas to Colorado with 2 adults + 2 children + gear and to drive it on intermediate off-road trails in Colorado when we get there. I also want the SUV to tow my 993 on a trailer (steel, not super-light aluminum trailer). Finally, a 3rd row of seats would be nice to take the whole family around when the grandparents visit.

So far I have considered:

• 100-Series Land Cruiser/Lexus LX 470
• Lexus GX 470 (Land Cruiser Prado overseas, same engine as LX470, but smaller & lighter)
• Tahoe Z71 with G80 rear diff

Long-shots

• Jeep Commander
• Toyota 4Runner with 3rd row seats (hard to find)
• Cayenne with Air Suspension (no 3rd row, but it's a Porsche :-))
• Touareg TDI with Air Suspension (no 3rd row, but they made a Porsche from it ;-))

So far I have only test-driven two high-mileage 100-Series Land Cruisers/LX 470's. They were both in rough shape, so I'm going to withhold judgement on their drive-ability until I drive a properly maintained one. I like the land cruisers for the aftermarket support and community, but parts/maintenance costs are more Porsche than Toyota. I don't know much about the others yet.

quacktoduck

Funny thing my DD is a E39 sedan alpine weiss.

Again i reiterate that after owning two small cars. im itching for another big car, looking at tundras and 4RNRs but the landcuiser idea is a good one too.

bart1

I have a built Jeep TJ and like it a lot. Not a daily driver though. Depends on what you want in an SUV. I used to use mine off road a lot.

chaoscreature

If you want a good laugh check out these:
Cadillac Conquest XV
http://www.conquestvehicles.com/index.html

Paramount Marauder (as seen on Top Gear)
http://www.paramountgroup.biz/marauder.html

Spyder_Man

Clearly designed with the upper-middle class American soccer mom in mind...

solomonschris

If fun to drive is weighted heavily in your mind, and towing ability isn't, then consider an Audi Avant. My A6 is running like new at 130,000 miles. 22-24 mpg on regular gas (I know it calls for high test, but it hasn't seen the inside of its tank in years with nary an issue). If long term reliability is paramount, and sports car like driving isn't, you can't do better than a Toyota. I purchased a V-10 Excursion to tow my motorcycles and CC 28 speedboat. I kept it less than a month. I'd prefer a catheterization with a rusty nail to ownership of another.

euge

Mercedes G500. You can find a decent example with a diesel engine under 20K. It's sort of an exotic, too

chsu74

I will have the truck in my driveway tomorrow if you find a road legal G diesel in the US for $20K.

initial

I am in line for the 2nd one.

JB 911

3rd, especially if it can look like this one.

Funny I was going to suggest a g500 earlier but a search on carguru showed the cheapest one coming in at 25k and it had some miles. I'd like to see if anyone sees any cheaper or same price with less miles. It looks like the sweet used ones start at 40& up but if you are going to spend that much, why not spend a little more and find the 500hp amg version