Dr. No

I would get the Land Cruiser with the nice wood options (my wife loves hers), and take the $10-15000 in cash saved over the LX and keep it in the car in case the Fourth Infantry Division came looking for me (sorry to mix off-topics).

If this woman needs to transport any number of kids or any quantity of cargo, she'd like the Land Cruiser or LX - and they are pretty bulletproof.

In the outrageous SUV category, let's not forget the ML55 and G55. Anybody drive one of those?

George from MD

I saw a white Toureag the other night (actually a V6) and thought it was pretty good looking (much better than the Cayenne IMO). With a V10 and a good VW dealer close by it would sure merit my consideration for the towing and general getting around we use the X for. That V10 sounds like an amazing engine.

But I am happy with the X. We've had a few minor problems but the service has been great and the new X drive and bigger engine will make it even nicer.

Greg Fishman

The VW diesel V-10 is supposed to make 500lb/ft torque. Amazing.

Though not in the same realm, my wife and I bought a GMC Denali Yukon from Phil McGrath (easiest car buying experience I have ever had). It is a big vehicle but is very comfortable and has good power and decent handling for its size. Down side is gas mileage. My wife qualifies for the section 179 deduction and with 0% financing it was a no brainer. It also tows an open trailer and a certain race car pretty well. The air suspension helps keep it all level.

Sailswish

I just bought the Volvo Xc90 SUV. 24 mpg hwy, takes regular gas and gross weight is 6005 lbs. It's not a behemoth like a Tahoe and that ilk. It holds its own size wise to the Explorer and 4 Runner types so you can park it decently. Handles excellently and is rock solid. Have to get the third row seating option to qualify for the weight.

OldGuy

I have to say that I have a Lexus GS300 and the Lexus service
is unbeleivable. Thats why I would buy a 470 over a LandCruiser,
which I had before (93 Landcruiser) amazing truck. Different vehicles
though. If you want a sport ute Porsche or BMW, if you want a real
off road truck Lexus then.

Dr. No

Excellent point on the service, OldGuy. Everyone I know who has had a Lexus raves about the quality of the service departments. Toyota, I hear, is a pretty mixed bag. Mine goes to an independent, so I took that out of the equation.

rkymtn993

Skip,
How does the Land Cruiser fare in pulling up the mountains? Does it have plenty of 'pep' to move along I-70 towards the hills?

chris walrod

My wife and I looked at the XC90 (again) Friday night as we were invited to a "special invite" at the dealer we bought (leased) our S-60 T-5 from. We really like the XC90, but now that the Touareg and Cayenne are available, we may think otherwise. Not sure as we should wait another year for either of them and figuring a way to cleanly get out of our S-60 lease.

After that, we went over to the VW dealer to have a look at the Touareg. Dealer was closing and they only had one on the lot, in the back, just delivered with all the plastic on it still. It was a V-8 with air suspension, silver with reddish brown interior. Must say I really like the Touareg. Although they tend to get pricey if you load them up with options. Dealers are not 'dealing' on them yet. Hate buying cars at sticker.

Got a brochure and the V-10 specs at 553 ft/lbs of torque!!!! Only two less HP than the v-8 gas engine. Wow.

SkipSauls

Hi rkymtn993,

I traded the Land Cruiser in on a V8 gas pickup (Sierra Denali), then traded that in on a V8 diesel pickup (Sierra 2500HD). I originally had an open trailer and got the pickup as it was a bit better than the LC for towing. When I bought an enclosed trailer I had to get the diesel. The LC could handle the open trailer, but there's no way it would have been able to handle the enclosed trailer.

A Land Cruiser with something like the Toureg's upcoming V10 diesel would be an awesome beast...

rkymtn993, are you a PCA member? If so, I'll see you at an event. If not, you should join! The RMR PCA has some great members and lots of events every year.

OldGuy

Rkymtn,
my landcruiser when not pulling anything went up mountains
easily. that was with the 4.5 inline 6. Now with the 4.7 v-8 should
not be a problem at all. I took it up I70 from Scipio to Denver and
no prob. I also have a few grades here in the eastern Sierra and
no probs here either. Its not a 993TT but it was no slacker either.

Steve 96C4S

Well, my neighbor went out to look at SUV's today and agreed that the Mercedes wasn't her cup of tea. She went with another neighbor who was also looking to take advantage of that tax situation before 12/31/03 and he got a used 4000 mile on the ODO Toyota Sequoia which he fell in love with.

I'll let you know what she ends up getting. She is SO grateful to the info I cut and pasted for her from your responses from this thread. What a knowledgeable bunch of guys you are...

Steve

lwilkins

We looked at the X5 4.4, the ML 500 and the Cayenne S, and bought the Cayenne S. To us the ML was attractively cheaper, but handles not nearly as well as the other two.

The BMW handles well, but we liked the Porsche because it had more room in the back, and would haul a larger trailer. I've now towed my racecar well over 2,000 miles with it, and it's a great tow vehicle and the sound system is incredible. That may not be of interest to your neighbor, though.

As a racer and as a golfer, the extra room in the back of the Cayenne is a definite plus over the BMW. I can also attest that it handles like a Porsche (a big Porsche, albeit) on the race track.

Good luck!

Steve 96C4S

Thanks lwilkins. I'll let her know. So far, the Cayenne as turned up #1 in the voting. Who would have guessed, on a Porsche board!

Steve

88clbsport

don't want to flame, or go backwards on the discussion BUT Dr. NO...where did you come up with 10-15k difference in Land Cruiser and LX. They are NOT that far apart in price.

Dr. No

88clbsport that was a WAG based on conversations with a friend who had priced them head to head here in the SFBA. What do you think is is in MSRP? No flame taken.