DC from Cape Cod

I am leaning towards on-road only - I have a fully restored and customized 1986 CJ-7 for the beach, etc.

I want a comfortable, luxurious daily driver that is also fairly good in the handling department and good for snow in the winter.

I have heard horrow stories about quality with Land Rover/Rangle Rover...especially the Disco. No first-hand knowledge though.

Any thoughts on the Lexus/Landcruiser?

I will check out the VW - thanks Greg!

Steve 96C4S

The best thing about the Lexus is that it will NEVER break down or need service or be in for repair or have anything wrong with it... ever! Those Japanese vehicles are amazing. They don't have much unique, funky character like the awesome Range Rover, but they will never be in the shop, either.

OR, you might end up with the most reliable Range Rover that ever graced the planet and be happy as a lark. I'd think the newest models of all these vehicles are on a somewhat level playing field in terms of maintenance. I'd simply go for the vehicle that tugs on your emotions the most when you see it in the lot, and after driving it.

If you start panting at the sight of it, go with that one... like that luscious, scrumptious C2S of yours. Now there's a keeper!!!

Steve

DC from Cape Cod

Steve,

I hear you - the problem is that none of them do that for me.....

The Pepper Turbo is pretty sweet....and the X5 4.6 isn't too bad either...but the only car that makes me pant is the 993.

Steve 96C4S

Hmmmmm -

Could you put snow tires on 1 year old Imola Red M5 and pretend it's an SUV in the winter? <img border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" title="" src="graemlins/drink.gif" />

I've never had an SUV make me pant other than a Black Range Rover with creamy Ivory interior that would eventually get kind of trashed unless it was meticulously kept up. BUT, the rear lights in the new model look a lot like the rear of IS300 Lexus or a ... <img border="0" alt="[nono]" title="" src="graemlins/nono.gif" /> Honda Civic that's been riced. Whatcha gonna do!

Steve

DC from Cape Cod

M5 doesn't qualify for Sched. 179.......

Good try though!

Steve 96C4S

Schedule 179 deduction? That's a foreign language to me. Why do you need this deduction so bad that you are forced into buying an SUV? I've never heard of such a thing! Maybe we don't have that down here in Md. Is it a State thing or a US Gov't tax thing? I'm in the dark about lots of stuff and this is another one.

So you MUST buy this SUV? If it's a money/deduction thing, I wouldn't do it and just bring in less money each year . If you actually NEED this vehicle, I'm sure you'll be happy with any of the snowy weather'd SUV's you've mentioned.

But, is this simply about a tax advantage savings of money thing? If it is, as other's have said, I'd get a winter all wheel drive CAR instead. Car's rule. How about a 1 year old C4S water pumper.

Peace,
Steve

DC from Cape Cod

Sched. 179 allows certain people (I qualify) to buy certain large SUV's and deduct up to $100,000 of depreciation in the the year they bring it into service.

That saves me 46% of the purchase price.

Imagine buying a $70K Cayenne and having it really cost you $39K.......that is why my account says BUY NOW!!

This is a recently widened tax loophole that will probably close very soon.

Greg Fishman

Here is some more info on Sect 179.
<a href="http://www.bankrate.com/brm/itax/Edit/tips/Stories/sec179_deduction.asp" target="_blank">http://www.bankrate.com/brm/itax/Edit/tips/Stories/sec179_deduction.asp</a>

Add that to 0% financing or large rebates on many vehicles and IMO this is a great time to buy. I have Phil McGrath pricing a few options for me as we speak.

Brett - 1996 C4

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Sched. 179 allows certain people (I qualify) to buy certain large SUV's and deduct up to $100,000 of depreciation in the the year they bring it into service. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Before you get too excited, this deduction is only limited to vehicles 6000 pounds gross weight and over. The Cayenne doesn't qualify.

<a href="http://www.strohjohnson.com/HTML/secion179.html" target="_blank">Here's the list of qualifying vehicles.</a>

Greg Fishman

Sorry to disappoint but the Cayenne and VW Tourageg do qualify. Your list much be old.
If the ML or the X5 are on the list the Cayenne has to be since it weighs a bunch more.

And it is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Which is a combination of weight and limits of cargo capacity.

Steve 96C4S

oooh, oooh
If the BMW and Cayenne is out, I'd go with the ML55 (even though it's ugly) as it's SOOOO freaking fast. Plus it's got a bit of panache value being a "55".

The Range Rover has the nicest interior and has a bit of neck snapping value, the Mercedes is the incredibly fast cruiser, and the Toyota will never need a thing done to it.

It's all good, senor.

Steve

DC from Cape Cod

The Cayenne and X5 do qualify....GVWR is the fully-loaded weight, not the curb weight.

The Mercedes might be a possibility.

tom_993

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by DC from Cape Cod:
<strong>
I am looking for a SUV in the $60K range...</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Get a 2003 Toyota 4Runner and save 30K. At least check them out. I have one and they are quite impressive.

Tom
'95 993

Brett - 1996 C4

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Sorry to disappoint but the Cayenne and VW Tourageg do qualify. Your list much be old.
If the ML or the X5 are on the list the Cayenne has to be since it weighs a bunch more.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">No disappointment here (other than as a US taxpayer subsidizing the purchase of luxury vehicles for private businesses). If you look closely, that page clearly says 2003 tax law summary. And the X5 and VW weren't on it.

In any case, this is something where you will want to actually read that tax code pretty closely. Otherwise, if you get audited and your vehicle didn't qualify, you will have one hell of a tax bill.

STLPCA

IRS sect 179 depreciation is not new & applies to any type of depreciable business asset. As it relates to vehicles, any vehicle used for business purposes can be depreciated, whether its a Freightliner, Suburban, Cayenne, 993, or a GT3.

What DC is refering to is a change intended to exempt industrial vehicles from the otherwise applicable depreciation limits. Congress exempted vehicles having a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 6,000 pounds or more, which is the weight of the vehicle plus its payload. So, Greg & DC are correct - X5, Cayenne, etc. all qualify.