JDHertz11

So after three attempts to fix my 2011 Lexus RX350 I filed the necessary Lemon Law paperwork. This week was the final repair attempt. I dropped off the vehicle on Wednesday and received a call today saying that Lexus will be contacting me to discuss how to close the case. It looks like they are either going to offer me a brand new truck or terminate my lease and reimburse me for my origination expenses.

So now I guess I have to put some real thought into what I want to drive. An suv is still my choice for the time being. I'm leaning towards an X5 of some sort. Ideally it would be a diesel sport model but the gas turbo has its good points also. I do a lot of business with the local BMW dealer so I can get a reasonable deal there.

Thoughts?

JPP

2012 Cayenne V6 ....

24FPS

another vote for a pepper

JDHertz11

I had a Touareg a few years ago and swore off any VAG suv forever. What junk. I gave it to my business partner after driving it for about a year. He hated it too. That's when we started driving Lexus. My last two DD's were both RX's as well as his last three. I had an IS up until a few months ago and it was a good car too. My sister is on her third IS. I really wish that Lexus could get its act together with this one. The reality is that I only use my DD about 5-8K miles a year because I drive my other stuff the rest of the time, but the versatility of an suv is needed...

s4for5

I have driven both the Toureg and Cayenne and they are very different machines. The Cayenne feels way better than the VW.
Our Cayenne S has been flawless
Worth a test drive in my opinion.

Nurburger

We have a 2011 X5d that my girlfriend drives daily - great SUV, but we had quite a few issues with it early on (emissions, small oil leak, steering column). The emissions issue was repetitive to the point where we threatened the lemon law on them - resulting in our full warranty being extended to 100k by BMW.

All has been fine for the past 6 months & we already have close to 50k on it.

If you do go with the X5 - make sure you get the multi contour seat and premium sound options; they are both superb.

mjsporsche

I am not a huge fan of the RXs but you might want to give it a try again. So many in my neighborhood. The price point is very reasonable and if you are leasing it, it is several $100s less expensive than an X5.

A good buddy of mine just picked up a X5 3.5 SAV with a MSRP of $70k+. Mind you...this is not the 5.0. Sorry but I do not get it. It is a very nice handling truck but still a truck and rides like a truck.

It is the 100th Anniverary of Chevrolet. Go get a Tahoe! That is a real truck which will last 200K miles or more and have minimal annual maintenance costs.

Mark

Cactus

What were the problems? If a Lexus isn't reliable what will be?

JPP

Go drive a used 2011 CPO at a dealer. The new generation Cayenne is almost 500 lbs lighter and the interior is incredible. Just Doooo Eeeeet and if you still don't feel it ..... I'll STFU.

vincer77

Good advice

JPP

Here ya go ... two CPO's, this one's at Braman in WPB, the other one, an identical truck with the same mileage, is at Naples Porsche for 10K less money .... ? What's up with that? I'd go drive the one at Braman and then buy the Naples truck :-) Oh, these are both Hybrid's BTW ... no whining ... just Doooo Eeeeet. and then I'll STFU.

JDHertz11

No GM products for me! Lexus was making lots of brake/ front end noises since the day I got it in June. I tried to deal with it but to spend $600/mo. on a car that is supposed to be smooth and quiet but wasn't, irked me. Total mileage to date is just under 2,000. I really liked the Lexus but they pissed me off in the way that they dealt with the whole situation too. They tried to convince me that there was something wrong with me and that cars have noises, to which I replied that the RX I traded in on this one didn't... My 2010 RX had 8K miles on it after 18 months when I swapped cars. What else out there will fit in my garage (literally)? Will seat a bunch of people comfortably and have room for a few suitcases? X5, ML, FX...

JPP

Well, out of those, I'd go Nissan/Infinity, at least your getting SOME performance/suspension/value for your money ... the MB? Meh. Have you seen the headliner material literally falling off the A pillars of those things? Don't say I didn't try ....

“There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance—that principle is contempt prior to investigation.” William Paley

JDHertz11

So here it is. I decided on the X5d. Very nicely put together vehicle with plenty of power. Alpine White with Cinnamon Napa leather interior. Only real option is the Premium Package because the Diesels come pretty loaded from the get go. Downsides so far are no satellite radio and smallish 18" wheels, but both will be addressed shortly.

Ish993

My local dealer gave me an X5d to drive for a few days, I loved it.

Lots of power, quiet and smooth