well considering something the wife can drive around with my daughter and I can use to tow my cars on a steel trailer (combined weight approx 5000lbs)
and with the low price of suvs I started looking.
I am leaning towards a BMW X5(not sure what engine or year)considering cayenne 2005, Toureg, or possibly an american (envoy, trailblazer, explorer, durango)

what do you guys think?
is the x5 hard on the wallet maintenance wise?
is the bimmer and pcar much better than the american ones?
I am thinking keeping it under 20k
and am also thinking of going to US to get it.
anyone have an x5?

 

How about a Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 4.7L (not the 5.7 hemi, unless you have shares in the oil business)? Tow capacity is 6500 Lbs if I am correct and for $20K you can get a 2005 or possibly a 2006. My wife had one for 2 years and it performed very well (for an American truck). Was good on empty parking lots covered with snow too

 

If you really care about how it drives and handles, then the X5 or Cayenne are your only choices. First gen X5 is built on the old 5 series architecture and the Cayenne...well it's a Porsche, right? But if you're looking for a cheap workhorse then I second the Jeep. Just be aware that they gobble up front rotors if you drive them moderately hard and tow anything, plus the fuel mileage won't be too stellar. The interiors look like they're made from recycled tupperware and the seats must be sourced from Lazy-Boy, but they sure are inexpensive now.

 

I have a 2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited and have had a variety of 4x4 vehicles since 1974. The Toyota is by far the best in terms of reliability (absolutely no issues with 112,000 km on the clock) and, to my surprise, in fuel economy. Runs on regular gas and gets 11 l. per 100 km at 110 km per hr on highway (with no headwind!).Given the plummet in large SUV resale values, you may wish to have a look. Only caveats...clumsy in town and you need to watch clearance levels in underground garages. 4 wd drive system is excellent with low range, limited slip rear diff. and locking front/rear diff. and switchable between 2wd and 4wd.Tows a 3500 lb boat with ease.

 

thanx for the input guys. I forgot to mention that where I store my trailer is low ceiling so Sequoia is probably out.
Pongobaz: when did they switch to their own chasis for the x5?
If the cherokee is clumsy in town my wife won't like it and at this time I am not crazy about the looks of it. my trailer has electric brakes so shouldn't be too bad on the truck brakes.
anybody have any opinions on GM SUVs?

 

2007+ X5's are on the new chassis. If you don't mind buying new the 2010 X5 should have the 4.4L V8 twin turbo engine that's in the X6.

 

I've had a 97 Tahoe since 2000. It has 225,000 km on it. I've never towed with it however the mileage for a 5.7 litre is pretty good. I get roughly $10 per 100 km (hwy).
The most expensive repair was a fuel pump in 2005 ($900).
The truck has been very dependable.
If you are looking for a GM suv STAY away from the 6.0 litre engine. They just waste gas. I towed a boat back from Florida this past May and we had to re-fuel every 300 km. That was driving at 90 to 100 kmh.

 

Electric brake controllers cannot be wired to work with the X5.

Toyota 4Runner? Lexus GX470?

 

Just bought an '05 Cayenne S and it is fantastic.

 

crazy canuck: are you sure? as the previous owner of my trailer used an x5.
Tonga3 where did you get it and how many k and what kind of money? you can pm me if you don't want to post here.
thanx to everyone so far.
I am thinking an 05 or 06 envoy or trailblazer, they are supposed to be pretty good and can be had with about 50km for under 10k I think. altough the cayenne would be appreciated more by the wife

 

If you find one, just make sure you check that Cayenne thoroughly. Researching for mine, I heard tons of horror stories for the 04' & 05' models

 

X5s 03s or earlier are harder on gas so 04s and up get the new engine. I'm not sure about towing. 05 Cayennes are good, 06s are the best of the pre-owned bunch. The domestic product is just so cheap though so it makes it attractive. The question is, can you enjoy driving it 6 months, 12 months and 24 months later? I couldn't say yes to this.

 

I'm sure that Crazy Canuck can offer great advice as trailers (and the towing of) is his business. I would recommend that any vehicle you select should have the factory trailer tow package. This typically includes a transmission cooler, heavy duty radiator and driveline/suspension upgrades. Very expensive to add "after the fact". Good luck!

 

here, great deal. I have the same vehicle. Works great.

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...QAdIdZ70431576

 

That's what my supplier's book says. (Reese, Hidden Hitch, Draw-Tite). My company installs about 150 brake controllers a year.

Does your trailer have surge brakes? If electric, somebody wired up that X5 and risked damaging the car's computer. It's not something we are prepared to do.