Looking for a new SUV for the Mrs.

[pajamasam]

So we are getting to the point of buying my wife a new SUV. She currently has a 08 Saab 9-7x with 5.3 LS engine(Basically a TBSS with a 5.3). She likes the car but its getting up there in mileage.

I was originally looking at Tahoe because I loved LS engines and know my way around them but after further research it seems like all 07-14s burn oil because they have DOD. I do not want an Oil burner so i'm basically eliminating those.

So now i have to venture away from my comfort zone(GM) and starting looking elsewhere. I would like to get her something a few years old like 2013 or so. We would like to stay around $20-25k.
In terms of proprieties:
1. Reliability
2. Luxury Options
3. Gas mileage(sorta)

What are your recommendations? I will not by a Kia or a Hyundai.

The Mercedes GLK350 have me interested but I have always swayed away from the german stuff due to repair complexity. Anyone have experience with these?

[Bru]

How will the SUV be used? Commuter? Hauling cargo? What do you like about the Saab?

[SaturdaysGS]

I have a 2012 PPV with the 5.3, run 5w40 semi synthetic and it burns less than a 1/2 quart per 1k miles. Has DOD. I'm sure being a PPV it didn't lead an easy life, but I understand your reservations, the DOD system can potentially be more issues than it's worth.

[pajamasam]

Originally Posted by Bru

How will the SUV be used? Commuter? Hauling cargo? What do you like about the Saab?

Its a commuter. She drives about 40 miles round trip to work.

She likes the nice interior and premium features. Also works great in the snow so I think we would like to stay 4wd or AWD.

[pajamasam]

Originally Posted by SaturdaysGS

I have a 2012 PPV with the 5.3, run 5w40 semi synthetic and it burns less than a 1/2 quart per 1k miles. Has DOD. I'm sure being a PPV it didn't lead an easy life, but I understand your reservations, the DOD system can potentially be more issues than it's worth.

This Saab has it too. I turned it off with my HPtuners and it helped a little but still burns some oil. I dont want to deal with it again, its a garbage system.

[SaturdaysGS]

I'd look at the Honda Pilot. Everyone I know that has one absolutely loves them.

[Bru]

What do you consider luxury or nice features?

[pajamasam]

Originally Posted by Bru

What do you consider luxury or nice features?

I think the most important is nice comfortable leather seats, think like the new suburbans and tahoes. Heated leather.

Im sure she would love premium sound with bluetooth. She currently has bose but no bluetooth.

Im sure she would also like Nav.

We drove a new BMW in australia when we were there and she loved it. Had all types of wierd tech.

[RedBeard]

Mazda fo sho. Really like the looks of the current CX-3 & CX-5. Didn't see a mention of kids so don't see a need for anything much larger. Especially with a 40 mile commute.

[Gamble]

Wife just got an 2014 escape with the 1.6 turbo

Has some pep for sure and rated at 30mpg highway but she has a lead foot

[daturbosix]

@pajamasam how much for "up there in mileage" 97x?
pm me some info, im in the market for such a vehicle.

i agree that DOD is bullshit system that doesnt save much fuel at all.. so why not just do a delete to one if you got it?
i think that tahoe/yukon/escalade family is THE BEST choice.. ive been looking for myself for quite a while..

[Stink Star Productions]

Originally Posted by Bru

What do you consider luxury or nice features?

Well it's a trailblazer so apparently the bar is pretty low now

[jason05gt]

What about a new CR-V?

2017 Honda CR-V: The New Sporty SUV | Honda

Honda reliability, a nice interior, and a lot of technology for the money.

[pajamasam]

Originally Posted by Stink Star Productions

Well it's a trailblazer so apparently the bar is pretty low now

The Saab interior is actually pretty nice. Nice seats and stuff.

[pajamasam]

Originally Posted by daturbosix

@pajamasam how much for "up there in mileage" 97x?
pm me some info, im in the market for such a vehicle.

i agree that DOD is bullshit system that doesnt save much fuel at all.. so why not just do a delete to one if you got it?
i think that tahoe/yukon/escalade family is THE BEST choice.. ive been looking for myself for quite a while..

I believe hers has 160-170k on it. I have turned off DOD on it already.

If we got a tahoe or similar it would most likely have ~90k on it for our price range and by that time it is too late and turning off the DOD won't really help all that much.

[EmersonHart13]

Lets see pics of the Saab. Always liked those things a bit more than the TBSS

[tinfoilhat]

Yeah I wouldn't mind dumping the cobalt for a 9-7x

[pajamasam]

This is the only picture I have. This is when we bought it back in 2013.

[daturbosix]

Originally Posted by pajamasam

This is the only picture I have. This is when we bought it back in 2013.

How many bucks?

[pajamasam]

Originally Posted by daturbosix

How many bucks?

I have no idea yet. I'm not quite there yet.

Need to figure out what kind of car she wants.

[ktraver97ss]

Originally Posted by RedBeard

Mazda fo sho. Really like the looks of the current CX-3 & CX-5. Didn't see a mention of kids so don't see a need for anything much larger. Especially with a 40 mile commute.

Yep, Im going to look at new CX-5's for the wife this weekend.

[pajamasam]

Does anyone have experience with Euro brands? I really like what i'm seeing about the 2013 GLK350. Also the BMW x3 seem nice but sounds like some are have reliability problems.

What I find crazy is, these cost the same as 2010 Tahoes, 2013 Honda/Acura, and many others.

I have ZERO euro experience but I am very good at working on cars and diagnosing problems but the repair work still makes me a little nervous. I have heard some horror stories.

[Ryan02Stang]

Ford Explorer Sport

2013 Ford Explorer Sport Sport Utility 4 Door | eBay

I don't know what features came on what years, but I got my wife a 2015, and it has heated and cooled leather seats, heated steering wheel, remote start that turns heat on in winter with heated seat and AC on in summer with AC seats, navigation, backup camera, fancy cruise control that actually slows down and speeds up for you based on traffic, etc. The majority of the fancy stuff was all standard in the 402A (I think) package.

Also has 365 horsepower, and is a cheap tune away from being much more!

[Intel]

Originally Posted by pajamasam

Does anyone have experience with Euro brands? I really like what i'm seeing about the 2013 GLK350. Also the BMW x3 seem nice but sounds like some are have reliability problems.

What I find crazy is, these cost the same as 2010 Tahoes, 2013 Honda/Acura, and many others.

I have ZERO euro experience but I am very good at working on cars and diagnosing problems but the repair work still makes me a little nervous. I have heard some horror stories.

Run away from mercedes.

[Dan00Hawk]

I would only consider the German SUVs if you plan to keep it during the factory warranty period, or getting an extended warranty (which will cost $3k+). Even though you are good with a wrench, if they do end up with issues, they tend to be expensive. The depreciation on those Euro SUVs are also horrendous, even though the first owner took the biggest hit.

Since it sounds like you want more room than the compact SUVs, I'd check out the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder and/or Murano, and Ford Explorer and/or Edge.