Up to $50k on an SUV, what say you?

[kingmoochr]

Current contenders are a new Explorer ST or a used SQ5. It needs to be fun to drive, and utilitarian enough for a new 3rd family member. I tend to be a "top of the line" buyer, because I've found myself to experience buyers remorse when I get the lesser version of something and end up spending money to make it what it's not. Will be putting ~20k down on the financing. Benefit to new is 0%, but there's really nothing that's price/class for the new ST. Will probably wait out the year end deals, since the 21 MSRP is dropping and negotiate the extended warranty into the purchase. The newer driveline in the new Audi's doesn't seem to have the issues of previous gens, but I don't see myself buying a 3rd party warranty.

 

[byke]

A ford explorer or an audi? Why you hate yourself??

 

[kingmoochr]

A ford explorer or an audi? Why you hate yourself??

Lol, which is why I'm in this thread and not at the dealer. I need a fun to drive SUV, which basically negates Asian market...

My current cars are a E39 wagon and B8 S4, if that's an indicator of my masochistic tendencies.

 

[byke]

I hear ya, had an old 4000 non-q and a 200t aaaaand a really nice 5000q. Something about those stupid things. If it were me, I'd see if I could find the new Rav4 Prime.

 

[CABilly]

Why not a new bronco? Those look sick

 

[kingmoochr]

Why not a new bronco? Those look sick

Wife wants a 3rd row, sq would already be pushing it...

 

[Archimedes]

Subaru Outback XT Touring.

 

[kingmoochr]

Subaru Outback XT Touring.

7.6 0-60 not gonna cut it.

 

[AbsolutEnduser]

Current contenders are a new Explorer ST or a used SQ5. It needs to be fun to drive, and utilitarian enough for a new 3rd family member. I tend to be a "top of the line" buyer, because I've found myself to experience buyers remorse when I get the lesser version of something and end up spending money to make it what it's not. Will be putting ~20k down on the financing. Benefit to new is 0%, but there's really nothing that's price/class for the new ST. Will probably wait out the year end deals, since the 21 MSRP is dropping and negotiate the extended warranty into the purchase. The newer driveline in the new Audi's doesn't seem to have the issues of previous gens, but I don't see myself buying a 3rd party warranty.

If you're getting a full if not extra full size SUV for just one kid don't complain of registration fees or fuel prices...

My current cars are a E39 wagon and B8 S4, if that's an indicator of my masochistic tendencies.

Ooh okay.
Well in that case, neither of the SUVs , they're not going to be fun compared to the current cars. Stick with the same, or Q5

Wife wants a 3rd row, sq would already be pushing it...

Ooh okay. A third row and fun to drive? Either Audi Q7 or Mercedes camper van?

 

[kingmoochr]

If you're getting a full if not extra full size SUV for just one kid don't complain of registration fees or fuel prices...



Ooh okay.
Well in that case, neither of the SUVs , they're not going to be fun compared to the current cars. Stick with the same, or Q5



Ooh okay. A third row and fun to drive? Either Audi Q7 or Mercedes camper van?

Yeah I was considering a Q7, just not sure it'll satisfy me...I may even look at used Porsche's at this point...:laughing

I drove ambulance sprinter vans. They're fucking shit.

Explorer was the largest I was considering. Durango Hellcat was tempting, but not for 80, aaaaand its 1 year only so it won't be depreciating much...

 

[auntiebling]

Used cayenne turbo S

 

[TheRobSJ]

Current contenders are a new Explorer ST or a used SQ5.

My boss owns a few dealerships. And his choice for a daily driver is a Ford Explorer Limited (or one of the top trims, but not ST). He could just as easily take an Acura MDX from the dealer I work at, which is quite a popular choice in the 3 row SUV for ~$50k market. But he likes the Explorer better. Can’t really argue with him. The Explorers are really quite nice. Lots of bells and whistles. The only polarizing thing for most is the vertical orientated, tablet looking infotainment screen. I’m sure the ST has more grunt than the MDX, but it doesn’t handle nearly as nice. The Acura has a very nifty torque vectoring rear differential.

My wife has a 2018 Audi SQ5. For one more day at least. We turn in the lease tomorrow. Certainly more fun to drive than most SUVs. The “brrrrp” you hear on heavy throttle upshifts is addicting. The interior is really nice with the diamond stitching and so on. The Bang&Olufson stereo is awesome, though the infotainment system with its “touchpad” is pretty frustrating. Expect to go through tires and very expensive brakes at an alarming rate. But. It’s only a two row. So this may be a non starter for you.

 

[NorCalAthlete]

CPO BMW X5 would probably get my vote. Not a huge fan of the Audi’s. Could find a 2018 X5 for $50k.

Explorer could definitely be a good pick as well.

 

[kingmoochr]

My boss owns a few dealerships. And his choice for a daily driver is a Ford Explorer Limited (or one of the top trims, but not ST). He could just as easily take an Acura MDX from the dealer I work at, which is quite a popular choice in the 3 row SUV for ~$50k market. But he likes the Explorer better. Can’t really argue with him. The Explorers are really quite nice. Lots of bells and whistles. The only polarizing thing for most is the vertical orientated, tablet looking infotainment screen. I’m sure the ST has more grunt than the MDX, but it doesn’t handle nearly as nice. The Acura has a very nifty torque vectoring rear differential.

My wife has a 2018 Audi SQ5. For one more day at least. We turn in the lease tomorrow. Certainly more fun to drive than most SUVs. The “brrrrp” you hear on heavy throttle upshifts is addicting. The interior is really nice with the diamond stitching and so on. The Bang&Olufson stereo is awesome, though the infotainment system with its “touchpad” is pretty frustrating. Expect to go through tires and very expensive brakes at an alarming rate. But. It’s only a two row. So this may be a non starter for you.

Thanks for showing up. Been reading about a lot of people with issues electronically in the 6th gen, new tech and all. Any feedback in that realm? That and poor trans management.

I'd want the sq, wife wants something bigger, but she doesn't have a license yet, so she gets limited input. What's your impression on reliability and quality 3 years out on the sq? Have any experience with the previous gen? It's basically the same platform as my b8 s4 but bigger.

 

[TheRobSJ]

Thanks for showing up. Been reading about a lot of people with issues electronically in the 6th gen, new tech and all. Any feedback in that realm? That and poor trans management.

I'd want the sq, wife wants something bigger, but she doesn't have a license yet, so she gets limited input. What's your impression on reliability and quality 3 years out on the sq? Have any experience with the previous gen? It's basically the same platform as my b8 s4 but bigger.

Pretty much gave up on the built in navigation a couple months in. The whole drawing out the letters and numbers bit on the touchpad makes me want to just jam a bunch of Thomas Guides (remember those?) in the glovebox. Just plug in your phone for CarPlay/Android Auto and call it a day. The virtual cockpit option (the full digital gauge cluster) is neat, but a novelty you won’t bother messing around with after a month.

The giant panorama sunroof...ugh. Disclaimer: I am not a fan of sunroofs at all. And this one is exactly the reason why. Body twisting actions like going in a driveway or over a speed bump at an angle will reward you with a loud pop or creak from the sunroof frame. The seals make chafing noises over bumps. That part I could’ve fixed by putting some silicone grease on the seals, but the wife never complained and it was a lease.

The transmission logic? Meh. Quite a bit of lag to kick down when you floor it. And there are times when it could’ve easily kicked down one more gear, but it didn’t.

In case the tone of all this isn’t obvious, I’m not exactly blown away by the SQ5. It hardly looks any different from the standard Q5. The only major differences are the big wheels and four fake exhaust pipes instead of two. Jesus...fake pipes, what the hell is that! The wife looked at the Mercedes GLC43 and a Porsche Macan (which I imagine is a platform mate to the Q5), but decided the Audi offered the most for the money and had the nicest interior. Which is true, but I think the Mercedes engine and transmission was way better. Different priorities she and I have. The Audi does have some fantastic brakes though. Big ass 15” Brembos up front. Just be prepared to spend big money on a brake job.


In typical BARF fashion allow me to throw one out from left field here. Not quite a turbo Busa. But if you want a 3 row SUV that’s pretty fast? Maybe go check out the Durango SRT. Gas mileage is going to be awful, but it will completely walk a SQ5 in any kind of drag race. Like 0-60 in the mid 4s kinda fast.

 

[Guoseph]

Acura MDX has some pretty good driving dynamics for a 3 row SUV.

 

[TheRobSJ]

Acura MDX has some pretty good driving dynamics for a 3 row SUV.

It does. You only get them if you get the SH-AWD though. Without it, you may as well just get an Odyssey.

All new 2021 model set to be unvieled in the next month or two.

 

[kingmoochr]

Pretty much gave up on the built in navigation a couple months in. The whole drawing out the letters and numbers bit on the touchpad makes me want to just jam a bunch of Thomas Guides (remember those?) in the glovebox. Just plug in your phone for CarPlay/Android Auto and call it a day. The virtual cockpit option (the full digital gauge cluster) is neat, but a novelty you won’t bother messing around with after a month.

The giant panorama sunroof...ugh. Disclaimer: I am not a fan of sunroofs at all. And this one is exactly the reason why. Body twisting actions like going in a driveway or over a speed bump at an angle will reward you with a loud pop or creak from the sunroof frame. The seals make chafing noises over bumps. That part I could’ve fixed by putting some silicone grease on the seals, but the wife never complained and it was a lease.

The transmission logic? Meh. Quite a bit of lag to kick down when you floor it. And there are times when it could’ve easily kicked down one more gear, but it didn’t.

In case the tone of all this isn’t obvious, I’m not exactly blown away by the SQ5. It hardly looks any different from the standard Q5. The only major differences are the big wheels and four fake exhaust pipes instead of two. Jesus...fake pipes, what the hell is that! The wife looked at the Mercedes GLC43 and a Porsche Macan (which I imagine is a platform mate to the Q5), but decided the Audi offered the most for the money and had the nicest interior. Which is true, but I think the Mercedes engine and transmission was way better. Different priorities she and I have. The Audi does have some fantastic brakes though. Big ass 15” Brembos up front. Just be prepared to spend big money on a brake job.


In typical BARF fashion allow me to throw one out from left field here. Not quite a turbo Busa. But if you want a 3 row SUV that’s pretty fast? Maybe go check out the Durango SRT. Gas mileage is going to be awful, but it will completely walk a SQ5 in any kind of drag race. Like 0-60 in the mid 4s kinda fast.

Thought about the SRT, it's still 60+ w/o a bunch of miles. That's all good feedback on the Audi. I could care less for the sunroof, wide says she likes them but the cover is always closed in our cars. There's actually a ST at a local dealer no roof no tablet optioned for the cheapest on the lot, and it's not even an early build. Maybe it'll hang around until the year end sales.... or maybe I'll save some $ and get a older gen SQ


Left field is why I'm here, it's how I ended up with that ISF I shouldn't have bought....lmao

 

[TheRobSJ]

There's actually a ST at a local dealer no roof no tablet optioned for the cheapest on the lot, and it's not even an early build. Maybe it'll hang around until the year end sales..

It’ll hang around. STs and Explorers in general are not exactly flying off the lots right now. My Ford dealer has at least half a dozen STs in stock right now. 2-3 without the twin panel moonroof and tech package.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

My dad has a new Q5 it's pretty sweet. SQ5 would be a beast