Quijote
Full Access Member
Long time lurker here. First a bit of background.
I am looking to replace my beater/winter car ('02 Grand Cherokee Ltd) which I will ditch after this winter and my daily driver ('11 328iT M-Sport - lease ends in September) with a 7-seater family SUV.
I am partial to driving dynamics, but I also feel an SUV should really get you through anything and I don't like huge cars but also want good cargo space (So no X5).
These conflicting goals have narrowed my list to some weird contenders.
-LR4
-Explorer Sport
-Acadia Denali
-CX-9
-Q7 TDI
Obviously, the LR4 is the only real capable off-road SUV on the list. The Explorer is fast and cheap, the CX-9 is the value choice with good cargo space and the Acadia is the roomiest and looks great on paper. Q7 is too pricey for being so slow and small in the back (but love its superb range and handling).
Now, ideally I would get a new GL350 and call it good, since other than being a bit big it's great. But it also has a ridiculous price, and I rather not spend so much.
I've driven the LR4 and the engine is awesome, but the fuel economy and range horrify me. That said, it is almost a foot shorter than all others, feels easily like the most premium car, and has by far the best hardware. I've also always loved the Discoveries.
But here is the thing, I need it to be well-optioned, which basically means I want the LUX. Problem is, the LUX is a lot more than the alternatives.
So I need convincing. Here are a few questions:
- Is the vision assist pkg worth it?
- On an ordered car with an MSRP of ~62k, what I can expect for a discount? 5k?
- What is the cost of an extended warranty 6y/100k through the dealer?
- Historically LR's have had poor resale, but I am floored to see people asking 50k+ for 2yo LR4's. Am I missing something?
- Is it just me, or is the black pkg a must? Especially for me, considering I would add roof rails anyway and that pays for about half.
- Anyone seen the Arabica interior? Is it too brown?
-What's the deal with the NAV? I heard the 2010-11 NAV sucked (slow to respond) but that it got fixed on 2012. Yet I read many reviews with the same complaint.
I am looking to replace my beater/winter car ('02 Grand Cherokee Ltd) which I will ditch after this winter and my daily driver ('11 328iT M-Sport - lease ends in September) with a 7-seater family SUV.
I am partial to driving dynamics, but I also feel an SUV should really get you through anything and I don't like huge cars but also want good cargo space (So no X5).
These conflicting goals have narrowed my list to some weird contenders.
-LR4
-Explorer Sport
-Acadia Denali
-CX-9
-Q7 TDI
Obviously, the LR4 is the only real capable off-road SUV on the list. The Explorer is fast and cheap, the CX-9 is the value choice with good cargo space and the Acadia is the roomiest and looks great on paper. Q7 is too pricey for being so slow and small in the back (but love its superb range and handling).
Now, ideally I would get a new GL350 and call it good, since other than being a bit big it's great. But it also has a ridiculous price, and I rather not spend so much.
I've driven the LR4 and the engine is awesome, but the fuel economy and range horrify me. That said, it is almost a foot shorter than all others, feels easily like the most premium car, and has by far the best hardware. I've also always loved the Discoveries.
But here is the thing, I need it to be well-optioned, which basically means I want the LUX. Problem is, the LUX is a lot more than the alternatives.
So I need convincing. Here are a few questions:
- Is the vision assist pkg worth it?
- On an ordered car with an MSRP of ~62k, what I can expect for a discount? 5k?
- What is the cost of an extended warranty 6y/100k through the dealer?
- Historically LR's have had poor resale, but I am floored to see people asking 50k+ for 2yo LR4's. Am I missing something?
- Is it just me, or is the black pkg a must? Especially for me, considering I would add roof rails anyway and that pays for about half.
- Anyone seen the Arabica interior? Is it too brown?
-What's the deal with the NAV? I heard the 2010-11 NAV sucked (slow to respond) but that it got fixed on 2012. Yet I read many reviews with the same complaint.