Baby vehicles

"Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero" (sampsonite24)
11/18/2014 at 20:16 • Filed to: will it baby, stupid ideas, luxury over reliability

Alright so my wife and I are in the market for a new car as my saturn is falling apart. I want something fun and she wants something safe and high riding so wagons are out. She loves the escape and explorer but I was looking at older X5s and Cayennes. We also want atleast AWD, preferably 4wd as we live in Chicago and Our budget is 15 grand and will have to be financed so I guess my question are how much of a nightmare are older Cayennes and x5s to work on and repair. Would I basically be throwing money down the shitter?

DISCUSSION (33)

Decay buys too many beaters > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/18/2014 at 20:23

Why not a Forester XT?

BrownMiataDieselWagon > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/18/2014 at 20:25

Cool, another Chicago Opponaut! Best crossover in terms of handling and safety: Mazda CX-5.

Also, BMW X5's are shit in snow.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/18/2014 at 20:26

Ford Flex?

Ze Germans are going to blitzkrieg your wallet when it comes to repairs.

High riding isn't actually that safe. Violent lane-changes like avoiding deer can lead to a roll. Wagons are best.

CRider > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/18/2014 at 20:29

Higher does not = safer. Get that through her head then buy a wagon. Any Porsche or BMW you buy for $15k is going to be making frequent, expensive trips to the shop.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/18/2014 at 20:32

I'd stick to an Escape or Explorer. The thought of a $15k Cayenne is a terrifying one.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > CRider
11/18/2014 at 20:36

I didn't say higher was safer. She just wants safe and high. And I miss being up high. It's tough going from the nice seating position of an ambulance to a saturn. And she just doesn't like the look of most wagons

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Decay buys too many beaters
11/18/2014 at 20:37

I'd actually would love one they are just hard to find in Chicago that aren't either clapped out or rusted to the core

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > BrownMiataDieselWagon
11/18/2014 at 20:39

Cx-5s are a bit out of my price range but I was looking at tributes cause they are an escape at a cheaper price

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/18/2014 at 20:39

I'd stay as far away as humanely possible from a Cayenne at that price point. X5 is probably not a ton better. I'd go with something from a more mainstream brand as a family car. The Fords (Escape, Explorer, Edge, Flex) are all good choices. The Chevy Traverse is also not bad. Maybe also look at a Sante Fe, Highlander, Sorento/Sportage, or even a Subaru Tribeca/Outback. Basically any small or midsize crossover or wagon would be a good bet, it's just a matter of finding the right one for you. If you feel strongly about getting something premium, try a VW Tiguan or whatever that little Infiniti hatchback is called. Maybe even an XC60.

Alfalfa > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/18/2014 at 20:41

Volvo XC? About as much to fix as BMW and Porsche, but that should happen less. Also, uber safe!

BrownMiataDieselWagon > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/18/2014 at 20:47

That's definitely a safe choice! Not sure about the fun factor though.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 20:51

You'd probably need another 15k in the bank to keep it on the road.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/18/2014 at 21:07

Also semi-serious, semi-related question. Why the hell are RX-8s so damn cheap. I found like 15 in my area for under 15 grand with less than 50 thousand miles. I mean I know the rotarys are un reliable but I would think that they'd be more expensive

Conan > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/18/2014 at 21:08

2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8. Gas mileage? What gas mileage?

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Conan
11/18/2014 at 21:10

God I'd love one so much just to kick my buddies ass who owns a Trailblazer SS but they are way out of my price range

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/18/2014 at 21:11

Older X5's and Cayenne's are nightmares. And dry pavement queens. Honestly I think the only viable German option in that price range would a Mercedes. An 01-05 ML320/350 would be great. Pretty much all of their issues were sorted out by then except for valve cover gaskets which are very easy to do. If that doesn't sound like something you would like I would recommend sticking with Asian or domestic.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/18/2014 at 21:11

Well my first suggestion despite the no wagon BS is a WRX. Just show her the "they lived" commercials. I think women would be suckers for that stuff. MY wife likes it and my twin girls love the thing (2.5 yrs old). A bit more realistic for you I guess is the Escape. Explorers are going to be more expensive. Its been fine with the 4 of us for size. We have the V6 AWD. Until I got the WRX I thought the thing was damn fast. By a more boring baby hauler and save the fun for your car. I would thnk a $15k X5/Cayenne would be a shit show. You dont want her stranded with the kid on the side of the road and then a $5k repair bill. I'm just looking quick and $15k gets you 2004 w/ 100k + miles which I think over 100k miles you have a hard time finding a leander

Conan > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/18/2014 at 21:14

I know the feeling. Blazers and Trailblazers aren't bad vehicles either. It's not a baby vehicle but I love my 1996 Forest Service edition.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > OPPOsaurus WRX
11/18/2014 at 21:16

I actually found some with around 80 grand but yeah you're right probably a shit show. I was looking at legacy gt's cause I pictured them as a more grown up wrx but I am liking the idea of the suv. Plus it's easier to fit my bike and hockey gear in an suv

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Conan
11/18/2014 at 21:23

Haha I was also looking into Tahoe and explorer ex police vehicles but those usually didn't have 4x4

Conan > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/18/2014 at 21:25

Yeah, I got lucky on this one because the Forest Service needs 4x4. It's a ridiculous green color and is dead reliable (though not my daily driver).

OPPOsaurus WRX > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/18/2014 at 21:30

hockey gear maybe, i got a trailer hitch just for a bike mount. I didn't really want to stuff my bike in there and if its me and a couple buddies it would be a problem. The Escpae seems to be about the same size but does have more storage space int he back

bob and john > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/18/2014 at 22:11

because rotaries. most people have no freaking clue who to properly take care of them, so no one buys them

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/18/2014 at 22:11

My wife has been very happy with our '08 CX-9, and I enjoy driving it on trips as well. Ours has 150k on it now; I assume you could find one used in your price range.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > bob and john
11/18/2014 at 22:17

Now that would be a fun baby car with a set of snow tires. With the two rear suicide doors getting a car seat in and out would be a piece of cake. Fitting a stroller on the other hand probably not

bob and john > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/18/2014 at 22:20

not as fun as youd think..they are notoriously heavy drinkers (of both fuel and oil) and the motors make a USELESS amount of torque. If there was any car in need of a major engine change (by it boost, or a swap) it was the RX-8

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > bob and john
11/18/2014 at 22:25

Yeah that's why I was only really semi serious. Haha

bob and john > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/18/2014 at 22:27

honestly, if I wasnt going to have a need to tow a track bike to and from the track next year, I would serisouly bee looking at one. I dont drive all that often. In the winter i'm in school on campus and in the summer I have my motorcycles. who needs cars?!
but, I need to tow. so out the window it goes.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > bob and john
11/18/2014 at 23:23

I wonder if anyone has ever done an LS swap into an RX-8...

bob and john > BaconSandwich is tasty.
11/18/2014 at 23:25

no duh

BaconSandwich is tasty. > bob and john
11/18/2014 at 23:29

Awesomeness. Now, the question is how much would it cost for an RX-8 and an LS...

bob and john > BaconSandwich is tasty.
11/18/2014 at 23:39

rx8 with blown motor: 5000
ls : read power for pennies articles.

improvise and hoon

BaconSandwich is tasty. > bob and john
11/18/2014 at 23:44

Hmm. I'm liking this...