Volvo XC90 vs MB M Class vs Acura MDX vs Lexus RX 350 vs BMW X5 vs Cadillac SRX

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1084 messages, Last post on Jul 29, 2012 at 7:31 PM

You are in the Volvo XC90 Forum.

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What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Acura MDX, Lexus RX 330, BMW X5, Cadillac SRX, Toyota Highlander, Volvo XC90, SUV

#193 of 1084 too many choices...it's just a matter of personal taste. by tso2001

Dec 06, 2001 (11:37 am)

From our families' point of view it all depends on one's personal taste. My sister, my mom, my cousin and myself all live within 5 miles of each other but our tastes in cars are worlds apart. My mom thinks Lexus is the greatest car and just picked up a 2002 RX300 over the weekend. My sister is a MB fan and loves her E320. My cousin is a BMW nut, has a M5, and 5 serie station wagon, and refuses to get an X5 due to the lack of cargo space, went to Germany a few times to attend BMW driving classes, now that's passion. And me, I'm ordering a MDX for the wife and looking for a few year-old NSX to keep the Miata company. Not much decisions here.

#194 of 1084 Interested in RX 300 by mgoldstein3

Dec 07, 2001 (6:55 pm)

I'm in New Jersey, and I'm interested in buying a new RX 300 and was intrigued by "heartmiser1"'s comment that they could be had for just $500 over invoice. Is this really the case?

#195 of 1084 $500 over invoice by Firebird_EOU

Dec 23, 2001 (8:27 pm)

Well I see Carsdirect.com selling it for $500 over invoice for 08824 zip code! $37,158 w/nav & destination charge. MDX is $3,500 over MSRP at Carsdirect. Local dealer wanted $3k over MSRP. If you can get one MSRP that's a steal!

#196 of 1084 best price in philadelphia area for mdx with nav and touring by jfxmjr

Jan 01, 2002 (4:27 am)

advise any info on best price in philadelphia area and will dealer take anything off list or add add'l options etc? advise. thanks, jfxmjr1

aol.com

#197 of 1084 re: extensive research by lambo_oreo

Jan 01, 2002 (8:57 am)

Brooke,

What about the quality problems on the previous MLs? I like the new looks on the 02 ML but just worried if it could compare and hold their value against an X5 or an Acura. I still bought the ML but I guess I just wanted to hear from someone else that the 02 is totally different.

#198 of 1084 SUV Quandry ($40K+) by flytogolf

Jan 21, 2002 (11:10 am)

Just started the examination process for the following vehicles: MDX, RX300, X5, ML320/430 and even the Toy Highlander. I've talked to co-workers who own some of these, read magazines/ ratings till my eyes blurred and now am as confused as ever. Heer are my introductory findings:
The RX300 has all the creature comforts but doesn't have much punch - found it somewhat vanilla to drive (The NAV was nice, but the salesman kept barking out orders on how to use it to the point of totally annoying both of us). The ML shape (boxiness) was too much for me to overcome. Reliability "seems" to be an issue as well.
X5 was a joy to drive, seems to have a little more status appeal (if that's a consideration) but seemed to be a 325 in an SUV body. Also, realibilty seems to be a weak spot with this as well.
MDX - I have no idea. No dealers around here (SF East Bay Area - Walnut Creek) do not have a vehicle to drive. We have attempted to drive one, but all the dealers keep telling us this SUV is so "hot" each owner has to pre-order one with a $1k - $2.5k deposit and then wait 20 - 40 days for delivery. That deflated me enough to nearly rule this one out!
Highlander looks like a great bargain, but have not test driven it yet - it was an afterthought after all the other contenders had some weakness about them. Still, not sure about its inclusion in this company.
I already own a Land Cruiser, so I don't need another heavy, lumbering SUV (don't get me wrong, I love my LC, but its big and bulky).

So, I'm looking for something with functionality, power, SAFETY and above all else, RELIABILITY.
Additional comments from current owners of these vehicles would be appreciated.

#199 of 1084 flytogolf by fedlawman

Jan 21, 2002 (7:35 pm)

Looks like you eliminated all of your choices. If you feel the RX300 lacks "punch" and is "Vanilla" to drive, then certainly the Highlander won't please you either...they're the same car.

Since you already have a big SUV and you appear to be looking for something smaller and sportier, perhaps you should look at the AWD wagons. The Audi Quattro and Volvo V70, to name just two, offer similar all weather capabilities and cargo room of the MDX, RX, X5 crowd, but are sportier and more fun to drive.

#200 of 1084 SUV Quandry of flytogolf by allhorizon

Jan 22, 2002 (3:22 am)

I agree with fedlawman.

take a look at the A4, A6, Passat 4Motion, Subaru Outback/Forester, Volvo ...

If you already own a Landcruiser - one of the above may be the way to go for you? Many station wagons are safer (side and head curtain aribags, strucural integrety, crash zones, low center of gravity - not prone to roll-overs), cheaper, more fun to drive, and use less gasoline than SUVs.

- D.

#201 of 1084 X5 Reliability by rickrover

Jan 22, 2002 (2:12 pm)

I considered these vehicles a few months ago and ended up with the X5 3.0 - it's driving dynamics won me over - it's my 4th BMW. A very close second was the MDX, if cargo room or seating capacity would have been more of a priority we would have an MDX instead.

I read about the X5 teething problems when they first came out and have experienced similar issues in newly released vehicles before. We decided to take a chance on a late 2001 X5 with the hope that a lot of the first year kinks had been worked out. So far that has been the case, the X has performed flawlessly in 6k miles, no problems to report what-so-ever.

#202 of 1084 X5 Reliability of rickover by flytogolf

Jan 22, 2002 (10:21 pm)

Good to know the X5 has made it through a significant breakthrough period without any problems. I have been concerned about reliability with the X. I'd appreciate continued postings of your experiences, if you have the time and inclination.
I am leaning toward the X and the only thing holding me back is the reliability.
The only other option (for me) is the MDX. I still haven't had a chance to drive the MDX, so I'll have to wait until the "lucky" day arrives when a dealer has one available.
However, I think I'm looking for an excuse to decide on the X, and the Acura dealers are giving me a convenient one.
Anyway, as you just purchased an X, I did have a couple of questions:
1) Did you drive the 4.4? (Our dealer did not have one for testing). Does the performance difference justify the addition $8 - $10K. I only drove the 3.0 and that was a joy.
2) Did you opt for the rear side airbags?
3) Did you have some negotiating room on the sticker or is this another Acura-type experience?
4) Your opinion of the X's Nav system vs. the MDX.

Many thanks!

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