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

1068 messages,  Last post on May 08, 2009 at 5:44 PM

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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

#989 of 1068 Dilema of ML350-SRX V6? by taketheoffer Oct 24, 2005 (5:51 am)
The good news is that the lease on my 2002 JGC Overland HO (High Maintenance) is coming up. Based upon its recent unreliability and the 2005s downgraded (plastic would be rejected by the little tikes toy company) interior, it will be my last of 3 in a row JGCs. Jeep couldn’t even get the Commander right. How can you offer the same vehicle with the same components in a price that ranges between $17K and $43K? It no longer is feasible to go high end with Jeeps and it becomes apparent that their new competition is Scion.    The bad news is the wife has decided she now wants either an SRX AWD (3 row w/ ultra view) or 06 ML350. The worse news is there seems to be no competitive offers on either. There are no 2005 SRXs to be had for a deal and the 06 leases worse then the ML (residuals). Cadillac offers an Escalade at far better deals then the SRX. The residual is sweet on the MLs but the prices seem unmovable and the MF is usurious. To add insult to injury the dealer told me that once the MFs come down in the winter (along with the residual) he would continue to sell them like hotcakes at full price because “MLs sell themselves in snow months”.   So the questions are: 1) Has anyone seen any competitive pricing on either in the NY-NJ-CT area? 2) Is the situation going to get better or worse (should I wait)? 3) Should I get something else? (she was already kind enough to rule out VW, Infiniti, Acura, Volvo & Lexus).   Thanks for any help you can give… Replies to this message: lovemyclk (Oct 25, 2005 2:11 pm) taketheoffer (Oct 25, 2005 4:53 pm) newmowner (Nov 10, 2005 10:04 am) taketheoffer (Nov 10, 2005 2:13 pm) and 2 more...
#990 of 1068 Re: Dilema of ML350-SRX V6? [taketheoffer] by lovemyclk Oct 25, 2005 (2:11 pm)
Replying to: taketheoffer (Oct 24, 2005 5:51 am) “MLs sell themselves in snow months”.   I wouldn't do business with anybody insulting your intelligence with such a comment. Love the new ML, but they certainly don't sell themselves. You may want to find another dealer, or explain to the Sales Mgr that the salesperson has you walking out the door with such insulting commentary. I'm sure that he/she knows there are options for your business.   Regarding the SRX, your bride may find ingress/egress a bit challenging due to the wide rocker panel trim under the doors. She would get her clothing dirty on a rainy day unless she was 6'4" tall with long legs to match Replies to this message: taketheoffer (Oct 25, 2005 4:53 pm) newmowner (Nov 10, 2005 10:04 am) taketheoffer (Nov 10, 2005 2:13 pm) newmowner (Nov 10, 2005 6:13 pm) and 1 more...
#991 of 1068 Re: Dilema of ML350-SRX V6? [lovemyclk] by taketheoffer Oct 25, 2005 (4:53 pm)
Replying to: lovemyclk (Oct 25, 2005 2:11 pm) Thanks for the advice. It seems like they fixed the rocker on the 2006. Besides the mentioned dealer, I have been through a few MB dealers. Nothing close to competitive.   In the meanwhile the Jeep service claim to have finally found what is wrong with my JGC Overland that has been in the dealer's service shop as a regular on & off since May. And finally, the dealership's GM has stepped in and offers to take me out of my lease 4 months early. Great. (isn't that the point of the "drive ahead" program") And get this he will give me a GREAT price. Wow.    Limited 4x4 with Navigation (thats it for options). He offers me a rock bottom sales price of a $37500 for a Base 4X4 Limited w/ Navigation.    Question after researching this site... Isn't that above invoice or am I missing something? & without the $1500 cash back(?)... The Lease #s are $540 a mo. PLUS Tax, tags & 1st Mo at driveoff. This doesn't seem right. Although cheaper then what I was looking at (ML350 & SRX) as I was ready to walk away from the brand (after 2 JGCs in a row 3 total) and was enticed back with an "incredible deal" for a Jeep loyalist & to compensate for me driving a loaner all summer (at Overland prices). I test drove it & enjoyed it but should I be disappointed at the olive branch? What does anyone else think of this.
#992 of 1068 ML thoughts by wannabuyavalon Oct 27, 2005 (7:46 am)
I own a 1999 ML 320 and have had it for about 6 yrs now. The vehicle is very sturdy/heavy and it feels really safe to be in. But the amount of time it spends at the dealership and the huge amounts for maint. make for a very painful experience both financially and otherwise. I tried to get it sold, but the dealer offered me $10k for it and it has only 72k miles and in pretty good condition with all bells and whistles (incl a third row seat). If you are in the market and considering one of these, please think again and stay away. Hope this helps. Replies to this message: taketheoffer (Oct 28, 2005 4:43 am)
#993 of 1068 Re: ML thoughts [wannabuyavalon] by taketheoffer Oct 28, 2005 (4:43 am)
Replying to: wannabuyavalon (Oct 27, 2005 7:46 am) I appreciate your input on the ML. I have seen a tremdous (almost overnight) decline in ML320-350 values especially since the 2006s were released. A "new" 2005 can be had at a ridiculous discount. I guess that's why they don't budge on the 2006s. Just price alone the ML350 is out the running for me. They just don't want to negotiate on them. The funniest story is a MB dealer calling me (after I specifically told them to email me prices) and tell me that there was an "undisclosed sale" (their words) on the MLs. That's all they would tell me. Apparently the price itself was a secret but I was graciously invited to their dealership 40 miles away for more details and a wine tasting event (huh?). In 1999 I used "Stoneage"(before it became cars.com) and autobytel to buy a car and it was great. my .02 to edmunds is that internet car buying/shopping has actually gotten more difficult and at a minimum more complicated since then.
#994 of 1068 Acura MDX vs Volvo XC90 vs Lexus RX330 by dhdan Nov 09, 2005 (2:01 pm)
My wife and I are expecting our first two children in March. So I need a new vehicle to replace our Acura RSX. We are looking at getting one of the above vehicles, used (hopefully '05 models depending on price), but I can't seem to decide which would be best. Any comments about the relative merits of these three vehicles would be appreciated. With two child seats does a third row matter? Which has the best second row space? Is the most accessible, etc.?   Also, suggestions as to when might be the best time to get a good deal would be great. Thanks to all in advance. Replies to this message: habitat1 (Nov 09, 2005 6:07 pm)
#995 of 1068 Re: Acura MDX vs Volvo XC90 vs Lexus RX330 [dhdan] by habitat1 Nov 09, 2005 (6:07 pm)
Replying to: dhdan (Nov 09, 2005 2:01 pm) You should probably get a less biased opinion on the RX330 than mine. I find it to be the minivan / New Beetle of SUV's (i.e. a "chick" car, if you can forgive the political incorrectness).   Our decision came down to the other two on your list, the MDX or XC90 V8 (briefly considered the GX470). I decided to let my wife make the decision, since she would be doing most of the day to day driving. She went for the MDX, based primarily on the size advantage, ease of use of the third row and Acura amenities which she likes from our 2004 TL (XM, Nav, Bluetooth phone, etc.). We only have two kids, but she ends up doing a fair amount of carting their friends around. The third row probably gets used once every week or two. And the second row is at least a full 2" wider in the MDX. Don't think that's much? It's life or death if you ever try to sit a real person between the two car seats.   From my perspective, I am happy with the MDX. Acura build quality and reliability are excellent. The vehicle performs reasonably well and gets decent gas mileage for a 7 passenger SUV. We get 22-23+ mpg on the highway, compared to 18-19 for our old 5 passenger considerably pokier and tipsy Trooper.   That said, the XC90 is a great vehicle. I particluarly like the high quality European interior, more stylish exterior, and class leading seat comfort. It drives and handles very well, especially the V8. But it also has some Swedish idiosyncracies and missing amenities. (No Bluetooth, XM, Nav system is 2 rungs down from Acura, etc). My wife found the narrower width and more difficult 3rd row ingress/egress a pain. And, although it seems to have gotten better since its introduction, the XC90 still had us wondering more about reliability and long term maintenance issues / expense.   Good luck and congratulations on the forthcoming arrivals.
#996 of 1068 Re: Dilema of ML350-SRX V6? [lovemyclk] by newmowner Nov 10, 2005 (10:04 am)
Replying to: lovemyclk (Oct 25, 2005 2:11 pm) First, you should read the 2006 ML "problems and solutions" forum and decide whether you are comfortable with the various issues owners raise.   Second, I am not sure precisely where you are shopping, but I shopped a few dealerships in the NYC area over the summer, and just recently phoned one of those dealerships to get a price for a friend of mine, and dealers seem to be taking off $2750-$3500 off the sticker. If you need information, please let me know. Replies to this message: taketheoffer (Nov 10, 2005 2:13 pm) newmowner (Nov 10, 2005 6:13 pm) taketheoffer (Nov 11, 2005 5:22 am)
#997 of 1068 Re: Dilema of ML350-SRX V6? [newmowner] by taketheoffer Nov 10, 2005 (2:13 pm)
Replying to: newmowner (Nov 10, 2005 10:04 am) Thanks for the input. I actually have been checking out the ML06 issues and the early build catastrophes as well as poor responses do somewhat scare me. As far as price I have had some Long Island dealers discounting from sticker but it still leases poorly due to the money factors in play. I would need dealers to work from invoice or get more competitive with their peers. Unfortunately (or fortunately) it seems that both the ML & SRX are out for different issues. Seems I am destined for a loaded Jeep Commander Hemi if my dealer plays his cards right. Replies to this message: newmowner (Nov 10, 2005 6:13 pm) taketheoffer (Nov 11, 2005 5:22 am)
#998 of 1068 Re: Dilema of ML350-SRX V6? [taketheoffer] by newmowner Nov 10, 2005 (6:13 pm)
Replying to: taketheoffer (Nov 10, 2005 2:13 pm) After purchasing the 2006 ML and not being all that happy with its performance, I am now less inclined to buy a vehicle a the first year it's out, regardless of an attractive price. To me, it's not worth the headache you get from being their test dummy. As a result, now I am only interested in buying cars that are one to two years old and whose quality is confirmed. Don't mind not having the newest thing on the block for that tradeoff. I think the Jeep Commander is in its first year too right? Replies to this message: taketheoffer (Nov 11, 2005 5:22 am)

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