I'm looking to trade in a 2004 Cayenne for something new before the warranty expires. I live in the snow belt, have a 75lb lab, and a 4 yr old daughter - an SUV is the logical choice (I don't want a wagon).

I've driven the new Cayenne S but I don't love it enough to buy another one. I've also driven an '08 Range Rover Sport and an '07 Range Rover HSE. The latter is a bit more than I want to spend. I'm also concerned about when the next re-design in the Range Rover series will take place (I'm guessing in the next year or two). The upcoming BMW X6 looks cool (my wife has an X5) but there's no details of when it will be available - except to say 2008.

Does anyone on the site have a late model Range Rover and if so, how do you like it? Does anyone know when they may re-design?

Are there any other recommendations you have? I'm not a fan of M-B; I really don't like the design of the MDX; Lexus is not a preference and I prefer to stay away from American makes due to quality issues. Has anyone heard of something that may be coming in '08 that I should consider?

Thanks for the advice.

I'm not a huge SUV fan, but ironically I do have a Mazda CX-7 right now.

If I were going to buy another SUV (I wouldn't, owning one was enough ) - I'd probably consider just a base model Cayenne (with some options obviously, but I wouldn't be concerned with having a bigger motor), or even a new MDX, they're quite nice as well. I know you mentioned not liking the looks of the MDX, but it really is a superb SUV to drive.

I've never driven a Land Rover, so I can't really comment on them either way.

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I'm a fan of Suby's. Would a Forester be too snall? The low pressure turbo model gets great reviews, & Consumer Reports rates rates Suby, Honda, & Toyota products as the most reliable cars. They are so much cheaper than the ones you listed, you would have enough $ left over for a 3.8 conversion.... Or, you could start a fund to move south-I HATE cold weather. Ice should be only an option in drinks, not a driving condition. I'm from L A
( lower Alabama), & moved to the Atlanta area for a better balance of weather. No 100 deg, 100% humidity days as as I had living along I-10.
Good luck,Rick

The Tiguan is coming out soon and it looks pretty fantastic.



I like the Touraeg even though it has a mixed rep. Take it for a drive with the big V10 Diesel engine! If you can find one, its fantastic. The inside feels great too.

Go look and and test drive a Mazda CX9,......2008 Motor Trend SUV of the year. Also it won comparo between MDX & Acadia. Just bought one for the wife, 4wd all the goodies. We looked at everything from Cayenne, ML350, MDX, Acadia and Saturn twin, Audi Q7, Toyotas, Touareg, tons of others. The CX9 was a clear winner when everything was considered.....driving, price, features, etc.

I felt it was more sporty and quicker than all the above except for maybe the MDX and Cayenne......which it pretty much matches, no kidding. For 2008 it has a great engine and one of the best 6 speed auto trans. Drive one, you will see what I mean.

With a 4 year old and a dog, save the $$$ and look at something non-premium. Use the money for a new Cayman down the road.

And you want a Land Rover? I'd take a Chevy over a LR any day for quality...I'm not talking how soft the leather is or how nice the wood on the dash is, but reliability and durability. My Avalanche has been flawless. The interior isn't up to LR standards, but Chevy/GMC's new gen SUV's have much nicer interiors.

Personally, I'd look hard at the M-B's w/ the diesel engine - they have tons of torque, and get great fuel economy (low - high 20's seems typical).

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'08 Honda Ridgeline RTL
'99 Miata 10th Anniversary Edition
'07 KTM Super Duke 990
'07 KTM 300 XC-W / '06 KTM 450 XC

Have you looked at Audi? The Q7 is pretty nice although it is built off of the same platform as the Cayenne.

Another option to look into is what Infiniti has to offer. Their SUV's, FX and QX are really nice and although I have never owned one, I have heard nothing but good things from my friends that do.

Good Luck.

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2007 Cayman S
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I’ve had a number of SUVs over the years . . . Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Land Rover, Montero, Toyota Land Cruiser, etc. . . but the one that I liked the best was a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. It was loaded but since I bought it at the end of the year I got a very good deal. With the big V8 it had very good acceleration (and not great gas mileage). I drove it for three years and never had one little problem with it. One thing that I liked was that nobody paid any attention to it! That’s great when you are in a hurry to get down the interstate.

Rick,Great recommendation. I can't say I like the look of the Forrester but I've always liked the WRX's. With AWD, I could handle the snow. I'll take a closer look at them...I do fear they might be a bit small.

I can't say I'm a fan of the cold either but my wife and I have great jobs and the school options will be very strong for my daughter so we grin and bear it.

Thanks for the recommendation.

Thanks guys, this is exactly what I was hoping for. Great recommendations and a few new options I hadn't considered.

My other option is to just hold on to the Cayenne. We're fortunate that we don't have any car payments and I'm sure there's a lot I could do with the $30k+ that I would put into a new vehicle. Being a car guy, that's a bit more discipline than I may be able to demonstrate though.

Thanks!

I'm a Land Rover nut, and am more than willing to put up with some reliability issues for a little character and soul. I just took my family, 6 of us, on an off-road tour which included some 30 degree ascents. LR3 with its terrain-response was faultless, and even my 6'2" 70 year old father was comfortable in the third row. We have had it for 11 months without a single issue or problem (knock on wood); but I did just notice what looks like an oil leak (!).We are also looking at adding a pre-owned '05-'06 Range Rover. Very smooth, comfortable, but not sporty-at all.

That said, if you do not need a low-range and true off-road ability, than a Land Rover is probably overkill. I really like the RRS and was amazed at how more sporty a drive it is compared to the LR3, and drove one extensively at a LR Experience event; but it is not very practical for a 5500lb vehicle. I would say it was comparable to my old 2005 Subaru Outback XT in terms of passenger and cargo room.

I've also owned 4 Suby wagons, and have a passion for them. I drove my WRX wagon regularly off-road, ski trips, the race track, and sand dunes. Just changed wheels/tires and brakepads. I would recommend an Outback Wagon, either the XT or LLBean, as they are much more refined, roomy, and luxurious (relative) to the WRX and Forester. The XT is quicker, especially in the manual. I really like the XT, but the suspension was too soft for me with no aftermarket options, and it did not have enough headroom.

Hopefully your CX-9 isn't a total piece of trash like my CX-7 is - I will never buy another Mazda vehicle in my life after what I've been through with my CX-7.

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I also have an SUV as a 2nd car. They complement the Cayman well as they do all the things it does not (3rd row of seats, tow my trailer, etc.).

I have owned Rovers before (both BMW owned and Ford owned). Loved them, and hated them. When they can they are wonderful, but both had frequent issues (all covered under warranty) that became a big PITA. I understand they still get poor marks for reliability.

If it truly is just a utility vehicle then I would get whatever gets the job done and is reliable. Don't let the car enthusiast in you talk you into getting more than you really need.

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Mike