Reliable Luxury used SUV under 15? X5 X3 MDX RX330 Touareg Cayenne ML320

[986_inquiry]

Not selling the Boxster but need a family truckster, so looking for a reliable used luxury SUV less than 10 years old under $15,000 that would look appropriate parked next to the Boxster

Looking at the following since they all meet that criteria
BMW X5
BMW X3
Acura MDX
Lexus RX330
Volkswagen Touareg
Porsche Cayenne
Mercedes ML320 or ML350


I think BMW, Porsche, Volkswagen and Mercedes are out because they don't have the reliability of the Acura and Lexus and they're more expensive to have repairs done and repairs on the boxster cost enough

MDX's under $15,000 are the mid-2000s and look rather bland


RX330 under $15,000 are also mid-2000s but look pretty good compared to the MDX


The MDX and RX330 are very similar in mpg, hp, acceleration, cargo, etc, only major difference is the MDX has third-row seating which gives it the nod if 7 seats are required. RX330 seems a bit more luxurious.

any thoughts?

[Van914]

I have a 2006 MDX which I love. I am in sales and put on 100-400 miles a day. Currently has 360,000+ miles and NO problems.

Best vehicle I have ever owned.

Good luck
Van

[thstone]

I used to own a 2002 BMW X5 - best SUV in the world! Fast, handles well, luxurious, reliable, and nice looking. I had the 3.0L inline-6, that engine is so incredibly smooth and powerful. It came with the lame 17" wheels so I bought the 19" staggered set with Michelin Diamaris tires and it handled very well. Don't get the Sport Suspension, much too stiff/harsh for long drives. All wheel drive works great in snow and sand. The Acura and the Lexus drive like crap compared to an X5 or a Cayenne - do you really want to drive the equivalent of a Camry SUV after getting out of the Boxster?

We drove this X5 all over the Western US (Cali, Nevada, Utah, etc) and it worked great. Very reliable, decent mileage. Problem areas are electric window controllers and electric door locks. I sold it when my boys got old enough to have their own cars so there was no need for a family hauler anymore.

Here is a pic of the X5 - and you can see the rear end of my old Boxster!

[EssexPorsche]

X3 and X5 are worlds apart in terms of internal space.
So it depends on how big your family is. There are only three of us so the X3 works fine for us, but if we have to put three in the back (especially adults) its a little snug.

Had it for over 4 years now and the wife still loves it.

[986_inquiry]

thanks for the BMW suggestions, but I don't think a BMW would be as reliable or as cheap to repair as a Acura or Lexus.

Test drove some Acura RDXs.... frankly, they're ugly, and not nearly as nice inside as the Lexus, more truck like. All the forums said the same, even Acura forums said the Lexus was nicer inside.

Went with the Lexus RX330. It's not "fast" but it's a SUV, wasn't expecting it to be fast. Haven't had it long but for gas mileage I get low 20s and she gets high teens so it's not too bad on mpg. All of her friends have been jealous and call her "spoiled" which has made her happy and when she's happy everyone's happy

[986_inquiry]

I test drove a 2005-ish ~340hp Cayenne S the other day, just to see what I was missing. Wow, talk about a disappointment. The automatic was laggy, the must be at least a 1 second delay between mashing the pedal and it finally accelerating, and it didn't seem to handle much better than the RX330. It was faster than the RX330 but not significantly more, not enough considering the S has 100 more horsepower than the RX330.

Maybe the turbo s would accelerate better.

As far as comfort, space, etc, both the RX and Cayenne are similar.

I think I made the right decision with the Lexus.

[RandallNeighbour]

Can the RX330 tow anything of significance?

The Cayenne S sure can.

[Topless]

The RX 330 is rated to tow 3500lb but I wouldn't. It is a very comfortable, light weight, stone dead reliable, well mannered grocery-getter/dog-hauler and travel vehicle that gets 22-28mpg. My wife is on her second one and it is an excellent compliment to the Boxster. Good choice 986.

The Cayenne S is a fully capable off road vehicle with a heavy duty chassis (1200lbs more than the RX), gets 14-18mpg, is rated to tow 7700 but I wouldn't. It is a lot more chassis but still a relatively short wheelbase so I would not tow more than 5000 lbs. We have several in our club that tow race cars with a Cayenne to good effect but all up weight is under 4500 lbs.

These are two different purposed vehicles with the RX being more civilized around town with 50% better gas mileage. The Cayenne is more all weather, all purpose, off-road capable but hauls around an extra 1200 lbs in chassis weight so gas mileage suffers.

Choose a truck chassis for serious towing of 5000 lbs or more and you will be glad you did.