STORM2K

With our pending move to the mountains east of Albuquerque, i've decided to sell me Lexus and get another car when we get there. We've been looking at Subarus. does anyone have advice, recommendations, etc? I wont buy an American car, so please dont recommend any of those.

Subaru is probably the best bet for a good, relatively inexpensive AWD vehicle.

If youw ant somethign a bit ncier you might consider an Audi with Quattro AWD. Or somethign like a AWD Toyota RAV4.

thanks! we've looked at the RAV4 and are not impressed with the way it's built.

I had not considered the Audi, but will give it a try. We're also looking at a pre-owned RR Discovery.

alicia-w wrote:thanks! we've looked at the RAV4 and are not impressed with the way it's built.

I had not considered the Audi, but will give it a try. We're also looking at a pre-owned RR Discovery.

Alicia-W, let me understand something here, you want to sell your lexus for a RAV4, subaru, or something of lesser quality. What year is your Lexus (anything older than 2003 might as well drive a daiwoo)

alicia-w wrote:thanks! we've looked at the RAV4 and are not impressed with the way it's built.

Really? Just out of curiosity, what didn't you like about it? I'm very close to buying a brand new V6 RAV4 Limited.

I have a newer lexus sedan and will need something that can drive on dirt and gravel roads and in snow. need something with decent gas mileage. i dont want to beat the cush out of the lexus on bad roads...

As for the RAV4, it didnt seem to be very sturdy and it's a bit small for us. We have a BIG dog we plan to haul around...

alicia-w wrote:I have a newer lexus sedan and will need something that can drive on dirt and gravel roads and in snow. need something with decent gas mileage. i dont want to beat the cush out of it on bad roads...

As for the RAV4, it didnt seem to be very sturdy and it's a bit small for us. We have a BIG dog we plan to haul around...

Toyota 4Runners are a good bet, so is the Nissan Pathfinders.

I have a Subaru Forester. I love it. It get about 28 mpg and ride isn't bad at all. Very, very good in snow.

thanks! that's the kind of feedback i'm looking for!!! testimonials!

alicia-w wrote:As for the RAV4, it didnt seem to be very sturdy and it's a bit small for us. We have a BIG dog we plan to haul around...

Well the big dog thing I certainly understand.

Anyway, this is to be my first foreign car. I'm fed up with my maintenance hungry Lincoln LS. What I liekd abotu the RAv4 is that with the new V6 it has lots of power. I can't stand to drive a 4-cylinder car as I've been spoiled with powerful ones my whole life.

The RAV4 also fits in my garage, and is extremely fuel efficient for a small SUV.

a very good friend of ours in Arkansas has one and he loves it. But a 100 lb german shepherd is gonna take up more room than that vehicle has....

alicia-w wrote:a very good friend of ours in Arkansas has one and he loves it. But a 100 lb german shepherd is gonna take up more room than that vehicle has....

I guess if you want to run with the big dogs you gotta have a big car.

she's a semi-suitable companion when the husband's on the road. and she doesnt complain or talk back!!! who can complain about that?

What about a highlander or rx330?

i am seriously considering the rx330. the highlander drives too much like a minivan to me. i know, i'm just a picky wench.....

One thing, once you own a Lexus, everything else will seem substandard. So get another lexus. I would.

What about the Volvo XC90. Big enough for a large dog, great AWD system and that Swedish build quality. The RX330 is also a great car and in my opinion you are right about the Rav4. We keep one at our house in France and while great for the odd trip it is not the best for day to day use.

All that said, in order for anyone to give useful suggestions we need a budget!

there really isnt a ceiling....i'm opting for an X5 personally.....

alicia-w wrote:there really isnt a ceiling....i'm opting for an X5 personally.....

Does the X5 have that annoying iDrive system or is that only the 7-Series?

i dont know. i'm sure i dont know what an iDrive system is, but i'll research it.