What would you do?

Just starting my research, will be buying a new car next year to replace my 15 Forester (damn you Subaru for ruining your reliability) so looking at something aroubd the same size. If it was you and you were buying one CPO or new with a $45-50k budget where would you spend the most time doing research and searching for a good deal?

(Yes I left the t4r off the list, the wife wants to stay more compact)

 

We're currently looking at Rav-4's. Waiting on the new '19 to show up locally so we can look at it in person before making a decision. Can get a loaded one for much cheaper than your budget.

 

Yeah want something sporty though. Original plan was to run the Subaru into the ground and buy an RCF next year. But the radio is messing up, the transmission is just total crap.

 

Have you considered the Venza or Highlander? Not sure if these are sporty enough tho...

 

No I’ll check them out though. Definitely need to be AWD which I’m sure they both have options for.

 

This is a Toyota forum so you’ll get a lot of votes for the RX (which is probably the most reliable but least sporty on your list).

My brother has owned a few BMWs including the X3. They were all very reliable and had good trade in value at 150,000 miles (he drives a lot). I had a 3 series (2006) which had electrical gremlins but drove fantastically. If I were shopping sporty SUVs in that size and price range today, I’d go X3.

 

My wife has a 13 highlander limited. I like it leather heated seats and awd. She had a rav 4 before that she said was to small but the 4runners were to big.

 

I voted "other" because 4Runner.

 

Are you looking for a full-size or a mid-size? Seems like there's kind of a mix in your poll. Have you looked at the new Mazda CX-9s? I test drove one and was pretty impressed, but I'm 6'4" and the way they designed the center console just doesn't work with my legs. I'd vote for the Lexus just because of the reliability, but I can't get over that fugly front end. The MDX and RDX are pretty nice as well.

 

Just purchased (today) a 2018 Highlander Limited Platinum AWD for the wife. We looked at others but kept coming back to the Highlander. Really good deals on the 18's right now. Good luck with your search.

 

We have a '15 Highlander that is loaded. Includes heated steering wheel, cooled seats, etc. My wife loves it and it is AWD, which was my prerequisite for all of our vehicles, other than 4WD for my Tundra. I can't say enough about the Highlander - a much better value than the RX350, which we looked at.

 

That CVT is just not my cup of tea honestly. The delay in the pedal when you need it to move kills me. And honestly, it’s a bit of a safety concern to have to much delay in it. Also, about a week ago the buttons on the radio just stop working every once in a while.

It’s also small so one thing I’d be looking for is some more room on the inside.

 

Yeah if I wait until the end of next year I may be able to look at the X3 m40i’s. That will definitely fill my need for speed.
Right now being only a year old they are about $50k+ CPO

Yeah the front is so gross though. But we did have an ES at one point and man was that an awesome car so I can’t rule them out.

 

Yeah BMWs cost a lot because they are all a-la-carte. My friend has a Jaguar F -Pace. It drives wonderfully and sounds great. The interior is pretty low quality for the price point and it’s had a few issues. I’d stay away from the Jag. My uncle has had multiple RDX and MDXs. They’ve all been good.
I have nothing against the RX, I think they are great. However, I get the sense that you want something a little more sporty. I bought a full size SUV because I have 3 kids, but if I didn’t need the seating capacity, I’d get the X5 M.

 

When we bought the forester we looked at them. They have the CVT as well. Did you see they extended the warranty on the transmission to 100k kind of out of nowhere? Makes me nervous, they are doing it to “keep the love.” We have a 2015 with 30k miles on it.

 

The new rav4 is comparable to the Forster.

 

The X3 is my fav of the bunch...
(And I’m not saying that because I sell them).
They have a great mix of comfort and sportiness and are not overly “techy” with dual touch screens etc like some others. If you want size then it’s the MDX or RX, if you enjoy driving then X3 all day.

 

Man and you’re in CO, in sales and have the same first name and drive a tundra. We should probably hang out.

 

Lol. I’m at the same place all day everyday.

 

Jeep?

 

For that price range you could get a CPO Macan S.

 

My brother now drives a Macan GTS AWD. It is a great driving car. Interior is beautiful and fit & finish is first rate. He’s got 40,000 ish miles on it trouble free. They are ridiculously expensive new and for service. The Macan is about the size of a RAV4 interior wise, so keep that in mind.