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I need a 4 wheel drive vehicle with high clearance for work, and I want a big one because we are a family of 5 who spends many winter weekends driving up to Vermont to go skiing. I currently drive a Tahoe, but it is 10 years old and it's not going to last forever. Maintenance is starting to get high enough where I might start looking to replace it. I love the Tahoe and may just get another one, but who knows, maybe I will like something else better. As it is, the Tahoe is filled to capacity for our ski trips, so I can't go much smaller. This doesn't leave a whole lot of options. I can get a loaded Tahoe for somewhere in the mid $50's. I don't mind spending more, as long as I am getting my money's worth. I don't really care about making a statement. For example, I can get a loaded Lexus LX for $90K, but unless I am missing something, the extra $35K isn't getting me much more. I am starting to look at the Mercedes GL, the Infinity QX80, Ford Expedition, and other large SUVs. Anyone have any suggestions? Likes and dislikes?
Wait for the 2015 Tahoe/Yukons to get released next year. Interior be will 10x better. All rows of seats will fold flat, with the hit of a button. Or you can get a 2014 for $10K+ off when the 2015 release date gets closer. Spring for the Denali with the 6.2 making 420HP.
I need a 4 wheel drive vehicle with high clearance for work, and I want a big one because we are a family of 5 who spends many winter weekends driving up to Vermont to go skiing. I currently drive a Tahoe, but it is 10 years old and it's not going to last forever. Maintenance is starting to get high enough where I might start looking to replace it. I love the Tahoe and may just get another one, but who knows, maybe I will like something else better. As it is, the Tahoe is filled to capacity for our ski trips, so I can't go much smaller. This doesn't leave a whole lot of options. I can get a loaded Tahoe for somewhere in the mid $50's. I don't mind spending more, as long as I am getting my money's worth. I don't really care about making a statement. For example, I can get a loaded Lexus LX for $90K, but unless I am missing something, the extra $35K isn't getting me much more. I am starting to look at the Mercedes GL, the Infinity QX80, Ford Expedition, and other large SUVs. Anyone have any suggestions? Likes and dislikes?
Suburban seems like the logical choice if you like the Tahoe you currently have but it's a bit too small. The 2015 (coming early 2014) LTZ models get magnetic ride control that was previously only in the Caddy. It'll also have a more comprehensive tech package offerings, so things like blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise are available.
A buddy had an LX470, and sold it with 270K miles on it. The Denali he just bought is sitting in my driveway until he is ready to surprise his wife with it. I have no interest in or use for an SUV, and besides occasionally driving one as I did his, I have little experience in them. But I'd only driven the Denali 50 miles before I realized the LX drove so much better. Less body roll, less pitch on braking and in corners, quieter, more stable. Relative to it the Denali feels cheap. All the controls feel tighter and more precise in the LX. From what my buddy tells me the AWD systems don't even compare.
As you say, it's a big difference in price (he wanted another LX, but a used vs the used Denali, it's nearly double the price) but there are many reasons why. As someone said, buy a used LX for what the Denali costs new.
Magnetic ride control started with the Caddy, but it's been on the Corvette for a decade now.
As far as a large SUV goes, the Infiniti has gotten very good reviews and it's outselling the Lexus LX you mention. You also have the option of buying a 2013 model (the QX80 is just a rebadged QX56) and saving quite a bit of money. My neighbor has one, 400hp and 7 spd transmission and is pretty darn quick for a vehicle of its size. Said he liked it much better than the Escalade, which of course is above a Denali or Suburban.
I'm not a big fan of Infiniti after having a Q45 a while back, but the QX56/80 is worth a look.
since you like the tahoe you have now, i say why change? the ford expedition is a nice SUV, but for you the tahoe has a known track record. in the end the choice is yours, one way to decide though is to go out and rent some of the SUVs you are thinking about for a weekend, and see if they match up to the tahoe. its a cheap way to get a weekend long test drive, and you have no salesman in the seat next to you constantly talking up their product while talking down the competitors product.
You've obviously got the money to just buy whatever you want, so just buy whatever you want. ALL of the full-size SUVs are good - as they danged well better be!
If you don't like what you get, trade it off in a couple years.
Location: Butler County Ohio and Winters in Florida
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Ford Expedition or Chev/GMC Suburb/Yukon
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