What else is out there?

[Snatch Napkin]

I'm doing my homework on what my next vehicle will be and thought I had it picked until I started surfing the forums for it. I was looking at 06-08 Trailblazer SS's. It seems as though the typical GM engineering has plagued it with some ferocity.

I then started looking at Jeep SRT8's. However, that's more scratch than I care to un-ass for a daily driver that can haul the family.

So, what else is available that will occasionally haul 3 kids and 2 adults, not incredibly boring, dependable, and under $18k?

[Thehead]

I love our tbss, I've had very few problems and it is fun to drive. Stay away from anything Chrysler. I test drove 20 or so different SUVs and trucks before getting the tbss. I feel that it was the most practical for us. The only real down fall is fuel economy, mine averages 13.6.

[95ragtop]

[talisman]

And there you have it.

[Leah]

I love my 07 TL. Gets great gas mileage and can fit all 5 of us if we need to. I like the styling way better than the new ones.

[Big A]

You won't find one for anywhere near $18k, but my ex was telling me last night that she's looking to get into an X5 M. It's got a 555hp turbo, but as I told her, I don't personally see the point in a 4k lb+ "performance" SUV.

[Thehead]

You won't find one for anywhere near $18k, but my ex was telling me last night that she's looking to get into an X5 M. It's got a 555hp turbo, but as I told her, I don't personally see the point in a 4k lb+ "performance" SUV.

Cake and eat it too.

[Big A]

Cake and eat it too.

If I were in that position I'd either have a cheaper regular SUV and a C6 for the weekends, or an M3 sedan with the roof storage for trips, and still not be spending $80k.

The M3 coupe that I'm looking to get is my version of cake I guess, it doesn't have quite the performance of a C6, but I need the back seats and trunk space occassionally. If I can learn a little more patience though, I'll just wait untill I get into a house later next year, get the C6 and keep my sedan.

Different strokes though, but other than the X5 M and Cayenne turbo, nothing else comes to mind beyond the Jeep and Trailblazer already mentioned.

[Big A]

Oh, perhaps a used Toureg, I dunno how cheap they are now thoug.

[Trip McNeely]

Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

Honestly though, you might be able to find an older used Mercedes ML55 AMG on the cheap.

[Snatch Napkin]

Aaron, it's for those of us that want to be "okay" driving a practical vehicle. Lol

I've already thought of getting a regular vehicle for the occasional kid trips and a c6 on the side. Then I start running into a space issue. Our two car garage is really a 1.5 car garage. We have fit 2 in here, but it's a bitch. It does quite well with a jeep, bike, tools, and a little storage space, though.

Christian, I was hoping you would chime in. What year is yours? How much do you romp on it? 2wd or AWD?

I would rather have the 2wd, but they're harder to find in decent shape.

The Van idea rocks, but it's gotta be The Perfect Van.

[Snatch Napkin]

Porsche Cayenne Turbos are north of $20k and that's with 100k miles or more. I'll have to look into how they deal with mileage.

I would also imagine that maintenance costs are going to be in the range of Mercedes money.

[helosailor]

C'mon, splurge a little!
http://www.carsforsale.com/used_cars...H1_145885998_3

[Torinoman]

you should be able to score a gas toureg for under 20 all day long. the diesels are stupid expensive though. just watch out for the expensive parts especially the adjustable suspensions.

I think porsche is being sued over some plastic part they used in the cooling systems on cayennes.

the MLs and X5s are probably a better bet but not by much, not to say any of these are "junk".

[Sean88gt]

You won't find one for anywhere near $18k, but my ex was telling me last night that she's looking to get into an X5 M. It's got a 555hp turbo, but as I told her, I don't personally see the point in a 4k lb+ "performance" SUV.

Versus a 4k + pound performance car like the camaro? Have kids and you'll understand. Plus I'd rather sit up, have utility and not be stuck in something unable to get out of its own way.