Which SUV?

[flyinH]

Okay,i'm starting to look at some SUV's for the wintertime here in NY (even tho it's almost over). Driving in snow with 19's and potholes the size of mars really limits where i can actually drive-forget manhattan.The three so far i've been looking into is an Infinity QX4 (2000-up), a Benz ML430 (2000-up), or a 2000 GMC Denali(the older body style). Which one out of these would you pick and why? My price range is $20-$25k-the X5 is alittle out of my price range . Any opinion on these trucks are welcome,as well as any other suggestions that you might have. I'll be doing more hwy miles than anything else, and going thru manhattan is a must.So is AWD. Thanks in advance.

 

[coyotefreek]

Do not get the Mercedes unless you can afford to purchase an ML500 (2002- up). The Infinity is a great SUV we almost purchased one but instead got an 2002 Acura MDX (2001 - up). I dont know much about the GMC but I've never liked them much. The Mercedes and Acura are prob out of your price range, I suggest the Infinity.

I am not sure if this was on accident or on purpase, the 3 SUVs you chose are on a truck platform vs others like the MDX which are on a car type platform (unibody). While I have driven the MDX, Infinity, and Mercedes I cant tell much of a difference but the MDX is an extremely smooth car. I think one thing the Mercedes has to offer on a truck platform is being able to go over 18 inches of water, not sure if that is important to you. Todays SUVs are straying from the truck platform, almost all of them are now on a car platform. The ML is the last remaining suv to still be on a truck platform but when it is re designed in 2006 it will be moved onto a car platform.

The Acura and Mercedes have similar all wheel drive systems, they are like a 2 wheel drive that power can be put on all 4 wheels if nessary. The Infinity is an all wheel drive system. They are pros and cons of both but either should do what you need.

edit: Ok I cruched some numbers, you should be able to afford a 2001 MDX, possibly a Touring model. You can afford a 2002 ML 320 but the ML500 may be a streach (like 27k). With these it all depends who you buy from and if your getting a good deal. I must point out however that the ML500 is a $50,000 car that is now only worth 27,000 and the 2002 MDX Touring for $42,000 is now worth 30,000. The ML Series looses its value very fast so if you are big on resale value then that may not be the best choice.

I am not sure exactly what your lookign for, the ML430 you want comes with an Navigation system. Is that something you want? The ML500 also has it standard, the Acura does not but it is a very popular option so it is very likely you will find one with it. The Infinity does not have it and it is not an option (one of the major reasons we didnt buy it).

 

[slats]

The only experience I ever had with Mercedes was with their ML. We got one the first year they were available (98? 99? I can't remember) and the transmission went out at 20,000 miles.

Have you looked at the VW Touraeg? And Saab is coming out with an SUV this fall, the 9-7, that they will be premiering at an auto show in April. No word on the price yet, but it's something to keep your eye on.

 

[Dave8812]

we just got a 2001 navigator for 20 grand. it's sweet

 

[Kirby]

Regarding the GMC, I have a '95 Suburban. Between my father, brother and sister, we have owned a total of 6 Suburbans/Yukons/Denalis, from 1987 to 2003 model years, all the basic 350ci/5.7L engine, 4x4, etc. Decent vehicles, good work horses, typical GM quality= No major problems but various nuisance problems during warranty that should not have needed fixing. If I were in the market for another full size I would probably go with GM again.

I've heard many bad stories about the Mercedes MLs, but no personal experience. Where is Mr. Elusive? His family had one, he can tell you a few things about them.

 

[carcus]

My 98 ML was in the shop more than I was able to drive it.......repair costs on that thing alone will kill you in the long run, check the service history on the ML series.....so much for Starmark preowned Mercedes.

I say look into a nice used Navigator, lots of room for you, they are pretty affordable since the depreciation, and cheaper to fix. Just my 2 cents.

 

[MrElussive]

We used to have a 1999 Mercedes ML430 (the first year of the V8-powered ML) and we really loved it. I think it was the fastest SUV on the road at that time and it started the high-horsepower SUV market. After 3 years and 36K miles or so, the only problems we had with it were a few window switches that went out. Now we have a 2002 ML500 and my parents aren't too crazy about it (they don't really like SUV's), but I absolutely love it. We have had the ML500 for two years now and it has been trouble-free so far. There are a few tips and notes about the ML that I would like to give you that I think a lot of people don't notice or overlook.
First off, the drive of the vehicle. Many people don't know this, but the ML320/350 has a softer/smoother ride than the ML500. This is because the ML500 has a stiffer suspension setup with stiffer front and rear anti-roll bars, and wider tires all around. The ML430/500 has a kickass engine that always lets you know it's there...has a very nice "tough truck" engine note. You also get bigger brakes with the ML430/500 over the ML320/350. Stopping power is really impressive and very car-like...brake pedal effort is more than what you would expect, but you get used to it and the brakes are strong. As for the suspension, the ML430/500 is geared more towards good handling, and it does deliver...this is a surprisingly "nimble" SUV...it takes highway on-ramps/off-ramps with minimal body roll and it has a really nice turning radius, so it feels smaller than it really is. But due to the good handling, the ML430/500 suffers from a stiffer ride. Interior room is comfortable and the layout of the controls is simple and intuitive.
If you have any more questions, just ask, I'd be happy to help you out...this is our 5th year with a ML, so I have a lot of experience with it and I'm happy to help you out.

I would just like to add, regarding the QX4...it is definitely a really nice SUV, but it did a very poor job on IIHS' crash test ratings. Because of this, I don't think I could ever recommend it to anyone.

 

[flyinH]

thanks for the replies.definitly food for thought from everyone. i was also looking at navigators but didn't really like the interior layout as much as the others. thanks again carcus as i know i bothered you before on this subject

MrElussive:do you have the oem navigation? if so,how do you like it?

 

[coyotefreek]

thanks for the replies.definitly food for thought from everyone. i was also looking at navigators but didn't really like the interior layout as much as the others. thanks again carcus as i know i bothered you before on this subject

MrElussive:do you have the oem navigation? if so,how do you like it?

As I said in my post the ML500 comes with Navigation standard. I have had extensive use with it and personaly I think it is one of the worst Nav units as far as usablity. The Mercedes Nav unit or Command System is not touch screen which can get very troublesome when entering addresses etc. It still does its job but many others are much better. The best nav units are made by Lexus, Acura, and Infinity. The Mercedes Command System does get a overhaul for 2005 so future Mercedes Benz Nav systems should be much easier to use.

 

[MrElussive]

flyinH, the ML500 comes with navigation and I really like it, personally. It's very easy to use and it does the job very well. coyotefreek is probably right, that out of all the different nav systems out there, it is not one of the better ones, but I have absolutely no complaints about it. The salesman showed me how to use it when we first picked it up and I have no problems operating it at all and no complaints, either.
coyotefreek, one thing you should know is that the navigation system in the ML is different from the other Mercedes models. The ML's navigation system is called MCS or MVS or some crap like that. But in my parents' 04 S500's, their cars feature the COMAND Center, which is very different in terms of layout. Personally, I think both systems do their job and work just fine...my impression with navigation is that once you learn how to use it, they're all the same shit.
But if I had to pick a personal favorite, it would definitely be the Lexus navigation system (our RX300 has it). I like it because the touch-screen makes it very easy to enter addresses (just touch the letter, rather than working with some silly little joystick). Also, when there are turns coming up ahead, it splits the screen, one half of the screen shows a direct over-head view of the car from far away, and the other half shows a zoomed-in image that is easier to read and has a meter on the right telling you your distance from the turn.

There is one thing I HATE about Japanese navigation systems....why don't they let you enter the f-ing address while you're moving !!! It's sooo frustrating !! The ML500 and the S500's just warn you when you wanna put the destination in while moving, but then you click OK and you can just enter it. The RX300 and my Infiniti completely block my ass out if I try to input a destination while moving !!

Oh and if you want, I can take video with my DigiCam of how to input a destination with the ML500's navigation system...it's really not that bad, and once the destination is put in, the voice guide and map are flawless!

 

[flyinH]

thanks coyotefreek and mrelussive for the info.

 

[Kate]

Have you looked at the VW Touraeg?

I would most definately agree to considering the Touraeg. Its very nice, a brother to the Porsche Cayenne. I would put my faith in it.

 

[fatddyslam]

by the way guys, it is called INFINITI, infinity, my friends, is the mathematical symbol used for an infinite amount of numbers. INFINITI, however, is the car manufacturer. That is why the symbol of INFINITI is a modded version of the symbol infinity...look at it closer next time, you will find it. Anyways, the QX4 is a great car, perfect reliability. It is rock solid, has been out forever, and a great interior. I wouldnt buy american crap unless my life depended on it (and not all of it is crap, so dont flame on me) but anyways, INFINITI would be my suggestion...they are great cars....most of them!

 

[epj3]

Infinity is also the name of an audio company that makes some pretty damn good sounding speakers.

 

[coyotefreek]

doh! I know that

I have been shopping for new speakers so I have Infinity on the mind.

 

[flyinH]

uh...yeah...thats what i meant...infiniti