New car (SUV) advice

[Tron_fdc]

I'm always getting into new vehicles n stuff, so I figured I would tap into the CP brain trust for suggestions on the next vehicle I pick up. I have a pretty good idea where I'm going, but getting opinions on reliability, etc won't hurt as I know there are a lot of car guys on here, and I'm looking at a totally different class than what I'm used to.

So a little about me.

I currently own a Cadillac CTS-V (it's for sale, here's my shameless plug)

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...light=cadillac

and I just sold my 3/4 ton GMC diesel.

The reason I have 2 cars is that in the summer I love my Cadillac, but in the winter it's a death trap. I also do a lot of sledding and winter driving, so the diesel was necessary to haul sleds with. The truck was BRUTAL as a daily driver in the summer (way too big), which is why I have the car (and a motorbike).

So here's the dilemma. I want to go to a vehicle that can haul a sled trailer, but also something that I can drive in the summer. I'm leaning towards an SUV, as I'm kind of done with owning gigantic diesel trucks. I'm also likely looking at used vehicles, as the new car price is outrageous on the models I'm after.

I have it down to:
Lincoln Navigator
Cadillac Escalade
BMW X series
Range Rover
VW Diesel Touareg

The Navigator and Escalade are almost as big as my truck was, the BMW I don't know anything about (reliability, etc) and the same goes with the Range Rover. Touareg is in the same boat here, it's an unknown.

So here's the question. Does anyone have any experience with these vehicles? Are they capable of towing a sled trailer (about 4000lbs, incl gear)? They are all rated in the 7000lb range for towing capacity, but until you try to pull something you won't know how it will perform. Will the trannys explode if I do it 2 or 3 times a month through the winter?

My other option is to buy a $10 000 diesel to trash in the winter, and go with my original plan of a new CTS-V for summer, but I'd hate to spend 90k on a new car I can only drive 6 months of the year.

Anyone want to throw an opinion out there?

[burn_this_city]

All those vehicles should be fine hauling a sled trailer. You'll still have 3000ish lbs of extra capacity which should help get through the mountains.

I still think for the winter you can't beat a diesel truck

[J epworth]

Here's a great video on the Escalade.... If you still want it after this, I can't help you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0dTkoJ0i2s

[Table 5]

I feel like with an Escalade and Navigator you're spending a good chunk of money on things that have nothing to do with hauling. And if you thought the truck was too big, I'm not sure how any of those are really any better.

I'd probably stick with a truck....or atleast downsize that SUV.

It's hard to beat a Land Rover when it comes to offloading. But you might want to bring your mechanic along for the ride.

[J epworth]

I would personally prefer going with the Toyota Land Cruiser route if you want an SUV that can do what a diesel truck can in the winter, let still let you drive it for 12 months of the year. Basic Land Cruisers have a 8200 towing capacity, which should be perfectly fine for hauling sleds.

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I feel like with an Escalade and Navigator you're spending a good chunk of money on things that have nothing to do with hauling. And if you thought the truck was too big, I'm not sure how any of those are really any better.

I'd probably stick with a truck....or atleast downsize that SUV.

It's hard to beat a Land Rover when it comes to offloading. But you might want to bring your mechanic along for the ride.

That's why I would also think about a Land Cruiser over a Land Rover, just for better ease of repair than the Rover has. I love Land Rovers, they just suck if you need something fixed.

[Vansmack]

How many sleds are you pulling? How much towing capacity do you need? I'd buy a diesel toureg before any of the vehicles you listsed.

[Tron_fdc]

Here's the thing though.

The top gear video talked about size, look, etc, but didn't say a thing about towing or mechanical reliability, which is what I'm after. They're also comparing price, which in the UK might be comparable, but in Canada an Escalade is 30k cheaper than a Range Rover. That's significant, especially if a BMW or a Land Rover explodes the first time I tow something and I'm handed a $10 000 bill for a new tranny.

[Northendzone]

i have heard that BMW X series do not like the cold weather very much - but that being said I was thinking about getting an X5 until I realised that I could get a newer Explorer for the same price as a 5 year old X5. Also seemed to me that an X5 does not have much of a cargo area.

Seems to me that a BMW might be more expensive to fix because it is a BMW - but that being said - you already have a Cadillac so perhpas you are familiar with this type of pain.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by Vansmack

How many sleds are you pulling? How much towing capacity do you need? I'd buy a diesel toureg before any of the vehicles you listsed.

2 sleds. I'll probably go to an aluminum trailer to cut weight as well, so I might be lighter than 4000lbs.

[firebug]

I am looking a picking up an LX450 or LX470 (essentially a comfy Toyota Land Cruiser).

If you don't mind a more experienced vintage, these things will run for 300,000 miles and give you all the winter safety you could ever want. I know many people tow boats with them but I don't know enough about towing or 'sleds' to provide any insight.

[Table 5]

One thing to keep in mind is that the Escalade is the most stolen vehicle (at least in the US), which will surely affect your insurance rates. Never mind the fact that a good chunk of the people will hate you just for owning one (probably the only thing worse is having a Hummer).

If you're pulling 4000 pounds, an Escalade seems like Overkill. All the newer SUV's (Cherokee, Explorer, 4Runner) have a rating around 5000 which should fit your needs.

An older Land Cruiser would probably do the trick too. Hard to find anything more reliable than a Land Cruiser.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I feel like with an Escalade and Navigator you're spending a good chunk of money on things that have nothing to do with hauling. And if you thought the truck was too big, I'm not sure how any of those are really any better.

I'd probably stick with a truck....or atleast downsize that SUV.

It's hard to beat a Land Rover when it comes to offloading. But you might want to bring your mechanic along for the ride.

That's the dilemma. Navigator and Escalade are huge. I like the size of the Range Rover, and the look, but it's also significantly more expensive. It's an unknown in my book, because when I think of Range Rover I'm thinking more along the lines of powerful SUV crossover not designed to pull anything.

Not sure if I want to risk 80k on a vehicle that will explode in 12 months.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by Table 5

One thing to keep in mind is that the Escalade is the most stolen vehicle (at least in the US), which will surely affect your insurance rates. Never mind the fact that a good chunk of the people will hate you just for owning one (probably the only thing worse is having a Hummer).

If you're pulling 4000 pounds, an Escalade seems like Overkill. All the newer SUV's (Cherokee, Explorer, 4Runner) have a rating around 5000 which should fit your needs.

An older Land Cruiser would probably do the trick too. Hard to find anything more reliable than a Land Cruiser.

One thing I've learned over the years is that having the extra towing capacity is worth it. I had a Tundra with a 7000lb capacity, and it was hard on the truck and tranny anytime I pulled anything within 80% of its capacity. I know I can get away with a 5000lb capacity, but doing 90k on the hiway and burning out engines and trannies twice as fast as normal is not very desirable to me.

I'd love to find a V-6 turbo diesel landcruiser, but as far as I know they don't make them?

[burn_this_city]

I'd avoid any vehicle made by the british.

[Tron_fdc]

The Touareg is interesting. 7700lb towing capacity for V6 turbo diesel.

Anyone own one of these things?

[CaptainCrunch]

Don't forget that when you get the Escalade you need to learn the sideways kill shot.

[burn_this_city]

Its a shame you still can't get the mercedes powered diesel jeeps in 2011.

[socktape]

I was just reading a link in a BMW forum that they don't have a hitch for the X5 as of yet and there is a problem with the X5 computer and the lighting for the trailer... this was as of July... might have been resolved since then.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=473139

[amorak]

Whatever you're after, look in the USA. I can give you a hand with the basic details if you'd like (PM me) - you can save a mint down there.