SWMBO is pushing hard for me to get something bigger. I see the XTerra comes with a V6 SC 5-Speed, but it must be a gas hog. Cayenne S is interesting. XC90?
Ugh.
SWMBO is pushing hard for me to get something bigger. I see the XTerra comes with a V6 SC 5-Speed, but it must be a gas hog. Cayenne S is interesting. XC90?
Ugh.
You can get cayenne V6 with a manual. hard to find though.
I think they are all gas hogs. I like the look of the XC90 and the XTerra. The Cayenne is probably the most interesting but I can't get over the ugly. I think it's secretly an Audi and/or a VW Toureg under the skin... both are sexier (if that sort of vehicle could be considered sexy) and come in TDi too.
The Cayenne GTS is the unicorn, turbo V8 and manual option, but the prices reflect that.
I am eying some Cayenne V8s for Mrs Aussie.
7000lb towing capacity never entered into it. :)
Our 2010 CX-9 (Grand Touring) is so sweet to drive, doesn't feel like an SUV at all. Handles well, great steering, Getting about 21mpg in town, awd, seats 7 if you need, plenty of power, great 6 speed trans (same as toureg I think), 270 horse. Got it completely optioned out for mid 20s with low miles. Drive one, you won't regret it. Well, maybe you will after the wife drives it. J
I generally enjoyed driving our 08 4Runner SportEdition. The XREAS suspension makes for much more enjoyable handling and ride quality compared to any other (off-road capable) SUV I've ever driven, including non-XREAS 4Runners, Xterras, and Pathfinders.
The buddy I sold it to constantly raves about how much better it is to drive than his 2012 Tacoma 6MT. He says the suspension and handling is night and day difference.
Plus with the V6 it was fine for towing the racecar, and pulled 15mpg WHILE towing it (and low to mid 20s when not towing on the highway).
And unlike many mentioned so far, it's actually reliable and bulletproof.
On the flipside, our Sequoia is not in the least fit fun to drive. It is a utility appliance and nothing more, albeit a very nice one with lots of room.
--
all in all, if you want a truck-based SUV with good handling, good ride, good looks, decent towing, nice interior, and reliability ... I strongly suggest a SportEdition 4Runner (or one of the Limiteds optioned with XREAS).
If you just want a suburban "SUV" without the offroad capability, then I'd lean toward a CX-7 to get carlike handling.
One black sheep: drive the new Durango SRT-8. It's a big 3-row SUV that drives way smaller, handles surprisingly nimbly, and is truly fast off the line.....And they can be found easily new for under $30k. It's a great chassis (same as the CLK Benz or whatever it's called), but without the mechanical and electrical gremlins that the Benz is plagued with. We almost got one, but the ride was a bit too "sporty" for the wife to haul the kids around in all the time, lol.
Wasn't there some discussion about the Saab 9whatever Aero being a 12 sec Trailblazer SS in swedish clothing?
9-7X Aero is the one. Total wolf in sheep's clothing, though the regular 9-7X is still the nicest SUV on that platform.
"Gas hog" doesnt even begin to explain a Supercharged XTerra.
SlickDizzy wrote: 9-7X Aero is the one. Total wolf in sheep's clothing, though the regular 9-7X is still the nicest SUV on that platform.
yeah that. Sad to think the best Saab's IMO of that era weren't even Saab's.
I went and used the Power Search function of www.fueleconomy.gov
All the following offered a manual trans in years '07-'12
'11 and nwer Elantra Sedan
Vibe/Matix (I like the '08 and newer version)
'11 and newer Optima/Sonata
Nissan Cube
Focus Wagon
Caliber/Compass/Patriot
Kia Soul
Accord 4cyl
Nissan Altima 4 cyl
Elantra Touring
Camry 4 cyl
Escape/Tribute
Fusion/Milan 4 cyl
HHR
VW products both gas and diesel
Saab 9-3 and 9-5
Mazda 5
Scions (the newest xB is big)
Audi A3
Mazda 6
Tuscon/Sportage
Buick Regal
Subarus
Saturn Vue
PT Cruiser
BMW 3 and 5 series
Honda Element
Jeep (Libery and Wrangler)
Xterra
Toyota FJ
Cayenne
Hummer H3
Grand Cherokee, duh 
aussiesmg wrote: The Cayenne GTS is the unicorn, turbo V8 and manual option, but the prices reflect that. I am eying some Cayenne V8s for Mrs Aussie. 7000lb towing capacity never entered into it. :)
GTS was non-turbo, brotato. Just a higher spec than the normal 'S' and I can attest to them being pretty freakin' quick and glorious.... as long as you don't try to mess with any of the buttons on the g*ddamn center stack.
To answer the original question... No.
aussiesmg wrote: The Cayenne GTS is the unicorn, turbo V8 and manual option, but the prices reflect that. I am eying some Cayenne V8s for Mrs Aussie. 7000lb towing capacity never entered into it. :)
Let me know if you buy one in the next few days... That could shave some serious time off of my run to Virginia to get the rx7!!!
Swank Force One wrote: "Gas hog" doesnt even begin to explain a Supercharged XTerra.
Think v10 gas ford hauling a bed of dead hookers for a trunk comparo.
grafmiata wrote:aussiesmg wrote: The Cayenne GTS is the unicorn, turbo V8 and manual option, but the prices reflect that. I am eying some Cayenne V8s for Mrs Aussie. 7000lb towing capacity never entered into it. :)Let me know if you buy one in the next few days... That could shave some serious time off of my run to Virginia to get the rx7!!!
Bah, I wish. I worked for a buddy's Dad's mega-dealership back in the day, which included Porsche, BMW, Mitsu, Subaru, and Nissan. We had fun there.
Nope, they don't suck, they are just different. I realized a few years ago that there are highly amusing vehicles in every category-I just have to tame them.
She wants something that will fit THREE berkeleying car seats!
The Cayenne is the only trucklet thing even remotely interesting to me. The base V6 can have the 5-Speed manual (which would be neat) or the S has a V8 and some towing capability (useful).
The CX-7 has way too many engine/drivetrain issues, and the CX-9 is basically a Ford Edge, which I dislike. Plus, if I'm going automatic only, I want V8 torque and RWD.
The XC90 comes in some interesting flavors (TT V6?!?) and is the only vehicle to ever ace every crash test, plus it's a prancing moose. Just so not my style.
Jeep GC Hemi, Mazda MPV, ex-cop Charger, and another Mazda5 are all in the periphery.
I want to downsize, or better yet, make her buy something big and I'll take her GP GT for now until I find my unicorn car (Mazda6 Wagon MT5 Sport Pack Moonroof Cloth) but she doesn't think buying two cars makes sense (even though I dumped $2500 into her car last year and rolled it over to 140K today).
Is it for you or for her? Is it her MAINLY driving it or her ONLY driving it? If its the latter, just let her get whatever the hell she wants and put more money into the Javelin.
Do you have anything to do with the three berkeleying car seats?
Listed in our very own Open Classifieds by Nascho
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/open-classifieds/vanagon-wolfsburg-with-svx-engine-in-portland-or/79675/page1/
3 car seats?
Manual trans, no leather:
Lots of engine:
CTS-V wagon
irish44j wrote: I generally enjoyed driving our 08 4Runner SportEdition. The XREAS suspension makes for much more enjoyable handling and ride quality compared to any other (off-road capable) SUV I've ever driven, including non-XREAS 4Runners, Xterras, and Pathfinders.
All McLaren's new supercars (MP4-12C and later) have a system just like Toyota's XREAS.
Edit: Well not exactly...system pressure and damping can be controlled to change ride height and anti-roll stiffness.
XC90 with a five cylinder, or newer non turbo 6 is, to me, more desirable than the twin turbo. Having said that, I own a twin turbo 6 with a fresh hydramatic and Eibach springs that I'd drop at your doorstep for about $10,000. Its even an American car that came up here a few years ago.
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