I am debating an upgrade to the Suzuki. I have it narrowed down to a few cars: 2007 ML 350, 2008 LR2, or will consider a 2006 X3.
LR2 is the cheaper of the bunch but I really like the styling. It’s an entry Land Rover that I can pick up for under $25K.
I have NO knowledge of them at all. Anyone got any?
Land Rovers are VERY expensive to maintain. Very. Atlantic British loves when I step in the door to buy parts for customers tow vehicles.
Other than that I have little to complain about any of them. I personally like the X3 out of them all.
Can you compare them individually given you have experience? I will have a warranty and I can get an extended warranty. What type of maintenance are we talking that is expensive?
On the Rovers? Mostly just the real expensive shit dealing with electrical issue on the older vehicles, and drivetrain/motor related parts(4WD parts). They are rock solid vehicles compared to all the other SUV stuff on the road and if you plan to do any real offroad use(major camping, trail riding , etc) they are certainly the way to go.
Most of my experience does deal with them out/beyond warranty service though so buying new with a warranty will cover you for those first good years no doubt.
Parts for them are just really expensive. You’ll hear people say how BMW’s and Porsche’s are expensive but ANYTHING british will tower above those in maintenance costs in the latter years if things are let go too long. The guy who bought my last 944 owns a nice range rover and spent almost 2.5K having me repair broken exhaust header studs(in the heads) because it required an engine removal to do so.
I’ve never looked at an LR2 so I can’t speculate or comment on the vehicle itself. New, I’d imagine it’s a very good vehicle and it’s highly probable that it will outlast the BMW and related counterparts by a long shot as long as it’s taken car of. I think the new Range Rovers are a good looking vehicle. Maybe I’ve just had a continuous string of bad work related knowledge towards them and it’s made me a bit biased against buying one.
Outlast the BMW? Why would you say that?
At this point, it’s between the LR2 and the ML350. The LR2 is cheaper and I can get a 2008 over a 2007 (less miles too). I just am not sure if a 2-3 year old SUV such as those will give me more miles than a cheaper lower end NEW SUV such as Equinox.
haha, again just based upon the vehicles that I’ve worked on. I know a good number of folks still driving their old RR’s/LR’s on a daily basis, still ticking away, some with close to 300K miles on them. They are solid vehicles, they can though really bite the wallet if things go wrong. Electrical is the worst opart of them, but find me a british vehicle that doesn’t have that illness!
My mom has an Equinox. That’s actually been a very good vehicle.
My wife wants a Q5. The debate for that one is still up in the air :lol
Appreciate the advice. I am still not sure. Also, the ML320 CDI is REALLY attractive to me. The wife isn’t thrilled but I got the OK for a new ride even with the wedding coming up. 
I’ve never really looked at mercs before but I have to admit that it is a damn good looking “truck”. Hmmmmm, might have to push this towards the wife too :lol
edit…yes i realize that’s a lorinser
LRs are fucking garbage unless you are buying it for offroad purposes. I used to work there, they’re junk. Unless you are buying the big-dog Range Rover, a few years ago they used to be made by BMW and they were the shit. I think that was back in 04, thats about when i worked there. Dunno if they have improved since then, but when I worked there the ONLY product I would have ever considered for myself is the range.
The ML350 is a very nice mid sized SUV. I’m a Benz tech so feel freeto PM me with any specific questions you have regarding the ML.
Cayenne Turbo… you might be able to find one for under 25k, maintenance may be tricky though…
If I could find one, I wouldn’t want it.
Allrighty then.
lol
Wife likes the X3 so I am shifting focus. Man, I hate research.
Q5/Q7
Nice car but sticking to my price range. I could find a few if I go with higher miles and I don’t want to do that. Nice SUV tho.
i want the crack you are smoking:lol
150K with salvage title. 
What happened to the Venza?!