I haven't seen any mention of Mazda. Have you looked at the CX-90? It's in your price range, and Mazda has been putting very nice, European style interiors in the CX line for years.

I'm with you… but it's what she wanted and was in the budget! We looked at the Lexus GX but no one seemed to want to part with one under $70k. I killed that dream.

Southside AG said:

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What did you decide?

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The process has been slower than expected with stuff going on...
Just early short-listed 2.

• Audi Q5 (I have to take a look at it at a showroom to make sure it isn't too small, We don't need 3rd row seating anymore but it shouldn't be a tiny vehicle
• Mercedes GLC 300 (Looked at it online, it seems nice too)

BMW, well I drive a BMW sedan which is 10 years old so thought we'd skip BMW.

techno-ag said:

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Too bad she's not a fan of Toyota. They brought back the Land Cruiser.

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The brand matters in this case. We have a Toyota Highlander right now that she's driven for 13 years. I don't want to get her another Toyota for our 25th.

So very true

Curious since I'm in the same boat as you sort of; my wife has put me in charge of buying my her next vehicle since she has picked a few duds. She currently has a 2022 Jeep Wagoneer and has been nothing but issues and dealer service for warranty work is slow and just a lackluster customer experience so we are done with them.

We are a family of four, older children ages 13 & 16. Needs are (not in priority order):
1. Luxury interior
2. Cargo space for four suitcases / enough for road trips / need to move kids to college soon
3. Moderate towing capacity
4. Decent driving experience
5. Reliable
6. 3 row preferred but won't be used 80% of time

Top picks:
- Used CPO BMW X7 40i (high cost to own)
- Lexus TX 500h (drove a four cylinder turbo and lacked power)
- Lexus GX 550 (storage seems small and is in comparison to the above)

Also entertaining the Mazda CX90 and Acura MDX but likely they will not have enough cargo space.

In our neighborhood, there are a few Mercs and BMWs and Audis.
No Maserati or Porsche or Lamborghini. I can afford a 2024 Maserati (maybe not the top models) but Porsche I am not comfortable. Lambo, no, it just feels wasteful and that would gnaw at me.

So I think the sweetspot in 2024/25 is a Merc/Audi class of car. Maybe in 5 years I can switch it for a Maserati. But that is looking a bit far ahead.

I'd get her a Sienna minivan and she'd probably like it.

If not, Id drive it around hauling golf buddies, clubs, and luggage to Myrtle beach, Hilton Head, Pinehurst and put my A&M sticker on the back with custom A&M plate.

Hell, we are planning a Maine golf and lobster outing next fall. I'd drive. And make the youngest rookie drive while I sit in the back reclined with leg-rest out drinking.

G Martin 87 said:

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Sky high maintenance costs, too. Good luck. Badge envy is a terrible thing.

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I don't understand it.

It's a transportation and that's it.

Reliable, comfortable, and low cost maintenance for the job are all you need.

Hobbyist requiring autos for different needs I understand.

G Martin 87 said:

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The transsexual of automobiles

AggieDruggist89 said:

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G Martin 87 said:

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Sky high maintenance costs, too. Good luck. Badge envy is a terrible thing.

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I don't understand it.

It's a transportation and that's it.

Reliable, comfortable, and low cost maintenance for the job are all you need.

Hobbyist requiring autos for different needs I understand.

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There is a very finite amount of joy available in 1 lifetime. If your automobile provides even a small amount, why not?

Because joy in automobile lasts about 30 days to 6 months and I keep my cars for a very long time. At least for me. And I'm at a point in my life the "Joy" comes from all different aspect of my life.

Hobbyist cars excluded.

Aggie Dad 26 said:

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G Martin 87 said:

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The transsexual of automobiles

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Eh....

My buddy used to call it his Gayata. I remember we used to carpool in it with my hair flying all over the place.

AggieDruggist89 said:

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infinity ag said:

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In our neighborhood, there are a few Mercs and BMWs and Audis.
No Maserati or Porsche or Lamborghini. I can afford a 2024 Maserati (maybe not the top models) but Porsche I am not comfortable. Lambo, no, it just feels wasteful and that would gnaw at me.

So I think the sweetspot in 2024/25 is a Merc/Audi class of car. Maybe in 5 years I can switch it for a Maserati. But that is looking a bit far ahead.

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Every one of those will be a depreciating money pit. But it's only money.

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True, but at some point in one's life one should look beyond dollars and cents. One does not taken even 1 cent when one goes to the Great Beyond. My dad passed almost 2 years ago and I have had a change in my thinking about life.

infinity ag said:

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Southside AG said:

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What did you decide?

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The process has been slower than expected with stuff going on...
Just early short-listed 2.

• Audi Q5 (I have to take a look at it at a showroom to make sure it isn't too small, We don't need 3rd row seating anymore but it shouldn't be a tiny vehicle
• Mercedes GLC 300 (Looked at it online, it seems nice too)

BMW, well I drive a BMW sedan which is 10 years old so thought we'd skip BMW.

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I read a lot about Audi Q5 oil leaks and that steered us away from them. And, other than the really decked out ones, the wife did not like them as much as the Genesis.

Redstone said:

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Unfortunately we bought the Nissan Kicks before I learned about the CVT transmission.

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Oh no!

I bet it was a good JoAnn Fabric's hauler though.

She couldn't find a Juke, and we had to settle for Kicks. It can haul JoAnn's OK but lately has been loaded down with junk from Hobby Lobby.

From my wife's perspective the Lexus is an "old lady car" and the Genesis is a non starter (zero % chance any woman would ever say to her "WOW , he got you a Genesis?!").

I think BMW is your answer. I love my Q7 but after 5 years it has a resale value equivalent to a RAV4 of the same age and it drinks oil (I carry a 5 quart jug on every trip and Audi says 1 liter per 1,000 km is totally normal for that engine). Several friends have owned one of those Mercedes from Tuscaloosa and none recommend them.

Clearly most readers here tend toward the practical, frugal side. We'll pay up for nice things, but not many of us just light money on fire. It took an awful lot of posts to get to understand the desired level of extravagance wanted by the OP.

Guessing you'll go with the big BMW or a Range Rover.

You're right about the extravagance desired, which means there's only 1 correct answer because she can't be pulling up to the curbside delivery at HEB in an Audi, Mercedes, or Range Rover like every other spoiled wife.

Guaranteed to make his Richard feel a 1/2" larger.