ML55 AMG / Murano / Touareg V10??? What would you choose?

[phn]

I'm after a fast 4x4 - I know its politically incorrect (my flame suit is on) but its an itch I want to scratch!

I have a budget of approx 13K:

Currently thinking about:

2002 ML 55 AMG with 47K miles for 10.5K
2004 Volkswagen Touareg V10 73K miles for 13K
2005 Nissan Murano V6 40K miles for 9K

I'm looking for something reliable - but exciting - if that is possible. I have already test driven a Murano, but I'm not sure if I like the CVT gearbox or not - made a noise a bit like a cow mooing under acceleration?! Sure it would be reliable though. Regarding the others - love the idea but have strange feeling (often experienced before) I would be lining myself up for big bills?

Has anyone ever owned one of these or got any suggestions / comments about these cars?

Thanks in advance,

Philip.

[Pentoman]

The ML is a fair bit older design than the others. Fuel bills interesting on it if you do lots of miles. The murano is looking sensible at that price and with being newer than the others... I'd be tempted by that, given you are worried about bills - if you can live with the fact it's a little less special than the others.

[cheesyblob]

MX5.

[Taz666]

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1951076.htm

[nsmith1180]

phn said:

I'm after a fast 4x4 - I know its politically incorrect (my flame suit is on) but its an itch I want to scratch!

I have a budget of approx 13K:

Currently thinking about:

2002 ML 55 AMG with 47K miles for 10.5K
2004 Volkswagen Touareg V10 73K miles for 13K
2005 Nissan Murano V6 40K miles for 9K

I'm looking for something reliable - but exciting - if that is possible. I have already test driven a Murano, but I'm not sure if I like the CVT gearbox or not - made a noise a bit like a cow mooing under acceleration?! Sure it would be reliable though. Regarding the others - love the idea but have strange feeling (often experienced before) I would be lining myself up for big bills?

Has anyone ever owned one of these or got any suggestions / comments about these cars?

Thanks in advance,

Philip.

I'd hold off and wait for the newer Murano to drop in price a touch. Much more special than the old one.

[ManOpener]

Is it ever going off-road? Do you actually need an off-roader?
A mate of mine's dad had a X5 4.8iS which was extremely fast, if you want a super-SUV you can't really do much better than that. Can't imagine they're that expensive any more either.

Out of interest, why a big off-roader-type car?


EDIT
http://pistonheads.com/sales/1767716.htm- probably quicker than a Cayenne!

Edited by ManOpener on Saturday 4th September 10:06

[ManOpener]

brickwall said:

ManOpener said:

Is it ever going off-road? Do you actually need an off-roader?
A mate of mine's dad had a X5 4.8iS which was extremely fast, if you want a super-SUV you can't really do much better than that. Can't imagine they're that expensive any more either.

Out of interest, why a big off-roader-type car?


EDIT
http://pistonheads.com/sales/1767716.htm- probably quicker than a Cayenne!

Edited by ManOpener on Saturday 4th September 10:06

For clarity here are some figures from Parkers.

BMW X5 4.4: 0-60: 6.8s Top Speed: 130mph

Cayenne S: 0-60:7.0s Top speed 150mph

That's a 4.8iS. They're limited to 155- and 6.1 to 60.

EDIT. I'm a spastic and posted the wrong link.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1981929.htm

Edited by ManOpener on Saturday 4th September 10:41

[LukeBird]

OP no idea if they come in under budget, but have you looked at the Mazda CX-7?
I remember they were pretty well regarded in the press and they're not a bad looking car.

[coley20]

text

My uncle has got one, and had it converted it lpg, Ive got to say - what a stunning car

[Luke.]

LukeBird said:

OP no idea if they come in under budget, but have you looked at the Mazda CX-7?
I remember they were pretty well regarded in the press and they're not a bad looking car.

CX7 - same 265BHP engine as the Mazda 3MPS

[theironduke]

I've been a passenger in a 4.8is X5 and the thing was just comically fast for what it was!! I'd be going with an X5, or maybe a Rangie.

[ManOpener]

brickwall said:

ManOpener said:

brickwall said:

ManOpener said:

Is it ever going off-road? Do you actually need an off-roader?
A mate of mine's dad had a X5 4.8iS which was extremely fast, if you want a super-SUV you can't really do much better than that. Can't imagine they're that expensive any more either.

Out of interest, why a big off-roader-type car?


EDIT
http://pistonheads.com/sales/1767716.htm- probably quicker than a Cayenne!

Edited by ManOpener on Saturday 4th September 10:06

For clarity here are some figures from Parkers.

BMW X5 4.4: 0-60: 6.8s Top Speed: 130mph

Cayenne S: 0-60:7.0s Top speed 150mph

That's a 4.8iS. They're limited to 155- and 6.1 to 60.

Edited by ManOpener on Saturday 4th September 10:37

I click the link and the advert says 4.4i Sport, and the photos of the car indicate it's a 4.4 - It doesn't have the bodykit or wheels of a 4.8. Where am I going wrong - perhaps you could enlighten me?

See above post for my accidental-posting-of-wrong-link-like-a-muppet.

[EDLT]

Jeep Cherokee Hemi?

This one here has got LPG fitted, so fuel bills won't be so bad:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2003837.htm


Ok, they aren't as posh as the German SUVs but they make a very dirty noise. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7DVyKDWraA

[frosted]

Lexus rx350 , it will never go wrong

The 300 is worth avoiding due to being thirstier than the 350 and slower

[mig25_foxbat2003]

A Phaeton with that V10 diesel is on my "must own before popping clogs" list. No idea why, I just love the idea that a nominally sensible engineer said "I know, we'll build an absolutely whopping great V10 diesel from scratch despite the fact that we'll only sell about 12 cars with it fitted". I would also love to hear what one sounds like - up there with a Pug V12 HDI FAP as an actual nice-sounding diesel perhaps?

[pilchardthecat]

I wonder how much a new set of injectors would be on that huge diesel?

[phn]

Perhaps slightly more sensible, some perusing of Autotrader has revealed
2006 Subaru Forester XTE 28K miles for 11K
It does 0-60 in 6 seconds so seems not too bad.
I will add to my wish list.
Mazda CX7 - wow I didnt even realise this existed ( and I call myself a car geek ) looks interesting.....

[lexham]

Luke. said:

LukeBird said:

OP no idea if they come in under budget, but have you looked at the Mazda CX-7?
I remember they were pretty well regarded in the press and they're not a bad looking car.

CX7 - same 265BHP engine as the Mazda 3MPS

+1 for the CX-7.
We have one of these, works well as a family wagon and was the fastest AWD SUV we could find for the money. Really good to drive and is certainly swift.
Tax is a bit high, but offset that against some extremely reasonable servicing costs and it nets out to a great deal.


From Autocar:

"....Mazda claims the CX-7’s additional 283kg over the 3 MPS extends its 0-62mph time to 8.0sec. However, according to the MIRA weighbridge our test car weighed an extra 40kg than claimed, yet still went from rest to 60mph in just 6.8sec. Even if you simply drive off the line, the CX-7 will only take 7.5sec to hit 60mph, which is quick by any standards, let alone those of a £25k SUV."
http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/RoadTestsOnThe...