Moving to America...

[Swampy1982]

So, long story short, moving to America with work, specifically Michigan.

Current cars
- BMW E85 Z4 - toy car, occasionally tracked, more used to have fun days out with my lad
- Audi A5 Avant - hybrid

Needs
Probably SUV type
Space for my golden retriever and wife/son
Snow ready so 4wd
3-4 years old
$35000 ish
Quick ish
Big enough not to feel like a microcar on the highways


Ive been looking and there are a bunch of mid sized SUVs like X5, Q5, XC90 available, but i worry about servicing them and parts availability stateside

Then I look at stuff like this...

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/a1d2dc62-c918-4...

Also would consider f150 etc but interior is rough.

Anyway, I'll stop the rambling, what would you do in my shoes?

[OutInTheShed]

I think BMW have a pretty serious presence in the US&A?
Lots of X5s about?

I think I'd want to understand the ownership (vs leasing) and servicing 'plan' and 'norms' in the US, from what little I know, attitudes are a bit different over there? I'd want to understand the whole gig over the lifetime of either owning the vehicle or staying over there, whichever ends first?

OTOH, it's America, you will need a V8.

[Swampy1982]

The plan is to buy outright initially, moving a family over there and the apprehension about if they will settle etc means id like an easy exit if I need one.

I dont want to be locked into a lease or similar with associated exit costs. Would rather just take the depreciation hit on an asset and release what funds remain.

[sherman]

I would be looking at a Dodge Ram SRT or Ford F150 raptor

[Stu R]

I spend a lot of time in Michigan and Ohio. Buy something with plenty of sidewall and soft suspension, Michigan roads get hammered by freeze-thaw and trucks, and you could swim laps of some of the potholes that emerge by spring.
German or American makes no difference beyond personal preference, I'm not lobbying for one or the other. I have and have had plenty examples of both, each have merits depending on use and what you value isn't necessarily the same as what I do.

Since you seem to prefer German stuff I'd find a decent Cayenne and save some for a winter tire setup, if the long range forecast this year is to believed they'll be beneficial. You may need to move the sliders on age and budget to suit. I prefer Q7s for family beaters personally.

[Swampy1982]

Stu R said:

I spend a lot of time in Michigan and Ohio. Buy something with plenty of sidewall and soft suspension, Michigan roads get hammered by freeze-thaw and trucks, and you could swim laps of some of the potholes that emerge by spring.
German or American makes no difference beyond personal preference, I'm not lobbying for one or the other. I have and have had plenty examples of both, each have merits depending on use and what you value isn't necessarily the same as what I do.

Since you seem to prefer German stuff I'd find a decent Cayenne and save some for a winter tire setup, if the long range forecast this year is to believed they'll be beneficial. You may need to move the sliders on age and budget to suit. I prefer Q7s for family beaters personally.

Good knowledge, thanks for the contribution.

[Panamax]

Ermmm........ BMW have a mahoosive factory building the X vehicles in USA.
https://www.bmwgroup-werke.com/spartanburg/en.html

If your Z4 was built before 2008 it was built at that same factory.

[Andy86GT]

I would have a look at one of these, even now 'gas' is much cheaper, so why not?;

[Truckosaurus]

Swampy1982 said:

...America ...
Probably SUV type

Having driven a number of SUVs as a tourist I most liked the Ford Expedition with the 3.5 ecoboost engine. A good mix of power and economy and a nicer place to be than the equivalent Chevy Tahoe/Suburban.

It's a big old bus though, not a problem in the spacious Western states, no idea if Michigan is more cramped.

(If it were me I'd be tempted to go for a Hemi engined 300C or a Chevy SS (aka Holden Commodore)).

[CSR Performance]

Last time I was stateside I had a Jeep Grand Wagoneer with the 3.0 straight-six twin turbo Hurricane motor. Not something I would have even considered, but definitely ticked all the boxes and went like stink too. (Sub 5 seconds 0-60). Was never once uncomfortable or fatigued driving it.

Also available in original V8 flavour.

[Swampy1982]

Ok, good feedback, both on added to the list.

Fortunately I get a hire car provided for the first 3 months so im going to see if I can swing it that i can try a few before I buy.

[Neil-nvaua]

Truckosaurus said:

Having driven a number of SUVs as a tourist I most liked the Ford Expedition with the 3.5 ecoboost engine. A good mix of power and economy and a nicer place to be than the equivalent Chevy Tahoe/Suburban.

I did about 3000 miles in a 3.5 Expedition a few years back driving between Nevada, California and Arizona, and took it through the heat of Death Valley (inc some mild off-roading) to the snow in Yosemite in a matter of days and it was a brilliant all-rounder.

I'd forgive what it lacks in interior vs say an Audi equivalent as the same $ may get you into a newer lower mileage Ford?

Edited by Neil-nvaua on Monday 2nd November 12:37

[fflump]

Depending on budget at the cheaper end the VW Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport are good value and made for a good hire car when I was touring CA recently. The Atlas is Toureag (sp) size but much less expensive.

[ZX10R NIN]

Look at the domestic brands Escalade/GMC Denali/Grand Cherokee/Ford Explorer you'll get a very good one vs the European brands & they're more reliable.

[Matt_T]

Toyota Grand Highlander is the best-selling large SUV in the country - but 4 cyl hybrid.
https://www.toyota.com/grandhighlander/

If you want a V6 hybrid you could look at the Toyota Sequoia

Edited by Matt_T on Monday 2nd November 21:05

[fttm]

ZX10R NIN said:

Look at the domestic brands Escalade/GMC Denali/Grand Cherokee/Ford Explorer you'll get a very good one vs the European brands & they're more reliable.

This would be my advise too , hassle free motoring .

[Swampy1982]

Hassle free definitely has its appeal, moving the family (and dog) is quite enough hassle for one year. I can always revisit it when we have settled

[BlackTails]

I’ve rented a load of US SUVs over the years. Lately the Korean ones are more usually offered.

The huge ones - Suburban, Yukon XL/Denali, Excurison are quite good fun for short periods and shifting lots of stuff but I would not live with one because they are just ridiculously long. Even by N Am standards they just feel too big.

And they have vague steering and interior trim that I’d say is either cheap feeling or cheap looking or both.

The one maker who produces something that feels most European to drive, *and* which feels quite well put together, is Jeep with their Grand Cherokee. That’s where my searching would be directed, if you’re after a US domestic vehicle.