Honda CRV vs BMW X3 vs Mazda CX7

[Big Tav]

My mrs wants a 4WD around the £20,000 mark. We have narrowed it down to the above 3 cars.

BMW X3 M Sport 08 Plate onward to get the newer 2.0d 177hp engine, manual and leather.

Honda CRV 08+ EX to get the Nav, leather, sunroof

Mazda CX7 10 plate diesel, Bose, Xenons, leather Nav etc.

Has to be manual, diesel, and reasonable to run and maintain.

Do I buy an older X3 that is really based on a E46 platform but still a great car with Euro build quality or do I get a Japanese car that's newer with all the bells and whistles?

Has anyone got any experience with the above cars? I want to avoid as much depreciation as possible but will be keeping for at least 3-4 years.

Cheers!

[Zoki]

Why don't you go for a Ford Kuga, same as CX7 but you'll get better MPG, cheaper to run and bigger choice of cars on the market.

[littleandy0410]

I was at a car supermarket last weekend, and saw not one but two Mazda CX7s. Before then, I don't recall ever seeing one on the road. They had both seen some serious depreciation too:

http://tinyurl.com/3gsmhw7

I agree with above though, I'd choose a Kuga, or a Volvo XC90? Or is that too big? I don't think the XC60 have dropped to that price yet.

ETA: Just realised they're so cheap because they're 2.3T petrol. Top tax bracket as well, probably.

Edited by littleandy0410 on Saturday 20th August 21:57

[Big Tav]

We looked at it but the seats felt thin and a bit cheap. I also think the Kuga will depreciate pretty badly.

[poing]

CX7 looks the best but you'd probably lose least money on the BMW.

Personally I'd look at a the Hyundai iX35 but I suspect the badge might be an issue for some people.

[Big Tav]

The old cx7 is a petrol and is really expensive too run. That is why it's so cheap. The new one is a much better diesel.

I couldn't live with a Hyundai or a Kia

[Allblackdup]

Never been a fan of the X3 but if i was in your shoes, i'd want to have a look at a Tiguan as well.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?p=1&...

[Zoki]

Big Tav said:

The old cx7 is a petrol and is really expensive too run. That is why it's so cheap. The new one is a much better diesel.

I couldn't live with a Hyundai or a Kia

How about a RAV4. They seem pretty nice.

[sjabrown]

Honda CRVs aren't the most durable off road. We've got 2 used with green lights overnight. Both have broken driveshafts in the last 2 years without particularly harsh use.

[Jem0911]

Big Tav said:

We looked at it but the seats felt thin and a bit cheap. I also think the Kuga will depreciate pretty badly.

The Kuga seems to be holding up fairly well.
The KIA needs a look it's a fair chunk of car.

[Jem0911]

Allblackdup said:

, i'd want to have a look at a Tiguan as well

We looked today it's very small.
Smaller than the Mondeo we are looking to replace by a long shot.
Squashed Spaniel.

[Big Tav]

I like the tiguan but the boot is not much bigger than our 1 series so there's no point in changing for one.

[Bet2502]

ix35 worth going to have a look at, 5 year warranty
Hyundai Santa Fe, 2010-11 always get great reviews
FL2
Kia Sportage 2010-2011 new model , packed with kit and 7 year warranty
XC60 might juts crop in there