Dumbing Up - sportwagon to SUV misery

[blujez]

Hello all...not been on here for a few years.

I've decided that if I can't make my own mind up, so thought I may as well ask all your minds and completely confuse myself further.

So I've got a 2007 Alfa 159 SW 2.4JTDm and we plan (she really wants) to get an SUV. More boot space for small hound and higher position. Currently the list is like this:


NEW:

Volvo XC60 D4 FWD (still not drive this exact engine yet so waiting, but not 4wd)
VW Tiguan 2.0D 177 4MOTION (drives well but interior a bit VWmeh and boot on small side)
Mazda CX5 (bit noisy)
Qashqai (not 1.6 DIG-T engine not out yet)

The problem is I'm just a bit underwhelmed by all this.

Any suggestions or alternatives?

TBH, I'm thinking of going used and getting an X5 3.0d MSport or a 535 Touring. But she might go mental...

IDEAS, HELP!

Cheers,
blujez

[Dog Star]

Cannot advise on a replacement, but your 159 sounds nice.

[AC43]

535 all day long. No need for getting something on stilts. Plus easier for the dog to get into.

[the_lone_wolf]

Relevant parts highlighted:

blujez said:

So I've got a 2007 Alfa 159 SW 2.4JTDm and we plan (she really wants) to get an SUV.

...

I'm thinking of going used and getting an X5 3.0d MSport or a 535 Touring. But she might go mental...

Are we to assume this is your car that you'll be using your money to pay for?

If so...

blujez said:

Any suggestions...

Grow a pair

I love the missus but she has as much input in my choice of vehicle as I do in her shoes...

[DUMBO100]

A work colleague bought an X3 3.0d and seems to enjoy driving it, it might be an acceptable compromise

[TTmonkey]

Mate of mine had the Mazda, took it back when it got utterly stuck in a few inches of snow. Utterly.

[Justin Case]

Stick to an estate car. When I was looking for my current car I was really looking for one that would take a medium sized dog cage lengthwise. Not one SUV that I looked at, including amongst others Freelander 1, Disco 2, Subaru Forester and a Mitsubishi something-or-other could do this. On the other hand a Mazda 6 (1st gen only) or Subaru Legacy would fit the bill and a Skoda Octavia would just about do so but squashed the dog cage a bit. A Skoda Superb just swallowed it up and would probably take a whole pack of hounds, it's vast.

[Poopipe]

V10 touraeg