3-Row SUV for Midlife Crisis

[rstcso]

We just moved from an Audi Q5 to Honda Pilot Elite. Although it falls short of your needs, it's been excellent for us.

When we knew what we wanted and were seriously looking, I used a website: visor.vin. For $5/month (cancel at any time), you can search to your heart's content with unlimited combinations of filters. We quickly found the color combination we wanted only had five vehicles in the state of Texas, but most had been sitting on dealer lots for 30 days or more. You can search across the nation or within a 10 mile radius. Called each dealer and settled on one about 90 miles from us. All transactions were handled over phone, text, and/or email. Walked in, signed the paperwork, and drove home. Got it for almost 10% under MSRP with zero dealer add-ons.

My next door neighbor liked the Pilot so much, they bought one this past Saturday.

Best of luck. Hope you find the perfect vehicle.

 

[fdcg27]

Model X Plaid, cuz everyone needs a 9 second SUV fueled by that big Nuclear Reactor up in the sky...

Yeah, except for the fact that it's an oversized hatchback and not an SUV, it has a useless third row and it's so ugly that she'd want to wear a ski mask while driving it so that nobody would recognize her.
Other than that, a Model X would be a solid choice.

 

[We're Metals]

Classic BITOG..... Mazdas, Volkswagons... Honda Pilots... Dodge Durangos....

OP is talking about a $100k budget. You guys are missing the point of this thread.

The X7 is a good referral. I'd go Range Rover but hard to find in that price range.

 

[Zee09]

Classic BITOG..... Mazdas, Volkswagons... Honda Pilots... Dodge Durangos....

OP is talking about a $100k budget. You guys are missing the point of this thread.

The X7 is a good referral. I'd go Range Rover but hard to find in that price range.

A Range Rover is $100k in towing bills

 

[We're Metals]

A Range Rover is $100k in towing bills

You own one? Or just perpetuating a fallacy?

 

[Zee09]

You own one? Or just perpetuating a fallacy?

I'm too old to perpetuate anything...
I was going to buy one not so long ago, supply was very limited but they had 20 some loaner cars...that's all I needed to know...
Now go away....lol

 

[rstcso]

You own one? Or just perpetuating a fallacy?

I had a 2025 Land Rover Range Rover as a rental for a week. It had less than 1k miles when I picked it up. Great vehicle as a rental, but with all the functions driven from the touch screen, it just seemed like anything could go wrong at any time, leaving you completely stranded. That was my perception, so my reality (whether warranted or not).

 

[We're Metals]

I'm too old to perpetuate anything...
I was going to buy one not so long ago, supply was very limited but they had 20 some loaner cars...that's all I needed to know...
Now go away....lol

I appreciate your thought filled response. Help me out because I don't know what you're trying to say here. Supply was limited but they had loaner cars? That makes them unreliable?

I'll quit while Im ahead and Let the OP have his thread back.

 

[Timmastertech]

Nothing beats a Suburban IMO

 

[Zee09]

Nothing beats a Suburban IMO

My cousin always buys them but inside (interior) they fall apart rather quickly.
She doesn't abuse them...otherwise fine..

 

[Timmastertech]

My cousin always buys them but inside (interior) they fall apart rather quickly.
She doesn't abuse them...otherwise fine..

A lot of that comes down to user. Im second owner on my 02 Suburban wiht 1/4 million miles on it. I bought it from the original owner and had serviced it since 50k. All the plastic is still intact and no interior squeaks and rattles.

 

[Zee09]

A lot of that comes down to user. Im second owner on my 02 Suburban wiht 1/4 million miles on it. I bought it from the original owner and had serviced it since 50k. All the plastic is still intact and no interior squeaks and rattles.

At the same time hers is a 2022
I suspect the old ones were built better.... she's 78 years old and no dog and no kids to hall around

 

[02SE]

A Range Rover is $100k in towing bills

My sister and BIL have had a bunch of Range Rovers, and Land Rovers. The only really problematic one has been the current model Defender. They have so many cars, that the fact it's often at the Dealer, isn't a big concern. My BIL has a car obsession. It will be gone soon anyway, to be replaced by something else.

 

[Zee09]

My sister and BIL have had a bunch of Range Rovers, and Land Rovers. The only really problematic one has been the current model Defender. They have so many cars, that the fact it's often at the Dealer, isn't a big concern. My BIL has a car obsession. It will be gone soon anyway, to be replaced by something else.

I have heard the same from others on the Defender.

 

[Zee09]

I configured a 2025 Mazda CX-90 3.3L Turbo S Premium Plus - Platinum Quartz Metallic w/Tan Nappa Leather. MSRP $58,150 as shown.

https://www.mazdausa.com/shopping-tools/build-and-price#/25C90/25C90SPP/summary

View attachment 288421

Mazda had some teething issues with the 1st-yr MY2024. The MY2025 is faring much better.

For reference, my relative wanted a PHEV, with the capability to pull a tear-drop trailer. She leased a '25 Mazda CX-70 PHEV Premium, and so far has put on 6k miles since December 2024, when she acquired it. Only black mark was a single recall event - nothing major.

The CX-70 and the CX-90 are built on the same platform, with the CX-70 having alot of cargo space in lieu of the 3rd row.

Very nice but too stiff for me and some funky repair issues if you keep it after the warranty

 

[97prizm]

My wife woke-up one day and decided she wants an early midlife crisis vehicle. Here are her desired requirements, in order of importance:

- 3rd row that can comfortably sit an average-sized male adult for a road trip.
- 2nd row Captain Chairs
- Panoramic moonroof
- A seemingly upscale interior
- An exterior color that is similar to Audi's Nardo Gray
- Reasonably good acceleration (e.g. under 7 second 0-60)

Price point: Less than $100K

Condition: New or less than 1 yr old/15K miles

Other preferences that would be nice to have but are not critical: brown interior color, available 10 yr extended warranty from OEM, reasonable reliability and parts availability, rear entertainment system for kids.

Vehicles we have looked at:

TX 500h Luxury: workable, but her desired color combination is rare and the market has priced it accordingly.
GLS450: 3rd row is too small
Yukon AT4 Ultimate: doesn't like exterior appearance or interior quality.
Escalade: exceeds budget

Looking for suggestions.

Thanks.

KIA Hyundai palisade or Telluride. From reading manufacturers are starting to finally shift away from (Glossy primer) and black to other colors again. If she likes Audis nardo gray then maybe an Audi?

 

[duck__dodgers]

Armada/QX80 if you're willing to give Nissan a chance.

 

[GR_CoB]

Things worth noting:
My coworker has a late model GMC Sierra 5.3L. 125k miles, and he's on 2nd engine, thankfully under warranty.
His wife has an even newer Suburban 5.3L. 35k miles, and already on 2nd engine and 2nd transmission.
For their future vehicles they're considering only the 3.0L Duramax versions.

 

[GR_CoB]

A Nissan Armada starts under $60k. This one is very well optioned at $75k, in my opinion beating the $115k Lexus it was compared to.

 

[Mainia]

Mercedes-AMG GLS-Class