3-Row SUV for Midlife Crisis

[02SE]

It wasn't my intention to leave all of you have hanging, but I got busy. Sorry.

I wasn't really worried. It was just some good-natured ribbing.

Congrats, I hope it proves to be a good vehicle for the family.

 

[John105]

If anyone has a mid life crisis and has 7 kids, the 9 passenger Tahoe is for you! (Never knew such a configuration existed, apparently only with the LS)

 

[KrisZ]

Nice to see quick and decisive decision making.

Congrats on the vehicle, should serve as a nice family hauler for sure.

 

[edyvw]

It wasn't my intention to leave all of you have hanging, but I got busy. Sorry.

We picked up a TX500h Luxury in Incognito. The 500h gives you an extra 91 hp and 92 lb-ft of torque over the non-hybrid TX350 without any fuel economy penalty. All of the extra power comes from the new single-motor, parallel hybrid system. With the TX500h, you also get rear steering, adaptive dampeners and 6 piston front calipers with 15.7" rotors.

With the 2nd row Captain Chairs configured for maximum 2nd row legroom, I am still able to comfortably fit into the 3rd row. I'm 5'11" without an athletic build. I cannot say the same about the MDX/GLS, but the only other competition would've been a minivan or full-size domestic SUV's for $20K more.

I had a ~400 mile drive home from the dealer. The handling is respectable and improved over the Grand Highlander and the TX350, but it won't impress @edyvw or any car enthusiast. I averaged a hand-calculated 24 mpg at "rural I-5 speeds" while varying RPM and having some fun. Overall, the wife is happy and I hope she stays happy with this car for a long time, as it wasn't cheap.

View attachment 289444

Looks good! That would be MAX in GHL? Is AWD in those mechanical, or does an electric engine push the rear axle? I know the electric engine pushes the rear axle in the GHL hybrid with non-turbo.

 

[John105]

It wasn't my intention to leave all of you have hanging, but I got busy. Sorry.

We picked up a TX500h Luxury in Incognito. The 500h gives you an extra 91 hp and 92 lb-ft of torque over the non-hybrid TX350 without any fuel economy penalty. All of the extra power comes from the new single-motor, parallel hybrid system. With the TX500h, you also get rear steering, adaptive dampeners and 6 piston front calipers with 15.7" rotors.

With the 2nd row Captain Chairs configured for maximum 2nd row legroom, I am still able to comfortably fit into the 3rd row. I'm 5'11" without an athletic build. I cannot say the same about the MDX/GLS, but the only other competition would've been a minivan or full-size domestic SUV's for $20K more.

I had a ~400 mile drive home from the dealer. The handling is respectable and improved over the Grand Highlander and the TX350, but it won't impress @edyvw or any car enthusiast. I averaged a hand-calculated 24 mpg at "rural I-5 speeds" while varying RPM and having some fun. Overall, the wife is happy and I hope she stays happy with this car for a long time, as it wasn't cheap.

View attachment 289444

Was behind one yesterday, looked very nice

 

[The Critic]

Looks good! That would be MAX in GHL?

Thanks -- and yes.

Is AWD in those mechanical, or does an electric engine push the rear axle? I know the electric engine pushes the rear axle in the GHL hybrid with non-turbo.

It is electric, but the rear axle setup is bit "better" than the one in the 2.5L hybrid.

 

[JeffKeryk]

You bought well; both the vehicle and the deal. You got what wifey spec'ed out and worked the right deal...

 

[4WD]

If anyone has a mid life crisis and has 7 kids, the 9 passenger Tahoe is for you! (Never knew such a configuration existed, apparently only with the LS)

If that’s like the trucks - there is a lockable compartment under that center seat … great idea - but it’s not well padded - so kids seat for sure …

 

[The Critic]

Recently released video that specifically addresses 3rd row accommodations:



Of the ones I have sat in, I agree with the reviewers’ rankings.

 

[ChrisD46]

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.

A $100K SUV - do you plan on moving into it as well and selling the house (lol !) ? …All kidding aside , please choose wisely by working backwards to see which $100K SUV has the best resale value - then narrow your search from there .

 

[andrew_j]

Wow , nice SUV! That is rare in my locale of coastal NH. They seem to drive MB, BMW and Tahoe. It might be that Lexus dealers are all 45 min from us in ME, NH, and MA.

 

[John105]

A $100K SUV - do you plan on moving into it as well and selling the house (lol !) ? …All kidding aside , please choose wisely by working backwards to see which $100K SUV has the best resale value - then narrow your search from there .

I think we can say the same about average, I mean dead average, colleges that cost $88k, $52k after financial aid. The trajectory of car prices has followed college tuition prices 25 years ago (elite colleges are basically free or 1/5 of the above, and it's shhhhhhhhhhhhh!).

So using the above, elite cars are what everyone should be getting!

edit All kidding aside, some folks' salaries have followed that trajectory too. Most haven't. I had thought this video was old because Suburban/Tahoe was in the under 65k category. In what state are they shopping? There are 0-4 cars on the lots where I live (SE PA), and many are $80k+ with dealer add ons. It's too late to custom order a 2025. Not sure which trims sell, but a trick I've seen on LT's is to add 22" rims which is $2,000+. Also be curious why GM ships some of these with steelies.

 

[John105]

Wow , nice SUV! That is rare in my locale of coastal NH. They seem to drive MB, BMW and Tahoe. It might be that Lexus dealers are all 45 min from us in ME, NH, and MA.

imho the third choice is the no nonsense, get the job done, especially in your neck of the woods

 

[Astro14]

imho the third choice is the no nonsense, get the job done, especially in your neck of the woods

We shopped the Tahoe, and the Suburban, as well as MB and BMW, before buying the new Volvo XC90.

There is nothing “no nonsense” about the Chevy. Crazy complicated features like auto pilot, remote seat releases, and electronic dooddads all over it - it practically screams “expensive future repairs”.

And they wanted over $70,000 for every Chevy we saw on the lot. So, it was hardly lower cost than the BMWs, MBs, and Volvos we looked at.

 

[tbm5690]

And they wanted over $70,000 for every Chevy we saw on the lot. So, it was hardly lower cost than the BMWs, MBs, and Volvos we looked at.

That's been my beef with domestic SUVs...why would I buy a bow tie or a blue oval when I can get something European that is truly premium for the same money? Don't get it.