Considering a small SUV

[IndyIan]

How many have you owned? Have 3 G01 X3s in the family....no issues. been more reliable than anything else I've owned so far. Life's too short to drive a Toyota/Honda/Hyundai Econo box. How's the new Toyota 3.4 doing?

What is the strategy to owning a BMW for similar money to a Honda/Mazda? I assume you buy at 1-2 years old and sell at 5-6 years?
TBH, I think almost all vehicles above $35-40k are now getting almost equally complex, and expensive to repair if you keep them long term.
You used to have to spring for some S-line Audi to get a 100+hp/L, twin turbo DI V6 with 5 yards of timing chain to have expensive valve train problems, now you can get the same thrill, by just buying an older Ford ecoboost!

 

[HoosierJeeper]

What is the strategy to owning a BMW for similar money to a Honda/Mazda? I assume you buy at 1-2 years old and sell at 5-6 years?
TBH, I think almost all vehicles above $35-40k are now getting almost equally complex, and expensive to repair if you keep them long term.
You used to have to spring for some S-line Audi to get a 100+hp/L, twin turbo DI V6 with 5 yards of timing chain to have expensive valve train problems, now you can get the same thrill, by just buying an older Ford ecoboost!

Buy them near new/off lease (under 50k miles), then run them up to 150k. My usual strategy with anything besides the "keepers" (LR3, KJ, maybe the JL, time will tell).

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I'm looking at only non-turbo 2.5L CX-5s, don't want a turbo...

Cheaply built? Yeah, that's why my Corolla is still going at 450K+...there' ain't no German vehicles doing that...at least none that haven't required more $$$ in repairs than the vehicle is worth...

450k miles in a corolla, I must not be man enough to survive that. the 2.5 CX5s are slow, I was getting passed by snails when I had one for a rental. Was shocked at a new vehicle being that slow. Even my JL on 35s or my 6000lb Land Rover would smoke it.

 

[Panda87]

My rules: No Hyunkias, No Chevys, No Nissans (used to love them and their 80s/90s build quality, but I’m disappointed with them now).

I had a 2019 Honda Insight Touring. Was an AMAZING commuter car, I could hypermile up to 70mpg during work commutes. I rode in it for 6 months before getting banned to telework, so I sold it. My main complaint with that car was also GROUND CLEARANCE! It would bottom out on gas station underground tank lids. I could only back into my driveway or I’d scrape the whole front valance. My mother drove it slightly off the curb leaving my house and crushed the exit pipe of the muffler flat.

I only drive vehicles with better ground clearance now. I got tired of bashing up the underside of that car on seemingly every place I went. I never had that problem even ONCE in my lowered 1987 Nissan 300ZX!

 

[Jpc1623]

I had a 2015 Forester Premium and a 2020 Equinox Premium 1.5T.
The Subi I give ease of maintenance and cargo space.
Chevy better seats and good ride for long distance, quicker engine, and no CVT.
Both engines if well maintained will get you 200k miles.
Personally you have to get the Chevy top of the line or Forester sport or above, don’t waste time on base models.

 

[grampi]

https://www.mazdausa.com/shopping-tools/inventory/results#dlrIds=42233&zipcode=59801&Carline=CX5&ModelCode=CX5++PF+XA++&Year=2025.0&Transmission=Automatic&Drivetrain=AWD&EngineType=G&FuelType=G&MajorExteriorColor=White&MajorInteriorColor=Brown&ExteriorColorCode=51K&InteriorColorCode=L_KJB,L_KD7&s=DEALERID|asc,price|asc,Year|desc,Mileage|asc&sortTitle=Distance: Near to Far&cond=n&p=1

my local dealer has one on the lot.

Not looking for new. $10K or less...

 

[grampi]

450k miles in a corolla, I must not be man enough to survive that. the 2.5 CX5s are slow, I was getting passed by snails when I had one for a rental. Was shocked at a new vehicle being that slow. Even my JL on 35s or my 6000lb Land Rover would smoke it.

I just drove one yesterday. It wasn't slow at all. I'm not looking for fast anyway. I'm looking for long term reliability, something German vehicles don't have...

 

[Panda87]

I just drove one yesterday. It wasn't slow at all. I'm not looking for fast anyway. I'm looking for long term reliability, something German vehicles don't have...

My MB GL450 will be 10 years old in 26 and has 125,000mi on it and works wonderfully. It’s got a better track record than any Korean vehicle or Chevy.

 

[supton]

I’m unsure when it becomes “ok” to be unreliable. I mean after 10 years and/or 200k, all cars have some amount of wear. Repairs become expected.

Only vehicle I put 300k on was a VW. Really liked that car… got close with a Camry but last century’s Toyotas were more long lived.

 

[grampi]

My MB GL450 will be 10 years old in 26 and has 125,000mi on it and works wonderfully. It’s got a better track record than any Korean vehicle or Chevy.

Get back to me when it hits 450K and I don't plan on buying any Chevys or Korean vehicles...

 

[grampi]

I’m unsure when it becomes “ok” to be unreliable. I mean after 10 years and/or 200k, all cars have some amount of wear. Repairs become expected.

That's true for any vehicle of any age...that's why we maintain our vehicles...

 

[supton]

That's true for any vehicle of any age...that's why we maintain our vehicles...

Then what is the concern? buy what you like and meets the needs, and repair whatever breaks.

 

[Panda87]

Get back to me when it hits 450K and I don't plan on buying any Chevys or Korean vehicles...

We’ve got a few early 90s Mercs running around here. Saw one down in FL. Seem to notice those and Volvos of that era.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I just drove one yesterday. It wasn't slow at all. I'm not looking for fast anyway. I'm looking for long term reliability, something German vehicles don't have...

The Mazda will be rusted out before long term reliability is a concern lol. German vehicles are known for longevity but continue to live in your Mazda/Honda bubble.

 

[andrew_j]

I've not owned any. But millions of others have. Check the research...your 3 BMW's is not enough data. Life is too short to drive a car that will cause massive damage to one's wealth. Ever hear of Compounded Interest? At 65, being a Honda/Toyota appliance driver most of my life, I am at a position to buy any BMW new and at least 7+ of them if I want. But life is too short to piss away such money, right? I'd rather go to Europe twice a year, and spend my money on experiences far greater than flashing fake wealth.

Not need to be angry over your boring practical car choices.

 

[JohnnyG]

The Mazda will be rusted out before long term reliability is a concern lol. German vehicles are known for longevity but continue to live in your Mazda/Honda bubble.

You forgot /Toyota.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

You forgot /Toyota.

Sorry, it rusted away before I could include it.

 

[grampi]

Then what is the concern? buy what you like and meets the needs, and repair whatever breaks.

I plan to. What's the point of this reply?

 

[grampi]

The Mazda will be rusted out before long term reliability is a concern lol. German vehicles are known for longevity but continue to live in your Mazda/Honda bubble.

Your posts are certainly comical if nothing else. Our 2017 CX-9 is rust free, and we live in the snow belt (or as I call it, the salt belt). I just take it through a car wash with an undercarriage spray every once in a while. German vehicles are known for longevity? In what reality?

 

[grampi]

We’ve got a few early 90s Mercs running around here. Saw one down in FL. Seem to notice those and Volvos of that era.

I doubt ANY of those vehicles have anywhere near 400K miles...