Leaving the X for an appliance car

[MINIz guy]

So my parents are thinking of getting rid of their X6 (yea, not an X5 but the X6 forum gets no activity) so they aren't just sitting on a depreciating piece of metal. It is 4 years old now with only 32k miles. We're worried about long term reliability with the turbo engine, especially since my parents do not push it ever.

This brings us to the problem. We need another car to substitute for the X6. Instead of being a "fun" car like the X6, they want it to be a spare/appliance car. Therefore, this car needs to have an automatic, be pseudo-luxury, be as reliable as gravity, cheap (less than $15k), and preferably used so it doesn't depreciate much more.

I want to get them into an American car, but cannot think of something made recent enough. I want to show them an Impala or something similar, but I know they won't be able to get over driving just a "Chebbie".

Japanese cars are clearly the answer, but which one? They've test driven the Lexus RX and didn't like it compared to our E53 X5. They want a little more steering feel than the Lexus, so which one? For instance, Mazdas have great steering feel but the older ones aren't luxury and the newer ones are too expensive.

They've always wanted a Mercedes. I don't want to introduce them to a Daimler-era Benz, since that has the chance to be a money pit. What about the older W124? Any other German cars could I look into?

[TerminatorX5]

my m-in-law just went from an RX300 to a Murano fully loaded... still, not a BMW but she had tried tuareg, tiguano, another rx, mazda CX-7, rav4, pilot... SUVs, not cars, as she prefers the higher sitting position of an SUV - easier to slide in and out, don't have to bend old legs as much... The RX is still home, the f-in-law is driving it, since his kia sedona flipped on its roof and got totaled... murano was the only thing that she felt "at home"... i am sure, the infinity makes an equivalent...

[motordavid]

That $15G level, while it offers lots of brands/models, I suspect it will be quite used/older/higher mileage...not sure about the 'reliable as gravity' requirement on a $15G car with a suspect or not fully known history.
GL, mD

[MINIz guy]

Duh, it does make sense to keep searching for an SUV for them. It really is easier to get in and out of compared to a sedan. I guess this narrows it down to American and Japanese SUVs or the Soul/XB.

Keep in mind I'm saying "appliance". I'm not worried about service history. Ideally, there should be millions of these cars made in some form; I'm thinking GM 3800 V6's that were stuffed in anything from sedans to minivans and run terribly longer than a BMW motor will run perfectly. If it needs a fix, it can wait a few months until I come back from school to throw a NAPA part on it.

If you guys were to choose a little SUV after the X5, what would it be? Honda CRV with leather? Murano (metioned above) with leather? Chebbie Equinox/GM variant? Ford/Lincoln MKX variant?

[bawareca]

Originally Posted by MINIz guy

Ideally, there should be millions of these cars made in some form; I'm thinking GM 3800 V6's that were stuffed in anything from sedans to minivans and run terribly longer than a BMW motor will run perfectly.

Statements like that I usually take as a personal insult,especially when written in that forum

[MINIz guy]

Originally Posted by bawareca

Statements like that I usually take as a personal insult,especially when written in that forum

But it may also be true.

[rdham]

ford escape...not the new body style

[kimg9582]

Have you thought about Toyota Venza?
Kind of like an in-between SUV & Station Wagon.
Pretty spacious & should be reliable.

[bawareca]

Originally Posted by MINIz guy

But it may also be true.

It could have been true,and GM could have gone another way if it was

[MINIz guy]

Ford Escape, first generation or second? I recall the first generations having grenading transmissions or something. I saw a lot in Mazda with transmission issues. I've driven the second generation ones and they do drive well, but not pseudo-luxury by any means. Still a very good car that I'd bring to their attention.

The Venza is a little big for their use. I could see the Rav4 being a much better option.

Originally Posted by bawareca

It could have been true,and GM could have gone another way if it was

You've completely lost me. I've read from the Grassroots boys that the 3800 series engines were bulletproof. They stuffed them throughout their vehicle lineup, supercharged them and whatnot. Transmissions would give out due to mileage quicker than the engines would even think about breaking down with basic maintenance.