Originally Posted by driverX5

Are you looking for a big engine for more speed based or cruising/towing based? If you are looking for fast suvs then I would look at the pepper S and range rover. The other cars, are great cruisers.

Originally Posted by lovinthex5

Yesterday I decided it was time to get a new car...or at least start looking. Currently I have a 2002 x5 that I love! I was lucky enough to catch a sale bmw was having, 2.9% financing on used certified bmw's. It got my payment to $604 per month which I am very comfortable with. I would like to stay in the 600-700 $$$ range.

I first started looking for a 2006 jeep cherokee srt-8. They are very hard to find, lets just say impossible. I figure I would get one with some miles on it so I could be in the payment point I was looking for. I walked into a jeep dealership and on the showroom floor was a 2007 black srt8. It was so badd asss looking. If you guys haven't seen one in person, I suggest you do so. The exterior is so awesome but...the interior is much to be desired. I mean, when you are used to a bmw interior, there is nothing that can compare.

I had to take the srt for a test drive. They backed it out of the showroom floor, all the sales reps were telling me how badd ass the car was and how much i'm gonna like it. This suv hauls ass! It wants to go, go, go. I didn't have it out for very long but, I could definately tell that the handling cannot compare to the x5. But, if you are looking for a race car in an suv body, this is it. The srt does have all the bells in whistles you could possibly want, heated seats, bluetooth, nav, great stereo, etc but some how chrystler makes it look cheap inside. Even the cheap looking interior, the exterior makes up for it.

We started neogotiations. He first said if I can get you in this ride for $600 a month would you do it? I said hell yea and signed. They couldn't come close. They got it down to ~$775 which I was not comfortable with. I didn't want a 2007 anyway, I try never to buy brand new cars so I don't take that huge depreciation at the beginning of the purchase.

My next stop was the bmw dealership. I test drove a brand new x5 3.0. Man they are nice. The interior is all bmw, very, very plush. The exterior is awesome but, I wish, since a new model, it would have a little more style to it. After speaking with the sales rep, there was no way I was getting into one in the $600-$700 range, even if leasing. Don't believe the leasing prices on the bmw website. I then test drove a 04 545i and a 04 745il. Both were great. I came close to purchasing the 04 545i because of the current bmw finance specials they have on the model right now. But, I didn't. I walked. I was not totally sure I wanted to move from an SAV to a car.

So, I'm still driving my 02 X5 3.0. Is there any way to find out BMW's finance specials a month in advance????

Originally Posted by soccerjunky

If u r concerned about the monthly payment then the jeep srt8 is definitely not for u. One can spend close to what u're hoping to have as a monthly payment just on gas during a month. i usually fill mine up at least twice a week but my foot is usually a little heavy.