Go with the 4Runner. I own both X5 and 4runner right now same year 2003. I never have to take the 4Runner in for repair since I bought it brandnew in 03. I have the V8 so it accelarate faster than my X5. I am more pleased with the 4Runner than my X5 since it never gives me surprise repair bill. It has more room, good for homedepot trip. Can go anywhere including thick heavy snow we had couple of years ago, it just blast right through. As the warranty of my X5 expired, darn, It constantly gives me repair bills. My wife doesn't even want to trade the 4Runner with my X5. She is afraid that the X would just DIE on her. She is more confident with the 4Runner. Dont get me wrong, I love my X more than any vehicle I own or have owned. But to be realistic, 4Runner does the job right for an SUV.

Just want to add something else to my above post. 4Runner runs around $29K and brand new 3.0 X5 is somewhere around $60K. Cut the $31K and go with the 4Runner. It will do the job as an SUV should do. I own both of them right now thats why I know every detailed difference between the X and 4Runner.

How about an Infiniti for 40 grand or a V8 fx45 for 10 grand more? This car looks and feels awesome. Although I do not own this car, I have driven my neighbors around and it feels like a sport SUV. Plus, it looks really great!

I agree. The FX is probably the closet thing you will get to the handling, power of the X5 without any of the reliability hassle. Plus it sounds nice and looks nice too... and your not driving a common toyota pos...

That is one subjective attitude, to each his own!
They sound nice!

60K is not that much mileage on an X5; it's a vehicle that can easily take you to 150K. Aside from the usual BMW foibles (water pump, fuel pump), there should be little drama in keeping and driving the X5 for another couple of years.

IMHO, none of the aforementioned vehicles is better than an X5. The only value I see is possibly more cargo space and a 3rd seat, but nothing beats the X5 among SAV's for the pleasure of driving.

But if you're looking looking to get something that doesn't suck up gas, may I suggest a test drive in a BMW 535xi or 530xi sports wagon? Yes, I am kind of biased because I own a 530xi, but it is probably the best all-purpose vehicle that I've owned. It's a great vehicle for a 2 child family, yet it handles and performs very much like a 5 series sedan.

wagons are the most practical cars. i love the audi, bmw, vw wagons

and as for the FX...i'd rather not buy a car that looks like a cartoon

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cost + reliability + SUV + worryfree = 4Runner. Think about it, of course X5 will give a difference feeling when driving. But to financial sense and functionality 4Runner is the best choice. I have no repair bill on my 03 4Runner up until now, and the 03 X5 gave me 10 repair bills after the warranty expired that includes windows regulator, door actuator, brakes, cv boots, battery, water pump, thermo sensor, thermostats housing, oxygen sensors. You name it. With the 4Runner, all i did was oil changes.

Thank you all for your input so far. I am taking all of your advice/recommendations and putting them in the back of my head. Again, this decision will not be for 2 more years, but I want to make sure I know EXACTLY what I want and something I know I will be happy with.

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- Bekah