New SUV on a budget

[Anonymous]

I’ve been planning on buying an X3M50 or X5 for some time but delaying until we really needed it.

That time is coming in 2025 with 2 kids.

Due to the kids, many new expenses have emerged. This caused me to reconsider adding the expense of a bmw car payment. I thought to go with a Toyota grand Highlander hybrid but it seems like it’s a lemon. I test drove a Model Y but its interior wasn’t that great.

What are my other options? The closest I can get to the bmw on a budget. Handling/performance, space for kids, and a nice interior are important.

[Anonymous]

What’s your budget?

[Anonymous]

How is a Highlander a lemon?

[Anonymous]

Does it have to be new??

[Anonymous]

Op- no fixed budget. Just as low as possible payment. My trade in is about 10k. I am ok to put in 10k cash.

https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/grand-highlander/2024/consumer-reviews/

I prefer new but it’s not necessary. I’m ok with slightly used with a warranty.

[Anonymous]

Mitsubishi Outlander, starts at $29k:

https://www.mitsubishicars.com/cars-and-suvs/outlander

[jsteele]

You might take a look at the Chevy Equinox EV. I don't know if it has the performance you desire and certainly will not have BMW handling, but it is reasonably priced. I recently did a 1500 mile round trip and saw Equinoxes at almost every charging station. They seem very popular.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op- no fixed budget. Just as low as possible payment. My trade in is about 10k. I am ok to put in 10k cash.

https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/grand-highlander/2024/consumer-reviews/

I prefer new but it’s not necessary. I’m ok with slightly used with a warranty.

I would go with a Mazda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been planning on buying an X3M50 or X5 for some time but delaying until we really needed it.

That time is coming in 2025 with 2 kids.

Due to the kids, many new expenses have emerged. This caused me to reconsider adding the expense of a bmw car payment. I thought to go with a Toyota grand Highlander hybrid but it seems like it’s a lemon. I test drove a Model Y but its interior wasn’t that great.

What are my other options? The closest I can get to the bmw on a budget. Handling/performance, space for kids, and a nice interior are important.

Toyota anything is going to be better than either of those other brands

I find it hard to believe you got a lemon Toyota that’s really rare. Can happen but given you looked at a Tesla you are not that smart. Those are crap reliability.

Look at Honda or Lexus or Acura

[Anonymous]

Mazda CX-70.
You don't seem to have a lot of disposable money if you putting down so little. BMW is expensive to own.

[Anonymous]

I would get a Toyota; sounds like you should get a Lexus.

[Anonymous]

Honda CRV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been planning on buying an X3M50 or X5 for some time but delaying until we really needed it.

That time is coming in 2025 with 2 kids.

Due to the kids, many new expenses have emerged. This caused me to reconsider adding the expense of a bmw car payment. I thought to go with a Toyota grand Highlander hybrid but it seems like it’s a lemon. I test drove a Model Y but its interior wasn’t that great.

What are my other options? The closest I can get to the bmw on a budget. Handling/performance, space for kids, and a nice interior are important.

Look at a regular Highlander. The Grand Highlanders are the ones with the problems.

[Anonymous]

I've never understood folks that get a nice SUV when they have kids. Or heck, even when they have teenagers.

We've got a chevy traverse and we love it. But the kids beat the heck out of it, at every age

[Anonymous]

Why not just get a minivan?