Lexus RX300 or BMW X5??

[CraigRT]

<< Go for Lexus if you want more options, cheaper car, not too bothered about image. >>



haha, oh man, I feel like a loser now standing beside the all mighty BMW owner!! bothered about image? if you are bothered about image when driving a Lexus you might as well not be driving yourself at all - get a limo with a pool in the back...

 

[NFS4]

<< Now how about them Chrysler ML320s.... Heheh J/K folks! >>


LOL, funny stuff.

1) Actually, the M-Class was designed, built, and sold before the Chrysler merger.
2) The M-Class is more "off-road" capable than the sport-oriented X5. It also has a sturdy frame (instead of unibody)


<< What's the difference between the Toyota Highlander and the RX300 apart from the differences in look??

Why would you get a RX300 when the Highlander is the same thing? I'm pretty sure the Highlander uses the same quality of materials as the RX300. >>


There's a difference. The Lexus has a lot of convenience features built in along with a higher quality switchgear (not by much) and superiour dash and gauge cluster, dual power seats with memory (Highlander only has power driver's seat), interior dust particle filtration system, and electrochromatic rear view mirror with built in compas. Leather is of higher quality, and the RX300 also has real wood trim (plastic on the Highlander). The RX300 also has an optional DVD navigation system.

Warranty on Highlander is 36/36,000. Warranty on the RX300 is 48/50,000. So there IS a difference.

 

[Mani]

My parents own an RX300. I've driven around a lot in it and if I was in the market for an SUV I'd buy it without hesitation. It rides like a dream, handles well and though it doesn't feel like it's that fast, it actually surprised me when I pushed it a bit. I've driven an X5 and I think I preferred the feel of the RX300 to it. People have said the X5 has more of a luxurious feel but I found the opposite. On top of that, every component feels well-made, and in two years of having owned it we have never had even a minor problem (not even a squeak). Lookswise it's all subjective (though I think the X5 is pretty boxy-looking). Pretty much all the X5 has going for it is image.

I guess you can't go wrong with either unless you're on somewhat of a budget in which case the RX300 is a no-brainer.

EDIT: I should add that it does so well on snow, I almost look forward to driving it on a snowy day.

 

[freebee]

Car buying is so subjective these days that it doesn't really matter which vehicle you get, both the RX300 and X5 are great vehicles, each with a different flavor in their performance characteristics. I always recommend the test drive to see which suits you the most.

-Most BMW are overpriced in the US (but some are actually even higher priced in germany).

-The RX300 is not exactly "based" on the camry..(not in the way that an lexus ES is anyway...probably more along the lines of a Sienna-type relation)

-The highlander is a better buy than the rx300.

-The X5 is horrendous in the snow..especially the 8-cyl versions.

-If you are spending this much on what are essentially tall station wagons, I would suggest a move up towards a larger SUV, perhaps in the range on a Sequoia or a Navigator.

 

[RossMAN]

There's a reason the Lexus RX300 is the BEST SELLING LEXUS vehicle (at least it was last year) because it's a great luxo-SUV.

Overall it's the better value.

 

[Uclagamer_99]

i would think the is300 would be the best selling lexus...but then again only old people have enough money to buy cars

 

[NFS4]

<< i would think the is300 would be the best selling lexus...but then again only old people have enough money to buy cars >>


The IS300 is FAR from the best selling Lexus model

The RX300, ES300, and LS430 ALL outsell it.

 

[Napta]

x5

 

[VRoOMdesigns]

X5 !!

(second time)

 

[Napta]

x5 has better reviews

 

[Uclagamer_99]

The IS300 is FAR from the best selling Lexus model

if it were up to me it would be the best selling lexus

 

[NFS4]

<< x5 has better reviews >>


B/C most car magazines take it up the butt from BMW

 

[Windogg]

Wow, I always love how people who have never set foot on a certain vehicle are the most vocal and opinionated. Having driven the RX, ML, and X. I ended up with the X5 4.4l.

I went with the Bimmer for its excellent worksmanship, luxury, performance, and most of all safety. Can't beat the X5 on luxury. People laugh at items like the heated steering wheel but in the dead of winter, it comes in damn handy. Everyone including the passengers have heated seats. Stuff like 16 way power seats ensure the drive is always comfortable. Attention to detail is supurb with everything in the right place. Performance is excellent even on the 3.0l model. Get the sport package to bring the handling up to the level of the 4.4. The ride is buttersmooth and suspension can eat up curves. Most importantly, the X5 was/is rated the safest vehicle on the road in independant crash tests. I cannot put a price on the lives on myself, family, or passengers. Items like DSC can get you out or hairy situations where most otehr vehicles would spin. Remember 4WD is only good when starting from a stuck position but offers no advantage when in motion. The X5 actually does prevent problems in slick conditions.

The X5 had the most feel for the road. The Toyota was more "numb" and felt like a typical Camry. Nothing wrong with that but I wanted something with more feedback. The ML felt pretty trucklike. Main complaints about the X5? I do have to say it is smaller than similar vehicles. You don't get that much more room than a BMW wagon. As for value? It is a better one now with discounts available. Back when I got it there was little room to bargain. No question the RX300 or Highlander is a better value for what you get but there are intangibles like the joy of driving one and pride of ownership.

Standard warranty is 4years/48k miles plus 5 years/60k miles on the powertrain. I have 3 years of shedules maintainace for free. When in service I get free loaner cars. If I have to wait, each BMW center usually has big screen TV, lots of food/drinks, and other diversions. Each X5 also comes with 3 days of racing and driving school at their Spartenburg, South Carolina facility.

Windogg

 

[NFS4]

<< Wow, I always love how people who have never set foot on a certain vehicle are the most vocal and opinionated. Having driven the RX, ML, and X. I ended up with the X5 4.4l.

I went with the Bimmer for its excellent worksmanship, luxury, performance, and most of all safety. Can't beat the X5 on luxury. People laugh at items like the heated steering wheel but in the dead of winter, it comes in damn handy. Everyone including the passengers have heated seats. Stuff like 16 way power seats ensure the drive is always comfortable. Attention to detail is supurb with everything in the right place. Performance is excellent even on the 3.0l model. Get the sport package to bring the handling up to the level of the 4.4. The ride is buttersmooth and suspension can eat up curves. Most importantly, the X5 was/is rated the safest vehicle on the road in independant crash tests. I cannot put a price on the lives on myself, family, or passengers. Items like DSC can get you out or hairy situations where most otehr vehicles would spin. Remember 4WD is only good when starting from a stuck position but offers no advantage when in motion. The X5 actually does prevent problems in slick conditions.

The X5 had the most feel for the road. The Toyota was more "numb" and felt like a typical Camry. Nothing wrong with that but I wanted something with more feedback. The ML felt pretty trucklike. Main complaints about the X5? I do have to say it is smaller than similar vehicles. You don't get that much more room than a BMW wagon. As for value? It is a better one now with discounts available. Back when I got it there was little room to bargain. No question the RX300 or Highlander is a better value for what you get but there are intangibles like the joy of driving one and pride of ownership.

Standard warranty is 4years/48k miles plus 5 years/60k miles on the powertrain. I have 3 years of shedules maintainace for free. When in service I get free loaner cars. If I have to wait, each BMW center usually has big screen TV, lots of food/drinks, and other diversions. Each X5 also comes with 3 days of racing and driving school at their Spartenburg, South Carolina facility.

Windogg >>


Yes see here Windogg, you are looking at Kenazo's parents' purchase in the wrong way. I'm am taking everything into consideration with my recommendation. He is talking about his parents using the vehicle in these conditions:

Gravel roads
Icy/snowy highway conditions
Muddy roads
Extended highway driving

You are looking at from a more performance driven perspective. That being corner carving performance, telling them to get the sport package, etc. And most typical SUV drivers wouldn't know numb steering if it fell of a tree and knocked them in the head. They want something to get them from point A to point B in comfort. And even our Highlander Limited comes with Traction Control and the Vehicle Stability System. And the 4WD system is quite competant.

"No question the RX300 or Highlander is a better value for what you get but there are intangibles like the joy of driving one and pride of ownership."

Joy of driving in what way? Carving up corners in a SUV that is going to be tracking through mud and ice? Pride of ownership? Lexus is no BMW, but it is not something to look down on. The RX300 is also no slouch in safety. It's earns the Insurance Institute's "Best" rating in crash testing and it is labeled a "best pick" overall with "Good" ratings in every category except structure/safety cage where it got an acceptable mark. It is second only to the X5 which got a "Good" rating in all categories and is also labeled a "Best Pick."

Don't get me wrong, the X5 is a nice vehicle with superior performance...but that's just how I see it: A "sport" vehicle with little "utility." Like I've said in this thread many times, the small cargo capacity is a big minus for me and immediately dismisses the X5. My recommendation of the Highlander/RX300 for his parents is due the conditions that they will be using the vehicle in and what each vehicle offers.

If Kenazo had said that his parents cared nothing about cargo space, didn't mind the higher price, liked dusting V6 Mustangs at stoplights, enjoyed carving up mountains with a Sport suspension, and spent their weekends doing hot laps around Road Atlanta, then I would have recommended the X5. But for what they plan on using this for and considering that the alternative is an X5 3.0i, I think that the choice is clear.

 

[Windogg]

NFS I am not taking a shot at the RX300. All I wanted to do was give as objective opinion as possible. This includes observed pros and cons. Again I don't deny the cons of the BMW such as less cargo room and less value compared to Lexus or Toyota. My last vehicle was a Toyota so I am very familiar with their lineup and available models. Fanboys and and those that have only read the stats in magazines only cloud the discussion.

Uninformed opinions like "8 cylinder X5s suck in the snow" is just hearsay. Again it all depends on the package you get. The tires on the 19" Sport Package rims on the 4.4 does come with Z-rated summer tires. The standard tired on the 4.4l or on the Sport Package 3.0 comes with 18" all season tires which do very well in the snow.

I am not pushing either model I just want to layout the cards and fact as I see them. Those that wish to argue it through can go ahead.

Windogg

 

[NFS4]

<< NFS I am not taking a shot at the RX300. All I wanted to do was give as objective opinion as possible. This includes observed pros and cons. Fanboys and and those that have only read the stats in magazines only cloud the discussion.

Windogg >>


Telling the whole story with both vehicles is not being objective? I've listed the pros and cons of both. I've always been a fan of the X5 for its performance capabilities and have always been vocal in that matter, but for what Kenazo's parents are using the vehicle for, the X5 3.0i isn't the best choice.

As for "stats out of the magazine;" where have I even listed something like that? I've only quoted fuel economy and cargo capacity which are both manufacturer given stats.

Like I said, after reading what Kenazo had to say, something along the Highlander/RX300/MDX makes a more logical choice.

 

[LAUST]

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[NFS4]

<< Exactly the way to do it too, people who buy a car brand to try be be someone special crack me up, getting into the car your who you are, when your in it, I don't care if your getting into a Mc F1, if I could kick your sorry azz getting in I can while your in that car too Same exact guy even when you get out of it

How is that Highlander going so far? Broke in yet? >>


LOL Laust, you crack me up

As for the Highlander, the thing is running like a champ. I drove the thing up to Baltimore and back (700 miles round trip + driving around in Baltimore while we were up there). My dad didn't bother to get his lazy ass up to drive so I ended up driving the whole way both up there and back home He says that I'm his chauffer for road trips He spent the entire interstate portion of the trip (following I-85 and I-95) in the back seat sprawled out (the seatbacks recline individually). My mom and I battled it out for control of the 6-disc in-dash CD changer while my dad slept

As for the drive of the Highlander, it's quieter, smoother, and faster than my Camry LE. It tracks predictably, is rather flat in corners at high speeds (this would make my Camry wallow). I'm really impressed with the suspension on the thing. Compared to the '97 Explorer we had, there's no comparison really. The engine is smooth as butta. It just swings on up in the revs and the transmission is right on the money. This thing simply HAULS ASS!!! I have no trouble passing people and dusting others at stoplight if I feel like mashing on the gas. The Highlander Limited comes with the Vehicle Stability Control system, but I've never had it kick in yet. The thing is wisper quiet at highway speeds.

There is plenty of room at all seating locations and there is TONS of cargo space. There is a bit less cargo space than our old Explorer, but it is right on up there. We were able to haul all over our stash up to Baltimore w/o folding down the rear seats. That baby was PACKED with stuff yet I was still able to see out of the back window through the rear view mirror (due to clever packing on my part). The Toyota dealer gave my dad a 15% off coupon for Toyota accessories so he wisely bought a rubber/plastic mat to get in the cargo hold. That way liquid spills don't mess up the carpet and it is a "no slide" surface.

What sucks though (at least for my dad) is that the Highlander has about 1,000 miles on it. About 800 of those total miles are from me

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Try an A6 wagon instead

 

[LAUST]

.

 

[NFS4]

<< Try an A6 wagon instead >>


The BASE price of an A6 Avant is $38,350. Add leather, sunroof, NAV system, etc and you're heading to X5 3.0i territory ($44,625 for the Avant).

 

[LAUST]

.

 

[mrCide]

X5, the only other "SUV" i like is range/land rovers.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Laust-
Problem here is how you define "fully functional"

I don't tow and I don't often go off road. If I did I'd get something used and cheap as possible.
By your definition, we should be going for Hummers. More "fully functional"
If you don't need the extra room, why give up the pleasure of driving a fine motor vehicle for a truck?
If you cannot appreciate the difference, then like the Matrix, you cannot be told what that difference is. You "get it" or you don't. And before anyone tries to tell me an SUV isn't a truck, I have driven them. Heavy, poor road feel, center of gravity too high. It's just physics. If that doesn't mean anything to you thats great, because you're spending the money. I'll see ya on the road.

 

[LAUST]

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