I'm looking for something to haul my pooch to the beach, river or just cruising around, unwinding after work. Looking at Lexus GX470 w/200K on the clock. Also seeing Audi Q5's and Q7's with 100K for similar $$. How bad are the Audi's and why do the depreciate so bad?
I have no real, useful input since I've never owned an Audi or a Lexus, but this IS the beeb so here's my .02. If you actually want it to be a low maintenance, ready to go beater, absolutely go with the Lexus! When something has acquired as bad of a reputation as Audi has, there's likely a fair bit of fire behind that smoke.
He's low maintenance, but he is a hound dog and I don't want to stink/drool up my good stuff. These cars I'm looking at are under $10K and 4wd, which is a must.
With little to no maintenance, you can add 100k miles to the GX, and still sell for what you paid. The Audis will not be so fortunate in the used market.
I would go Lexus. Slightly different as it was her main car for transport, but my daughter wanted to buy herself a used little Q SUV. I talked her into a small Lexus instead and she is happy with it. Later found out she had a nursing friend that had a Q? SUV, and it was in the shop multiple times, so she is happy she went Lexus. @pickled egg had a lot of problems with a new A4, and reading about that is what helped me convince my daughter to skip that brand.
Nissan Armada! Cheaper than anything else with same age & miles. Perfect to be a beater. Fits like 12 hounds. Depreciates more than the rest. Mystery beeps!
GX is a beast of a vehicle and might outlast you and the dog. I’d get a station wagon though cause when dog gets old it’s easier. Plus, I dig station wagons.
Hell no to the German stuff. And I'd try to go to a 460 over the 470 but not sure what you will find around 10k but there are a lot of improvements on the 460.
Here you go... Grom with a GUS! https://www.revzilla.com/common-tre...PWlHFb6WAzBH_5Uo_iRFxOe63yNtpNo0n0vzpYt3Uqmv7
I live in florida. No way I'm hauling him around in a sidecar. Too many old people and ferners to take that chance.
Beaches, trails, canal roads, state and national forests, and it rains a shitload and everything turns to mud.
How much are you planning on using said dog hauler; i.e., miles/year? The GX could be a good dependable vehicle choice, but will return abysmal gas mileage. With 200K on the clock, I'd check for the following Rust Age of timing belt/water pump and were they replaced at recommend time/distance interval Age of airbags/compressor - these go out Radiator Secondary air pump Ball joints I'd avoid KDSS and models with the navigation screen (though this may be more 460 than 470). Other options could be a used 4WD CRV, AWD RAV4, Sequoia (likely even worse MPG than 470 due to mass), etc. If you want to research the GX more ihatemud is a good forum/resource.
FJ Crusiers are getting close to $10k, the ones with high milage. They will do all you listed there. I have one I use for daily driver and love it.
Yep, I had a 2013 Trail teams that I sold @ Mecums Kissimmee and regret it big time. They are on my list as well.