[68style]

Hey RS, I’m not gonna lie my knowledge of the current SUV market is not where it could be, mostly because I don’t give a shit about them.

My (future) in-laws want to get rid of their 2013 Lexus RX350 and get something new solely because they’re feeling less confident about some aspects of driving mostly surrounding parking and vision.

They cannot do electric or PHEV as they live in an older condo and there’s nowhere to charge it and they’re not about to go to parking areas to sit for half an hour to do so with.

What’s the best small or medium size SUV out right now in your opinion with those features? They don’t care about power or engine sound… they immediately went to look at a new RX of course but I’m actually hoping to talk them into something a wee bit smaller and n personally despite being a Toyota/Lexus fanboy I’m not the biggest fan of their current products. That said, if their tech is okay I’m okay too, it’s not for me after all.

So self parking and good 360 / backup cameras are a priority. Reliability is up there too. And I think they went it to be a luxury brand so not Kia or whatever.

Discuss :)

[trollface]

Rolls Royce Cullinan

[bcrdukes]

I have no valueable advice, but let me get this out of the way for you before others chime in.

1. Why can't they install a charger or just move to a newer condo with charging? :derp:
2. The Lexus is so boring. Get them a BMW X5M. :derp:
3. Get them a Fiat 500e, but they already suffer from vision :derp:
4. The Lyrig is awesome :derp:
5. Hyundai has best in market warranty. dark0821 is your best friend :derp:
6. Why not a Ferrari Perosengue? :derp:

/revscene

[JDMDreams]

Yes if they can't see I wouldn't recommend a new SUV for them to crash into things. Self park is pretty slow even with Tesla.

[Badhobz]

They might not even be familiar with the new Lexus UI. It’s probably best to put them in a Toyota rav4 or something similar that comes with a 360 camera. Though that’s usually reserved for top trim packages and it ain’t that cheap. You’ll be touching Lexus money on a fully loaded rav.

But it’ll serve them reliably for the next 10 years I think.

[RabidRat]

serve them reliably for the next 10 years I think.

Are you nuts? 10 years?! Are you missing a zero there?

My MIL's 2001 Camry is still going strong. My dad's 2016 RAV4 Hybrid still looks, drives, and smells new.

But what's a car without excitement. If it's not stranding you on the side of the road every once in a while, then what's even the meaning of your life?

Say hello to 2026 AMG C63 S E PHEV.

https://images-stag.jazelc.com/uploads/theautopian-m2en/Mercedes-Benz-C63_Plug_In_MPG2_TS.jpg
https://www.theautopian.com/the-mercedes-amg-c63-s-is-a-plug-in-hybrid-with-an-ev-range-of-1-mile-yes-one/

Tell them to install the charger.

[AstulzerRZD]

The new RX feels a lot smaller than the other one.

Most autopark suck and are terribly slow, BMW is the exception.

I think they get an X1/3 or a new Countryman.

[Badhobz]

New Toyota ain’t like old Toyota. My faith is severely tested nowadays.

p.s. how about a grey nissan kicks? its RS's go to car for angry wives, in laws, and people you care about but still wanna troll the shit out of them.

[roastpuff]

Self parking? Sounds like you should see dark0821 for a Hyundai so they can park with the remote

[yray]

lolvo

[bcrdukes]

Tell them to install the charger.

Yes, sounds like a feasible solution for an old condo.

[bcrdukes]

Two of you guys already checked off the boxes from my post. Keep up the great work!

[EvoFire]

We are going through a similar motion with my dad.

I think a few questions need to be asked.

1) How long do they plan on driving for?
2) How much space do they ACTUALLY need?
3) How much power do they need?
4) How much luxury do they need?
5) How comfortable are they with new tech?
6) How much do they actually drive per year
7) How much do they want to spend?

1 is important because it would dictate ultimately what and how they would buy. If they are in their 70's and foresee driving maybe another 3-5 years, and this is just a safer way for them to do it, lease is the way to go.

2, this is a problem I have with my mom. MOAR BIGGER. She went to look at the Outback yesterday and she's like it's huge it's great! I'm looking at her and I was like wtf is your problem? Why do you need 18ft of car for my dad to drive himself to dimsum 3 times a week? Ideally a SMALL SUV would be great, something compact size like X1/X3/Rav4 ish. They she went on about looking at a GLE and I just shut her down.

3 might be a my parents problem only because my mom drives a GLC43, my dad a Genesis Coupe. Both are used to power ON DEMAND and I WANT IT NOW. Sure they can adapt but I'm slightly uncomfortable putting them in say a Rav4 with the way they drive. I don't know how much of the V6 your parents use on the RX, but if they regular use the torque it may limit your choices

4. Zero problem for us, but may be for some

5. My dad is fine with new tech, he gets used to things pretty quickly. My mom on the other hand........

6 is a question of whether you want to spend on a hybrid drivetrain or not. My dad puts MAYBE 5000 on his car a year so hybrid really makes no difference for him. 12 tanks of gas vs maybe 5 or 6 a year doesn't pay back the premium of going to a hybrid vehicle unless you are taking it over after.

7 is pretty self explanatory. This together with years of service together would decide if you want to buy new used or lease.


Answering those questions should give you a pretty good sense of what is needed and what fits the best, granted your parents are reasonable and sane unlike mine. This whole car buying thing has been a headache for me with BOTH of my parents, despite this being a car for my dad.

[Badhobz]

^thats a pretty long-winded way of saying NISSAN KICKS!

[radeonboy]

My gut feeling says previous gen RX - it has everything they want and is nice inside. Plus I'm sure you can find a lightly-used one given the demo that buys them new, but I also understand Asian parents are less open to used cars.

I'm not the biggest fan of the latest Toyota / Lexus products - the NX is barely an upgrade over the RAV4 and the new RX feels like a step back from the previous generation. Would a new UX be too small?

Otherwise, for new SUVs, I think HR-V or CR-V should serve them well if they're ok with stepping down from Lexus. RAV4 Hybrid too if they can get away with a fair trade and MSRP or less.

[JDMDreams]

^ beige Corolla is always the answer for old people

[EvoFire]

^thats a pretty long-winded way of saying NISSAN KICKS!

If only my parents are as easy to deal with as your dad with his RX450h.

I literally cannot even. But I have to because they live with me.

[twitchyzero]

c'mon, car people know a vehicle choice is often not rational lol
i can see being 70's wanting something nicer and comfortable
unless you know it's way beyond their ability (multiple bumps at all 4 corners even with 360 cam/sensors)

[Badhobz]

If only my parents are as easy to deal with as your dad with his RX450h.

I literally cannot even. But I have to because they live with me.

Thats because youre a very good boy.

i dont ask my parents, i just give it to them and they can take it or leave it. Democracy with asian parents is pointless. They are used to authoritarian domination. :awwyeah:

[RabidRat]

Two of you guys already checked off the boxes from my post. Keep up the great work!

I literally read your post, laughed, and went back to edit that shit into my post :D.

We are but pharmacists to your prescription.

We are going through a similar motion with my dad.

I think a few questions need to be asked.

1) How long do they plan on driving for?
2) How much space do they ACTUALLY need?
3) How much power do they need?
4) How much luxury do they need?
5) How comfortable are they with new tech?
6) How much do they actually drive per year
7) How much do they want to spend?

[...]

My dad's great and so it was actually a little opposite for us. Back in 2015, his previous car was choking down a broken transmission and he was like "I probably won't be driving for much longer anyway", and said he was just going to go lease something, whatever's cheapest. And I said fuck that shit, how about we go 50-50 on a RAV4 and you drive it until you're done with it. And then I'll take it over! I actually really pushed for an NX but he said it was too sporty :/.

It's been 10 years and he's still driving it. Joke's on him, I'm going to get another 38 years out of it when it's my turn with that thing.

[dark0821]

X3M

Decent self parking - yes
Premium brand - yes
Reliable - depends...
Power on demand - yes

But on the other hand... we just got in this pre-owned Macan S LOL

I mean you can just check off the list, it's not going to be that long

Acura = meh
Lexus = ye?
Infiniti = dead
Genesis = out cuz they dont know what it is
Audi = sure?
BMW = seems thats the best out of Germany these days
Merc = sure?
Porsche = Me + Hobz will have a contact for you if serious
Volvo = I love myself some Volvo, but I dont have a rational reason

Am I missing any other brand?

[Traum]

My question for 68 is -- do you really want to do this? (as in, make a serious effort in helping them decide on a good vehicle that will suit their needs)

From the all times that I have helped my family, extended family, and friends on picking out a good car bcos "they know I'm a car guy", I'd say the effort was really only worth it when I was helping my dad because:

1) he isn't too picky
2) I have a good grasp of what his automotive likes and dislikes are
3) he trusts my judgement on cars 1000%

So in the end, he agrees with my recommendations, and is happy with the car we ended up picking.

But for all the other times when I was making recommendations for other people, the requirements they tell me about would hardly make up for 1/3 of their actual requirements. In essense, they may say they only want/need A, B, and C in the car, when their actual deciding factors also include D, E, F, G, H. Quite often, A, B, and C aren't even the most important criteria, although they make it sound like it is their only selection criteria.

So I help them look for cars with A, B, and C qualities. They would agree and nod, nod, nod on the recommendations and reasonings. But then a month later, they'd show up with a car that had G, H, I, J, K.

So now I don't even bother. Or I should say, I don't make the effort to do any serious research even if they ask me to, since I know it'll all just go to waste. It'd still make for good conversation topics, but I just don't make the effort in most cases (unless I know my recommendations will be taken seriously).

[GLOW]

subaru crosstrek or forester
but based on RS, they'll need to change their hairstyle KappaPride

[bcrdukes]

Appropriate smiley for the theme of the month. A+

[teggy604]

Subaru forester, Honda HR-V, Honda CR-V.

You can get them in gas or hybrid.

[roastpuff]

Subaru forester, Honda HR-V, Honda CR-V.

You can get them in gas or hybrid.

No self parking on these iirc

[EvoFire]

They are gonna end up in BMW lol

[RabidRat]

100% it's gonna be an X1.

It's nice, it's compact, and I think the styling is about as inoffensive as it gets across their current lineup. Not that much smaller inside than an X3 either, taking the packaging wins of a transversely mounted motor.

https://pictures.dealer.com/b/bmwoffremont/1270/134871fb40b95f46facfdc284e6b9768x.jpg

https://vehicle-images.dealerinspire.com/stock-images/chrome/c628a8490c5ebf066c593e5238031650.png

https://www.usnews.com/object/image/0000018d-3d73-d9e7-a3cd-7f7b29d50000/p90509804-1.jpeg

[bcrdukes]

Does it have self park mode and is it reliable?

[RabidRat]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1IWW-pE_Xc

[AstulzerRZD]

Yep, BMW system is not just fast it even does

1) remote parking once the spot is found
2) programmed parking routes for garages and driveways

Audi, MB, Tesla systems hella slow and unreliable.

[Gumby]

Given the requirements, I also vote for X1.

[radeonboy]

@68 - Have the parents tried self-parking and are they comfortable using it? My parents’ car has the feature but they prefer parking manually since it's something they've already done for decades.

My younger sister on the other hand is an ideal candidate for self-parking - she nearly backed my car into a ditch while learning and still needs help to this day despite getting her N.

[red kryptonite]

+1 for bmw.
I had both the x1 and the x3 for loaners, and I really couldn’t tell the difference in interior space. The backup/360 camera are insanely clear especially on the large screen.
If the self park is anything like my x5 then it’s golden. I don’t have anything to compare it with but I think it’s pretty good.
Last month my dad had his friend and wife come visit us from Big6. He asked if he can take the x5 for a week. He said he doesn’t want to have 4 adults squished into the Corolla cross. But deep down I know he just wanted something a little more luxurious to chauffeur his friends in. Hahahaha I get it. I said yes, very hesitantly.
I spent the afternoon showing him how to use everything, especially the self parking adaptive, cruise and traffic assist.. Got it back a week later without any damage or wheel rash, just a shit load of fingerprints EVERYWHERE!! I asked him what he thought, he was amazed. He said the self parking worked flawlessly everytime.

[EvoFire]

One factor to keep in mind if they are gonna use cameras, all the econo brands have TERRIBLE camera quality. To the point where it's almost unusable.

[westopher]

Is the x1 a giant shit pile or is that no longer the case? I actually like them as far as being not the ugliest of very ugly cars and the price point is really good.

[EvoFire]

Is the x1 a giant shit pile or is that no longer the case? I actually like them as far as being not the ugliest of very ugly cars and the price point is really good.

It's fine. I really like the suspension setup and the cabin is good. Overall very efficient use of space.

Don't expect an enthusiast car though, it's just a very competent runabout.

[SSM_DC5]

Sell me the old RX:pokerface:

[Klondike]

- Incoming rant -

My dad's X5 finally bit the dust and after 7+ years of window shopping, he now has to find a new SUV.

Some poor salesman managed to lure him out of the house to take a look at an Ioniq 9 in person. He said it's too big, but thinks it will look smaller 'at ground level' because the dealership showed him a brand new one in the basement wash bay.

He's used to driving big SUVs, had an Expedition in the early 00s but now that he's in his 70s, he should not be driving something that big. The Explorer ST is perfect for him since he wants a 3-row, with a sub-6 second 0-60, for ~$80k. He said the Explorer ST is too peasant spec so I said OK fine buy the Lincoln Aviator. It's the ideal car for him: all the bells and whistles, without the Ford badge. Then he starts ho-humming about it because the ioniq 9 is faster 0-60 (cus BEV)...

Now he wants to 'wait and see' if the Ioniq 9 is small enough on street level. He also sat in the Ioniq 5N and said it was 'too geeky'. He also sat in the Santa Fe and said it was the right size. Ultimately I can see him settling for the Santa Fe but I honestly don't care because at this point literally anything is an upgrade.

He refuses to go out and shop in person and insists on shopping by spec-sheets and youtube reviews. He'll be the only person driving the car so it's beyond me why he insists on having a 3-row SUV. He's purely a home-body unless he has a doctors appointment or needs to go to safeway.

He's all talk, doesn't know what he wants and when a Goldilocks car shows up, he moves the goalpost and finds faults with it. He initially wanted a BEV, then a PHEV. Once they took away the EV rebates, he said he'd settle for a regular ICE car since he only drives at most 4000km a year. Money is not an issue here, he is extremely indecisive, which is strange because back in the day he used to change cars like he changes socks.


/rant :rukidding::rukidding::rukidding::rukidding:

[68style]

Thanks for everyone’s input I suggested the X1 and sent the video of its limited self driving abilities. I agree with whoever said they may not even be able to figure out how to use the tech even if it’s there though lol… that’s my suspicion. I’ll just make the 1 suggestion and leave it at that, they’ll probably do what most older people do and buy the new version of what they already have no matter what I say lol

[Badhobz]

Sell me the old RX:pokerface:

YOU GUANGDONG HOARDER!!!!!

[EvoFire]

- Incoming rant -

My dad's X5 finally bit the dust and after 7+ years of window shopping, he now has to find a new SUV.

Some poor salesman managed to lure him out of the house to take a look at an Ioniq 9 in person. He said it's too big, but thinks it will look smaller 'at ground level' because the dealership showed him a brand new one in the basement wash bay.

He's used to driving big SUVs, had an Expedition in the early 00s but now that he's in his 70s, he should not be driving something that big. The Explorer ST is perfect for him since he wants a 3-row, with a sub-6 second 0-60, for ~$80k. He said the Explorer ST is too peasant spec so I said OK fine buy the Lincoln Aviator. It's the ideal car for him: all the bells and whistles, without the Ford badge. Then he starts ho-humming about it because the ioniq 9 is faster 0-60 (cus BEV)...

Now he wants to 'wait and see' if the Ioniq 9 is small enough on street level. He also sat in the Ioniq 5N and said it was 'too geeky'. He also sat in the Santa Fe and said it was the right size. Ultimately I can see him settling for the Santa Fe but I honestly don't care because at this point literally anything is an upgrade.

He refuses to go out and shop in person and insists on shopping by spec-sheets and youtube reviews. He'll be the only person driving the car so it's beyond me why he insists on having a 3-row SUV. He's purely a home-body unless he has a doctors appointment or needs to go to safeway.

He's all talk, doesn't know what he wants and when a Goldilocks car shows up, he moves the goalpost and finds faults with it. He initially wanted a BEV, then a PHEV. Once they took away the EV rebates, he said he'd settle for a regular ICE car since he only drives at most 4000km a year. Money is not an issue here, he is extremely indecisive, which is strange because back in the day he used to change cars like he changes socks.


/rant :rukidding::rukidding::rukidding::rukidding:

Sounds like my parents, both combined into one, but without the monies :alonehappy:

[JDMDreams]

Is 2013 rx still made in Japan?

[dark0821]

- Incoming rant -

My dad's X5 finally bit the dust and after 7+ years of window shopping, he now has to find a new SUV.

Some poor salesman managed to lure him out of the house to take a look at an Ioniq 9 in person. He said it's too big, but thinks it will look smaller 'at ground level' because the dealership showed him a brand new one in the basement wash bay.

He's used to driving big SUVs, had an Expedition in the early 00s but now that he's in his 70s, he should not be driving something that big. The Explorer ST is perfect for him since he wants a 3-row, with a sub-6 second 0-60, for ~$80k. He said the Explorer ST is too peasant spec so I said OK fine buy the Lincoln Aviator. It's the ideal car for him: all the bells and whistles, without the Ford badge. Then he starts ho-humming about it because the ioniq 9 is faster 0-60 (cus BEV)...

Now he wants to 'wait and see' if the Ioniq 9 is small enough on street level. He also sat in the Ioniq 5N and said it was 'too geeky'. He also sat in the Santa Fe and said it was the right size. Ultimately I can see him settling for the Santa Fe but I honestly don't care because at this point literally anything is an upgrade.

He refuses to go out and shop in person and insists on shopping by spec-sheets and youtube reviews. He'll be the only person driving the car so it's beyond me why he insists on having a 3-row SUV. He's purely a home-body unless he has a doctors appointment or needs to go to safeway.

He's all talk, doesn't know what he wants and when a Goldilocks car shows up, he moves the goalpost and finds faults with it. He initially wanted a BEV, then a PHEV. Once they took away the EV rebates, he said he'd settle for a regular ICE car since he only drives at most 4000km a year. Money is not an issue here, he is extremely indecisive, which is strange because back in the day he used to change cars like he changes socks.


/rant :rukidding::rukidding::rukidding::rukidding:

I am a greedy bitch who likes money... so I am gonna skate that salesmen deal if your dad do decide on a Hyundai!!!

Tell him DARK0821 will get him BEST DEAL lolol...

Unless of course the other sales is a family friend lmao....

[SSM_DC5]

YOU GUANGDONG HOARDER!!!!!
Well being Guangdong, it has to be a GOOD deal, so it probably won't even happen, but hey I gotta try because who doesn't like a good deal?

I am a greedy bitch who likes money... so I am gonna skate that salesmen deal if your dad do decide on a Hyundai!!!

Tell him DARK0821 will get him BEST DEAL lolol...

Unless of course the other sales is a family friend lmao....

RS is a family.... Just a really messed up one. And I we friends too..... Some times even Honda is a friend. :lawl:

[underscore]

- Incoming rant -

<snip>

He sounds a lot like my FIL. Window shopped for ages, spent all this time researching at all sorts of sportier EVs, ho-hummed about minor dislikes with all of them, then he ended up impulse buying a Dodge Ram of all things.

Meanwhile my MIL had endless justifications why she "needed" to get a 3-row Highlander hybrid, absolutely none of which have been relevant in the 4 years she's owned it, instead of just saying she liked the look of it. Which is a valid reason to get something, just be honest about it so we're not all wasting our time trying to help find other models with the same features you "need".

[GS8]

If you hate your in-laws, recommend a BMW X2

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OuRha6jdxZc/maxresdefault.jpg

[Hondaracer]

Macan?

[bcrdukes]

The new Macan is massive!

[Badhobz]

all these cars are massive nowadays. that x1 is the size of a x3 before and the x3 is even bigger than the original x5.

[Klondike]

- Incoming rant -

My dad's X5 finally bit the dust and after 7+ years of window shopping, he now has to find a new SUV.

Some poor salesman managed to lure him out of the house to take a look at an Ioniq 9 in person. He said it's too big, but thinks it will look smaller 'at ground level' because the dealership showed him a brand new one in the basement wash bay.

He's used to driving big SUVs, had an Expedition in the early 00s but now that he's in his 70s, he should not be driving something that big. The Explorer ST is perfect for him since he wants a 3-row, with a sub-6 second 0-60, for ~$80k. He said the Explorer ST is too peasant spec so I said OK fine buy the Lincoln Aviator. It's the ideal car for him: all the bells and whistles, without the Ford badge. Then he starts ho-humming about it because the ioniq 9 is faster 0-60 (cus BEV)...

Now he wants to 'wait and see' if the Ioniq 9 is small enough on street level. He also sat in the Ioniq 5N and said it was 'too geeky'. He also sat in the Santa Fe and said it was the right size. Ultimately I can see him settling for the Santa Fe but I honestly don't care because at this point literally anything is an upgrade.

He refuses to go out and shop in person and insists on shopping by spec-sheets and youtube reviews. He'll be the only person driving the car so it's beyond me why he insists on having a 3-row SUV. He's purely a home-body unless he has a doctors appointment or needs to go to safeway.

He's all talk, doesn't know what he wants and when a Goldilocks car shows up, he moves the goalpost and finds faults with it. He initially wanted a BEV, then a PHEV. Once they took away the EV rebates, he said he'd settle for a regular ICE car since he only drives at most 4000km a year. Money is not an issue here, he is extremely indecisive, which is strange because back in the day he used to change cars like he changes socks.


/rant :rukidding::rukidding::rukidding::rukidding:

Update: Decided on a new '23 Lincoln Aviator Reserve. Was sitting on the dealer lot and had never been registered, hence 'new'. Massaging ventilated seats are fantastic, adjust 69,000,000 different ways. Turning circle is absolutely nuts because of the longitudinal motor. Speaking of the motor, the 3.0TT Ecoboost is damn quick and took me by surprise. Throttle's a bit touchy so I keep it in the eco grandpa mode.

MY25 facelift got rid of all the HVAC buttons, new dash and front end. Having the boomer friendly HVAC switches is nice, but the old Sync infotainment system is dog slow. You can lock/unlock and start the car from your phone and schedule a concierge to come pick up the car for service, similar to Genesis. Overall, my dad's happy with it, I'm happy he got rid of the X5. I'll see if I can coax him out of the house for a road trip. :fuckyea:



https://i.imgur.com/tbGAEHP.jpeg

[JDMDreams]

So is that like a premium Ford explorer

[supafamous]

https://i.imgur.com/tbGAEHP.jpeg

Maybe it's cause I'm an old man but I dig the look of the Aviator and Nautilus both inside and out - it seems like proper American luxury (unlike the equivalent Cadillacs which have Chevy interiors). Haven't driven one but from what I hear I'd like the driving dynamics just fine too.

[dark0821]

I think it looks fire, the styling is on point!

How reliable are these things in the long run? I legit have 0 experience...

[SSM_DC5]

How do people find "new" cars that are years old? Walk into a dealer and ask if they have anything? They keep it listed on their site?

[punkwax]

Typically they’re dealer demo vehicles that managers drive but are never registered as owners so on paper, you’re the original owner.

[RabidRat]

Update: Decided on a new '23 Lincoln Aviator Reserve. Was sitting on the dealer lot and had never been registered, hence 'new'. Massaging ventilated seats are fantastic, adjust 69,000,000 different ways. Turning circle is absolutely nuts because of the longitudinal motor. Speaking of the motor, the 3.0TT Ecoboost is damn quick and took me by surprise. Throttle's a bit touchy so I keep it in the eco grandpa mode.

MY25 facelift got rid of all the HVAC buttons, new dash and front end. Having the boomer friendly HVAC switches is nice, but the old Sync infotainment system is dog slow. You can lock/unlock and start the car from your phone and schedule a concierge to come pick up the car for service, similar to Genesis. Overall, my dad's happy with it, I'm happy he got rid of the X5. I'll see if I can coax him out of the house for a road trip. :fuckyea:



https://i.imgur.com/tbGAEHP.jpeg

Holy shit, that's amazing! Great buy.