Planet 9

**HassaanAbdeen** · #1 06-19-2009, 12:24 AM

Ok, I am not an SUV person and generally speaking I never liked any! But yesterday my company's general director gave instructions to all project managers in the construction fields to replace their company cars with SUVs.

For me that would be the first time that I'll go shopping for something I don't like.

Of course, the first thing that came to my mind was to buy a Porsche Cayenne but since there is no Porsche dealer within 100 mile from here I cannot buy one as per the company policy.

Same applies to Range Rover and Land Rovers!

There is absolutely no budget set for the SUV, I can choose any. Fuel, maintenance, insurance... etc. are all covered by the company. But I need to choose wisely within the following criteria:
1. An SUV that can last five years in good shape before I get to replace it.
2. An SUV that will endure 30,000 mile per year; 5,000 mile of which on unpaved roads.
3. An SUV that is not an American car... sorry it is a matter of taste!
4. An SUV that would look nice with my CS in my garage.

I find that the Land Cruiser is the best one that can meet all the above except that I hate its looks

Any suggestions... please?

acg · #2 06-19-2009, 12:42 AM

As I was reading your post, the Land Cruiser came to mind, but your last line ruined it

If you can get past the looks, it is one hell of an SUV. I'd look no further, really.

**HassaanAbdeen** · #3 06-19-2009, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by acg

If you can get past the looks, it is one hell of an SUV. I'd look no further, really.

I agree with you, actually it is the best selling SUV in the Middle East for years... and maybe that's what making me hate it; it's just to common here! But to be honest, I am afraid that I'd end up with that choice. But before crossing that bridge I want to make sure I missed no other

from a Jordanian who loves Greece and its mythologies !

**K-Man S** · #4 06-19-2009, 05:38 AM

How about a Jeep Wrangler?

Fiat owns Chrysler so that should make it an Italian Jeep now right?

Schwabe · #5 06-19-2009, 06:33 AM

Why not a Cayenne? Check the episode on Top Gear where they show the Hummer off with a Cayenne.

**KS-CS** · #6 06-19-2009, 06:48 AM

If you're looking for something a little more rugged, the Nissan Xterra is pretty nice for a mid-sized SUV.

**klamer** · #7 06-19-2009, 06:51 AM

Mercedes G class?

**HassaanAbdeen** · #8 06-19-2009, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by K-Man S

How about a Jeep Wrangler?

Fiat owns Chrysler so that should make it an Italian Jeep now right?

And "Italians Do It Better" as quoted from Madonna's T-shirt in Papa Don't Preach

I can't agree with your taste more, I said to my friends here that if it is for me I would go for a red Wrangler because I find it the most appealing of all SUVs. The only problem is that there is no Chrysler/Jeep dealer within 100 miles from where I got recently relocated for my new project.

On a side note:
1. Do you think it can endure 30,000 mile per year?
2. Is it comfortable for long daily drives?

beez · #9 06-19-2009, 12:26 PM

VW Touareg - Tough (they race them in the trans-Siberia, etc.), sophisticated (built on the same chassis as the Cayenne), well engineered, and compared to the Cayenne, reasonably priced.

brad

greycroc · #10 06-19-2009, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by beez

VW Touareg - Tough (they race them in the trans-Siberia, etc.), sophisticated (built on the same chassis as the Cayenne), well engineered, and compared to the Cayenne, reasonably priced.

brad

Touareg ... Wasn't it design along with the Cayenne. Also What about the AUDI Q7

intubator · #11 06-19-2009, 04:05 PM

I would pick the Cayenne GTS loaded with a six speed manual of course!

gmsracing · #12 06-19-2009, 04:19 PM

I guess the real question is:
What dealers are located within 100 miles?

**K-Man S** · #13 06-19-2009, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by hassaanabdeen

And "Italians Do It Better" as quoted from Madonna's T-shirt in Papa Don't Preach

I can't agree with your taste more, I said to my friends here that if it is for me I would go for a red Wrangler because I find it the most appealing of all SUVs. The only problem is that there is no Chrysler/Jeep dealer within 100 miles from where I got recently relocated for my new project.

On a side note:
1. Do you think it can endure 30,000 mile per year?
2. Is it comfortable for long daily drives?

Yes and Yes, but where the heck are you that there isn't a Chrysler dealer within 100 miles? What dealerships ARE within 100 miles???

**HassaanAbdeen** · #14 06-19-2009, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by Schwabe

Why not a Cayenne? Check the episode on Top Gear where they show the Hummer off with a Cayenne.

Don't you think I'd love to go for another Porsche? But the closest Porsche dealer is 400 miles from here... I can't sell that to my employer

**HassaanAbdeen** · #15 06-19-2009, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by KS-CS

If you're looking for something a little more rugged, the Nissan Xterra is pretty nice for a mid-sized SUV.

I am looking into that right now, thank you for the suggestion! The looks are not that bad but I am not sure how comfortable and enduring is it. Definitly I will pay Nissan a visit as it is Toyota's rival here.

Originally Posted by klamer

Mercedes G class?

No... a big no for the G Class but I am looking into the GL, GLK & M classes.

Originally Posted by beez

VW Touareg - Tough (they race them in the trans-Siberia, etc.), sophisticated (built on the same chassis as the Cayenne), well engineered, and compared to the Cayenne, reasonably priced.brad

Ok, now you got everyone to hate me! To be honest, I don't like the looks of the Cayenne... but I admire its power! And of course it has class! The Toureq to me (sorry) has none.

Originally Posted by greycroc

What about the AUDI Q7

I'd love that... the looks are fine but the car demands respect. Thank you for the suggestion! But if I will ask my company to pay that much for an SUV I'd rather do so on a Porsche or Mercedes.

Originally Posted by intubator

I would pick the Cayenne GTS loaded with a six speed manual of course!

After I finish this project in three years time I will be relocated inshallah back to our main offices in one of the main cities in KSA. If all goes as planned, I promise you along with myself that my next SUV shall be a Cayenne. Hoping by then the new generation will be better looking than this one.

Originally Posted by gmsracing

I guess the real question is:
What dealers are located within 100 miles?

My project is in a small remote town. They ahve here almost all American, Japanese and Korean car dealers along with Mercedes and BMW.

Thank you all for your big help, suggestions and time.

DrKareem · #16 06-20-2009, 12:14 AM

BMW X6 Twin turbo V8

**HassaanAbdeen** · #17 06-20-2009, 12:24 AM

Originally Posted by DrKareem

BMW X6 Twin turbo V8

Ok, somebody had to put fire on petrol here

This "thing" I cannot imagine why it was manufactured in the 1st place! It is the ugliest thing ever walked on earth. I won't pay for it a single Riyal.

Sorry Doc but you completely lost me here.. and I thought you had style!

**HassaanAbdeen** · #18 06-20-2009, 02:59 AM

Ok, this could be coming out of the blue.

I just came back from the dealer for Hummer. Is there anybody here who has H3? Any complaints? Problems? Suggestions?

I did not test drive it yet, I'll do so laterthis week as they had none in the showroom.

The only negative things I could think of about the H3, is that it could be a little bit out of style lately... and it may be face-lifted soon, not sure though.

After paying visits to different dealers in the area I am sure now that the Land Cruiser is an absolute big NO to me, along with all of Toyota's, Mitsubishi's and Nissan's SUVs.

In a way - for now - things are narrawing down between the Wrangler (that I need to sell the idea of no dealer in the area to my company) and the H3.

visitador · #19 06-20-2009, 05:59 AM

Ah! Hummer, a future Chinese car. A friend of mine had a H3 and was not happy with it because of various defects. He traded it for...a Toyota 4Runner. Interestingly, a relative had a Chevy Suburban (the basis for the Hummer) and that thing lasted forever.

You mentioned the X6. How about the X5? I love the shape of it.

Schwabe · #20 06-20-2009, 08:12 AM

Hummer was/is being sold no face lift likely. Isn't the H3 only a 5-cylinder?