SUV Shopping

Kind of off topic, sorry. My wife and I are shopping for a new luxury SUV. New to us. We have been looking at the BMW X5, Mercedes ML500, Lincoln Navigator and now the Escalade. We are trying to keep the price below $15K so we are looking around 2000-2005. Any recommendations? My wife really likes the Mercedes. I like the bigger ones like the Escalade or Navigator. Does anyone have any of these and have an experience to share? TIA

7Laws, if I were you I would that a look at a certified used BMW X5. When you buy a certified used BMW from a BMW dealer you will get 5-6 year or 100,000 mile warrenty and factory scheduled maintance included. The Benz will cost you an arm and a leg to service, and the American made SUV's may not be that dependable. What ever you do make sure it has 4 wheel or all wheel drive!

Thanks for the opinions! Mr Mouse, we looked at the X5 and my wife doesn't like the style of them. We are starting to have fun with this. With this economy there are many cars out there that are good deals.

Thanks mrmouse. We may buy a BMW sedan after the SUV. When did you buy? It is crazy out there. I keep seeing lower and lower prices. I actually had someone tell me they have to sell due to being laid off and are desperate. I have a feeling I will hear more of that. I found a very nice 2003 Navigator $12,800, very nice 2003 Escalade $12,900 etc.. These are still in great condition and running perfectly. I might even get one for under $10K. I had no idea that these prices would be so low.

I have been telling my wife and my family for almost 2 years that soon cash will be king. Credit will be almost worthless. The old saying money talks is starting to ring very true. I agree prices are going to keep dropping. We are at the beginning of the double dip in the economy. I pray that we only have a double and not a triple. I do believe it will be a double dip down and this time the truth is going to come out. There are homeless and hungry people on every major street corner in my hometown now and this is not a major city. I have never seen anything like it.