Sold the Golf, what next???

[DDX]

Firstly, how you all doing guys? Haven't been on here for a while - it hurts to see all of you BM's and makes me wander what mine would look like now if I still had it and EvoTechnik were around.

Congrats on a good nite @ HIN too!

I'll warn you now, this is a long post, but i'll appreciate your comments.

I sold my Golf on Friday and it was hard letting her go. It was a nice little project and I achieved the OEM/Modified look I was aiming for. Pictures can be found here (http://www.mye46.com/golfgallery.htm).

I'm trying to consider my next car now and wanted some opinions on what will probably be my final choice. The Nissan Murano.

At first I hated it everytime I saw it in the states whilst wishing to own an Infiniti FX45 but I've grown to love the Murano and set my eyes on it when I heard it was coming to the UK.

I need a car with big boot space which boils it down to a SUV or an estate and an estate really isn't 'me'

Next criteria is the budget - around £30k with a decent spec - this knocks the X5, ML, Cayenne, RX300 and Touareg out of the equation leaving The X3, Freelander, The Murano and Some Kia's and Ssangyongs.

It basically comes down to the X3 vs the Murano. I like the look of the X3 and i'm sure it drives well too, but you're basicall paying for the badge and its no challenge in terms of size and value for money with the Murano.

I've never been a fan of Japanese cars but I drove the Murano and its great and comes fully specced for £30k - DVD navigation, reversing camera, leather, xenons, sunroof, heated electrics - basically what i'd spec on any other car.

I guess it sounds like i've made up my mind already, but i'd appreciate comments on the Murano or any other alternatives that will fit my criteria.

Whatever I decide on, I hope to join the EvoTechnik crew. I'm hoping for my Murano to look a bit like this when i'm done with it (basically jus some 22's and side bars:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/4/web/616000-616999/616735_2_full.jpg

[BigFas]

DANNY, where the hell you been bro :) Good to have you back, now STAY here!!

Do you want new or used? I was looking for a car recently and the ONE car that blew me away was the Lexus RX300. About £35k decent spec brand new, a 6month - 1year example will be in your budget. DVD sat nav, reverse camera, leather, auto bootlid, auto tranny as standard, 3.0 V6, HUGE space, VERY driveable and extremely solid build quality.

Don't know anything about the Murano, but what I CAN tell you is ignore the badge snobs. If it fits your criteria AND you like it, that's the only thing that matters. The problem with posting a question like yours on a public forum is that you get 5000 opinions, each one different. Some say good, some say bad, some say "but it's a Nissan". You're the one paying for it, you're the one that needs to be happy.

It looks like it's got a lot of potential, but PLEASE, no chrome :)

Good luck on your choice, but like I said, make sure you stick around. You've missed a lot of meets dude :)

[DDX]

Fas, thanks for the response, I had a feeling you would be the first to reply. I'll definately try to make the next meet, i've still got the SL to cruise around in at the moment!

I love the RX300 and i've driven one too. The Murano is basically the same car, drivewise and spec wise but cheaper. Its also got a 3.5 V6. The only thing i'm worried about with the Murano is residuals compared to the Lexus.

So Fas, you're not into chromes, I was thinking of putting some 17" spinners on it - just playing :D

I quite like chrome wheels if they're on the right car and they're not the cheap tacky ones that you find in Halfords.

[av_guy]

Danny,
It's been a long time buddy... good to have you back in the forums (albeit, a different one).

Sold Golf! Looking for an SUV! Sounds like a good thing - big boot hey? I won't ask why?!

[peppernick]

Hey Danny, nice to have you back! ;) ;) Remember back then when we met briefly at the Hendon junction, things have moved on a bit since [cool

Yep, get the car you like. I'm sure you've researched hard into the options. Never a fan of space age SUV myself but if I wanted an SUV I would have gone for a used X5, the 4.4i around the £35k mark.

There was a Murano at HIN with massive ICE. Interior looks ACE though. It'll be great to have more variety in EvoTechnik. I was thinking to myself at HIN, we need a classy Merc! ;)

[DDX]

Vik, how you doin mate! You're dirty mate! Need a big boot for work reasons :D

Nick, i've said it before and i'll say it again - I wish EvoT were around when a had the E46! I've got the SL whenever I want it so will definately bring it to a meet - though its completely standard (bar some AMG tail lights)

The X5 is my alltime favourite SUV but is way over my budget and I wanna buy new/nearly new.

Gonna get searching for pics of the Murano @ HIN now...

[DannyBoy]

Forget the X3, housewives choice.

Nissan 4x4 thing is an absoulte stunna. Looks superb, so aggresive. Resembles a 350 which can be a bad thing, and the amount of exclusivity! [cool

Saw one dive through my local village, the number of heads turning to see it go by........ [hiya :eek:

[Afif]

the nissans definately got my vote over the X3 dude. Im biased towards bmw usually but the x3 is a dodgy lookin thing compared to the murano [thumbsdow.

[kris d]

Like Fas said, I'd go for the Lexus RX300.
My cousin's got one and they come with sooooooooo many standard options. Reverse camera's my favourite! They're solid and the engine silky smooth, whilst still getting to 60mph in about 8.9seconds.
Lexus is also a decent badge!

[Har5ha]

Have to say..drove an x3 recently..and its actually a really nice drive. Drove the 2.5 l...am sure the 3.0 is nicer...interior is nice..but exterior has a bit to be desired...but hey..thats what modding is all about..would look nice with some mean bumpers on it!

Haven't actually looked at a murano in great detail..so not going to say much about it..just thought i would share my opinion on the x3.

Good luck making the decision though..its tough!!

[Ali]

DDX!

How u doing bro??? I remember when you first picked up your Golf at the meet at ACE cafe...

Welcome to EvoT!

[DDX]

Thanks for all the comments guys.

The Lexus is still outta the question - in my eyes its the Nissan with a better badge (and probably better residuals)

Gonna test drive the Touareg tomorrow as they've released an SE trim which includes SatNav, CD Changer and Leather and it fits around my budget.

Will keep you posted...

[KELKIN]

Like the x5, any thought's on this- http://www.volvocars.co.uk/Showroom/XC90/