Once you own one you will be. I have had Hondas, Acuras, Mazdas...nothing has compared to my Audi. Granted a tad more expensive to service...but worth it in my eyes.

 

Looks / styling don't do anything for me and I know a number of folks who own and have owned A4s / A6s / A8s and have had nothing but problems........

 

You made a decision yet Flip?

We use a lot of Ford Explorers at work and they don't seem to have any issues. Several of them get 30k - 40k miles a year without any issues. They're a bit bland, but they get the job done. They're all in fleet trim, so no real infotainment to speak of. Cloth seats, all wheel drive, etc.

Crawled around a Highlander at the auto show. They do seem a bit boring, but Toyota's reliability on their mainstream products is solid. It seemed like it would handle kids well too, everything seemed solidly put together.

And I don't really buy that the second kid necessitates an SUV. I'm not saying that you personally don't need one, just that a family can get by with a 2 kids and a car. The dog, and all the other stuff you carry around is what makes it a necessity. Hell, when I was a kid Dad rode a motorcycle and Mom had a Mercury Bobcat (yes, a Pinto with a Mercury badge) and the 4 of us were fine. Well, except when Mom got it stuck about every other week on the dirt road going back to our property. When my younger sister came along, Dad traded the bike for a Dodge Ares wagon and he found a 2 door Plymouth Reliant for mom. The front wheel drive really helped on the sand roads.

 

I've never been a huge fan of Audi but the A6 and A8 are my favorite models of their respective segments.

As for the Q7, I've driven it a few times and it is nice. But, I've never been tempted to get the Q7 over the MDX. (Honestly, if it wasn't for my wife's insatiable desire for a third row, I would opt for an X5 and call it a day.)

 

Yea. We've decided to get a 2G MDX. Reason for the SUV is because we need something with more room. We can't fit 2 Recaro's and a dog crate in the back seat of the Accord. Plus having a Recaro behind the drivers seat makes for an uncomfortable ride for me. (At least right now because it's rear facing until my son is old enough to go forward facing)

Also, the trunk space in the Accord (didn't really look into this when buying it) is sort of shallow. I guess you can call the trunk I can fit the stroller and maybe two bags that's about it. We end up taking the stroller out everytime we go to the mall or grocery shopping.

 

Nice man, I think the 2nd Gen MDX is a great choice. We were originally looking for a 3rd row SUV when we first started looking, but nothing jumped out at us as much as the Rav4 Sport V6. They have an optional 3rd row which is really just two foldable jumper seats but its super rare to find one. The MDX should be entertaining to drive while giving you guys the space you need especially now that you have baby #2 on the way.

 

Sooooooo the Durango might be back on the list (my wife is starting to like it). the more she see's it. My wife and I are weighing the outcome of becoming a 1 car family. Since she will be staying at home it will cut down on costs. Insurance, maintnance, gas etc. Currently I take the bus to work and the stop is around the corner from my house. We are always together too; grocery shopping, doing errands, all the fun stuff. Even if I go somewhere by myself it's only for about an hour and it's usually when my son and wife are taking an afternoon nap on the weekend. I will keep you guys updated.

 

FWIW, here's a maintenance perspective. I do all my own maintenance: routine and major -- and I'm stupid enough to still own and love VWs and Audis.

My wife's 2007 RDX is the most reliable, trouble-free car we have ever owned. I regularly change all fluids and at 150k miles, nothing rattles and nothing leaks. It's the easiest vehicle to work on I have ever seen. I replaced the struts, dampers and control arms at 125k and it feels brand-new.

It sounds like your wife favors Hondas, and if maintenance/reliability is important, along with sportiness, I vote for the MDX.



one caveat: timings belts are critical and expensive if you don't DIY.