re: Costs of SUVs

I think the Toyota is the best option out of those 3. I've been less hard on Jeep Grand Cherokees as late since they do look great and supposedly don't have as bad of a reputation. But I've heard of a lot of issues from previous owners that makes me stay away. I almost pulled the trigger on a 4runner (leather interior, decently equipped for lower 30's after all deals were included), but they had a really nice used Tahoe with very low mileage sitting right next to in on their used lot. I was very partial to Chevy at the time and pulled the trigger on that. To be honest, I'm not extremely happy with the Tahoe. I will not be spending more than 35k on a vehicle that is not a "luxury" brand again. I just think these SUV prices are outrageous for plastic, crappy interiors that hold up for 2 years and start rattling their arse off afterwards.

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I will not be spending more than 35k on a vehicle that is not a "luxury" brand again. I just think these SUV prices are outrageous for plastic, crappy interiors

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Couldn't agree more. We found several late model used SUV's in the $20-$25K range when we were looking. That's about the ceiling on what I'm willing to spend on a vehicle. Granted most of them were maybe less desirable models(Edge, Maxda CX-7, etc.) or high mileage 4Runner, Pilots, Highlanders, etc. The market on Edges was flooded at the time, so we got a great deal on one. But like you said, some of the interior components are showing their age already and it's a 2011 model.

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Mini-van.

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No.

Final question would be would stepping up to a Lexus be a wise choice vs. the Toyota 4Runner?

Think a decked out 4Runner is about 42k vs. a Lexus NX (even the Hybrid) is comparable at around 42k.

I would also consider the Mazda CX-9. A coworker has one and I love the drive of them. If you are willing to pay for the lexus, I would also consider the Acura MDX.

RX would be fine, but you're going to be in a base model at that price (still has a lot of good features though). But they're very good and would likely be a good compromise for you. Very smooth ride, bigger than the NX, great reliability.

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Subaru Outback

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Love mine. Will probably always drive one. Not good if you have more than 2 kids though. It does feel kind of cramped if I'm driving it with the wife and 2 kids along for the ride.

If you are just looking for a minivan alternative, I think you are heading down the wrong path. The crossovers seem more suited for a growing family that doesn't tow much or haul much or go offroad. They are more versatile as a family mover.

I would go for the Honda Pilot, Acura MDX, Infiniti QX60, Toyota Highlander, or Santa Fe. Maybe Explorer with the ecoboost as I love that engine, but never ridden in an explorer.

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I really like the Tribeca, but they are pretty much nonexistent on the used market here in Alabama.

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They never sold anywhere. My own opinion is that even though the Tribeca was bigger than the Outback, until very recently nobody was buying any Subaru because they wanted something 'big'.

Then Outback and Forester got bigger, and there wasn't any real differentiation for the Tribeca except a couple of kid-size seats in the back instead of cargo area, so still no sales.

Now with Outback being a nice-sized wagon and Forester morphing into a medium-sized SUV, and people loving both, maybe there's room in the model line for a bigger one again.

Since they build Outback and Legacy (and used to build the Tribeca) here in the other Lafayette, we see the quarterly sales reports in the newspaper, and Tribeca numbers were always really really sad.

Honda pilots are very nice and hold there value well. MDX is a more expensive version of a pilot IMO.I have had both and would get the pilot overtime. More car for less money. Otherwise in your list the Yota.