My 2007 SRX4 N* is our first vehicle with AWD and our first SUV/Crossover. In retrospect, if I had it to do all over again THIS IS the vehicle I would buy without blinking an eye.
My wife and I wanted a vehicle with more room (seating and luggage) but did not want to give up a passenger vehicle ride, comfort, creature features, and fun factor. The SRX has fulfilled every functional requirement as well as every want. The SRX is our daily driver. We drive about 20,000 miles a year, haul dogs and grandchildren, go camping, take 2,500 mile road trips, and have to contend with the New England Winters. The EPA fuel economy was rated by the major automotive magazines as about average for the 2007 luxury crossover marketplace, and not shabby for a 4,450 pound vehicle. And at the SRX's price point when new, what V8 crossover in it's market segment and price range was quicker or had a higher top end? NONE!
I appreciate Rep's and Oranda's straight talk about their disappointing experiences which have been eye-opening and expensive. Their experiences would give any rational person serious pause before buying an SRX. Their posts have been educational and informative. If I were them, I would have given up and moved on to another vehicle......because each of them bought pre-owned vehicles that, once owned, revealed boatloads of problems carried over from the previous owner(s). Granted, Rep's V6 issues are shared with some on this forum who bought their V6 vehicles new. Oranda's SRX-N* has displayed corrosion issues I have never seen in a vehicle that young and gremlins few on the forum have experienced to his degree.
Then why would I buy another GenI SRX or advise the OP to buy the one he is looking at?
Because I think the risk of getting into dilemmas like Rep or Oranda, to their level, is statistically small. And the opportunity to get the comfort, functionality, pleasure, and fun factor I have gotten in my first SRX is the most likely scenario.
The OP asked an opinion on a 2006 90,000 mile SRX for $9,000. I think it is a reasonable risk. Any 7 year old pre-owned vehicle with 90,000 miles will come with it's drawbacks or pipeline items. And the OP should plan for the expenses accordingly.......they go with the territory, whether one has owned the SRX from new or purchased pre-owned.
There were roughly 100,000 GenI SRXs sold between model years 2004-2009. You folks who own an SRX and have been reading here for a couple of years can be the judge of the risks buying a pre-owned GenI. But remember........automotive forums have a tendency to bring out those with problems looking for help, not necessarily those with no issues or few issues.
PJ