After last weekend’s post about my “modern” dream car was roundly mocked in Comments, I’ve decided on my modern dream car — and it’s a 2020 model withal: the Mercedes Benz G550 Geländewagen:
Let’s recap: it was originally a .dotmil truck, the civilian version of which was first released back in 1979, and has continued more or less unchanged ever since — the longest production model in Mercedes Benz’s history. (I know: the 1981 modifications added frilly stuff like automatic transmission and A/C, but that’s all water under the bridge now.) So technically, the G-wagen is a 1980s car/truck which while modified over the years, has never relinquished its true ethos. Try saying that about any other car, I dare ya.
Tech specs for the 2020 model are: a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine which delivers 416 horsepower / 450 ft-lbs torque, outrageous off-road capabilities, and fuel consumption which gives the Greens sleepless nights, largely because… wait for it… it wasn’t designed by some fucking wind tunnel sycophants.
It presses all my buttons: a storied heritage, an unchanged appearance (why change it when you got it right first time?), massive power, virtual indestructibility, and political incorrectness.
And because I’m an Old Phartte (First Class), I love the interior luxury as well:
Finally, it has enough room to carry all the gun gear I’d ever want to:
Yeah I know: the G550 costs over $130 grand (which, considering that the Maserati QP it replaced in my affections costs well over $160 grand, means I’d actually be saving money to spend on a new shotgun). It’s not as roomy inside as, say, a Chevy Tahoe, but I don’t have to schlep teenage kids around anymore — it’s me and New Wife + guns/groceries for 99.99% of the time. And yes, it’s a bit of a hassle to get into because of its high ground clearance — hence the addition of retractable step rails (a 1990s modification).
And no: I’m not interested in the souped-up AMG version because I don’t need the additional power and concomitant stiffer suspension/less comfortable ride. I’ll leave that option to the Kim Kardashians of this world who seem to enjoy jiggling around.
I swear to you all: if I win the stupid lottery in time, I’ll arrive at Boomershoot 2020 in one of these. Just watch me.
Probably the perfect vehicle for you. I would drive one first, though, if they let you. (Before we give you the keys,could we see your last three years of tax returns, please?) I understand that flat windshield is problematic with the fancy interior and reflections.
More power to you though, I can see you behind the wheel. What color though?
As pictured.
Where da moonroof iz?
Don’t get me started on that nonsense.
lol
My wifes 2nd hand 2006 Equinox has one and several times a year I have to climb up on top with the needle nozzle on the shop vac and blow the vent holes out which clog up with tree dust and leak into the cabin. It’s a GM design flaw in that the whole thing sets down in a trough and nowhere for rain to drain off cept down through those internal drain holes. Other than that it seems to be a pretty decent vehicle all the way around. She puts maybe 2000 miles on it per year. But yeah, moon roof, I see no point.
Moon roof/Sun roof; both allow heart to escape straight up, when it would otherwise wash around to inside roof making your head sweat.
I’m not saying it’s a GOOD reason, mind.
Are these things still as reliable as an early 80s MB?
As much or more so.
A friend motored all around East Germany in a G- Wagon in the 80s. Look up Brixmis and the Potsdam agreement to explain the what and why. He was TDY from the Royal Engineers to Military Intelligence and did two tours playing “sneaky peepy” with the Russians. Their G-Wagons had a roof hatch for photography and carried a bunch of camping supplies as they roamed the German countryside for a couple of days at a time. Brixmis personnel usually interacted with the Russians in cordial fashion but were instructed to ignore the East German secret police (Stasi or “narcs” in slang) because the East German government had no legal standing according to the immediate post-war agreements that Brixmis operated under. Friend said that the Mercedes was very good at out running the vile cars driven by the lower level Stasi operators. He watched Stasi agents blow up their engines as they tried to catch the G-Wagon.
I guess you don’t like Corvettes? I don’t know how to drive so all I can say about cars is: Pretty! Are there any American cars you like as much German ones?
At my age, ALL sports cars (including Corvettes) are beyond me, given that I need a crane to get my fat ass out of their seats (8″ off the road, or so it seems). The only reason to get a Corvette is price — it’s dollar for dollar the best “supercar” available anywhere. (And the new 2020 “mid-engine” model looks like a doozy.)
But I don’t like any American cars, period, and certainly none compared to any German car (Porsche, BMW, Merc, Audi or even VW).
American trucks, maybe; but I’d still take a Toyota Tacoma ahead of most of them, in that I don’t have any use for a large truck anyway.
Understand. Hubby has had good luck with Nissan. Our 2001 pickup is still running well.
Kim
I’m on my second Tacoma. THe first lasted 12 years and 235k miles before it was demolished by a deer. IT was an 02 extended cab 5 speed manual with 4WD for mud and snow.
My current is a 09 double cab TRD off road package bought with less than 70k miles now with 135k miles I think. Down side is that its an automatic and they replaced the 4wd stick with a knob and solonoid to go into 4wd. Truck still runs like a champ.
I heard the current 2019+ 3rd generation Tacomas aren’t that great.
The first and second generation tacomas had frame rust rot issues that Toyota replaced my frame on the 02.
My brother in law had two tacomas that each lasted 300k+ miles.
JQ
In the words of Dan Neil: “Taking it off-road is like asking a champion pole vaulter to compete in a black cocktail dress. She might be able to clear the bar but there won’t be much dress left.”
My idea of “off-road” is the parking lot at Cabela’s.
I jest, but only a little. All I ask is that the thing be capable of handling a rough dirt road, a little mud or a short prairie jog without getting stuck or turning over.
Neil adds:
“For lovers of unwieldy paramilitary luxury, the bad news is that the gas-powered G-Wagen is doomed. European emissions rules will kill it, kill it with fire. I give the civilian version four more years. The good news is that none of the G-Wagen’s ass-kicking charms need be lost in the model’s inevitable conversion to electrification.”
All your gun gear? Wouldn’t you require the long wheelbase version for that? 🙂
All the gun gear I’d need for that particular trip… couple rifles OR couple shotguns, etc.
It’s the ammo which takes up space.
A perfect choice…..and now (finally) with IFS.
IFS?
An independent, double-wishbone front suspension in its redesign, there’s still a solid axle in the rear.
I know of a car eek that had one trucked to Mexico. worked for a car parts company and the had used to make parts. used it as a template
One would work for me. Mercedes are good cars
“the Kim Kardashians of this world who seem to enjoy jiggling around.”
You are a VERY Bad Man.
OTOH, She who lives by the jiggle can bloody well deal with being mocked for the jiggle.
I will note, though, that at least none of the K girls are anorexic idiots with no hips and their ribs showing. I see far too goddamned much of that on magazine covers. Including a publication named ‘Shape’ which, in the years I have been noticing, has yet to feature a cover model who HAS one.
Those older Power Wagons look like theyre tough to beat and they were built when trucks were used to go off road and actually for work than the new ones.
A state fair had an old power wagon on display that used for fire fighting in the brush. I think they had it on display to bring attention to their need for newer equipment. That older power wagon lasted decades. I Doubt the new one will last half as log.
JQ
The older (1990s-early 2000s) G500 had a 5-liter V8, which I actually prefer. But the damn thing bounced around as much as a Jeep Wrangler. The newer G-wagens ride a lot better.
By the way, the best thing about the old Power Wagons were their looks. In terms of ride comfort, it was like being towed on a donkey cart on a farm road at 50mph. Worse than a SA Army Bedford, and that was awful.
That “IFS” on the current generation is one of the reasons for that smoother ride, but I agree with your views on the G500, which is why the ideal was always the G630. Since the Grosser Mercedes, there’s been no engine like the 6.3 – just a beast!
IIRC, the Power Wagons were in response to an RFP from Curt LeMay at SAC who needed an all weather four door pickup for SAC ready crews, and the AP’s that patrolled the perimeters of his airfields – many of which, if not most, were located in northern climes.