Think of buying a GL - any owners out there?

[AstonZagato]

I need a vast 4x4 (lots of kids, dogs, do go offroad) to replace an aging Toyota Landcruiser Amazon.

The GL fits the bill. Not exactly pretty (but beautiful compared to the Amazon!) but butch and purposeful. Large (though perhaps a fraction smaller in the boot than the Amazon with all the seats up - a bit of a problem...)

So any views that you can share?

Happy?

Reliable?

[rubystone]

Do you mean the old G class built (IIRC) by Steyr Puch? If so, I can give you a driver's view..but don't want to waste both our time if you're looking for an opinion on the new G class!

[markmullen]

I'm not an owner but ran them quite a lot when I worked at an MB dealer. We tended to run the GL420CDis which are awesomely torquey but not the most economical thing on the roads. They are however well built, handle well at speed and also can take to the rough stuff, they come standard with the off road pro engineering package which is optional on the ML.

If you have any specifics please feel free to email me through my profile.

[rory]

Me and my wife went on a half day runway/off road test drive in the GL420 and the GL500. We did the slalom run, Elk test, etc and some pretty serious off roading. We both thought it was absolutely fantastic and actually felt much smaller than it really is when driving, great direct steering too for an off roader - a massive improvement on our W220 S-class. Overall highly recommended but watch the depreciation particularly on the 500 which is selling nearly new for 15-20k below list.

[AstonZagato]

Thanks for the input.

To be clear, I am refering to the current GL (7 seats, size of a small planet, has its own gravitational field) which is based on a LWB current generation M class chassis.

[jackg]

I'm in the same situation. Hired the Tourag for a week, new V6 diesel. Really good but tiny boot. Test drove Range Rover TDV8 Vogue SE, not that impressed, rolled alot, slow. Test drove GL 420 today. Really impressed, quick, handles well and lot's of toys. Up for sale at £65K with 5k miles , all the toys. Very tempted. Looked at new 4.2 diesel Q7, boot apature too small and no tellys in the back for kids. X5 too small and too Essex. Discovery too slow, Don't do jap!

Any other ideas?

[AstonZagato]

I think you have covered the bases.

I know that you said that you don't do Jap but... The current car we have in the role is a Toyota Landcruiser Amazon. The thing is slightly larger than the average aircraft carrier and is simply indestructible. Sadly, whilst it is built like a tank, it drives (IMHO) a bit like one too. However, my wife LOVES it (it is her car) and wants another one to the extent that I can dangle all kind of lovely things under her nose and she refuses. It is the only car I have ever owned where I get unsolicited offers to buy the car - such is its great reputation. It is worth a look. Only other downside is that it is the oldest Toyota design and there are rumours of a newer model in the next year or two (badged a Lexus).

I have a Range Rover 4.2 S/C Vogue SE. If you don't need the seven seats (we do in one of our cars - hence the Amazon) and don't give a shit about the fuel it guzzles, it is the car to go for IMHO.