Car Talk Topic

[t0grul]

I was thinking about it. Cost for shipping, cost for country registration, cost for insurance, cost for plate ect... Car would be damaged then repaired. So I give up. But hey this was just a plan.

[*MURDOC*]

Plus you would have to take someones word that the car was in good shape to begin with.

 

Just too much to go wrong.

[Outcast]

I'm thinking about getting a used G Wagen (price range would be in the $50,000 mark) and so far the used ones I've seen are '06 with low mileage (~45,000 miles). I sort of just want to buy it in the states and have it shipped over. Drive it a bit for a couple months then get rid of it. For me to recoup most of the costs, it would have to pretty similar to the current model. What changes would I have to make to a '05-'06 G to make it aesthetically similar to the current model?

[Lurch]

I don't really see the point of those. Hardcore off road vehicles that are too nice and expensive to actually take off road and instead are good for nothing but pretending you have street cred. It's like the german Hummer. I think Range Rover recognized this and at least switched to independent suspension so it would be comfier for its 100% road usage.

[Outcast]

I'm not here to debate what it's good for and what it isn't. I just want to play with it a little but still not lose too much cash on it when I get rid of it. I've tested one at the local merc dealership and the rear legroom is just pitiful but I think it looks good and I'd like to have one.

[Lurch]

So, like, I take it you're not going to wheel it, just like every other G-Wagen owner out there?

[Outcast]

I'm not quite sure I know what you mean. Care to explain?

[epoxi]

Pre-2009 Grill (/grille?)

 

2009 Grill

 

There are also new LED tail-lights on post-2009 models. The wagon is going to have a complete overhaul for the 2013 model though according to Wikipedia, most of which will obviously be on the interior, but for the AMG version there will be a new front bumper, grill and LED daytime running lights.

Edited July 22, 2012 by epoxi

[Outcast]

thanks epoxi!

 

lurch, i'm still confused as to what you mean by "wheel it". it's not an expression i'm familiar with i'm afraid.

[epoxi]

I think Lurch means offroading it. Even if its on-road performance is not as good as a Range Rover, I would still choose the G-Wagon because of the slow depreciation, timeless looks and the exclusivity (you see Range Rovers everywhere, but I can count the G-Wagons I have seen on my fingers).

[Outcast]

AH! I see, then no. I don't plan on off-roading it at all. I'd probably be your typical G Wagen owner.

[Lurch]

I couldn't even find pics of any being wheeled. This was literally the most extreme pic I could find and it's more or less a gravel road. I've driven the BMW up harder things than that.

 

At least a good few Hummer H1 owners out there wheel their super expensive machines.

 

And any serious ones usually have unimog portal axles swapped in.

 

 

Stock, the body cladding really seems to hang low compared to a Jeep Wrangler or a Hummer H1 or even a Land Rover Defender. It's a decent starting platform (body on frame construction, solid axles F&R, and selectable lockers F&R), but they do seem to have horrible breakover angle and the 20" wheels mean a super stiff sidewall that wont' really work good at all. The older ones seem a little more impressive in that regard.

[Outcast]

I'm sorry to disappoint you Lurch my friend, but that is definitely not what I have in mind if I get a G Wagen.

 

That sorta thing just doesn't float my specific type of boat.

[Lurch]

I'm telling you man, a bunch of frumpy little asians crammed into a G-wagon cruising for chicks sounds like the least cool thing ever. I hope it nets you some poon but I still think it will look funny as hell to the standard observer.

[Outcast]

no need to cruise for chicks, just want to have owned a G wagen at some point in my life. A friend of mine has an armoured G wagen in N. Africa and that is sick as f*ck!

[Burbalade]

no need to cruise for chicks, just want to have owned a G wagen at some point in my life. A friend of mine has an armoured G wagen in N. Africa and that is sick as f*ck!

Well if that's all you want out of it, then why not buy one a bit older and wheel it? (Or knowing you, order a brand new one and wheel it?)

If you don't like it, sell it. Goal accomplished, nothing lost.

If you do like it, then you've accomplished your goal, picked up a new hobby, and already have a great 4x4 to start with.

[Outcast]

You make a good point leik but if you see it from my POV, why would I go through all the trouble of locating a relatively well looked after G Wagen in the US and ship it over just to wheel it? If it were my ultimate goal to create a badass wheel(ing?) machine, I can easily find a cheap wheel(able?) vehicle here. I just want to get a used G for a decent price and just make some changes to make it look more like the current gen G so I can sell it off at a good price later on (and maybe even turn a small profit if I'm lucky). This brings me to my next question, is autotrader a reputable place to get a good deal? Where do you guys get your cars from?

[Burbalade]

 

You make a good point leik but if you see it from my POV, why would I go through all the trouble of locating a relatively well looked after G Wagen in the US and ship it over just to wheel it? If it were my ultimate goal to create a badass wheel(ing?) machine, I can easily find a cheap wheel(able?) vehicle here. I just want to get a used G for a decent price and just make some changes to make it look more like the current gen G so I can sell it off at a good price later on (and maybe even turn a small profit if I'm lucky). This brings me to my next question, is autotrader a reputable place to get a good deal? Where do you guys get your cars from?

Because chances are you'll enjoy it so much you'll never want to sell it.

And you get to own a G Wagon. Two birds with one stone.

Edited July 23, 2012 by Burbalade

[Lurch]

Where do you guys get your cars from?

junkyards. Seriously, I scooped the E28 off of death row from pullapart.

 

I bought the ranger from my best friend that has more cars than outcest.

 

 

And you know what? Both of them are infinitely more cool than a G class. You know why? Because they're both being used for their intended f*cking purpose. A hard core military off road vehicle tarted up with luxo bits and rapper-sized wheels that's good for nothing but going to starbucks is p f*cking lame.

 

Also, get a G55 or G63 if you do get one. At least they'll get to starbucks quickly. Though facelifting an AMG would probably devalue it.

[Outcast]

Thanks for that Lurch, I can sense your disapproval but we're all entitled to our own opinions and preferences eh?

 

I was actually looking at a G500, not sure I'd go AMG as they're not as easy to get rid of over here. Apart from the junkyard, are there any reputable online marketplaces for used cars I could look at other than autotrader?

[Burbalade]

Apart from the junkyard, are there any reputable online marketplaces for used cars I could look at other than autotrader?

Junk yards, Craigslist, ebay.

[Lurch]

I'd say the majority of average joe Americans buy local off of craigslist. Ebay is usually more for specialty cars when you don't mind travelling as much. There's a few others, but Craigslist seems to be the most popular here, by far.

[Mr.Mister]

I'll have my probationary license next summer which means I'll be 20 and can drive alone. I'm taking a defense driving course next month as a means to lower my insurance and be a better driver.

 

My dad is offering me his 09 corolla as a shared ride (in 2 years time) in which he will pay for half the insurance every month.

 

Or I can be a rebel and just buy my own car next summer.

 

I have $12,000 saved right now for a car. I was looking at the Scion FR-S, with my adjustments it came to $26,505 (72 payments of $430 with no down). I drove it last night and I really liked the feel and quality of it.

 

Do you guys think this will be too much of a financial burden? If so, what vehicle would you reccommend? I want something nice that will last for a long time, not some damn Honda with 150000km on it

 

[Lurch]

For 12k, I would buy something a lot better than an FR-S and not have a car payment.

[epoxi]

In any situation I would avoid the option involving a personal loan, especially for a young person's first car which is statistically more likely to be written off.

 

You will enjoy that FR-S just as much in a few years time when it has depreciated and you are a more experienced driver.

[Lurch]

And being that the FR-S and BRZ are just launching and still enjoying their initial wave of fanfare, there is no way you would get any dealer incentives on them, and could possibly see quite a bit of dealer markup. Possibly into 370Z territory (which I'd call a better, faster car).

 

With $12k, you could literally buy any number of nice cars and not have a car payment. Seriously, the amount of cool sh*t that has fallen into that price range is staggering.

[mr quick]

12 thousand? Whoa, could get a SAAB 9-3 convertible for it!

(At least I would! )

 

Any hoo, for a guy with no car for a year and a half like me, is a 1000 dollar Nissan laurel any good?

[visionist]

Um, so is this thing legit?

 

 

Supposedly it's some kind of Toronado...

[Sup3rman]

Looks like an Toronado with Eldorado bits on it, plus some self fabricating. Looks cool actually.

[chris]

I have a feeling this advice will be completely ignored but ffs don't buy a brand new car, get something cool, manual and sorta old cause you will probably crash it. My cousins quite personally rich despite being 18 and bought himself a brand new Audi A3, he's crashed it twice in a month so far, luckily just a dent and a scratch.