Any concerns about a new 2021 G 550?
#1
Any concerns about a new 2021 G 550?
Have kind of a bug that has me considering a new (2021) G 550.
My only M-B experience to date is my 2020 Metris Cargo van which I really like. Spartan as all get out but still a fine vehicle. And the M-B dealer service has been superb. (Oh, Bentonville AR dealer.)
Have done some research and nothing scary has turned up. But if anyone has anything good or bad to share about the current G 550 would appreciate it.
My only M-B experience to date is my 2020 Metris Cargo van which I really like. Spartan as all get out but still a fine vehicle. And the M-B dealer service has been superb. (Oh, Bentonville AR dealer.)
Have done some research and nothing scary has turned up. But if anyone has anything good or bad to share about the current G 550 would appreciate it.
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figgie (05-28-2022)
#2
The new gen (2019-current) G-Wagons are very reliable. A little thirsty but so are most large premium SUV's. Also, it looks like the 2022 will have an MSRP price increase so getting a new 2021 could save you some money. Scratch the itch !
Last edited by SixPointThree; 05-28-2022 at 12:20 PM.
#3
Very tempting. Something probably important I left out is the several examples I'm most interested in are over 1200 miles away. Not really interested in flying there and buying (assuming the dealer and I could reach a mutually agreeable price) then driving the new vehicle home.
Also, I don't want to get all tangled up in possibly having to pay sales tax on the purchase there then face sales tax when I bring the vehicle home. There is a trade in involved too. So long distance purchase is really not practical. So how to get the vehicle I decided upon from there to here is an issue. 'course, I will talk to the local dealer Tuesday to see what can be arranged.
Also, hate to mention this as sometimes it gets some riled up but while I see no additional dealer markup that's not "good enough". Wondering what kind of further discount there might be available? I mention this because there are a number of 2021s available. They are not exactly flying off the show room floor.
#4
If you buy a car out of state they should charge you sales tax for your home state. You won't have to pay sales tax twice. It can get messy with a trade in because some states allow for savings on sales tax and some don't.
I don't mean to be snarky and certainly not riled up but that last paragraph doesn't even deserve a serious reply.
I don't mean to be snarky and certainly not riled up but that last paragraph doesn't even deserve a serious reply.
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BenjaminKohl (05-29-2022)
#5
If you buy a car out of state they should charge you sales tax for your home state. You won't have to pay sales tax twice. It can get messy with a trade in because some states allow for savings on sales tax and some don't.
I don't mean to be snarky and certainly not riled up but that last paragraph doesn't even deserve a serious reply.
I don't mean to be snarky and certainly not riled up but that last paragraph doesn't even deserve a serious reply.
#6
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2021
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From: Ohio
'16 C450, '21 Dad Wagon Pilot, '22 Wrangler 4xe
I knew that last paragraph would rub some the wrong way. It is ok. I have done some research and believe I have an idea of what the market is for these vehicles and thus can arrive at an offer that doesn't involve me handing over a blank check and letting the dealer fill in the amount.
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mercedesmax (05-28-2022)
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#9
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Joined: Apr 2019
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From: Scottsdale AZ
2015 CLS 550 2015 ML 400 Previous 2020 GLB 250 2019 A 220 2005 ML 350 1989 300 E 2001 SL 500
I knew that last paragraph would rub some the wrong way. It is ok. I have done some research and believe I have an idea of what the market is for these vehicles and thus can arrive at an offer that doesn't involve me handing over a blank check and letting the dealer fill in the amount.
Dealers have no problem waiting for the right offer to come along.
There will be only a few 22 G 550's built. Figure a decent price increase and a 21 @ MSRP or even over will look like a bargain.
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CincyMBGuy (05-30-2022)
#10
#11
Whatever you think, its wrong. If you ask a dealer for a discount on a new G 550 they will probably laugh and hang up on you.
Dealers have no problem waiting for the right offer to come along.
There will be only a few 22 G 550's built. Figure a decent price increase and a 21 @ MSRP or even over will look like a bargain.
Dealers have no problem waiting for the right offer to come along.
There will be only a few 22 G 550's built. Figure a decent price increase and a 21 @ MSRP or even over will look like a bargain.
That said I'm not yet sure I want one. Oh I mean I want one but I not sure I'll buy one. I already have my cargo van for errands. The van works just fine for running around town. I have a 2nd car, kind of a hotrod (Dodge Challenger Scat Pack with 485hp and a 6-speed manual) but I only drive it on average 400 miles a month and that is with driving hardly any miles in the winter. 'course, if I get the G the Dodge goes away to make room in the garage for the G.
But with the G I'm not sure I'd drive the G any more than I drive the Dodge. Even with its all wheel drive system I'd be leery of putting the G out in real bad road conditions. (Lost a new 4 week old Porsche Cayman S one rainy night when a driver of another car lost control and smashed into the side of my new Porsche. Totaled the Porsche.) The G is a nice vehicle but it is an expensive vehicle to just let sit in a garage. OTOH I have considered getting a reasonably sized camper trailer and going RVing -- when the weather is nice -- using the G to tow the trailer.
I'll think about it until Tuesday.
#12
I disliked the lane keeping assist and ECO start/stop in my '19 G550. Both were so annoying, I was ready to sell the truck (the dealer refused to disable these driver assistance "features" ). I found ways to permanently disable both - the only reason I still own it. There have been other small annoyances, but nothing that wasn't easily remedied. Right now I'm satisfied with it, but not so sold on G's and MBUSA/dealerships that I would spend big bucks just to have a newer MY parked in my driveway.
Looks like the G has the auto stop/start feature but I believe there is a button just under the engine start button which disables it. But I believe -- unlike my MINI JCW -- this has to be pressed to disable the auto stop/start feature every time the engine is started.
#13
A sold G means the dealer can floor 2 maybe 3 vehicles for what it cost him to floor the G. And he can still make the same profit from the sale of the 2 or 3 cars that he made from the sale of the G. Actually maybe more since lower priced cars move quicker and the dealer would have less money in flooring costs.
'course, the dealer will do what he thinks is best for him and it might be saying "no sale" to a low offer. Dealers are by nature optimistic and believe a buyer will walk through the door any minute. But the flip side it is hard for a dealer to watch a prospective buyer walk out of the showroom knowing -- because prospective buyer told him so at the outset -- he's going to buy a vehicle today if not at this dealer at another dealer on his list.
#14
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From: Northeast
2012 S350 Bluetec, 2014 GLK250 Bluetec, 2000 CLK320 Cabrio
Looks like the G market is cooling some. I mean there are a number of leftover 2021s available. In the meantime it costs a lot to floor a G. I have bought other vehicles (though admittedly not in the price range the G's I'm considering are at) under similar circumstances and saved some money. Remember price is not a fact only an opinion. Even sticker price is an opinion given a vast number of car dealers -- M-B and others -- have sold vehicles below sticker in the past and will do so again.
A sold G means the dealer can floor 2 maybe 3 vehicles for what it cost him to floor the G. And he can still make the same profit from the sale of the 2 or 3 cars that he made from the sale of the G. Actually maybe more since lower priced cars move quicker and the dealer would have less money in flooring costs.
'course, the dealer will do what he thinks is best for him and it might be saying "no sale" to a low offer. Dealers are by nature optimistic and believe a buyer will walk through the door any minute. But the flip side it is hard for a dealer to watch a prospective buyer walk out of the showroom knowing -- because prospective buyer told him so at the outset -- he's going to buy a vehicle today if not at this dealer at another dealer on his list.
A sold G means the dealer can floor 2 maybe 3 vehicles for what it cost him to floor the G. And he can still make the same profit from the sale of the 2 or 3 cars that he made from the sale of the G. Actually maybe more since lower priced cars move quicker and the dealer would have less money in flooring costs.
'course, the dealer will do what he thinks is best for him and it might be saying "no sale" to a low offer. Dealers are by nature optimistic and believe a buyer will walk through the door any minute. But the flip side it is hard for a dealer to watch a prospective buyer walk out of the showroom knowing -- because prospective buyer told him so at the outset -- he's going to buy a vehicle today if not at this dealer at another dealer on his list.
#15
With all due respect, you showing up with a checkbook and willing to make a deal today on a G is not gonna make a difference if you aren't willing to pony up the dough. 99.9% sure you will not find one even at sticker on an instock unit.
#16
Hadn't decided what my upper limit was. I might have agreed to MSRP plus destination. Maybe. I'd want to see the sticker first. And I don't doubt it for a minute I could have left empty handled even offering to pay MSRP plus destination.
However, while I like to shop globally I like to buy locally, at least local enough I can go kick the tires and light the fires.
But there are none that close to me, at least none in the lower price range.
The vehicle is an interesting vehicle. It doesn't look like every other SUV. And looks to be solid. Has impressive trailer towing. Plenty of off road cred. And is generally just a very nice vehicle. But I read where its off road manners are better than its on road manners which is great if one is looking for an off road vehicle. I have no plans to take the G off road. Heck, I probably won't even drive it in the snow.
Plus it is a lot of money to pay for a vehicle only to drive the vehicle as little as I probably will drive it. If I'm going to leave a nice vehicle in the garage most of the time I can keep the Dodge Challenger.
So the G is off the table.
But I have found a M-B car I like, a lot, and it happens to be about the half the cost of the G. And a car is more what I need.
So, will speak with the local dealer Tuesday about getting one I like in. Or the car is near enough I can drive to the dealer and buy the car at the dealer where it currently resides. There are in fact several examples for sale within a comfortable driving distance, a distance that I could drive there buy the car and drive home in one (long) day. Although I would probably drive there the day before and spend the night at a hotel then after buying the car maybe spending a 2nd night at the hotel then driving home. Near enough too I can drive there in the Challenger and trade it in and drive home in the new M-B.
Or I could just buy the car with no trade in. Then after I get the car home arrange to sell the Dodge Challenger. I'd drive the van there and if I end up buying the car then driving probably the car home and put it in the garage, then renting a car one way and drive back and drop off the rental and drive my van home.
Have to think about it. But a straight up purchase of the car is easier. I can then sell the Dodge at my leisure.
At any rate you all have been very helpful with your comments. I appreciate that.
#17
But as I covered in a reply to another poster I have decided I don't want a G. I talked myself out of it. I won't repeat the reasons why. But I was helped by the fact I found a M-B car model I really like. And a nicely optioned example is about half the cost of a G vehicle. Plus there are several examples for sale much nearer me than the G I wanted. I'm but a few hours of driving away from several very similar vehicles so I have some choice.
My plan now is to get the ball rolling Tuesday and speak to the local dealer about getting one of the cars I like in. But the car is close enough I could drive to it and buy it. What I end up doing depends upon the local dealer's reaction to me seeking he fetch a car from another dealer. Although the web site says something to the effect it one doesn't see a car he wants to let the dealer know and the dealer can arrange to have one brought to the dealer. That's pretty common. I had a dealer do this for a VW Golf TDi some years ago and I ended up buying the car although not for what the dealer was asking for it but something less. Yeah I know a VW Golf TDi ain't no G Wagen...
#18
Correct. Dealers are generally asking $50-100k over for new G550's. There are very few new 2021's still available. Those that are available were late build that just arrived at dealerships in March. 2022's are not expected to be at dealerships until approx July.
#19
TBH if you're are able to find a new or fairly new one at MSRP then stop asking questions and buy it or post the name of the dealership so that someone else can take advantage of the deal.
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CincyMBGuy (05-30-2022)
#20
I will mention I found 15 or 16 at the West Covina CA M-B dealership. Several at around $148K. Another example in Flagstaff at IIRC $152K. There were others around a few in that low end price range but others of course are priced much higher.
So if anyone is in the market there you go...
Oh, I found these vehicles at the www.mbusa.com using the "View Inventory" feature and clicking any distance and setting a few filters to just show Gs for sale. Just checked and 24 G's are still available.
But I talked myself out of the G.
No I'm not comparing a Dodge Challenger to a G. I was just making an observation that if I'm going to buy a G and use it as little as I have used the Challenger I'd be better off keeping the Challenger and leaving the $148K (or more) in the bank.
In my researching the G I came across some nice M-B cars. And one of those really caught my eye. So rather than the G I have decided to buy a new M-B car. There are several very attractive examples within reasonable driving distance. But I'll see if the local dealer is agreeable to bringing one of the cars to his dealership.
#22
In my researching the G I came across some nice M-B cars. And one of those really caught my eye. So rather than the G I have decided to buy a new M-B car. There are several very attractive examples within reasonable driving distance. But I'll see if the local dealer is agreeable to bringing one of the cars to his dealership.
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084runnerltd (06-06-2022)
#23
I disliked the lane keeping assist and ECO start/stop in my '19 G550. Both were so annoying, I was ready to sell the truck (the dealer refused to disable these driver assistance "features" ). I found ways to permanently disable both - the only reason I still own it. There have been other small annoyances, but nothing that wasn't easily remedied. Right now I'm satisfied with it, but not so sold on G's and MBUSA/dealerships that I would spend big bucks just to have a newer MY parked in my driveway.
#24
As I posted I have decided not to get the G. Of course I'll never know if I could get one at MSRP. But posts by others suggest this would likely not happen. And they are probably right. I had a couple of lower priced examples in mind and even if I could not get the vehicle under MSRP I would have bought the vehicle. But I would have drawn the line at any ADM.
I will mention I found 15 or 16 at the West Covina CA M-B dealership. Several at around $148K. Another example in Flagstaff at IIRC $152K. There were others around a few in that low end price range but others of course are priced much higher.
So if anyone is in the market there you go...
Oh, I found these vehicles at the www.mbusa.com using the "View Inventory" feature and clicking any distance and setting a few filters to just show Gs for sale. Just checked and 24 G's are still available.
But I talked myself out of the G.
No I'm not comparing a Dodge Challenger to a G. I was just making an observation that if I'm going to buy a G and use it as little as I have used the Challenger I'd be better off keeping the Challenger and leaving the $148K (or more) in the bank.
In my researching the G I came across some nice M-B cars. And one of those really caught my eye. So rather than the G I have decided to buy a new M-B car. There are several very attractive examples within reasonable driving distance. But I'll see if the local dealer is agreeable to bringing one of the cars to his dealership.
I will mention I found 15 or 16 at the West Covina CA M-B dealership. Several at around $148K. Another example in Flagstaff at IIRC $152K. There were others around a few in that low end price range but others of course are priced much higher.
So if anyone is in the market there you go...
Oh, I found these vehicles at the www.mbusa.com using the "View Inventory" feature and clicking any distance and setting a few filters to just show Gs for sale. Just checked and 24 G's are still available.
But I talked myself out of the G.
No I'm not comparing a Dodge Challenger to a G. I was just making an observation that if I'm going to buy a G and use it as little as I have used the Challenger I'd be better off keeping the Challenger and leaving the $148K (or more) in the bank.
In my researching the G I came across some nice M-B cars. And one of those really caught my eye. So rather than the G I have decided to buy a new M-B car. There are several very attractive examples within reasonable driving distance. But I'll see if the local dealer is agreeable to bringing one of the cars to his dealership.
Best of luck on your search for your next car. Any MB is a great car but the G-Class is unique and just cool. Or continue to have fun in your Challenger - I've heard those are pretty fast and raw which can also be a hoot in a totally different way.