Opinions, please
06-03-2009, 11:13 PM
#26
Super Member
Thanks, but I don't even have it yet. It's coming by Purolator (not the filter, but Canada Post's parcel service...).
One thing I did before with a Land Rover was have Jaguar Canada (the importer), underwrite a big discount on a relpacement on a "lemon" vehicle. It went like this: They took me out whole on my outstanding loan, meaning they bought my car for the monies owing. Then, the gave me a deal on a replacement car, same model range, with the same terms, residual and rate as the earlier deal, meaning I was driving a two model year newer car, with the same residual and interest rate as an introductory model. Good deal.
If you want to take a chance on another GL, then this may be a way to look at it...
One thing I did before with a Land Rover was have Jaguar Canada (the importer), underwrite a big discount on a relpacement on a "lemon" vehicle. It went like this: They took me out whole on my outstanding loan, meaning they bought my car for the monies owing. Then, the gave me a deal on a replacement car, same model range, with the same terms, residual and rate as the earlier deal, meaning I was driving a two model year newer car, with the same residual and interest rate as an introductory model. Good deal.
If you want to take a chance on another GL, then this may be a way to look at it...
06-05-2009, 12:36 PM
#27
Member
Steve - sorry to hear about your troubles. I went through this with my 1998 ML. I loved the car, but it was just so unreliable. Aside from the money I threw at it after the warranty expired (and the numerous trips to the dealer when it was under warranty), the psychological turmoil and unrest it caused me was becoming unbearable. At some point it is worth considering spending more money to buy peace of mind. Given this is your wife's car, you may be at that point (I know I would).
Like my 1998 ML, I suspect your woes are due to first year model troubles as well as just some bad luck with the one you got. Have you asked the dealer how much he would give you for your GL if you purchased a new one (there is some justice in having them take it)? Have you looked into the lemon laws of your state? You may be surprised that you qualify (I wish I had been more diligent with my ML, it would have qualified)... And have you considered a letter writing campaign to MBUSA? At a minimum it may get you a discount off a new MB.
I think the worst you can do at his point is nothing. You will continue to throw good money away in the hope that you pretty much replaced/repaired everything that could go wrong, but you will not. There will always be another thing. I did this with the ML and there was always something else, And you will continue to be tormented. The stress and psychology of it was driving me nuts - I was pissed at MB, at my dealer and at myself! It sounds like it is causing some angst with you as well. So from my perspective, having gone through this a couple of years ago, I would cut my losses and buy peace of mind. It's time to move on. I would definitely consider a new GL (with extended warranty), but would also look at the Q7 and the X5. I have friends with both and they are very happy. While I prefer my GL (drive, looks, towing capacity and third row), mine has been to the shop a lot more times than these other models.... Finally, on the bright side, now is a great time to buy if you have some disposable income. Good luck Steve!
Like my 1998 ML, I suspect your woes are due to first year model troubles as well as just some bad luck with the one you got. Have you asked the dealer how much he would give you for your GL if you purchased a new one (there is some justice in having them take it)? Have you looked into the lemon laws of your state? You may be surprised that you qualify (I wish I had been more diligent with my ML, it would have qualified)... And have you considered a letter writing campaign to MBUSA? At a minimum it may get you a discount off a new MB.
I think the worst you can do at his point is nothing. You will continue to throw good money away in the hope that you pretty much replaced/repaired everything that could go wrong, but you will not. There will always be another thing. I did this with the ML and there was always something else, And you will continue to be tormented. The stress and psychology of it was driving me nuts - I was pissed at MB, at my dealer and at myself! It sounds like it is causing some angst with you as well. So from my perspective, having gone through this a couple of years ago, I would cut my losses and buy peace of mind. It's time to move on. I would definitely consider a new GL (with extended warranty), but would also look at the Q7 and the X5. I have friends with both and they are very happy. While I prefer my GL (drive, looks, towing capacity and third row), mine has been to the shop a lot more times than these other models.... Finally, on the bright side, now is a great time to buy if you have some disposable income. Good luck Steve!
Last edited by slim nicky; 06-05-2009 at 12:39 PM.
06-05-2009, 03:41 PM
#28
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2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
Nick,
Thank you. This is generally my car but when the wife (often with the daughter) goes on long dog-related trips (thus the need for this size truck) it's hers because it's more efficient and she needs the room. It is annoying, though, to be one of the very few men driving one of these around the Phoenix area. Too damned many soccer moms!
The truck does not, sadly, qualify for Arizona's "Lemon Laws," though it could be argued that it would under the spirit of the law. I've not considered what it would get for trade-in, or sale directly to the dealership, with the biggest problem that the dealership I'm taking it to for service isn't the one I bought it from.
I am going to be doing a letter-writing campaign to MBUSA, and I still have to contact NHTSA regarding my blown strut (I know, I know, should have been done sooner, I just haven't had the time!) but it takes a lot of time to do that kind of stuff and meanwhile, I'm still putting miles upon miles on this thing. I can't help it, it's the nicest driver I've got.
I do not plan on doing nothing. Something must be done. But I just need to be able to dedicate the time to it and that's rough. Of course, mentioning the amount of time it's taking just to write the letters and follow up, that's going to be part of the letters themselves.
I know folks are worried about getting one of these now and let's be honest, Mercedes Benz is not out of the woods yet, brand-wise and this model's had it's share of problems, but mine's an abberation. That's part of the problem, of course. If it was across the whole GL line, every year, I'd be out front of the dealership with a sign and fliers, but I got the bad one, or at least one of 'em.
Who else on here has had a buy-back? Jen, didn't you?
STP
Thank you. This is generally my car but when the wife (often with the daughter) goes on long dog-related trips (thus the need for this size truck) it's hers because it's more efficient and she needs the room. It is annoying, though, to be one of the very few men driving one of these around the Phoenix area. Too damned many soccer moms!
The truck does not, sadly, qualify for Arizona's "Lemon Laws," though it could be argued that it would under the spirit of the law. I've not considered what it would get for trade-in, or sale directly to the dealership, with the biggest problem that the dealership I'm taking it to for service isn't the one I bought it from.
I am going to be doing a letter-writing campaign to MBUSA, and I still have to contact NHTSA regarding my blown strut (I know, I know, should have been done sooner, I just haven't had the time!) but it takes a lot of time to do that kind of stuff and meanwhile, I'm still putting miles upon miles on this thing. I can't help it, it's the nicest driver I've got.
I do not plan on doing nothing. Something must be done. But I just need to be able to dedicate the time to it and that's rough. Of course, mentioning the amount of time it's taking just to write the letters and follow up, that's going to be part of the letters themselves.
I know folks are worried about getting one of these now and let's be honest, Mercedes Benz is not out of the woods yet, brand-wise and this model's had it's share of problems, but mine's an abberation. That's part of the problem, of course. If it was across the whole GL line, every year, I'd be out front of the dealership with a sign and fliers, but I got the bad one, or at least one of 'em.
Who else on here has had a buy-back? Jen, didn't you?
STP
06-05-2009, 06:07 PM
#29
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06-05-2009, 09:00 PM
#30
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2007 GL320 CDI, 2001 TJ Rockcrawler, 2005 Scoobie STI
Steve,
You could always go this route...
Click this link for the full story:
http://jalopnik.com/5277286/range-ro...outside-dealer
You could always go this route...
Click this link for the full story:
http://jalopnik.com/5277286/range-ro...outside-dealer
06-05-2009, 09:17 PM
#31
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2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
I'd have to have a problem with the dealership, which I haven't had yet. But try this one!
http://www.donotbuydodge.ca/
My problems are nothing compared to this poor sap.
STP
http://www.donotbuydodge.ca/
My problems are nothing compared to this poor sap.
STP
06-06-2009, 06:54 PM
#32
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2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
I've been awefully busy and haven't been following the forums.
STP, sorry to hear about your bad deal. My 07 450 is now at 45K. It was manufactured in Feb so it's a little further into the production start. Knock on wood, but I have yet to have any significant issues. I have had the leather wear on the steering wheel, and had a small oil leak in a gasket.
If I was in your position I would have to get rid of the vehicle. I actually was in a very similar situation with a 2003 Saab 9-3. It was the last year of the model style and I liked a previous 97 I had had and wanted to get a new version of my 97. Long story short, I had it for 9 months, had several issues that had to be fixed and decided to seel is for an ML500. In this case I took a bath on it because I was not going to buy a Saab again. My MB dealer gave me a decent trade, but I couldn't really ask them to bale me out.
Ultimately you have to decide 1) do I need to dump this vehicle and 2) do I want to stay with MB. If the answer is yes to both of them it might be easiest to just work with the dealer on a new one and avoid MBUSA.
If you try MBUSA for help, I think the first thing is identify what you want from them. As a forum veteran here you know that will be long and drawn out, and if you don't have a strong lemon law situation might get you more frustrated than it's worth.
STP, sorry to hear about your bad deal. My 07 450 is now at 45K. It was manufactured in Feb so it's a little further into the production start. Knock on wood, but I have yet to have any significant issues. I have had the leather wear on the steering wheel, and had a small oil leak in a gasket.
If I was in your position I would have to get rid of the vehicle. I actually was in a very similar situation with a 2003 Saab 9-3. It was the last year of the model style and I liked a previous 97 I had had and wanted to get a new version of my 97. Long story short, I had it for 9 months, had several issues that had to be fixed and decided to seel is for an ML500. In this case I took a bath on it because I was not going to buy a Saab again. My MB dealer gave me a decent trade, but I couldn't really ask them to bale me out.
Ultimately you have to decide 1) do I need to dump this vehicle and 2) do I want to stay with MB. If the answer is yes to both of them it might be easiest to just work with the dealer on a new one and avoid MBUSA.
If you try MBUSA for help, I think the first thing is identify what you want from them. As a forum veteran here you know that will be long and drawn out, and if you don't have a strong lemon law situation might get you more frustrated than it's worth.
06-26-2009, 03:33 PM
#34
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2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
I have made the report to NHTSA and heard nothing back yet. I need to take the truck to Phoenix Motor to see what the story is there. But basically, I don't think I can afford, right now, to go 100% debt on a new vehicle (actually a "used" white-over-black 2009 that one of the managers drove for a few thousand miles, with P1), which is what would have happened through Schumacher. They're giving me barely enough to cover the loan itself.
Looking in to it, the truck - being out of warranty, basically - is immune from the actual Lemon Law here in AZ, so it's up to what Schumacher wants to do for me as they sold me the truck. But I have to decide.
STP
Looking in to it, the truck - being out of warranty, basically - is immune from the actual Lemon Law here in AZ, so it's up to what Schumacher wants to do for me as they sold me the truck. But I have to decide.
STP
06-26-2009, 07:15 PM
#35
Senior Member
I'd have to have a problem with the dealership, which I haven't had yet. But try this one!
http://www.donotbuydodge.ca/
My problems are nothing compared to this poor sap.
STP
http://www.donotbuydodge.ca/
My problems are nothing compared to this poor sap.
STP
Check out THIS story...ugh - gives me heartburn!
http://www.lambounfall.de/lamborghin...ago_crash.html
06-27-2009, 12:14 PM
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2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
Incredibly sad. But as a German, he should know better than to buy any Lambo built after 1974, and also should know better than to buy one built after 1996/1998 without very thorough inspection. Not that I could ever even afford a new Lamborghini! 
06-29-2009, 12:08 AM
#37
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07-01-2009, 10:44 AM
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2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
That's the thing with an expensive car; in the case of MB, Volvo, BMW, Lexus, you buy something very nice to drive and expect the money will go to a vehicle that will be there when you need it to be. With a "luxury" car - Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, and various other Italian brands - you're more likely to use them as paper weights than drivers. For me that's the difference. I dislike when someone says I have a "luxury" car, because I didn't buy it as a "luxury" but as something I expect to own for a long time and that gives me the utility I expect. I bought a "utility" car, which happens to be expensive.
07-10-2009, 09:09 AM
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2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
That's the thing with an expensive car; in the case of MB, Volvo, BMW, Lexus, you buy something very nice to drive and expect the money will go to a vehicle that will be there when you need it to be. With a "luxury" car - Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, and various other Italian brands - you're more likely to use them as paper weights than drivers. For me that's the difference. I dislike when someone says I have a "luxury" car, because I didn't buy it as a "luxury" but as something I expect to own for a long time and that gives me the utility I expect. I bought a "utility" car, which happens to be expensive.
07-10-2009, 11:32 AM
#40
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Nevada Jack - any chance of a cooldown soon? Headed out to Vegas on July 23rd for a little fun with some friends so hoping it doesnt get any hotter!
07-10-2009, 11:38 AM
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2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
This week we will average about 105 or so, evenings in the low to mid 80"s, maybe a bit lower. The casinos are always a nice 72 degrees... plus we need the tax help...
Good luck and have a safe trip...
07-10-2009, 12:39 PM
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2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
Oh, and humid. Excellent combination. I just went to Tombstone where the high was a balmy 95-ish. GL is such a damned champ. That SOB of car. Ugh!
07-10-2009, 06:10 PM
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2008 GL 320, 2007 Silverado LTZ C3500 Duramax Turbo Diesel
07-10-2009, 09:42 PM
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I will be rafting/hiking the lower Grand Canyon this Labor Day. I was informed today that there is a film crew accompanying us on our trip. That could be interesting.
07-12-2009, 12:35 PM
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NJ, you're killing me. I absolutely love the desert and plan to retire there. I just haven't figured out when and where.
I will be rafting/hiking the lower Grand Canyon this Labor Day. I was informed today that there is a film crew accompanying us on our trip. That could be interesting.
I will be rafting/hiking the lower Grand Canyon this Labor Day. I was informed today that there is a film crew accompanying us on our trip. That could be interesting.
