08 GL450 Buying advice
12-15-2010, 02:33 PM
#1
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2009 GL 320 Bluetec
08 GL450 Buying advice
Looking at making a buying decision in the next 24 hours, and would appreciate some advice.
Both silver/black '08 GL450 w/rear DVD systems.
V1 has 30k miles, almost 2 years left on factory warranty, run boards, backup camera: I'll need to add bluetooth + MP3 + rear hitch (modified ML hitch) for bikes etc, and would really, really like to add push-button starting---none of the above are deal breakers but the push-button I've come to really like on last two vehicles. Hitch+BT+MP3 is going to be about $1500 or so---no idea on rear hitch cost (will not spend $2k on factory as just need it for bike rack).
V2 has 45k miles, 1 year/5k miles on factory warranty, has push button start, MP3, and factory hitch. I'll have to add run boards + bluetooth + rear camera (est $2k). Its $5500 cheaper than V1.
Looking to keep either/both of these for 4-6 years--roughly 100k miles. V1 forestalls purchasing a factory warranty for almost 2 years/20k miles.
There is a small chance that we would want to tow a small camping trailer at some point in the next 2-5 years. A small chance.
I could also lease a new 2011 ML350 or 2011 Land Cruiser with an eye towards keeping them for 7-8 years. Both of the '11s have all the bells & whistles, but the lifetime ownership cost would be about $2500-3000 more per year as the '08s have already eaten the depreciation.
Thoughts + advice? I'm leaning towards #2, however if I only keep it 4 years instead of the planned 5, b/c of the higher mileage, it drops the ownership cost to basically the same as #1. Is 15k miles difference a big enough concern to offset the factory hitch/push-button-start?
Thanks!
Both silver/black '08 GL450 w/rear DVD systems.
V1 has 30k miles, almost 2 years left on factory warranty, run boards, backup camera: I'll need to add bluetooth + MP3 + rear hitch (modified ML hitch) for bikes etc, and would really, really like to add push-button starting---none of the above are deal breakers but the push-button I've come to really like on last two vehicles. Hitch+BT+MP3 is going to be about $1500 or so---no idea on rear hitch cost (will not spend $2k on factory as just need it for bike rack).
V2 has 45k miles, 1 year/5k miles on factory warranty, has push button start, MP3, and factory hitch. I'll have to add run boards + bluetooth + rear camera (est $2k). Its $5500 cheaper than V1.
Looking to keep either/both of these for 4-6 years--roughly 100k miles. V1 forestalls purchasing a factory warranty for almost 2 years/20k miles.
There is a small chance that we would want to tow a small camping trailer at some point in the next 2-5 years. A small chance.
I could also lease a new 2011 ML350 or 2011 Land Cruiser with an eye towards keeping them for 7-8 years. Both of the '11s have all the bells & whistles, but the lifetime ownership cost would be about $2500-3000 more per year as the '08s have already eaten the depreciation.
Thoughts + advice? I'm leaning towards #2, however if I only keep it 4 years instead of the planned 5, b/c of the higher mileage, it drops the ownership cost to basically the same as #1. Is 15k miles difference a big enough concern to offset the factory hitch/push-button-start?
Thanks!
12-15-2010, 07:24 PM
#2
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08 GL
I believe there is a problem using any other hitch arrangement. I checked into this for my 08 GL 450 and was told by several sources not to use a hitch that didn't conform to their specs to haul anything. I decided it wasn't worth adding a MB hitch compliant with their specs at $2,000 plus. I now have a new 2011 GL 450 with factory installed hitch.
12-16-2010, 10:50 AM
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2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
Get the factory hitch, and somewhere on these forums is discussion of a good cinch receiver and ball to get, which I've used a couple of times. Granted, I haven't really towed anything of any significance - an open trailer with junk in it, possibly weighing in at 500-800lbs max load in it (and the trailer itself is quite light as well), but between the proper fairly inconspicuous look (compared to a U-Haul "hanger," at least) and the computer, it is just a huge pleasure to tow with the GL.
That said, be sure the factory hitch complies with an important recall having to do with bad welds before you ever tow anything with it.
Oh, and as a former Land Cruiser/LX470 owner, I can say I love that truck but mostly for off-road. On straight roads it's okay, but on highway curves it LEEEEEAAAANNNS! Lovely truck, extremely bulletproof, but a completely different class than the GL.
That said, be sure the factory hitch complies with an important recall having to do with bad welds before you ever tow anything with it.
Oh, and as a former Land Cruiser/LX470 owner, I can say I love that truck but mostly for off-road. On straight roads it's okay, but on highway curves it LEEEEEAAAANNNS! Lovely truck, extremely bulletproof, but a completely different class than the GL.
