I get it.

Don't get me wrong, I love the GLS we bought. It's the nicest car I'll ever own. However, when I have it and my A207 in the driveway and it's over 40 degrees and dry, I know that the GLS will take a day off. It's just not that special. The A207 even sounds fun. It's not the best car in the world, but it feels nicer on many levels and the tech was pretty good for 2012, so, you know, it's still better than most airport rentals you can get today.

​​​​​​For a fun car, at a reasonable price (i.e. Sub-AMG price point), there is nothing modern in the MB line-up I'd want to spend the list price money on. The A207 scratched that itch for me perfectly, though (just don't get me started on the seat mechanicals - see A207 forum).

 

@nc211, congrats and enjoy in good health!

 

Thanks guys! These things are a riot to drive! One of the options you can get is for the sunglasses holder to be replaced with a series of pre-wired auxiliary switches into the engine bay and along the top of the windshield. Some of the stuff these owners rig up through those switches is just hilarious! Like train horns, or a musical horn that plays the song from the General Lee (Dukes of Hazzard), along with some neat lights. When I asked the dealer what the average age of the buyers they see for the Bronco, they said it's around 55 years old. I rolled into 50 this past September and laughed at the response. The theory is that it looks like all of those Tonka Trucks we used to play with as kids, and I immediately saw what he meant. Plus being from North Carolina (while stuck in DC at the moment), I really couldn't pass-up a car model named "Outer Banks". We test drove a few cars during the search, all very nice. But it was this one on a cool fall day with the top flipped back that put the smile on my wife's face. She loved it. We're looking forward to taking it on the country back roads of Northern Virginia in the fall while the kids are at school. If you have any interest in a Jeep Wrangler, you should really take a few minutes to drive the Bronco. With the independent front suspension set up, it drives far more civilized than the solid front axle of the Wrangler, and doesn't suffer from the "death wobble" syndrome of the Wrangler sometimes. We bought it thinking it'll be with us for a very long time, even when it isn't a primary vehicle for us anymore, it'll become a weekend toy. Ford has a hit on their hands with this car, and the order banks prove it with some waiting well over a year to get theirs.

I do love MB though, and very well may buy another once they get through this funk they're in right now. I think all of the German brands are in a bit of a briar patch at the moment in one fashion or another. But I will say, one of the key drivers that sent me away this time was their dealership network. I am exhausted with the poor service and support from their dealerships, and the need to travel across town to get to one. The seat saga of the GLS (which is still not fixed, still waiting on the mystery passenger side), was the last straw for me. I don't mind things breaking, and I don't mind paying a reasonable and fair amount to fix them. But I do mind if they can't get it fixed the first time, every time. MB needs to focus on the dealership network a bit more to lure me back. I don't like the feeling of being abandoned or having to climb their learning curve as the test-case with an over-engineered complicated machine...

 

Congrats! Great looking Bronco, enjoy!

 

Bronco Raptor has me tempted but I really want something I can afford to break and that can be fixed quickly.... I hear they may have finally solved the clutch issue in the 2024 manual Jeeps. Pity it'll have to be a Rubicon with a V6 instead of the V8 but oh well. Being able to rock the car back and forth to get out of a rut really makes a big difference to me. Not to mention push starting it in a pinch. An automatic just won't work for my use case, which is to do everything I can to destroy it off-roading.

 

Life is short my friend, if it makes you smile then it’s the thing!

 

Even a 2018 S-class rattles (RR door). They aren't built the same as before. Remember back in the late 80s when the knobs for the AC were 'turning knobs'? When you turn them tyou feel the click and tightness even after 10yrs of use!

 

My 2020 S560 with 45k miles is totally solid with no rattles whatsoever and has been a total
joy.

 

Thanks amigo, and indeed, it's all about finding those smiles!

I am leaning more and more towards keep my E350 as a second car. I really enjoyed having two cars with the last GTI. Think I am going to take her over to the shop and put in a few grand to bring some things back to new and keep her as my road trip cruiser. Might give her the ole' LS400 treatment in the garage since I won't have to depend on her all the time as a daily driver. The more I think about it, the harder the idea becomes to part with one of the best MB's made with only 80k on the clock for what, $12k?

I'm already up to about $2,500 on accessories I want for the Bronco, including different (but not mud buggy obnoxious) tires. I have become the 50 year old kid who dreams of getting the Red Rider BB gun with the compass in the stock...

 

I would keep it for sure, its worth way more than $12k in your hands...do you have a 3 car garage? Thats the only thing that keeps me from getting a third car is I only have a 2 car garage.

Haha, don't shoot your eye out!

 

We do have a 3-car garage plus side pocket spot which we use. 3-car works in a pinch, but not for everyday, its a dual door and a single door setup. The MB would be outdoors going forward..