vik333333

I hope you guys can help me, i'm looking for a new SUV, and have narrowed it down to GX470 or the ML 500. What do you all think? I love the DVD entertainment/NAV in the Lexus, but I love Mercedes durability too, I have a 01 E430 4matic. The BMW X5 seems too small, and rides too harsh, this is primarily for my wife and we have a child on the way. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks

Paul Le Corre

ML 500!!
The GX470 is just an evolution of the Toyota land cruiser SW.

m500

This is really a personal preferences. Both Vehicle are very good. If you enjoy the power then I suggest the ML500 but if you need a larger and rommier SUV then I would go with GX470. It also depends on where you live and how good is your local dealer service personnel. I rather go with one that have the best service reputation locally cause after Moving couple times and went to difference dealer for service on my cars. The hassel from a bad service department really puts me off on buying another car from that name brand.

amb9800

Actually the GX470 is smaller than the LX470, which is the Land Cruiser - the GX is built on the Sequoia platform IIRC.

I would go for the ML for most uses - it's less 'trucky' than the GX and is less 'bloated' (for lack of a better way to describe the floaty feeling of the larger Toyota/Lexus trucks) - better performance. The GX has only a bit more room - but the passengers sit higher for that than in the ML, with no gain in ground clearance, etc.

The Lexus has more of a plush and relaxed (and a bit laggish) feel to it, while the ML feels lighter and less 'bloated.'

But I guess it's a matter of personal opinion after that - which do you find more suitable for your personal usage, etc.

FInality

Neither. The ML is too unreliabile and the GX is just plain ugly!

Honestly take a good hard close look at an FX45/FX35 they are simply awesome cars. Its a very sporty SUV. Quite unusual in that it remains relatively light while maintaining that SUV feel. Take it for a test drive you wont be disappointed

russell

It has a 3.5 liters engine with 5-speed transmission. 280HP and 270 ft-lb torques. If off road capability is not on your list, it's a good alternative. Also, it's built in Japan, supposely the built and finish are better the ML. If this is not enough, you might want to check out FX45. It has a 4.5 liters engine with 5-speed transmission, 315 HP and 329 ft-lb torque. From paper, FX35 is very close to ML500, FX45 is better then ML500 (performance wise). Good luck with your new vehicle. Keep up updated.

amb9800

The Infiniti FX is an interesting new choice - looks pretty new - at least it will garner quite some attention in some places. The styling's nice, and the seats are very nice, but there are some thing that would make me not get it if I were looking for an SUV at this point - first of all it is not very small but the interior ergonomics make it feel very small.

Second thing is pretty weird - sit in the back seats. The windows are positioned so high in comparison to the seating level that it seems like you have sunk into the floor - very disconcerting, not to mention the inability to see stuff around you. The rear seat backs also appear to be very high - partially because of the weird rear window height issue. Although the seats - particularly the front seats - are very comfortable.

I think it's a decent choice but does not fit the bill for competing with the ML500 and Lexus GX - I would say the FX (35) would be fine against the Lexus RX, BMW's X5, etc., not the larger ute's.

amb9800

Actually, the Lexus GX470 is also built in Japan - I would say the Lexus is at least equal to, if not better, quality-wise than the Infiniti.

Yes, the ML is built in the US, but the build quality of the newer models - 2001-newer and especially 2002 and newer, is not bad - the earlier models messed up the car's reputation, and it doesn't carry the familiar Mercedes German-made 'bank-vault feel,' but it's a relatively solid car.

ffejalink

I love my ML. Only had one problem when new, a faulty trip computer that was setting off the alarm for no reason. It was replaced and I have 11,000 trouble-free miles on it now.

I don't care for the looks of the GX (much less the Infiniti FX, yuck!), but styling is subjective. Haven't driven a GX, because I was comparing the LX to the ML when shopping last year. I'd go for the ML.

Kar don

I know a few people with 02 and 03 MLs and they are MUCH better than our 99. Feels like a totally different vehicle when driving the 2 back to back. I am not a big fan of the GX470, I would go with the ML500. Make sure you get the bi-xenons.

1SICKLEX

The GX is based on the 4-runner platform, which is the new LandCruiser overseas. It's a true SUV, with true off-road capabilities, not a car/wagon thingie.

At the Lexus redifined event, they had 45 SUVs to test. I drove almost all. I felt the GX was one of the best. The looks are not for everyone.

The FX is really not useful, the cargo room is small, it's fast as hell but really a raised wagon.

The GX has a wonderful interior, and a lot of room.

For the price, I'd go for the GX, especially since the ML is at the end of it's life cycle.

ML320CHROME20s

89 toyota pathfinder with the rust look under the doors and undercarriage. get that

Kar don

I dunno about wonderful interior. None of the materials seemed to be an upgrade from the 4runner limited.

greenm

I have a 2002 ML320 that I filed a Lemon Law Suit against MBUSA for the random alarm problem. We settled the case, and I have the ML till the end of the lease. I have had no other major problems yet. It is a much better truck than my 1999ML.

I have driven the Lexus 3 times and feel that it is as good as the ML, but it is still a 4runner. I like the ML better with regard to safety, and off road capability.

If you choose the ML, make sure that your local dealer has a good service department, in the event that you have problems. The ML is basically a good vehicle, but a poor service department can make your ownership experience a living hell. You can also forget about getting help from MBUSA, their customer service is probably the worst I've ever encountered.

Good luck with whatever you choose

ffejalink

Greenm:

What was your problem with the alarm? When I first got my ML last year, the alarm was going off randomly. Had to replace the trip computer twice due to a faulty batch. GBS kept triggering it. Hope that wasn't the case for you, or your dealer messed up bigtime and turned you away from MB in the future.

greenm

Defective Delco trip computer. Replaced 3 times. Alarm is fine now, but because of the way I was treated by MBUSA, this will be my last Daimler-Chrysler product. They just don't get it.

ffejalink

How does that fall under lemon laws?

greenm

Materially affects the use and value of the vehicle.

CRB

Are you trying to imply that people don't want alarms that go off in the middle of the night, where is your sense of fun and excitement?

greenm

Exciting, yes. Fun? Not always. The most exciting time it went off was when I was attending the funeral of a good friend, and the alarm decided to go off as the casket was being unloaded from the hearse at the cemetary. It was very exciting fumbling for the key fob to turn it off, as everyone glared at me. For some unknown reason, no one at the cemetary thought it was funny. I assume that German humor differs somewhat from American humor. Not really what I expected from a quality manufacturer such as Mercedes-Benz.

ffejalink

So what did you finally decide on?