Hello from Philly!!
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Newbie
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 1
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From: Delco
2014 ML350 4matic
Hello from Philly!!
Greetings!!👋
I am desperate for some genuine help and am posting here because it's time-sensitive. About 5 years ago I bought my first ever MB, 2014 ML350 4matic. My 2007 Chevy Trailblazer crapped out at 189k and spec for spec, at that time the ML350 was my closest option. Living in the city and being an avid camper, GVWR/cargo cuft/curb weight/TC/total length were top on my hit list. Everything else was secondary. After deciding on the ML350, I was absolutely smitten!! All the bells and whistles were overwhelming to me - such an upgrade from the 2007 Trailblazer, obviously. As a single one income mom, never did I think I was even worthy of such luxury... then then unthinkable. Which I knew around 85k it started to nickel and dime me. By 130k, I had to retire her or send it to the dealership aka $$$.. with the pressure of having to get something asap, I caved under the pressure and advice of others, I drove away in a 2020 Acura MDX sh-AWD. This all transpired about a month ago. My second payment is due in 3 weeks. After having it this long, I can say 100% certainty, I ABSOLUTELY ABHOR this vehicle. It makes me sick that Im paying on a car I hate, but moreso because it is kinda my fault. I did pick it out but.... I didn't realize until I didn't have these options, exactly how much they impacted my driving experience. For example, I'm legally blind to drive without my glasses. So the first night I took the car out I gasped, no ambient lighting. The ambient lighting throughout was my saving grace for me to see if I dropped something. Granted I can't see what it is, Lol but I know something is on the floor. I miss the big digital numbers of the speedometer. The Acura is analog and all the fonts are so tiny. The leg room for my shot gun - my 5'10" 150# son has his knees to his nose in the Acura MDX. Other things I miss, the front end camera. The quietness of the cabin. The sky light that comes on when I open the car door and automatically fades off in 90 seconds. The spaciousness (height) of the ML350 in the cargo
area is amazing. While the MDX has a third row (which I really didn't want the extra 7" in length) the height of the cargo area is much smaller? lower? and that is an issue for my greyhound and work materials . To be fair? what I do love about the MDX is the remote start and handling in tne snow - it is a beast compared to the ML350. But those 2 items is not enough love for me to keep it. That said, my question to the forum (hopefully someone is still reading, long winded, I know but I'm a girl lol) is ....
Which suv/trim package/year should I consider keeping an eye out for with this laundry list. If its impossible, then it is what it is. I'll have to look at other mfg.
$30-34k
under 40k miles +/-
Looking to keep it 3 years/60-70k miles
under 200" length
4matic
20-30cf cargo
front camera
ambient lighting
Remote start
Heated front seats
You guys are the best!!!
I am desperate for some genuine help and am posting here because it's time-sensitive. About 5 years ago I bought my first ever MB, 2014 ML350 4matic. My 2007 Chevy Trailblazer crapped out at 189k and spec for spec, at that time the ML350 was my closest option. Living in the city and being an avid camper, GVWR/cargo cuft/curb weight/TC/total length were top on my hit list. Everything else was secondary. After deciding on the ML350, I was absolutely smitten!! All the bells and whistles were overwhelming to me - such an upgrade from the 2007 Trailblazer, obviously. As a single one income mom, never did I think I was even worthy of such luxury... then then unthinkable. Which I knew around 85k it started to nickel and dime me. By 130k, I had to retire her or send it to the dealership aka $$$.. with the pressure of having to get something asap, I caved under the pressure and advice of others, I drove away in a 2020 Acura MDX sh-AWD. This all transpired about a month ago. My second payment is due in 3 weeks. After having it this long, I can say 100% certainty, I ABSOLUTELY ABHOR this vehicle. It makes me sick that Im paying on a car I hate, but moreso because it is kinda my fault. I did pick it out but.... I didn't realize until I didn't have these options, exactly how much they impacted my driving experience. For example, I'm legally blind to drive without my glasses. So the first night I took the car out I gasped, no ambient lighting. The ambient lighting throughout was my saving grace for me to see if I dropped something. Granted I can't see what it is, Lol but I know something is on the floor. I miss the big digital numbers of the speedometer. The Acura is analog and all the fonts are so tiny. The leg room for my shot gun - my 5'10" 150# son has his knees to his nose in the Acura MDX. Other things I miss, the front end camera. The quietness of the cabin. The sky light that comes on when I open the car door and automatically fades off in 90 seconds. The spaciousness (height) of the ML350 in the cargo
area is amazing. While the MDX has a third row (which I really didn't want the extra 7" in length) the height of the cargo area is much smaller? lower? and that is an issue for my greyhound and work materials . To be fair? what I do love about the MDX is the remote start and handling in tne snow - it is a beast compared to the ML350. But those 2 items is not enough love for me to keep it. That said, my question to the forum (hopefully someone is still reading, long winded, I know but I'm a girl lol) is ....
Which suv/trim package/year should I consider keeping an eye out for with this laundry list. If its impossible, then it is what it is. I'll have to look at other mfg.
$30-34k
under 40k miles +/-
Looking to keep it 3 years/60-70k miles
under 200" length
4matic
20-30cf cargo
front camera
ambient lighting
Remote start
Heated front seats
You guys are the best!!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 903
From: DFW
SL63
JuneCleaver,
What was your son’s name?
How is he?
Philly cheesesteak from the city of brotherly love FTW.
Thanks to parking wars, we know that the PPA isn’t too brotherly.
Welcome to the forum.
Welcome to MBWorld.
Glad to have you onboard.
What was your son’s name?
How is he?
Philly cheesesteak from the city of brotherly love FTW.
Thanks to parking wars, we know that the PPA isn’t too brotherly.
Welcome to the forum.
Welcome to MBWorld.
Glad to have you onboard.
Last edited by MB2timer; Feb 18, 2024 at 10:53 PM. Reason: The beav
Banned
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 107
Likes: 12
lexus
Welcome!
Last edited by DeanMassy; Mar 3, 2024 at 01:31 PM.
