[qba335i]

I am having hard time picking up a new car. I am all over the place... Made two offers on 90k MSRP used 2018 M3 here, test drove new C63, E63, went to Porsche to see new/used 911s, checked Macan turbo, and finally ended up at Audi looking at RS5... Unfortunately none of those cars was the perfect match.

And that's how we get to G wagon. I travel to California pretty often and those cars are everywhere there. The more I see this car the more I seem to like it.

What do you guys think? For 90-100k I can buy a 2016-2017 CPO with low miles. Still not decided between G550 and G63 - I will drive them next time I am in CA. I don't really need the extra HP as I mostly drive in the city with an occasional weekend trip.

I live in the Midwest so the car will see some snow + I don't really want to play with summer/winter tires anymore (been doing this most of my life). I drive maybe 5k miles a year total.

[Flacht3]

Originally Posted by qba335i

I am having hard time picking up a new car. I am all over the place...

All solid cars but you put it best yourself...you're all over the place which tells me you're not entirely sure what you're looking to get out of the car. My short advice: figure out exactly what you need and if you're still not sure then take the time and just test drive the whole roster and see what really resonates but still fits the "must haves".

G Wagons are great but IMO not very "spirited". They're great but still an SUV...you won't be getting sideways in corners and lighting up the road the way you would in an M3, 911, etc.

If you want a driver's car and going to do some spirited weekend driving, skip the wagon. If you want more of a high-end daily driver that will provide equal parts fun, comfort, and get some looks then go G Wagon.

Ask yourself this: Do you need an SUV (the space, AWD, convenience etc.) Or are you looking for something far less practical but more fun for the weekends? Given your situation it sounds like the former.

For what it's worth I'd never consider taking my M4 into the snow (especially if you don't want to swap tires). Let me through a suggestion at you: Try a 991.1 Carrera 4 GTS. AWD could help in the snow (again, you may be challenged if you really refuse to swap tires) and it's one of the last NA cars you can get.

[nicknaz]

A colleague has one and it’s best feature is the looks you get when you pull up somewhere.

Only you can decide if you value that or not

[minn19]

I never got the appeal of the G wagon. Aesthetically I'm not a big fan. If you need/want an SUV I'd get the Macan Turbo. They look great and at least have some idea of fun driving available.

[qba335i]

I don't really need an SUV.. Just looking for something different/new. I don't even see my car during the week days as I only drive on weekends. Shopping trip to Costco and Whole Foods + occasional weekend drive..

[Gumdoc]

Do you have a manbun?Are you a giant douchebag? If not, consider something else. How about a Range Rover Sport SVR?

JK about the dbag comment (sort of). I actually like the G wagon...

[ntg44]

Originally Posted by minn19

I never got the appeal of the G wagon. Aesthetically I'm not a big fan. If you need/want an SUV I'd get the Macan Turbo. They look great and at least have some idea of fun driving available.

Same here. Aside from being hand built (not even positive if they still are now), don't really see what makes them so special as a boulevard cruiser. Too expensive, at least in US trims, to do any serious off-roading (low profile tires ), and from what I remember, they ride like crap on the street.

[qba335i]

Originally Posted by Gumdoc

Do you have a manbun?Are you a giant douchebag? If not, consider something else. How about a Range Rover Sport SVR?

JK about the dbag comment (sort of). I actually like the G wagon...

Originally Posted by Gumdoc

Do you have a manbun?Are you a giant douchebag? If not, consider something else. How about a Range Rover Sport SVR?

JK about the dbag comment (sort of). I actually like the G wagon...

No manbun, and not a giant dbag (sort of)...

I am not sure about RR - seems like a preferred vehicle for every "enhanced" soccer mom from the wealthy suburbs.

[Gumdoc]

Originally Posted by qba335i

No manbun, and not a giant dbag (sort of)...

I am not sure about RR - seems like a preferred vehicle for every "enhanced" soccer mom from the wealthy suburbs.

Agreed in general about the RR sport. But the SVR is a completely different beast. Loud, fast, and exclusivity over the other suburban mom buses

[SMGCFP]

I really like the E63 wagon. AMG, handles car like, but has the wagon aspect to it for utility. You can use an all-season on this too.

[SunnyD]

The old G wagons were POS's, but the new ones are worlds better. I would definitely consider one if I were in the market.

[allinon72]

G Wagon jokes aside, you are considering a group of cars that aren't remotely similar. That makes it hard for anyone to help you choose unless you narrow your focus, by a lot.

[jpy1980]

For 90-100k and weekend only, buy an impractical used supercar like an r8 or lambo or something garish.

[henrylee]

G-wagon, G-wagon, G-wagon, G-wagon
All the housewives pulling up

[Humdizzle]

like someone above said. G-wagon if you want attention. A big yellow G63 4x4 is gonna pull way more attention than a something like a huracan or 458. Other than that they are overpriced. The macan is a way better SUV for fun driving.

As for winter... my buddy daily drives his F82 in Chicago with Michelin all seasons. He says they handle the snow fine.

[qba335i]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

like someone above said. G-wagon if you want attention. A big yellow G63 4x4 is gonna pull way more attention than a something like a huracan or 458. Other than that they are overpriced. The macan is a way better SUV for fun driving.

As for winter... my buddy daily drives his F82 in Chicago with Michelin all seasons. He says they handle the snow fine.

Almost all of my cars were RWD and I had no issues driving them in Winter with a good set of winter tires. Over time, changing tires became an issue (1/2 day event): drive to storage, get Uber and load tires, drive to tire place, change tires, get Uber and drop off tires. Some dealers offer winter storage, but I don't feel like paying 1,000 a year to store and install tires.

I saw the new/redesigned G wagon about 2 weeks ago and it's a very nice car.

[Humdizzle]

Originally Posted by qba335i

Almost all of my cars were RWD and I had no issues driving them in Winter with a good set of winter tires. Over time, changing tires became an issue (1/2 day event): drive to storage, get Uber and load tires, drive to tire place, change tires, get Uber and drop off tires. Some dealers offer winter storage, but I don't feel like paying 1,000 a year to store and install tires.

I saw the new/redesigned G wagon about 2 weeks ago and it's a very nice car.

i'm saying he runs the all season tire for the full year. winter and summer. I ran it in my 335 all year and it was fine too. You really aren't losing a ton of grip compared to a pilot super sport in the summer.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...Speed+Rated%29

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by qba335i

Almost all of my cars were RWD and I had no issues driving them in Winter with a good set of winter tires. Over time, changing tires became an issue (1/2 day event): drive to storage, get Uber and load tires, drive to tire place, change tires, get Uber and drop off tires. Some dealers offer winter storage, but I don't feel like paying 1,000 a year to store and install tires.

I saw the new/redesigned G wagon about 2 weeks ago and it's a very nice car.

Where are you shopping? When I lived in Chicago it was $300 per year including wheel swaps

Is that Bay Area or NYC pricing?

[cotmfk]

Isn't it still the same platform from 1978 or something?

That should tell you enough.

[RM7]

E63 AMG

[KingOfJericho]

My coworker has a G63 (2018 - last year before refresh) and I take it out every once in a while when we're in the same office. It's a neat car that's built like a tank but definitely not a daily driver if you have any type of real commute.

To give you an idea, he lives in Greenwich CT and traded in his G550 for it. It was sitting on the lot with 1,000 miles on it because a wealthy housewife purchased it, took it back a forth to Rhode Island, then traded it in for a GLS63.

It's VERY narrow so there isn't much interior space. It's also top-heavy, even with the wide stance of the AMG. I loathe the steering as well -- just feels like mush. The interior is cool to look at but Mercedes always seem to be a few years behind in onboard technology - the system in my Jeep Grand Cherokee is much more buttoned up and modern.

It hauls ass and I'm sure is great off-road but I can't see driving it everyday. Take every criticism listed above and multiply it for the G550 - I see no redeeming qualities in the regular trims.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by allinon72

G Wagon jokes aside, you are considering a group of cars that aren't remotely similar. That makes it hard for anyone to help you choose unless you narrow your focus, by a lot.

Agree. The Gwagon will get you through snow and other difficulties and will provide you with ultimate luxury. But, on the other hand, it is very tall so it will ride the opposite of a sport sedan/coupe.

So you really need to decide what you are looking for thematically. Then consider the cars that get you there.