100/lx vs. G.wagon vs Gx470 vs 80

[COYS]

As much as I love the 2UZ-FE (my fav Toyota engine for the USDM), I'd pass on the 100 as a tweener and either push to get a 200 series or venture out a bit by grabbing an older G. If you don't like the G, you can always sell it and not lose a penny. I'd be curious to know the general level of OEM parts availability for the German fridge.

re 80, I don't like driving mine long distances. i speak from experience having transported myself from ATL to LA and LA to Seattle to LA all hwy. NVH is definitely more truck than IFS smooth in the newer gens.



I owned two Toyotas with the 2UZ-FE. An early V8 4Runner pre vvti and a GX460. I really liked both, especially the smaller size, but would never buy again. I'm just too much of a Land Cruiser badge snob now. It's akin to going from a Cayman to a 911. You just try not to ever go back once you had your cake and ate it too.

 

[CanVanLX96]

G-Wagen anytime !!!!! specifically if it's an AMG !!!!!

 

[tacocat]

This is the closest thread I can find about a gelandewagen. I’m in the market now for a solid axle vehicle and of course being a toyota reliability fan, the 80 was my first option. But then I started to look around for an 80 who had transplanted a V8 on it (possibly a 2UZFE 5-speed swap). And the search went on and on and just is impossible to find one. Then for several months now I’ve been studying reliability, maintenance, parts about the G series (2002-2004 is what I’m looking for with 150k to 180k miles on it) I’ve come in to understanding that 1. It is front solid axle on coils, 2. It has 5.0 V8 on timing chain, 3. It’s a 5-speed AT 4. It’s triple-locked. Price for this year mode is not as ridiculous as the newer ones on IFS. I do all my maintenance work for my cruiser, not a mechanic by trade but an engineer by profession so I got a little bit of knowledge here and there. So with that said, anyone here who also owns a G-500? What’s your feedback on this 20+ year old vehicle? What’s the cost to maintain? What to lookout for when checking one? Parts to immediately replace?

I have a friend who owns a G-Wagon. They are awesome rigs. They are more expensive to maintain and just as fuel hungry as an 80.

However, they are much, much better at moving in a straight line at a high rate of speed. They also have much better paint and interior. We’re talking leaps and bounds better.

Serviceability isn’t too bad, but parts are going to be more. I’d avoid an AMG version if I could. They are all hand built with a lot of unique high performance parts. If I remember correctly, the running board and exhaust system are particularly off road unfriendly.

They are more common than the standard G55. Neither vehicle has a large aftermarket presence. There are a few armor builders and the last I looked, suspension was limited to OEM/Steyr parts designed for NATO vehicles.

 

[COYS]

However, they are much, much better at moving in a straight line at a high rate of speed. They also have much better paint and interior. We’re talking leaps and bounds better.

Valuable obs on the straight line ease. Paint wise, however, my white 80 with original paint is mint. iirc it's some type of one-layer with no need for clear coat thus super durable?

 

[tacocat]

Toyota white has always been an outlier. Mercedes silver paint is a thing of beauty, even though I never want another silver vehicle.
The leather they use on those G-Wagons is serious quality.

Generally speaking, the European car manufacturers know paint and leather. Engines not so much. (I’m mostly referring to Land Rover)

The Japanese car manufacturers are great at engines, but leather and paint, not so much.

 

[COYS]

Toyota white has always been an outlier. Mercedes silver paint is a thing of beauty, even though I never want another silver vehicle.
The leather they use on those G-Wagons is serious quality.

Generally speaking, the European car manufacturers know paint and leather. Engines not so much. (I’m mostly referring to Land Rover)

The Japanese car manufacturers are great at engines, but leather and paint, not so much.

I’ve owned a 911 with what they called Arctic silver paint and an M3 in silver.

Paint or leather quality really determined by price point much less so than country of origin. Just my personal experience.

I almost bought a g55 new back in the day. Nice ride but nothing really stood out interior/paint front as being better than any other nice car I’ve owned. the door action is very similar to that of a 993 911. clink! Ymmv

generally speaking if reliability is your thing Toyota is a safe bet. If you want some pedigree that comes with a higher price tag and wallet drain go German. They’ve been at it way longer.

 

[scottryana]

GX460 isn't a 2UZ. It is a 1UR. Different generation of engines.

As much as I love the 2UZ-FE (my fav Toyota engine for the USDM), I'd pass on the 100 as a tweener and either push to get a 200 series or venture out a bit by grabbing an older G. If you don't like the G, you can always sell it and not lose a penny. I'd be curious to know the general level of OEM parts availability for the German fridge.

re 80, I don't like driving mine long distances. i speak from experience having transported myself from ATL to LA and LA to Seattle to LA all hwy. NVH is definitely more truck than IFS smooth in the newer gens.



I owned two Toyotas with the 2UZ-FE. An early V8 4Runner pre vvti and a GX460. I really liked both, especially the smaller size, but would never buy again. I'm just too much of a Land Cruiser badge snob now. It's akin to going from a Cayman to a 911. You just try not to ever go back once you had your cake and ate it too.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

Alright thanks guys. I appreciate all your inputs. Still weighing this out I guess I will research some more. And yes, the paint and leather on the gelandewagen is just superb quality comparing it to lexus. I also considered the newer 200s but I really am after that solid front axle and the G’s robustness. Thanks again.

 

[COYS]

GX460 isn't a 2UZ. It is a 1UR. Different generation of engines.

typo on my part - gx470 germane to the thread. thx for catching.

 

[scottryana]

I think the GX460 is a more comfortable truck for hwy driving, I had both the GX470 and GX460, neither is a replacement for a 80/100/200 series.

typo on my part - gx470 just like the op

 

[COYS]

I think the GX460 is a more comfortable truck for hwy driving, I had both the GX470 and GX460, neither is a replacement for a 80/100/200 series.

I'm tempted at times to pick up a new GX, but will never do it. I'm at least one example of someone who's owned the GX, fully ICON'ed out 200 and 80. I would cross shop between a GX and a 200 series. Budget allowing, 200 always (LX included).

 

[Bludozer]

Weird thread bump, but since you're asking I have a couple friends/clients with grey market G wagons, and one with a USDM G. First and foremost, they are all Mercedes Benz - this means a lot of things, but if we are speaking in general terms...the engines are good, the electronics are bad. This gets amplified the newer you go, but is a fair general rule for the G and really MB in general.

Cost to maintain is very expensive, there is no question about it. I wouldn't call an 80 "cheap" to maintain, but a G will be much more expensive than even the worst 80, no question about it. MB parts (for the most part) are high quality but priced laughably high in many cases and overall reliability and design quality is kind of middle of the road. Fair to put the G between the 80 and a Land Rover Discovery.

Bottom line is, they are beautiful trucks, have great interiors, incredible presence and above average off road prowess, but they are very expensive to maintain for several different reasons, finicky, and sometimes plain unreliable. Unless you are completely taken by the looks and that is your main sticking point (nothing wrong with that honestly) the G is very hard to justify logically when we live in a world where the 80 series land cruiser exists.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

^^I am curious about what components does 5.0 V8 the G500 that needs attention. Yes I’m familiar with the USDM G (electronic t-case) and the pre-MBUSA Gs (Europa versions) that are mechanical type t-case similar to our 80s/100s cruisers. The boxy shape, solid axle and it being triple locked is what is drawing me to curiosity and possibly owning one. I want to know more what specific components do I have to look out for and possibly a ballpark figure on those components to reconcile of indeed this vehicle is worth the while.

 

[scottryana]

Might get better more accurate answers on a MB G forum?

^^I am curious about what components does 5.0 V8 the G500 that needs attention. Yes I’m familiar with the USDM G (electronic t-case) and the pre-MBUSA Gs (Europa versions) that are mechanical type t-case similar to our 80s/100s cruisers. The boxy shape, solid axle and it being triple locked is what is drawing me to curiosity and possibly owning one. I want to know more what specific components do I have to look out for and possibly a ballpark figure on those components to reconcile of indeed this vehicle is worth the while.