Which do I choose? 1985 Mercedes G-Wagen or a newer Tacoma????

[nocean]

Members, I am really stuck between a rock and a hard place on this one. I am looking at purchasing a 1985 very well taken care of Mercedes G. But there is a small part of me that wants the ease and reliability of a newer standard issue Tacoma. I know that the G is a holy grail amongst those who have owned them but I still can't get out of my head the just buy a car and buy parts off a shelf for the Toyota. I also know that the G will make me smile more often, but I'm worried that it will also make me want to cry sometimes too when I can't find a part or I can't afford the part once I've found it.

Can anyone ease my mind in making this decision? I'm ready to dive into either, I just really want to make a decision.

thanks

 

[DUTCH]

Get the Taco.

 

[nocean]

Get the Taco.

Dutch, how come? I think from other forums that I've seen, you're a G owner yourself right? Do you regret it? I'm not afraid of a little work on owning a vehicle my any means, just unsure of what being an owner of a G really looks like.

 

[DUTCH]

I owned a 1984 280GE for 18 yrs and 111k miles. I moved to a 2000 G500, which I still have; and would not go back to the older one; and the G500 is still somewhat primitive by current vehicle standards.

Depending on which 1985 G model you're considering, they're all under powered - some grossly so.

If you're concerned about amenities, go with the Taco.

 

[nocean]

I'm looking at 6 cyl 280 GE, not sure of all the options of which one I'm looking at. Is the power issue really that big of a problem or just an annoyance? And I'm not worried about amenities, I'm really looking more for the idea of less is more really. I worry that the only way to make a Tacoma a useful vehicle is to fill it with stuff. And do you ever regret owning your G, especially your older one or wish you had got into something different?

thanks

I owned a 1984 280GE for 18 yrs and 111k miles. I moved to a 2000 G500, which I still have; and would not go back to the older one; and the G500 is still somewhat primitive by current vehicle standards.

Depending on which 1985 G model you're considering, they're all under powered - some grossly so.

If you're concerned about amenities, go with the Taco.

 

[DUTCH]

The 280GE is 150HP.

No, I did not regret the 280GE. It was the best option at the time.

 

[redthies]

What is the cost difference between the two? I've owned a doublecab Tacoma, and spent some time in Gs. I also find myself searching for a nice G500 these days. I would go and drive the 280, and see what you think. There will always be Tacomas for sale, but Gs may be few and far between.

 

[nocean]

That's great advice. I may have to make a small trip to go see it. Any advice or thought you would have between the two?

Thanks

What is the cost difference between the two? I've owned a doublecab Tacoma, and spent some time in Gs. I also find myself searching for a nice G500 these days. I would go and drive the 280, and see what you think. There will always be Tacomas for sale, but Gs may be few and far between.

 

[redthies]

I don't think anyone will debate that the Tacoma is more civilized than a 1985 G, but if you look at newer Gs (I have been looking at '02s in the $25,000 range), the debate becomes much closer. Do you NEED a pick-up? If not, then drive both and one of them will surely speak to you.

If I didn't already have my pick-up, I would be looking closer at a Taco, but then, I use a truck almost daily. A G would be a second vehicle for me.

 

[Longtallsally]

Since it's the gas engine, I'd get the Taco. The GE gets abysmal economy- albeit seems to have a rep of being very reliable. If it were a diesel, I'd think twice as they are very hard to find.

 

[mk216v]

I think you'll be pained with driving an '85 280GE vs a newer Taco, not a fair comparison on the freeway and such. The G is solid, but it's an '85 truck vs a much more modern Taco(truck). You'd really need to drive the '85 G, no matter how well it's been taken care of, before you think about pulling the trigger on it.

I love my '03 G500, but it's way different from an '85 280GE(I had an '80 300GD 4spd and 0-60mph took 80seconds. I am not joking. 280GE is a bit more powerful, but it's antiquated vs the Taco).

 

[nocean]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I ended up purchasing a 100 series Land Cruiser, love it so far. I think I made the right choice.

 

[mk216v]

Good compromise between the G and a Taco.