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

 

[tanglefoot]

I don't think anyone can help you with that decision--that's definitely a personal one.

The Gelaendewagen would be more of a hobby and would absolutely be more unique. The Tacoma would likely be easier to own. How "hands-on" of a vehicle experience do you desire?

There are also Toyota "hobby" trucks if you wanted to forgo the extra expense of European parts. The FJ-40/45/55/60 Land Cruisers are great examples.

 

[keezer37]

That you even mentioned part affordability and G-Wagen in the same post should be telling. I bounced around in the G-Wagen section for awhile, part costs did seem rather high, rather.

Consider too with older vehicles, you've got plans to take it out for the weekend and it decides it wants to be in the garage so you can lavish parts and money on it.


Buy the '85 G-Wagen. Just buy an '85 Tacoma as a spare.

 

[nocean]

I think my ultimate goal as for any overlander is to get there and back reliably. Any choice I assume and like the hands on time spent either customizing for my own needs or small repairs. The satisfaction of putting something together and making it better is a great feeling. My goal for the G would be to keep it as simple and mechanical as possible and just drive it. The Tacoma I feel or its my impression that I will ultimately not be stoked on owning it without putting a bunch of upgrades on it.

 

[nocean]

That you even mentioned part affordability and G-Wagen in the same post should be telling. I bounced around in the G-Wagen section for awhile, part costs did seem rather high, rather.

Consider too with older vehicles, you've got plans to take it out for the weekend and it decides it wants to be in the garage so you can lavish parts and money on it.


Buy the '85 G-Wagen. Just buy an '85 Tacoma as a spare.

I'm not nervous about cost of parts, unless things are ridiculous. But I am nervous about needing parts that just end up really hard to find.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: heh Heh--buy a jeep-

You can customize to your hearts content and being in California--

You'll never be without the parts availability, either with you or the closest town !

Even without modifications, you can go just about anywhere-the more comfort you want,the newer you'll buy !

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[mike h]

Life is short. Buy the G and you'll find out if that is your holy grail! You can buy a taco any day of the week if you decide the G is not for you.

I have a taco and it doesn't quite 'do it' for me the way I felt about my built 80 series which I sold last year. However, the taco needs no wrenching, ever. It needs the usual list of basic mods to even begin to go where the 80 went blindly. The G will be ready to go, capability-wise, immediately, in a way that a stock taco is not. Reliability may not be there until you get thru a long list of PM. Older G's are pretty neat vehicles.

Reading between the lines, you really want the G, even if it's just a season to get it out of your system? The 80 was the most satisfying vehicle I have ever owned, enjoyed it tremendously for 5 years and put 70,000 miles on it all over the Northeast. It had it's flaws, and was not inexpensive to maintain, but when a part wears out with 180,000 miles on it I'm hard pressed to complain.

Now I have fun planning the build for the taco...

 

[Toyotero]

Buy the '85 G-Wagen. Just buy an '85 Tacoma as a spare.

Do you mean a 95 Tacoma? 95.5 was the first year for them, prior to that they weren't badged with a name for US market for almost two decades, simply referred to as the "Truck" but can be logically referred to as the Hilux as they were badged for nearly all other markets.



Buy the G.
You might regret it in the short term, but you won't regret it in the long term. :-D

 

[Clutch]

pm zimm...he will give it to you straight.

 

[nocean]

I did, thanks for that.

pm zimm...he will give it to you straight.

 

[Clutch]

I did, thanks for that.

You're welcome.

You may hate me later for that.

zimm is a no nonsense , no bs kind of a guy...I am assuming you may not like what he will have to say. (though I could be wrong)

 

[p nut]

Full-time overland - G-wagen
Part-time adventure/part-time daily driver - Tacoma

 

[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.

 

[Clutch]

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.

perfect compromise between the merc and the taco

congrats on the 100!