bzliteyear

hi all,

I'm very close to a decision on either buying a 2004 GX470 fully loaded w/ navi, dvd, and mark levinsion w/ 53k miles for about $32k...or a new R350 3 yr lease for $499/month + tax w/ first month drive off. the main reason for MB lease is i'm not crazy about MB's long term reliability. i estimate the 3 yr cost of ownership should be about similar unless i have major repair problems on the GX.

i also realize that the size is totally different, but both very functional for 6 passengers.

p.s. leasing similar GX would be about $700/month...so quite a bit more, thus the used car.

thx all for your input.

jjbodean

get the gx, you wont regret it one bit. i have had both and the difference is amazing.

JessePS

The RX is a beautiful car on the outside, I just dislike how they styled the inside. So thats pretty much why we went with the GX interesting look on the outside and the inside pretty similar to the LX imo.

One thing I have a problem with the RX is where they have the "shifter"

GatorGX

No disrespect meant at all, but I believe the OP was refering to the MB R350 wagon crossover and not the Lexus RX350.

BobsGX

I agree. The shifter setup has kept me from even looking at the RX since it first appeared in 1999. Well that along with the fact that the RX is geared more towards women which is who I see driving them 99.8% of the time. The GX is a true body on frame SUV unlike the RX which is based off the Camry/ES platform.

BobsGX

To me the MB R350 thing looks like a squashed down station wagon.

bzliteyear

yes, thx for clarifying...i was referring to the Mercedes R350.

as for looks, i have mixed feelings also regarding the R350. it looks nice from the front, but certain angles are not that attractive. probably the biggest selling point for us would be the (perceived) safety of a Mercedes that has a lower center of gravity than the GX as well as the ability to truly seat 6 adults in comfort(though we only need that ocassionally).

as to looks, i have to admit my initial impression of the GX470 was not that great...i really didn't like the backside, and the dimension seemed too tall for the rest of the car. however, over the past 3 yrs the looks started to grow on me and that's where i am today. .

p.s. currently my wife's driving a 2000 E320 wagon so that R350 being described as a squashed wagon doesn't really bother me that much.

rainmn

I was in almost the exact position about 2 months ago. (Buy a used GX or lease a new R350). My wife didn't like the looks of the R350 at all, and reminded me of all the issues her father has had with his new CLK. We bought an '03 GX.
Two months later I'm glad we got the GX. I really don't think I would have liked the R350 this much.

The G Man

Usually I would always say go for the new car instead of the used, but that MB R350 is one ugly car. That would explain why the R350 is not selling well. If you can get pass the look, go for the MB.

bgsntth

If you do not need 4WD with a low-range, solid rear axle and ladder frame, I would go with the MB. The third-row in the GX is not very functional/comfortable, and while the GX is ungodly smooth for a true 4x4, it will never match the MB. Autoweek did a review of the Audi Q7 and compared it to the R500. The R500 destroyed the Audi in every category. I agree with G Man that the R500 is ugly.

BTW, I love our GX, but it is a truck.

SilverLady

For me, it came down to that I wanted to have one REAL 4WD SUV - complete with locking diffs and low gearing. The GX fits that bill - which makes it one luxurious truck. But as others have mentioned, it is a truck.

That should be your first question - do you want or need the real deal? If not, there are all kinds of crossovers you can look at. If you do, the GX is the one to buy.

tigmd99

I guess that you're getting a good deal on the R350. If not, then I would rather get the new BMW X5, Lexus RX350, new Acura MDX, or even the Mercedes ML or GL. Out of all of these, i would look real hard at the MDX and X5.