questions about replacement vehicle choices for wife

[doublebase]

We have a 2011 Mercedes ML350, 118,000 miles, babied its entire life. I’ve spent the better part of two years now fixing/diagnosing/maintaining a vehicle that only gets driven 7,000 miles a year or so. The latest was the EIS module (ignition switch). $1,800 for Mercedes to do it, bought a reprogrammed refurbished unit for $500 online, it’s working. I don’t want there to be another repair so I’m going to trade it in.

I wouldn’t mind a pickup, but she’ll be driving it and that won’t go well. She likes Jeeps, we’re thinking a gently used Gladiator 2020 56,000 miles for around $30,000. Anyone with experience with these? I’m worried it won’t ride very well on the highway, but then again we won’t be driving it all that much. I figure in four years if it was a mistake it’ll only have 70,000-75,000 miles on it and they seem to hold their value a bit.

The other vehicle is an SUV, a Volkswagen Atlas 2021 Sport with the V6. 38,000 miles $28,900. That will obviously not supply a pickup type value, that I may use once or twice a year to pick up an appliance, snowblower, mulch, etc.

Anyway, anyone with experience with either of them? I’m worried VW means I may be in the same boat as I am in now with the Mercedes, BUT with only 38,000 miles I’d think I’d be ok for a few years. As for the Jeep, I do own a 2011 Grand Cherokee with the 3.6 but it’s only a 5-speed automatic vs the newer 8-speed.

Personally I really love the way the newer body style Atlas Sport looks, it’s almost Audi Q7 like. And I think the gladiators look pretty good with some larger tires.

 

[GON]

Sorry you had the EIS issue with the Mercedes.

A 2011 ML 350 is a very reliable vehicle. When I read the vehicles you were looking at buying for your Wife to replace the Mercedes with, all I could think of is if reliability is the key factor, you may be "buying down".

 

[Kira]

1) I've read here that the days of the "ever troublesome VW" are over. I don't know.
2) The Jeep Gladiator....hits me the wrong way. It's too much a 'stretched icon' for me to take seriously.
I know people worship Jeeps, but in this day and age, so much metal and fuel consumption formed into an image vehicle, is like the golden calf.

How much you get for a 2011 ML350 might be a factor.
Approximately where are you located?

 

[doublebase]

Sorry you had the EIS issue with the Mercedes.

A 2011 ML 350 is a very reliable vehicle. When I read the vehicles you were looking at buying for your Wife to replace the Mercedes with, all I could think of is if reliability is the key factor, you may be "buying down".

I haven’t had great luck with it…rotted out brake lines…called around. They all said, yeah don’t know what Mercedes used that year but they are an issue. Driveshaft and gas tank needed removal, I was able to avoid that thank god. I have random lights that won’t turn on, or will stay on. Ground issues. I have a blinker that will go out, and then be ok. One headlight stayed on for three weeks. That was fun, then it just started working normal again. I forget what that was.

I replaced the passenger side window switch, and the drivers side. Replaced a wheel bearing, idler tensioner, both rear springs twice (they rot out up top, it’s a design flaw). The interior has more cracked or missing plastic than I can count. The fake wood trim on the doors is cracked. The switches for the sunroof fell off. The backup camera stopped working, then it started working again. I loose a bit of coolant every 3 months, no visible leaks, I just add coolant.

Engine seems fine and the tranny shifts ok. I’ve read timing chains can fail on these, I don’t think I want to stand around and find out. Do you own one? If so, I take it you’re having better luck than me.

 

[doublebase]

1) I've read here that the days of the "ever troublesome VW" are over. I don't know.
2) The Jeep Gladiator....hits me the wrong way. It's too much a 'stretched icon' for me to take seriously.
I know people worship Jeeps, but in this day and age, so much metal and fuel consumption formed into an image vehicle, is like the golden calf.

How much you get for a 2011 ML350 might be a factor.
Approximately where are you located?

I canravana a quote and carmaxed a quote for a trade in…came back at $2,600?! CarMax offered a touch more at $3,000. A dealer in Massachusetts online offered a quote of around $4,500 bucks. I’ve looked on Facebook marketplace and they are listed for anywhere between $6,000-$9,000. But I don’t think they’re selling. And I’m not sure I’d want someone buying this thing and come back a week later telling me the directional don’t work, or the radio or whatever. Because with this thing you never know.

 

[Kira]

"Engineered like no other car in the world". You got the right idea to dump it fast.
Sounds like you got a flooded example.
It's Summer....does the AC work? It DOES! Dump it now!

 

[GON]

I haven’t had great luck with it…rotted out brake lines…called around. They all said, yeah don’t know what Mercedes used that year but they are an issue. Driveshaft and gas tank needed removal, I was able to avoid that thank god. I have random lights that won’t turn on, or will stay on. Ground issues. I have a blinker that will go out, and then be ok. One headlight stayed on for three weeks. That was fun, then it just started working normal again. I forget what that was.

I replaced the passenger side window switch, and the drivers side. Replaced a wheel bearing, idler tensioner, both rear springs twice (they rot out up top, it’s a design flaw). The interior has more cracked or missing plastic than I can count. The fake wood trim on the doors is cracked. The switches for the sunroof fell off. The backup camera stopped working, then it started working again. I loose a bit of coolant every 3 months, no visible leaks, I just add coolant.

Engine seems fine and the tranny shifts ok. I’ve read timing chains can fail on these, I don’t think I want to stand around and find out. Do you own one? If so, I take it you’re having better luck than me.

Sorry you had those issues. I unexpectedly own one, I am currently driving it,

Not wanting to add to your burden, but if reliability is your center of gravity, might a Lexus or Acura be a match?

Here is a video from a mechanic on your series ML350:


You can also search ML350 under my name and see my challenges with a ML350. And of note, I think it is a good move to get your Wife a newer/ more reliable vehicle. Just think the vehicles you posted may not provide better reliability than what you have now with the ML350.

 

[joekingcorvette]

I would go with the Gladiator. We had a 2014 Jeep GC and didn't have any major problems with it. The Gladiator will more than like be better for resale although it's not very good for mileage, cornering, or a very good interstate ride. The other VW would be a better overall vehicle and check most of the boxes except resale. Repair bills could be high with the VW since they are more difficult to work on and more of a one of a kind vehicle compared to the Jeep which would have lots of interchangeable parts.

 

[dishdude]

I would go with the Gladiator. We had a 2014 Jeep GC and didn't have any major problems with it. The Gladiator will more than like be better for resale although it's not very good for mileage, cornering, or a very good interstate ride. The other VW would be a better overall vehicle and check most of the boxes except resale. Repair bills could be high with the VW since they are more difficult to work on and more of a one of a kind vehicle compared to the Jeep which would have lots of interchangeable parts.

I had a Gladiator as a rental, it is surprisingly well composed at freeway speeds. I think the longer wheelbase has a lot to do with it.

 

[dishdude]

I canravana a quote and carmaxed a quote for a trade in…came back at $2,600?! CarMax offered a touch more at $3,000. A dealer in Massachusetts online offered a quote of around $4,500 bucks. I’ve looked on Facebook marketplace and they are listed for anywhere between $6,000-$9,000. But I don’t think they’re selling. And I’m not sure I’d want someone buying this thing and come back a week later telling me the directional don’t work, or the radio or whatever. Because with this thing you never know.

They're not going to retail a car that old, so you're getting less than wholesale pricing. They will send it to the wholesale auction so they are offering you even less than it will bring there.

 

[tbm5690]

I'm not convinced that Gladiator resale will be better...they can't get those things off of dealer lots new. Too ugly? The VW 3.6 is a solid and reliable powertrain. Gas mileage is meh compared to the Atlas' competitors but it is what it is with large SUVs. It also has quite a bit more space than the ML for hauling stuff.

 

[atikovi]

And I’m not sure I’d want someone buying this thing and come back a week later telling me the directional don’t work, or the radio or whatever. Because with this thing you never know.

And why would that by YOUR problem? As a private seller you sell it as is. Heck, any dealer would be selling an older Mercedes as is too.

 

[sloinker]

For the money you are talking, look for a used Nissan pickup or New VW Taos. The atlas really isn't big enough to haul large appliances. New Tiguan and a Harbor Freight trailer is an option. What does the wife want?

 

[andrew_j]

Take a peek at Acura MDX or Lexus RX350. Good luck.

 

[DougR]

My wife loves a 4Runner. I had to buy her a new one so I could have the one she drove for 12 years. Routine maintenance only.

 

[andrew_j]

My wife loves a 4Runner. I had to buy her a new one so I could have the one she drove for 12 years. Routine maintenance only.

The Lexus version is a really nice and a 250k-400k vehicle called GX460

 

[Nukeman7]

Sorry you had those issues. I unexpectedly own one, I am currently driving it,
...
You can also search ML350 under my name and see my challenges with a ML350. And of note, I think it is a good move to get your Wife a newer/ more reliable vehicle. Just think the vehicles you posted may not provide better reliability than what you have now with the ML350.

GON, is this the same white MB ML350 that you resurrected from auction last year and gifted to a 16 y.o. daughter of a friend per this BITOG thread? If so, what is the story behind that situation if you are willing to elaborate. Also, did you ever complete the restoration on the gray Pontiac Vibe for your Daughter in Law?

 

[doublebase]

Sorry you had those issues. I unexpectedly own one, I am currently driving it,

Not wanting to add to your burden, but if reliability is your center of gravity, might a Lexus or Acura be a match?

Here is a video from a mechanic on your series ML350:


You can also search ML350 under my name and see my challenges with a ML350. And of note, I think it is a good move to get your Wife a newer/ more reliable vehicle. Just think the vehicles you posted may not provide better reliability than what you have now with the ML350.

Yeah you have some good points. Reliability is pretty important to me…I work in the industry and I don’t care for working on my own vehicles.

I have considered Lexus. I own a Toyota already (it’s flawless), but I was hoping for something a little more interesting without sacrificing much. I’ll keep looking .

 

[doublebase]

I had a Gladiator as a rental, it is surprisingly well composed at freeway speeds. I think the longer wheelbase has a lot to do with it.

This was my biggest concern with the Gladiator, how it would handle on the freeway. Good to know it’s ok. Went to test drive one today, but it sold before I even got there.

 

[Kira]

Went to test drive one today, but it sold before I even got there.

Private sale? Year and mileage, please, if you can recall.