So - talk me down from the ledge....

I happen to own a LC, so I know full well the costs of a vehicle with horrible mpg yet a high price tag. Save the lecture for someone else.

 

I’ve always thought that people who drive a Mercedes or a Land Rover are making three statements:
1) they can afford the vehicle.
2) they can afford to repair the vehicle.
3) they spend more time than most in dealership loaners.

That’s ultimate vehicle for me. If I didn’t have so many uses for a truck bed, I’d be in a LC. I just passed a new Heritage edition on my way home from taking my kids to school. It always gets me daydreaming…

 

I'll never forget the first time I went to Moab. There was a LR group there doing a trail run and not far into the trail one of them had a catastrophic engine fire. It was so fitting I could not have made it up. As much as I like the vehicles, I could never see myself buying one due to the horrendous reliability and the fact that the dealer is too far away.

 

That’s awesome, I love the LC. I almost purchased a new heritage edition last month. Would like to get a LC someday. I was not trying to lecture anyone, I was simply suggesting that people spending that kind of money are not really concerned about mpg, at least the majority of the people I have spoken with about this topic. You originally commented that the GM comparison of the new tundra will cost more than a tundra in regards to fuel cost. While I agree with you about this, I just don’t think it’s even a thought that most buyers consider unless they are driving 50k miles a year. Good luck with your LC.

 

I just got out of a GM, couldn't do it fast enough. That truck looked great and sounded even better with the performance package... but it was only a year old with 6k on it, and the adaptive cruise was broken, the HU didn't work all the time, battery went out several times, paint was chipping off the trim, and the AFM and 10 speed were absolutely awful. You could hear and feel the AFM, and the 10 speed was never happy unless you were dropping the hammer every time.




Not having to worry about my truck starting in the morning is pretty nice, but not 'everyone' wants that.

 

mkay, lads...

You've convinced me to start looking seriously at the 1794 edition Tundra.

Several in my area 2019, 2020, 2021 -- all there with that big V8

However, I think the ride quality over the long ruin will win out and a brand new 2022 Tundra will be the pick.

Thank you all so much for the time you took to get me info and other tidbits to peruse.

Onward and Upward.!!

 

The question is why would you get either one of those. Can you afford it? Yes you can! But why? It's a vehicle, do you need to pay $60k plus for one? To get from point a to point b? An sr5 or similar gm package would do just fine IMO, YMMV

 

I have had my 2018 1794 for about a year and absolutely love my truck. Good choice of model, truck has a ton of added options over other trim packages.

 

I don't how anyone could consider a GMC. They're deadly!

At least according to Treehugger!

GMC Denali Takes Deadly Design to New Heights

*I have no idea why Google stuck this article in my news feed...but it was too good not to share here.

 

I failed to mention, but this was also another reason I hated my GM. I traded my 2019 ZR2 in for it, and I was blown away by how giant the hood was. It actually needs all of those cameras because it's like driving a tank. That's my fear for the 3rd gen Tundra too. These hoods are out of f*****g control!

 

Wow.

 

Holy sh!t, what a ridiculous article. I was thinking it was satire at first....

 

Sadly from my anecdotal and brief experience in the new car sales business at a BMW dealer neither of those are true for a lot of buyers.

There are a lot of people leveraged up to their eyeballs in debt trying to keep up appearances in front of neighbors and friends. I wish people wouldn’t do that to themselves, especially on products as poorly made as most German cars, or *shudders thinking about it* a damned Jaguar, Land Rover, or Range Rover.

At least if a person wants to be “car poor” stretching into a higher end Toyota or Lexus the vehicle will probably never let them down! While not ideal that 84-96 month note they’re taking out on a Toyota or Lexus will see them owning fully functional and reliable car or truck at the end. Can’t say the same for a hunk European iron that turns into a cash incinerator after 4 years or 50,000 miles.

As for me I don’t give a rat’s ass if people assume I’m poor rolling around in my long paid off 2007 Tundra. I’m not what I personally consider wealthy, but based on average net worth in the US vs my net worth in property, liquid cash, and investments along with annual income I’m not doing too bad.

 

Unless you are set on something, re-sale value tells it all.
That's why Mercedes used (pre owned) cars are always in demand on car lots.
The best quality always holds up pricing.

 

I manage a fleet of Chevy, Ford, and Rams...buy the Tundra.

The Chevy, Ford, and FCA/Stellantis 'dealership experience' has dropped in the last few years; and flat cratered under Covid...and I am (we are) a repeat, frequent, and ongoing customer.

As was suggested above, spend some time on the Silverado/Sierra forum...yikes.

 

I plan to remain loyal to the tundra myself as long as the signs point to it being the most reliable and I don’t develop an urgent need for a 3/4 ton. It’s hard to beat that feeling of security of having a vehicle that you can get in and go anywhere at anytime without questioning if you’re going to get there without a problem or not. I can’t imagine driving a vehicle that every time I get in, I have to wonder if today is the day my lifters or transmission craps out. I also pull a travel trailer great distances, so the last thing I need is a mechanical issue hundreds of miles from home with a trailer in tow. I guess we all have different priorities to consider.

 

have we discussed the lifters taking a shit before 20k miles?

have 2 2021's here at the office that both took a crap at 7k miles.

lifters collapsed.

 

I think that is very dealer specific. My father happens to be on his second Jeep Cherokee and has had no issues with his. He would know as he has been back a number of times for recalls.

 

I won't ever consider a GM while they are sucking EPA's dick with that AFM shit.

 

Actually, the reality is opposite of the statements.

With financing, anyone can "afford" one.

 

But it's ok for Toyota to suck their dick with that EcoBoost and start stop shit?

 

Nope. Won't be buying the gen 3 Tundra either.

 

The people I know who drive a Mercedes are either doctors, in banking/finance, or a wildly successful songwriter or producer. One guy owns his own real estate firm. Most successful Nashville songwriters buy an F250 or an AT4 HD, though. That is about keeping up appearances. They blow most of their $$ on their first hit buying a truck in cash. Need another hit within a couple years, or they’ll be selling that truck…

We are well past the point of the vast majority of people who drive new cars of any make/model/class being able to afford to buy them outright. That doesn’t mean they can’t afford to pay it off over time. They still pay for it, probably overpaying depending on the financing terms. And they still are on the hook for all the repairs, which as @Coal Dragger said, are going to be be plentiful with most European cars.

 

Agree, there are many that can actually afford. A doctor in a Mercedes makes sense.

The premium brands are top selling volume wise. I don't think there are that many top 10%, especially in current situations.

 

I consultant for IT healthcare and got to travel around a lot, on average most physicians I saw drove .....drumroll.......Toyotas lol. The only time I saw exotics was when I consulted at Keck Hospital at USC and Naples FL

 

I did 10yrs in healthcare....I concur.

smart, frugal people are rich.

 

I like the rule of thumb that the total value of your household vehicles should not exceed 50% of your household income. Good old Dave Ramsey advice.

 

Never knew that rule but have only broken it once lol. Had to have a GTR shrug