I remember when Mercedes started (late 2002) to officially import the G-Class to the U.S.

There was a writer on MSN Autos several years ago who did the write up for the G-Class at the time.  Anyway, she listed under Pros, that she liked the off road capability, but turned around and complained under Cons about the truck like feel! Well duh!  IT IS a truck, but on a military truck platform with solid axles, hence the reason for the excellent off road capability!  Then she also listed under Cons that it looked like something out of the Cold War.  That's because..drum roll....IT IS!!

Apparently, Kirk Bell is just as clueless. 

Go-anywhere off-road ability: Standard front, center and rear locking differentials, low-range gearing, and short front and rear overhangs make the G-Class one of the best off-roaders on the planet.

Bouncy ride and lots of body lean: The G-Class's 33-year old body-on-frame structure is tall and skinny, giving the vehicle sloppy handling, lots of body lean and a trucklike ride.

Poor value: With high pricing, sloppy handling, bad fuel economy and poor use of interior space, the G-Class doesn't offer anything save the Tristar badge that you can't get in a vehicle for $70,000 less.

What does Krik expect? It's not a sports car.  Yet, just like the writer from years ago, he contradicts himself.  Kirk states that he likes the off road capability, but  then turns around and complains about the very thing that allows for the off road capability.  He also complains about the gas mileage.  Again, what the hell does he expect from a vehicle that has the aerodynamics of a brick, permanent 4WD, and weighs 5,578 lbs?  There is also a diesel variant that we can't get in the US.  For those who need off road capability, the G-Class is not of poor value.  I wonder if this genius realizes that the G-Class can climb 80% grades, remain stable laterally on grades of 54%, or the incredible reliability that they have.  As mentioned in my earlier post below, in 2006, Mercedes' engineers drove a G-Class 11,800 miles across Siberia in temperatures averaging -60 F. The number of break downs? ZERO. 

"the G-Class doesn't offer anything save the Tristar badge that you can't get in a vehicle for $70,000 less."

Krik, I hate to tell you, but actually it does.  How many other vehicles are on the road like the G-Class?  Oh right, none.  Yeah, there are other highend SUVs like the Range Rover and Land Cruiser, which are unique in their own right, but they're all different.  The G-Class is not for everyone, and Mercedes knows this. Just because it's not the right vehicle for you, that doesn't mean the value is poor. 

I have to agree with others, the MSN Autos writers are getting dumber, not smarter.

Steve-80:

I'm not jealous one bit.  I would never drive one of these douche mobiles if you paid me.  And not that it matters, but I've got a great career in oil and gas probably making more money than you're capable of counting.  If I had ANY desire to drive the Mercedes Milk Carton, I would.  But I'm not a pompus douche, so I wasn't able to meet the pre-qualifications for a test drive at the dealership.

I don't care if it can climb this grade and that grade and drive upside-down, the reality is that these lux'd up G-classes never leave pavement and should have stayed as millitary spec'd vehicles.

Haha, I love it!  I just pulled this quote from the story about car's base price changes:

"Also in 2007, the ancient G550 (then called the G500) was less than $85,000. It’s now 30 grand more -- and all that cash just for a newer V8, a new tranny, some LEDs and other minor changes on a car dating back to the Cold War."

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Even Mercedes knows the people who buy these things are so ignorant that they've instituted their own idiot tax to the tune of $30K in the last 5 years!

xquzit,

Awwwe, what's the matter, were you not able to land a career that pays well enough to where you can afford one?  Jealous much?  The G-Class is a vehicle that will last 30+ years if you take care of it, which means you don't have to go out and buy one every five years like most SUVS. In 2006, Mercedes' engineers drove a G-Class 11,800 miles across Siberia in temperatures averaging -60 F.  The number of break downs? ZERO.

The G-Class was released in 1979 for the German, Austrian, and Swiss militaries as well as NATO. Canadian Special Forces and U.S. Marines Force Recon use diesel military spec versions.

I've had numerous opportunities to drive the G-Class both on and off road through the years.  They're great vehicles. They have three locking differentials, and can climb 80% grades right out of the box with NO MODS.  The G-Class remains stable laterally at grades up to 54%.

Jeff,

The G-Class has always been a low production volume vehicle, and they're hand built in Graz, Austria by Magna Steyr (on Mercedes' behalf).  Thats the reason for the high cost, but again, this is a vehicle that will last 30+ years if you take care of it. You don't have to replace it every 5 to 10 years.