What other vehicles did you consider buying?

[rovie]

I've always fancied the G-wagon, but never owned one. At the weekend I met a friend who has owned 25 G-wagons over the past few decades. He said that the current G is the best. Now I want to find out and am in the process of configuring one. 2024 is already sold out. I'm hoping to get a reservation for 2025. I'm particularly keen to compare it with my Grenadier.

 

[Jeremy996]

I've always fancied the G-wagon, but never owned one. At the weekend I met a friend who has owned 25 G-wagons over the past few decades. He said that the current G is the best. Now I want to find out and am in the process of configuring one. 2024 is already sold out. I'm hoping to get a reservation for 2025. I'm particularly keen to compare it with my Grenadier.

Have you got the deep pockets and patience required? Even used they are hellish expensive. In comparison the Grenadier is a bargain.

 

[rovie]

Have you got the deep pockets and patience required? Even used they are hellish expensive. In comparison the Grenadier is a bargain.

I'm not so sure about that yet. There is a difference in the purchase price, but in the medium to long term I reckon the G-Wagon will cost less. That will pay off, especially when reselling.
There is also a clear difference in quality. I have the Grenadier for work, not for fun. The G has to do the same. But I also drive long distances with a heavy trailers. And I notice a clear difference there too.

 

[Shaky]

I have probably answered this already, but my other option was the new shape Ford Ranger Raptor. A mate did buy one and it’s an impressive vehicle.

 

[Mules]

I have owned, but not at the same time, in this order….
Land Rover series 2A (1962)
Land Rover Series 3 Station Wagon - Double safari roof etc 109”
Land Rover 110 station wagon - turbo diesel, G reg
Range Rover Classic LSE. 4.3lt V8 (TVR engine)
Land Rover 300tdi 110 County Station Wagon
Defender Puma 110 XS Station Wagon 2,4lt

And a string of Volvos as my ‘other’ car.

so, the dilema, new Defender? NO! Grenadier - ooh. Pricey. Invest in upgrading the Puma? Chose the latter. £16k down the drain. Despite re wiring, new almost everything, still unreliable. Although I loved it for around 170,000 miles!

Maggie, my Brittannia blue Grenadier, was love at first sight. No brainer. Despite the list of faults that the warranty is going to be hit with! Best thing I did in 2023. (Best in 2022? Having my cask of Bruichladdich bottled ). Living on an island with lousy roads and bumpy tracks it really is the right vehicle.

And yes, my Volvo XC90 inscription is still on the drive,
luxury and pace. ……..and better MPG on a journe!

Great Island & great distillery @Coullabus. I've had the pleasure of visiting in a Puma Defender some years ago... a Grenadier would feel right at home. May your chassis last longer than some of those on the poor Landies we saw!

 

[Cheshire cat]

G-Wagon would without doubt have been my other choice.

Just been looking at the Mercedes website. Not currently taking order books are full.
A basic diesel choice would be in the region of £141,000 (With only a couple of extra's)
I note that on the used market, an 18 month old version would now cost me around £115,000 - £125,000 approx'.

Taking into account the extra £70,000 I would have had to find in the first place, plus depreciation of around £20,000 +, I don't feel I am in too bad a place with the current value of my Grenadier.

 

[Tempus Fugit]

I haven't purchased the grenadier yet, but really the only one I seriously considered was the GX550. It's great, very refined, and very comfortable with good interior tech. For whatever reason, it just doesn't attract me as much as the IG. The IG just seems to have so much more personality and is much more unique and fun to drive. Just waiting to clarify a few final details, but hopefully should have my IG by end of the month.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

I haven't purchased the grenadier yet, but really the only one I seriously considered was the GX550. It's great, very refined, and very comfortable with good interior tech. For whatever reason, it just doesn't attract me as much as the IG. The IG just seems to have so much more personality and is much more unique and fun to drive. Just waiting to clarify a few final details, but hopefully should have my IG by end of the month.

It’s a better deal and more capable than the LC 250. It’s not nearly as robust as the Grenadier, has A LOT of tech to break - but honestly the thing that I could just never get over is that grill. It’s pretty clear where Lexus saw their opening - urban and minority. It’s obvious who they’re targeting. Watch the commercials. In the early ‘aughts, it was affluent white suburban moms. They know they can’t win head to head against BMW and MB - so that’s how they thought they could grow. And for whatever reason, they think that grill face is a winner - but it completely undermines the GX 550 look. In that regard, I think the LC 250 looks better up front.

 

[Chadd7]

I haven't purchased the grenadier yet, but really the only one I seriously considered was the GX550. It's great, very refined, and very comfortable with good interior tech. For whatever reason, it just doesn't attract me as much as the IG. The IG just seems to have so much more personality and is much more unique and fun to drive. Just waiting to clarify a few final details, but hopefully should have my IG by end of the month.

Same here. I still own my 2014 LC200, which I considered trading in for the GX550, but can’t get myself to do it. Not a big fan of the body shape, which reminds me of an older generation Honda Passport. Couldn’t decide whether wanted square or aerodynamic, so went rounded square.

 

[Krabby]

The gaping grill Lexus design language is far from flattering. It's not my cup of tea in the least and I'm not sure who thinks that style looks good but they obviously sell plenty of vehicles. In terms of basic looks, the LC wins hands down, but given the V6 option, the Lexus would be the way to go IMO.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

The gaping grill Lexus design language is far from flattering. It's not my cup of tea in the least and I'm not sure who thinks that style looks good but they obviously sell plenty of vehicles. In terms of basic looks, the LC wins hands down, but given the V6 option, the Lexus would be the way to go IMO.

100%

 

[CrazyOldMan]

So I guess the answer depends upon what kind of self-loathing you want to embrace. The kind that knows you’re driving a mom car that stole the name and look of a legend, or the kind that is getting something more capable but will make all your buddies crank up Drake every time you drive up at the base of the trail, like the Gimp of Moab. Psychologically rough either way - but pretty nice driving experience from what I hear, so there’s always that to look forward to.

 

[Tom109]

I just don’t like any new cars. None. Putting your name on the Grenadier list back in 2021 was completely unlike any other wait list, as is the actual vehicle.

 

[Max]

The gaping grill Lexus design language is far from flattering. It's not my cup of tea in the least and I'm not sure who thinks that style looks good but they obviously sell plenty of vehicles. In terms of basic looks, the LC wins hands down, but given the V6 option, the Lexus would be the way to go IMO.

I think It has been said before on here, that the Lexus is a Star Wars vehicle for

Darth Vader