Compromise is a good thing in my opinion. My wife loves her Mazda 3. Now all I have to do keep up my end of the bargain. :D

I knew that. But in a "slide off the highway sideways into a tree" accident, I'm not sure that he would have been much better off with it on. Point taken, though. I think that SUVs are worse for going off the road at speed. The MB probably handles better than most. :cool:

The new ML has a longer wheelbase and wider track. It does handle better. It was shown in an M-B commercial a couple years ago at a race track, doing quite well for an SUV/Crossover.

Isn't it funny (or is it sad? I think funny.) how these threads can morph :)

No, we're still on track. I think the ML is a much wiser investment than the Civic. I had a Honda Accord which promptly at 100,000 miles, had a full electrical melt down.

I've seen in a couple M-B forums ML 320 and a few ML 350 models with over 200,000 miles. The diesels are expected to go even longer, power train wise.

Honestly, these things are tanks, and built to last. In Europe, the ML is sometimes used as a cab, police car, and for other service-oriented driving. I'd truly consider it over a Honda Civic, if for safety and durability alone.

Don't get me wrong guys, I love MB. My C36 is probably my favorite car ever, at least in sedan form. It's hewn from solid granite, and a blast to drive. My only caveat is combining a teenage girl and maintenance/repairs. An MB (or any German car) isn't a "turn up the radio to drown out that funny noise" car. That's a very real teen girl behavior. Except for Tim Hancock's daughters and their 924s. With his genes, they could probably out-wrench me (and not even get dirty).:D

I might have a chance to buy a '99 ml320( i think its a 99 know more tomorrow) for cheap. anything major i should look for?

I agree 100%.

In an accident, what are you usually trying to do? STOP. At that point, 4x4 offers no advantage at all. Add in a lot of weight and some top-heaviness, "numb" steering and brakes to make them manageable... and an SUV is at a real disadvantage (IMO).

I drive in the snow A LOT, and would take a small fwd with snow tires over an SUV any day of the week. The SUV may have more mass for an accident, but I'd much prefer to not be in an accident at all.

As for MB reliability, well I love mine (mind you, it's not an ML). It has been great to own, easy to work on and parts have generally been CHEAPER than VW equivalents.

I don't know - what about all the rubber on the road afforded by the large tires on an ML. You should see how large the tires on an ML430 are.

Well, in the case of drving in the snow the very last thing I'd want are wide tires. Skinnies, please. You want to be digging for traction, not skiing.

Ever see a plow truck with wide tires?

Edit: Just saw you are in socal, I'll rephrase: Ever see a plow truck? ;)

I had an 2003 ML AMG55 great SUV but it is very small in the inside, cost of parts is just silly just like the P cars it has the "Benz Tax"

Had a Denali luv that one, suspension is great, almost like the Cadillac escalate

Now have a 03 excursion diesel, the think is a beast, at times way to big but great towing vehicle

Next I may look into the Benz series R

Sorry - never drive in the snow. Around here, if it snows once in ten years that's a big deal. And it only lasts a few hours.

In my experience, nothing Mercedes is anywhere near Porsche prices. More comparable to BMW, in many cases 1/2 of Porsche prices.

Yeah but your land cruiser is still kicking and not one problem. Why not a 4 runner? They are good vehicles. I have one too and its at 11mph. I got the whole suspen. retorque. Not it drives like new.