Latest news with #G-wagen
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
These Are The Cars You'd Put Up With Horrible Gas Mileage To Daily Drive
Earlier this week I asked you to share what cars you would put up with horrible gas mileage to daily drive, something you love so much that fuel economy would be no concern no matter how bad. My example was the Mercedes-AMG G63, which despite going mild-hybrid for 2025 is still horrible inefficient. In a week with one I averaged just 9 mpg, and surely not all the blame goes to my potentially heavy right foot. Even though it has a 26-gallon fuel tank, and fill-ups would cost well over $100 every twice-weekly visit to the pump, I love that damn thing so much that I'd deal with it. (If I was actually in the G-wagen's price bracket, at least.) You all came up with tons of answers — well over one hundred, in fact — so I've whittled it down to my favorite baker's dozen. Some of you even own or owned the inefficient cars you love, which makes this even better. I'm not gonna bother even including the people who just answers "none," because booooo, have some fun. Keep reading to see all of the cars your fellow readers love enough to overlook horrible gas mileage, and let us know your favorites in the comments. Read more: Nobody Does Land Yachts Like Cadillac, And These Are Five Of The Best Ones I currently daily a 4Runner with semi-dumb that one? brother me too. Same, homie. And with the way these damn things run, I'll be driving it to my own funeral. My 5th Gen 4Runner TRD Off Road Daily drove 4runners since 2017. Weekend toy but no room for 3 vehicles in our household. Decided to switch it up to a Bronco Raptor. Similar horrible mileage but 10x more fun. Puts a smile on my face everytime I drive it. We do have an EV6 GT which is used by whomever has the longer drive most days... Suggested by: anon, FUNHAVER, sclass88, Tom, Az_CRaig I can't believe how many of you are out here dailying those old-ass gas-guzzling things. The new one seems like a big improvement, at least. A '66 Lincoln Continental 4 door convertible. The hardtop I had got 9mpg on a good day and drank super unleaded. But I would GLADLY daily that 'vert!! If I drove it 3 out of 5 days to work, since my current daily gets 40mpg (motorcycle, FTW!!), I'd average out to about 21mpg. Suggested by: Stillnotatony I love someone who genuinely dailies something vintage like this. In dreamland, Porsche 911 Turbo S, by the way in dreamland there is never traffic in my way, and my car emits O2 only. We don't live in dreamland, that's why I'm shopping for a Chevy Bolt, or a Leaf currently. In my dreams, either a 911 4S or LC500. Leaning more towards the LC500 based on TCO. My daily is a 911 Targa 4 GTS, gets around 17.5 around town Suggested by: towman, KP, Fluffy_Black_Dog The thing is, these latest 911s actually get pretty great fuel economy given the segment. I've easily seen over 30 mpg on the freeway and into the 20s in regular daily driving. It would have to sound fantastic. Even though my DD is actually an EV, there is a part of me that would like to have something V8 for a short because I've never owned one, and I never tire of the sound of a good V8. So maybe it should be a convertible too. I guess it has to be an LC500 then. The LC500 is a great choice. Supremely comfortable and sounds pretty good too. Gas mileage isn't completely awful either. Suggested by: dolsh, Featherlite One of my favorite cars on sale, and they actually get pretty great gas mileage on the highway. Around town, though, you'll be wanting to floor it everywhere. Once daily drove a 1992 600SEL. If you organize all the cars on the EPA website from 1984-2025 by city or highway or combined MPG, the 600SEL is on the last couple pages with old Lamborghinis and Ferraris lol EPA quoted 10/14/12 but in stop and go traffic the fuel economy gauge that read up to 50mpg (only while idling...) dropped to 0 as soon as you looked at the accelerator pedal, then slowly crept up to 8-12mpg. ''Twas a fascinating time, replaced it with a Geo XFi for a short time before going back to an S320 LWB Suggested by: Tw@t I'm not really a W140, but I'll always support a V12 Mercedes. Sports cars don't count as gas hogs and how many people truly want to DD something stiff, loud and compromised in traffic? For me, the nostalgia of my dad's V10 Excursion Limited is what I would love to DD. We did a little suspension work so it was much smoother and handled better on road, it towed our travel trailer everywhere, took the sports teams all over ,etc. Most tanks it got 10 mpg, I once saw 20 going downhill out of the gas station right after resetting the computer. They look great, the V10 has a great sound and effortless torque, they are supremely comfortable with the right shocks and they are supremely capable. Suggested by: cintocrunch1 One time, when I was living in Detroit, I called a normal Uber just for myself and the guy showed up in a V10 Excursion. I thought that was wild. For a time, my daily driver was an '05 Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab. That beast got single digit mileage in city and maybe cracked 12 on the highway thanks to the Viper V-10 and an old school 4 speed automatic. I loved it because it was just so damn ridiculous on all levels. Then again, I wasn't paying for the gas as it was my company car. I eventually switched out to a Regular cab SRT-10 with Tremec 6-speed that got like 13-14 mpg if I drove conservatively, which was damn near impossible. Would I daily one of those bad boys today? I think I would, especially the regular cab with the Tremec. Yeah, I daily drive my 2005 SRT-10 manual. 13-14mbg around town, but have hit 17 on the highway. Cannot give up the torque or that V10 sound! Suggested by: Factoryhack, n/a God, remember when Dodge used to really be cool? I love that we have multiple Jalops who have owned these. (And sorry, I just had to include that iconic clip.) Why, the car I drive every day! My Volvo 240 Turbo wagon! It gets 17 to 18 MPG whether you baby it or keep your foot in it, so why not enjoy the boost, I say. Out of 30 odd cars I've owned, it's easily one of my favorites, so it's worth it. For comparison, my old non-turbo 240 wagon would regularly turn in 24 to 25 MPG. Suggested by: I_Borgward I miss my 940 Turbo wagon so much. I never really got great gas mileage with it, but especially not after I straight-piped it. A Bowler Defender. In Left hand drive for the US. They have never made one, and never will. But if it existed, I would drive one. Suggested by: 12MileGeo Now we're talkin'. I see a fair bit of chatter on RX8 forums about dailying the RX8. Having one myself, it is a fantastic chassis. I would drive it every day if I didn't have other options. The suicide rear doors also makes it [somewhat] practical. I can take the whole family out in mine. But with only about 200miles of range on the tank at 14mpg and requiring premium fuel, gets to be quite expensive. If Mazda made another rotary-powered GT car that somehow managed to be magically reliable, I'd do it without hesitation, even in spite of horrible fuel economy. As someone who previously pressed 2 different RX-7s and an RX-8 into daily driver duties (though all at different times) I don't think I'd be willing to do it again given the downtime and maintenance headaches. However, if there were a new Cosmo or refreshed RX-8 that didn't give me constant rebuild anxiety, I'd certainly do it. Having owned both RX-7s and an RX-8 in the past, the 8 is definitely my choice for a daily. While more raw, the 7s were too cramped, noisy, and hot as ovens inside to be enjoyable for long periods of time. The RX-8 was probably my favorite car I've owned for long road trips. The seating position never aggravated my back or shoulders, and the car is engaging enough to prevent fatigue caused by sheer boredom. I could manage about 28-30 MPG cruising on the interstate around 70mph, but my mixed mileage was also right around 14 MPG and sometimes as low as 9 MPG in hellish stop and go. While my current cars have more comfort and tech, I do miss how well the RX-8 could chew up hundreds of miles of road and make me smile the whole time. Suggested by: kwhite, Luxurious King If all of the other Rotary-related problems didn't exist, I'd love to daily an RX-8 even if the gas mileage still sucked. What a great car. An E60 M5 manual. I did it for 5 years, getting about 12 mpg and less than 200 miles per tank. And it was sooo worth it. Suggested by: Jordan Sangerman Another awesome V10 vehicle. I love the E60, but the Bangle 6 Series is what really owns my heart. The F150 Raptor is the single best vehicle I've ever owned and I'll drive one as long as they keep making them and they stay as relatively reliable as they are. I've had a lot of great cars and will continue to have more - 911 Turbo S, Audi R8, C6 and C7 Z06, GTR, C63 AMG, S3, S4, etc, but my Raptor is the single best vehicle I've ever owned, even at 15-17mpg on average. Snow, rain, massive potholes, road debris, etc, doesn't matter. Raptor. Comfort for 5 on even a multi-state drive? Raptor. Luxury options, quiet, super easy to drive, Raptor. Towing the cars to the track? Raptor. Jumping this thing off-road and even tackling rocks, this thing will go anywhere it will fit. It's just one those rare vehicles that does everything better than most and lives up to the hype with the most minimal mods necessary to do even more (like adding bags for towing). And worth mentioning my R8 and C63 got much worse mileage than my Raptor on 37s. Suggested by: Dan Putnam Honestly, I get it. Tank, Tank is always the answer. Horrid gas mileage, check, terribly slow, check. Traffic, not with Tank, someone cut you off, not with tank, coworker p*ss you off, not with tank. Suggested by: James Dodson Maybe we should all be driving tanks. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mercedes-Benz Could Reportedly Axe Entry-Level Models in the U.S.
With 25 percent tariffs on cars imported into the United States right around the corner, automakers are preparing ways to respond. A claims that may be considering axing its entry-level models. Mercedes officially refutes this report, saying the company is focused on continuing its pattern of sales growth. With import tariffs right around the corner, automakers are looking to limit their exposure. According to a recent report from Bloomberg, Mercedes-Benz may respond by no longer importing its least expensive models, vehicles such as the GLA-class or perhaps even the C-class. For a luxury marque, entry-level vehicles are less about volume profits than they are about introducing a buyer to the brand. Hopefully, someone who picks a GLA over a BMW or Audi alternative will grow accustomed to Mercedes's infotainment and dealer service and consider moving to a more expensive offering when their lease is up. Every company thinks a lot about brand loyalty, and Mercedes is no exception. Unfortunately, while something like the G-wagen is in such huge demand from deep-pocketed clientele that a pricing spike likely won't affect sales much, a 25 percent bump to a $42K GLA might represent a budget buster. The GLA is built in Rastatt, Germany, so it would be subject to greater tariffs than Mercedes models assembled at the company's Alabama plant. Reached for comment, a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson said the reports are 'without merit,' and that the brand is focused on sales growth. Last year, the company managed to increase sales volume by nearly 10 percent. Still, with some confusion continuing to swirl around how the import tariffs will actually roll out, executives throughout the industry will be considering options that might have seemed unlikely just months ago. Luxury brands such as Aston Martin have indicated that prices will rise in the immediate future, and Ferrari has already responded with increased prices on some of its models. It's possible that pattern will be repeated with some of Mercedes-Benz's product line, especially AMG and Maybach vehicles. What will happen with the entry-level models remains to be seen. Uncertainty is not in short supply on the day the impending tariffs are set to go into effect. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
No V-8, No Problem: 2025 Mercedes-Benz G550 Tested
The back seat is tiny, and the price tag is large. When you drive at night, strange reflections of oncoming traffic play havoc across the flat-windowed interior. The electric version handles better. Only the AMG G63 gets a V-8. There are lots of reasons to dislike the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G550, but it would take a pettier soul than ours to do so. The Mercedes glam box manages to make the most mundane errands feel like red-carpet arrivals, and for that we can't stay mad at it. The G-wagen remains slab-sided and tall for 2025 but boasts an extra-toothy grille, reshaped front and rear bumpers and A-pillars, and a kick-up spoiler on the roof. Visually these changes are small, but Mercedes says they help direct air over the top of the G-class and around the sides for a quieter, more efficient ride. We averaged 16 mpg on our recent drive, proving there's only so much efficiency a rolling shipping container can muster (the EPA quotes it at 18 mpg combined). If you want to skip the pump altogether, there's always the electric G580. We can vouch for the latest G550's hushed ride, as there's only 67 decibels of noise inside at 70 mph, and any wind and road roar can be easily drowned out by the Burmester audio system. The new model year's move from twin-turbo V-8 motivation to a 48-volt-assisted inline-six is big news in G-wagen circles. Considering the G550's native habitat is expensive grocery store parking lots and Wilshire Boulevard gridlock, the topic of engine choice seems barely relevant; it doesn't take much horsepower to pull up to the valet at the Beverly Wilshire on Rodeo Drive, but part of the G's appeal has always been its capable underpinnings, a blue-collar tool kit hidden in the designer briefcase. Not to fear, because while the new turbocharged and supercharged 3.0-liter six lacks the bass vibrato of the V-8, it still has a decent burble and, more importantly, produces 443 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, which is enough scoot to get the G550 through the quarter-mile in 13.6 seconds at 101 mph. Reaching 60 mph takes 5.0 seconds, which is a smidge quicker than the previous V-8 version, despite the new model having 37 fewer pound-feet of torque. Of course, what the test track can't showcase is the G550's intimidation factor. It may not be the quickest vehicle in a freeway-merging matchup, but when you floor it and the nine-speed automatic drops a few gears and your victim sees that big brick accelerating in their rearview, they tend to drop back out of fear, or respect. We'll take either one. But the G550 doesn't automatically win everyone over. During testing, technical editor Dan Edmunds was unimpressed, especially on the skidpad where the G550 managed only a stability-control-inhibited 0.63 g with moderate understeer, while its electric sibling beat it soundly by pulling 0.80 g. At least the G550 stops similarly well, coming to a halt from 70 mph in a relatively trim 165 feet to the G580 EV's 162 feet. But we'll counter by saying there's no need to hustle about when you're enjoying a heated-stone massage and pondering the mood lighting you need for that evening's outing. If you want a canyon-carving SUV, there are several other German offerings that specialize in that. The G-wagen is for stately maneuvering in comfort, traversing unpaved hunting-lodge driveways in comfort, and towing showy boats—up to 7000 pounds' worth—in comfort. And comfortable it is. Opening the door is like unlocking a safe full of valuables, both in the vacuum-releasing click of entry and the rich smell of leather and wood that greets you when you climb inside. Our test car had the classic pairing of a dark foresty green exterior with a toasty saddle-tan leather interior full of quilted panels and silvered dark wood accents. The steering wheel is a delight, wrapped in leather so soft it's almost silk and better laid out than what's in Mercedes-Benz's sedans. Even though it uses the same touch-sensitive controls of other models, they are not so prone to accidental engagement. Seating is high up and throne-like, with a large menu of heating, cooling, and adjustment elements. We had several friends pop inside just to take advantage of the massage feature, even when we weren't going anywhere—but not all at once, because while the front seats are truly royal accommodations, the rear seats are surprisingly stingy on legroom. When combined with the optional rear-seat entertainment system ($2990), the second row becomes downright unpleasant. Anyone planning to use the G550 as a family hauler best check their car-seat measurements before clicking that option box. Carefully considering options is important, as it's easy to raise the G550's already elevated $149,400 starting price into AMG G63 territory. Ash wood trim, leather grab handles, AMG Line dress-up options, nappa leather upholstery, those magnificent massaging seats, and many other personalizations brought our test car up to $182,240. Which brings us back to our initial thoughts on G-wagens. Mercedes managed to make a formerly bare-bones military transport truck into an envy-inspiring luxury cruiser, and even knowing that the magic trick has been done, we remain enthralled. The G-class isn't the best choice for large families, and it's not the most efficient choice for solo driving, but it remains unrivaled as a fashion statement. The hefty cargo area and sturdy all-wheel-drive chassis offer enough capability to argue that a G-wagen isn't just trendy, it's sensible. Who can be mad about that? You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mercedes-Benz Confirms Smaller G-Wagen, Announces Design Changes
has confirmed that a smaller, more affordable is on the way. The automaker also confirmed plans to overhaul its design language, bringing future EVs and combustion cars under a shared appearance. The announcements were made as part of a recent investor-relations presentation held by the automaker. After years of speculation and rumors, Mercedes-Benz has finally confirmed that a smaller version of the G-class (colloquially known as the G-wagen) will be built. The announcement came as part of an investor-relations presentation from Mercedes-Benz. Any details beyond the new G-class's existence remain a mystery, but just try to stop our imaginations from running wild. The latest rumors suggest that the baby G will be sold exclusively as an EV. Considering Merc is already selling an electric version of the G-class, we don't see any reason to doubt that. This isn't the first time Mercedes has tried to embody the spirit of the G-wagen in a smaller frame. Remember the Concept GLB? We don't think this new SUV will miss the G's spirit in the same way the eventual GLB production car did, but we also don't expect it to be as brawny as the original. As part of the same announcement, Mercedes confirmed plans to drastically shift its design language. As things stand now, Merc's entire fleet of EVs sets itself apart from the gas-burning side of the lineup with a design language that wouldn't be out of place on your bathroom counter. That's set to change. In the future, Mercedes will take a similar approach to BMW with a single model that offers internal-combustion, hybrid, and battery-electric powertrain options. The move is a 180-degree turn from Merc's current strategy, which has separate combustion and EV models. The upcoming CLA-class will be the first model to make the change—the existing G-class and G-class EV notwithstanding. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
This Auto Shop in Lebanon Builds the Wackiest Old-to-New Car Conversions
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Ever wanted to make your 15-year-old luxury car look like a brand-new version? First off, weird. Secondly, we've got a guy for that: Auto Tuning Lebanon. This business based in Habbouch, Lebanon is consistently posting its intriguing builds and going viral on TikTok and other social media sites. The main draw is how, on occasion, this shop puts together a legitimately convincing transformation of a couple-decade-old luxury car into a new one that could be sitting on the dealer lot. Take this G-wagen, for example. Auto Tuning Lebanon completely strips the tired-looking 2002 G of all its body panels before going in with metal fabrication tools to modify the vehicle so you can mount the 2024-spec panels on it. A new matte black paint job gives it the fresh look we're sure they're going for — but it's the dead-accurate AMG bumpers, new lights, proper fenders, real mirrors and all the other little details that would have many thinking this legitimately is a new G-Class. There are numerous builds just like this one visible on Auto Tuning Lebanon's social media channels. Most of them are luxury cars from the 2000s or 2010s, with a heavy emphasis on Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz and BMW models. Not all of them are as convincing as the G above, though, as a quick scroll through the page's history will show the shop's progression from its less professional start to the in-depth resto-modding they're capable of now. Some of the wildest transformations are on the inside of the cars, however. The G-wagen build referenced earlier sees the entire interior stripped out and replaced with screens, switchgear and other parts from a modern G. Mercedes and car nerds alike will surely notice the differences, but it's still a comprehensive job of making an early 2000s interior appear like a new one. For cars that don't get the fully-gutted treatment, Auto Tuning Lebanon will still swap out clusters and infotainment systems for modernized versions. How many of the features actually function properly (or at all) is an open question, but the look is certainly convincing. The reality behind all of this effort is that underneath the new appearance is a car that likely has a lot of miles and all the wear and tear associated with it. The videos never detail engine work or suspension refreshes alongside all the aesthetic updates, but we've reached out to the shop to see what there might be to learn about its restoration methods. You might be wondering at this point... why go to all the effort? Presumably, the main motivation is financial: it's undoubtedly cheaper to buy a worn-out luxury car, find parts that mimic the OEM bits, then use a whole lot of creativity to fit them all together than it is to go out and buy the actual new car — perfect for anyone who wants to look like a baller without needing to fork out the cash. Putting even this much money into a car that might need other expensive repairs in the near future is a big gamble, but there must be buyers, with how many conversions this shop has done so far. Give Auto Tuning Lebanon's TikTok page (or, if you prefer, their Instagram account or Facebook page) a scroll and see what you think of the shop's efforts. Even if the end result is questionable, the process and results sure are a wonder to watch. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
