Test Drove a G-Wagen

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Originally Posted by solmanic

So here's an idea...

If we all go down to our local Mercedes dealer and test drive a G-Wagen - Get the salesman all excited that he has a real, potential customer - Then tell him that we want a base spec one for around $80K. Maybe, just maybe, they will get the message and consider importing the Professional for sale as an actual off-road vehicle instead of an urban pimp-mobile.

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That's actually a really good idea. I'm sure they have all sorts of sales reports they have to full out which no doubt are in different coloured books so they can provide feedback to HQ about how things are going.

If 967 people came in a test drove one and then went and purchased the same other car M-B would have to pay a consultant to come in and explain why.

Considering I actually have a bit of respect for M-B A I think they would actually listen. As opposed to LRA which would, well, not.

Or we could hassle LR to produce the defender we all want. Pat

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Originally Posted by PAT303

Or we could hassle LR to produce the defender we all want. Pat

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never going to happen. they don't care about the Defender, all they care about is making megabucks off the blingy D3/RR/RRS/Evo

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Originally Posted by Naks

never going to happen. they don't care about the Defender, all they care about is making megabucks off the blingy D3/RR/RRS/Evo

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I agree, but why don't they discontinue it? The poor reputation of the later defenders surely must hurt D3/RR/RRS by association.
Wagoo.

Hmmm ... maybe the mini-moke wasn't so bad after all:p:p:twisted:

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Originally Posted by wagoo

I agree, but why don't they discontinue it? The poor reputation of the later defenders surely must hurt D3/RR/RRS by association.
Wagoo.

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The same reason no one would buy designer wear if skinny supermodels did not display them on the catwalk. :angel:

IMHO a lot of people only buy a D3/RR/RRS/REvo because the ancestor is a Defender - they like the emotional appeal of the Defender in the African bush but would never give up the comfort/bling.

The poor rep of the Defender is of no concern to LR, they have been making a loss on it since the 80's (when the UN switched to Patrols & LCs) - it is simply the skinny supermodel LR uses to attract customers ;)

Apparently this is the first ‘civilian registered’ G350 in Australia.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...011/03/866.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...011/03/867.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...011/03/868.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...011/03/869.jpg

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Originally Posted by Naks

The same reason no one would buy designer wear if skinny supermodels did not display them on the catwalk. :angel:

IMHO a lot of people only buy a D3/RR/RRS/REvo because the ancestor is a Defender - they like the emotional appeal of the Defender in the African bush but would never give up the comfort/bling.

The poor rep of the Defender is of no concern to LR, they have been making a loss on it since the 80's (when the UN switched to Patrols & LCs) - it is simply the skinny supermodel LR uses to attract customers ;)

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Good analogy.
But once the skinny supermodel becomes a right old incontinent boiler with mascara running down her face, hairy legs and armpits, one or two teeth missing,who breaks her high heels and stumbles every time she goes out on the catwalk,she wouldn't attract too many buyers for the products she is promoting.;)
Wagoo.

Naks how do you know they are making a loss on the defender?.I find it impossible to believe they are losing money on them for the last 30 years.I would actually go as far to say that they would make good money on them simply because R&D and tooling are the two biggest costs in manufacturing and the defender hasn't had any for quite some time.The UN uses Japanese vehicles and they are eveywhere because Japan runs in surplus so gives equipement such as vehicles as foreign aid instead of money. Pat

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Originally Posted by Ranga

The worst thing is the yuppies who buy this thing will actually have a capable off-roader, unlike an X5 or Cayenne, plus all the luxury. :(

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Sorry Ranga, my Cayenne has diff locks centre and rear (and they've been used a few times:cool:) and more ground clearance than my D3 had.

No snorkel or bullbar, but that hardly declassifies it as a 'capable' 4WD.

I considered a G wagen but they obviously weren't released in time for me to get the "Rudd bucks". Plus, are they made in North America like the other Merc 4WD and the X5?