Really? A $4,500 G-Wagon?
Yes, we’ve heard the Post Malone song. We know the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon is a cool SUV. But it’s also out of reach in terms of pricing for most people. While we get that its crazy price tag is part of why people covet this big Mercedes truck, we can’t help but wonder. Is there a budget version? Is it worth it to buy a used Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon?
In the video below, The Fast Lane host reviews a 2004 Land Rover Discovery II. Just over three minutes into the video, he says that it is “about as close as you can get to a G-Wagon for about $4,500 bucks.” And in some ways maybe it’s true.
It’s still not a G-Wagon
Truth be told, it’s a bold claim. The G-Wagon is a luxurious off-road beast of a truck with distinctive style and more capability than many who drive them will ever need. A used Land Rover Discovery II can hardly compete.
Still, we do understand the sentiment. Even in 2004 Land Rover had decked out the Discovery II with an opulent interior that included details like suede touches and luxurious leather upholstery. Plus, it features tons off off-road driving features as well as that aggressive boxy style. While it’s still not a G-Wagon, for $4,500 we think it’s a budget contender.
How much is a used Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon?
According to Edmunds, pricing on a 2004 used Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon is still north of $30 grand. So maybe the Land Rover Discovery II really does compare as a budget version of the G-Wagon. When you consider how low the price is comparatively, the claim made by the TFL host starts to make more sense.
New G-Wagons can cost far north of $100 grand way up into 6-figure pricing. According to Car and Driver, the new Land Rover Discovery has a starting price of $55,250. However, the modern Land Rover Discovery doesn’t have that same rugged and militant appeal. The much smoother modern silhouette of the new Discovery has none of the boxiness of its predecessor.
A $4,500 G-Wagon
So if you want a boxy off-road SUV with luxury amenities for a seriously reasonable price, a used Land Rover might fit the bill. It will not be as extra as a G-Wagon. Still, it’s a cool looking truck with super off-road capability and more luxury than most for a truck that aged and a price so low.
If you really love the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, you might also love an old Land Rover Discovery. And it turns out a used model Land Rover from the same year as a used Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon is a fraction of the price. While we aren’t saying that this is an apples to apples comparison by any means, the two are similar enough in their more dated years to glean attention from the same buyers.
New pricing
Due to the extreme pricing on the new G-Wagon, there are shoppers looking to skim the edge off the pricey top by buying a used Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon instead. Even if you are wealthy enough to buy a new one, it can’t hurt to save $50 grand or so by buying one that’s a couple years old and gently used.
According to Car and Driver, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon starts for $132,650. So it’s no wonder that it’s a symbol of financial success. However, if you love it for its rugged exterior and off-road capability then you may want to check out the $4,500 version––a used Land Rover Discovery II.
