Enthusiasts Blogging Our Favorite Classifieds
You are probably looking at that photo above and thinking that is not a 2004 Mercedes-Benz G500. Thanks to the never-ending need for humans to look more wealthy than they really are, we end up with this creation. That is in fact a 2004 G500 with a W463.2 front grille, hood, fenders, fender extenders, bumpers, lighting, side mirrors, and giant 22″ wheels. I’ve seen it all.
The year is 2023 and I’m still discovering vehicles that I always thought existed, but could never prove because I had never actually seen one. That changes today with the 1998 Mercedes-Benz G43 AMG. Yes, G43. This is a W463 with the AMG-tuned 4.3-liter M113 that is most known for being in the C43 AMG. The selling dealer claims this was built for the Japanese market and resided there until imported back to Germany in 2019. Stated production was just 10, and I am inclined to believe that given I’ve never actually seen one before. I love it.
Once again the internet teaches me something new when I think I’ve seen it all. This is a 1995 Mercedes-Benz 350GD which is fixed with what looks to be a “high roof” body. These weren’t all that uncommon back in the W460 chassis given their utility, but I can’t remember seeing one on what looks to be a civilian 350GD. The seller says it was made for the Dutch Forestry Commission, whatever that is, but this seems like such an odd vehicle to use for such a purpose at that time. Either way, it is now up for sale in the UK of all places and the price is actually really good, as long as you can live without backseats.
If you know, you know. That was the general consensus if you owned a Mercedes-Benz G-Class in the United States prior to 2002. You couldn’t just ride on down to the local dealer to cut a check for a G-Wagen, you had to actually call up Europa International to cut an even bigger check. However, even knowing what Europa International was in the infancy of the internet was a big accomplishment, let alone actually buying a G from them.
Today, we have one of the pre-2002 G-Wagens that reportedly is still with its original owners. That counts for something, right?
One of the biggest jumps in values over the past two years has been the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. It seems that no model was spared in the G world, as almost everything saw a spike a value. Pre-2020, finding an early-2000s G500 in decent shape for around $25,000 wasn’t a problem. Now, those trucks are well over $30,000 and it only gets crazier from there. With the pre-2002 imports, things get a little more complicated. Given all of these trucks are imports with varying degrees of condition of specifications, you really only have a ballpark based on recent sales. However, that might only be a handful given their rarity, so values tend to be a bit more suggestive when talking about a fixed asking price. Today’s G, a short wheelbase 300GE, is one of those situations.
