both mine are autos.  1st gear low is smoother and more controllable than DAC.  You could say that many new vehicles with DAC don’t have low range, to which the response is “then what the hell are they doing on slopes to steep and loose.”

You’re wary of the costs. The previous owner is weary of them.

Fair point, but I think a $1,200 car payment vs a $749 lease payment (with $10k up front and another $5k upon return) are still very concerning to me.

I take more mine off-road. Next month a group of about 60 200 Series Land Cruiser owners are meeting near Ouray CO for several days of off-roading in the mountains.  I was with the group the past two summers, but will miss it this year. 

That’s what I did. 

As ugly as the LX is, it is basically a Land Cruiser underneath and thus has a lot of off-road ability.  It is also likely to be a lot more reliable than the Mercedes, particularly if you keep it beyond the length of a typical lease. 

Reliability, resale value, etc.

Here in Southern Suburbia, Infinitis are just for people who are too scared for German reliability (dad already has an E-Class or 5-series and it’s in the shop all the time).

And just like modern BMWs, they are stuck in the shop with broken sensors that are waiting to be fixed by the manufacturer after being forced to admit they fucked up.

And none of the 737 line has turn signals. 

Reliability?

BMW drivers dream to have this level of asshat parking job

I prefer the LX to the GLS. It’s a big two-box SUV so there’s only so much you can do to stand out. The LX tries, and is at least bold and aggressive (almost hostile). The GLS doesn’t try...and so doesn’t look a whole lot different than the original ML-Series.

Because the GLS is based on the S-Class platform and the Lexus is an honest-to-god Land Cruiser?

Because the 200-series will kick the shit out of the Benz off road, and is the very definition of overbuilt. Also, resale value.

I’d get the LC at the price - but what you’re paying for is something you don’t get with the Benz, pretty much impossible to beat longevity. The Mercedes will be faster, tighter, more fun to drive, and endlessly more expensive long term.

I just want my vents to hit me where it counts, like the crotch vent on my old Rav4.

I’d get the Land Cruiser. 

Found the guy that's fun at parties. 

Right, it’s a mudding rig and not literally a competitive monster truck.