The G 500 from the olden days when the W463 was available as a convertible is nothing like the current generation, more so if consider the differences between natural aspiration and forced induction. But have you ever imagined Doug DeMuro buying a “Barbie Jeep” to match his quirkiness?
A 1999 model that still costs a lot of money on the second-hand market, the G 500 Cabrio was “absurdly overpriced” from the get-go. The off-roading SUV from Graz, Austria used to cost from 200,000 to 250,000 bucks when it was new, a lot even by G 63 standards ($147,500 excluding destination).
“Nowhere near as expensive” is how Doug describes the price of his soft-topped G 500 with 20 years under its belt, a two-door model with chrome on the grille, side-exiting exhaust tips, and a ridiculously short wheelbase. DeMuro jokes about the design of the side profile by comparing his beloved G-Wagen to the old but quirky Suzuki Sidekick, also known as a Vitara with either a convertible or a hardtop.
Something that’s not so great about the G 500 Cabrio is the soft top. You need to press a button, of course, but only if you’re in park with the parking brake also on. A couple of latches ensure the top is secured into place whenever you don’t want to enjoy the sunshine, sea’s breeze, and the blue sky.
“About 13 miles per gallon” is the average reported by Doug, an abysmal figure by all accounts. Lest we forget, the G 63 happens to return 13 miles to the gallon in the city and 15 out on the highway as per the EPA. The thing is, do you know what makes this G 500 Cabrio cooler than its siblings?
In his column on Auto Trader, the Doug explains that his car “is one of maybe a dozen 50-state legal G 500 Cabrio models with a power top.” The reason for this exclusivity is that America never got the convertible in the first place. The few that were imported here had to be fully federalized.
And on that bombshell, Doug didn’t buy this Doug Mobile for the sheer capability off the beaten track thanks to three locking differentials and the shortened wheelbase. “I want a fun cruiser that can go off-road in a pinch,” he explains, “and I'm excited to enjoy it as much as possible.”
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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