The Rake Magazine

You think you know, but you have no idea. This is the true story of when Mercedes-Benz stopped making toys and started getting real with the GL 550. A bit dramatic, maybe- but MB's top of the line SUV is no joke. They were looking to tap into the market that is dominated by Range Rovers, Navigators, and Escalades- but instead they blew the door wide open.

Even with the photo stretched you feel the presence of the GL550

The GL 550 is just as big as its competitors in the SUV market, yet it still handles like its luxury sedans brothers and coupe sisters. Mercedes-Benz says that this is a result of the GL 550 being the only full-sized SUV to have been built with what they call uni-body construction. This special type of construction is supposed to make the car ride smoother, handle better, and weigh less than a comparable full-sized SUV. I have no idea what this uni-body business is all about, but I have to say that what ever it is, it works.

The GL 550 is a little less flashy than its competitors, due to its design being more rounded. It doesn't look massive from the outside, however 7 people can fit comfortably in it. And if that last row is necessary, just push a button, because the third row powers up and down automatically. And tell whoever complains about getting into the backseat to stop complaining and enjoy the car's second sunroof, which is conveniently located over the third row.

The car has it all for everyone: Standard leather, premium audio, and a trendy look from the front for the flashy crowd; eight airbags, heated front and middle row seats, and a built in first aid kit for the soccer moms.

The GL 550 is worth your time and then some, and this Karma Karma Karma Karma Karma car is certainly a chameleon. Figure out what you want it to say about you and visit Sears to test-drive both luxury and power.

CW. The Road Rakette

So, like, I use YouTube to post video in this blog. Because of this I must alert my readers (literate gearheads all) that controversy appears to be developing on YouTube over one of my videos. As shameless viewers and readers of my content that makes you all complicit (and potentially famous.)

The above video is of a Mom from Edina sending her kids off to camp. I blogged about it in August. Unbeknownst to me at the time, lots of people from Edina post on YouTube protesting rapacious development (fearing that their first ring Blaine is becoming, in effect, Blaine) among other things.

I sense that some of those same well meaning people have taken offense to my use of the term "Edina Mom." While my video viewed apart from my blog makes no ostensible point, I still sense that I have crossed some invisible social threshold. I think what I have done is dissed the fabled suburb and made fun of a woman who MAY have little idea what her jacket stands for.

While I still run the great risk of wrongly offending a perfectly fine person with good fashion sense, allow me to make a new observation.

From years of watching "Edina Moms" (substitute your favorite area: Kenwood, Orono, North Oaks whatever) I can tell the difference between a real Momma (think Pam Grier) and other women. Mommas buy their own wheels (I met one recently who drives an M36 M3 and races it) and don't bother much with accessories. Women who wear fancy Ferrari jackets don't. If I had a point, that would be it.

And with my luck, I'll find that this woman is really an automotive enthusiast who owns GT Cars trained in the martial arts like Ms. Grier (the former Ms. Quincy Jones.)

Been gone for awhile attending to biz. That being said, I have a few immediate automotive observations to share.

1) The New Accord shows Japan at its shameless best, again. I coulda' swore I saw a BMW pull up beside me the other day, but NO, its a direct Bangle-butted four door rice burner called the new Accord: flame surfacing, jutted headlights, the works.

The funny thing about Chris Bangle's influence on cars is that other designers seem to have one upped him in refinement.* The new Accord is well resolved and looks far more emotional than a Camry, still.

2) On the personal front, I acquired a new M550 a few months back in a very quick deal. The 550 is the first E class with the new S-class V8 and its quite the restrained muscle car. Specifically this car is what they call a "fat car" in Germany that is designed to drive well in excess of 100 MPH on the autobahn.

Because of this, I cannot say I have fully bonded with this car. In fact, because I am a ski racing fanatic and transport ski racers all over the Midwest during the Winter (and French School girls in the summer) I have been wondering WHY I gave up the finest SUV I have ever known for this car--The Toyota Land Cruiser.

The Benz is comfortable but not large. It is tractable but not terrifying--yet. I bought this car primarily to make my long ski trips more interesting while the family sleeps. That has not happened yet but hope still springs eternal. And, alas, the French girls have all gone back to France.

* THIS OBSERVATION IS SHARED BY A READER--FROM A PREVIOUS POST: "How true! BMW's are finally coming out of the Bangle mess (I'm sure you will know what I am talking about here) and the 3-series still isn't very good looking."

The first generation Mantis. An ugly car from the decade of disco (ugly.) The far better and faster (but still ugly) Mosler is pictured below

While spending over $200,000 for a car is a little steep, this Mosler is about the fastest vehicle on the planet--according to a recent Motor Trend article. It is also very loud and very, very reliable for a supercar, so the magazines say. In other words its all, or make that almost, all good.

The photo does it too much justice. Its ugly, I assure you.

While this is a great car, I have also seen this car in the bare metal and this car is ugly. It is almost as ugly, in fact, as the first two Moslers--the Consulier and The Intruder, which rank among the ugliest cars ever made. Which brings me to the first generation Marcos Mantis.*

I think I saw a Marcos Mantis in Milan, Italy as a boy. How else can I explain this nightmare I still have where I am endlessly devoured by a large insect that taunts me in a garbled Scottish brogue? I am no Kafka. So it must be the car.

* To be fair, this little British company is once again on the upswing. Here is their new site The new car is still, well, I think you get my drift.