For a drive it and forget it, probably a Subaru Outback, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis is a MUCH better choice than a '98 ML. '98 was the first year for those, in the new Alabama factory, and some examples were fine, JustinWrock has a great one, but others were horrible, too many not so good ones to make them a safe bet. They had the MB safety, but not the reliability. Go for a later year ML, if you really want one, or maybe get something else more to your liking.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)