I think an used ML is a great value(dirt cheap c/w a used lexus) if you only need to run around town and have a good independent mechanic. But if you need reliabilty and travel long distance everyday like I do then it is a bad choice given it's record. Imagine stranded in the middle of nowhere when your harmonic balancer fell off. It's not how much you need to spent on it, it is how much time can you spare to work on it.