Car shopping... how about a W209 CLK55 AMG?
03-30-2006, 11:14 AM
#1
My M45 loves to eat rice
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Car shopping... how about a W209 CLK55 AMG?
Okay, I have an '03 TL-S that's going back off lease in a month and I need a new car. I've been car shopping for a few months now and I've been through more car choices than anyone else can imagine. I'm leasing. Here are some of the choices I've been through...
1) '06 Audi S4 - Test-drove an automatic, very quick, but I felt cramped in that car. I don't really want to drive a manual since I have a long commute with lots of traffic every single day. Too bad Audi didn't put DSG in the B7. Plus the dealer wanted to charge me $900/24 months with no money down, and I'm not going to pay that much for a glorified Jetta. The S4 is a great machine and it's very versatile with the AWD, but it's just way too small for me.
2) '06 Infiniti M45 Sport - Got a good lease deal from a dealership out on Long Island with the car fully loaded (aero kit, all options, everything), but my main problem is that the stock wheels are too big for me to put snow tires. The car is beautiful and the interior is stunning but I don't know if I'll like that big of a car either. I drive to Manhattan everyday and I at least need to get through the snow somehow.
3) '06 Mercedes CLK500 - I've always liked this car, but is it a chick car? The lease rates are reasonable on this one. I like it in a Mars Red coupe - I'd NEVER buy a convertible.
4) '06 BMW 550i - $1100 for 36 months with no money down. I laughed at the dealer and I said, ''I'll go to the Range Rover dealership for that price.'' It's the truth. Entirely overpriced, especially with the M45 over 350 dollars LESS a month leasewise.
5) '06 Acura RL - Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.... pretty boring experience.
Now, I've been looking at slightly used (less than 10k miles) '05 W209 CLK55 coupes. Mercedes doesn't make the coupe for '06 anymore, and the cabriolets are still going for major coin these days (70-75k) with less than 10,000 miles on it. Dealers seem to be wanting to throw these cars away, as I found one on autotrader with 17,000 miles (Mars Red coupe!) in Florida for $47k and a certified pre-owned Black Opal in New Hampshire with 10,000 miles for $53k. Major World in Long Island City also has one in blue with 1,000 miles for $56k, but I think it's a CPO with no options in it.
What do you guys think about this car, and does anyone have experience with it? It comes with stock AMG 18s so I could throw snow tires on it, it's very fast, very stylish, the one I'd buy has little to no miles on it, and it has a sleeper status that I like. Coming from a German car, I drove a stock CLS500 a few days ago and there's absolutely no comparison between German and Japanese cars in terms of ride quality. Mercedes' are incredibly strong at high speeds and I feel like the fit and finish can't be beaten for the price. What do you guys think? Thanks in advance...
1) '06 Audi S4 - Test-drove an automatic, very quick, but I felt cramped in that car. I don't really want to drive a manual since I have a long commute with lots of traffic every single day. Too bad Audi didn't put DSG in the B7. Plus the dealer wanted to charge me $900/24 months with no money down, and I'm not going to pay that much for a glorified Jetta. The S4 is a great machine and it's very versatile with the AWD, but it's just way too small for me.
2) '06 Infiniti M45 Sport - Got a good lease deal from a dealership out on Long Island with the car fully loaded (aero kit, all options, everything), but my main problem is that the stock wheels are too big for me to put snow tires. The car is beautiful and the interior is stunning but I don't know if I'll like that big of a car either. I drive to Manhattan everyday and I at least need to get through the snow somehow.
3) '06 Mercedes CLK500 - I've always liked this car, but is it a chick car? The lease rates are reasonable on this one. I like it in a Mars Red coupe - I'd NEVER buy a convertible.
4) '06 BMW 550i - $1100 for 36 months with no money down. I laughed at the dealer and I said, ''I'll go to the Range Rover dealership for that price.'' It's the truth. Entirely overpriced, especially with the M45 over 350 dollars LESS a month leasewise.
5) '06 Acura RL - Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.... pretty boring experience.
Now, I've been looking at slightly used (less than 10k miles) '05 W209 CLK55 coupes. Mercedes doesn't make the coupe for '06 anymore, and the cabriolets are still going for major coin these days (70-75k) with less than 10,000 miles on it. Dealers seem to be wanting to throw these cars away, as I found one on autotrader with 17,000 miles (Mars Red coupe!) in Florida for $47k and a certified pre-owned Black Opal in New Hampshire with 10,000 miles for $53k. Major World in Long Island City also has one in blue with 1,000 miles for $56k, but I think it's a CPO with no options in it.
What do you guys think about this car, and does anyone have experience with it? It comes with stock AMG 18s so I could throw snow tires on it, it's very fast, very stylish, the one I'd buy has little to no miles on it, and it has a sleeper status that I like. Coming from a German car, I drove a stock CLS500 a few days ago and there's absolutely no comparison between German and Japanese cars in terms of ride quality. Mercedes' are incredibly strong at high speeds and I feel like the fit and finish can't be beaten for the price. What do you guys think? Thanks in advance...
03-30-2006, 12:50 PM
#3
Drifting
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Friend has one, and I was not impressed. Used to love the car too. I expected more from an AMG. I see too many "gangsta's" and soccer moms driving one nowadays.
03-30-2006, 02:08 PM
#6
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Well, if the guy has extra money to spare, go ahead. I'd go with 550, it's got class, performance, convenience, everything, got my 
But German car, I'd lease rather than buy, the maintenance after 4 years is just too much money. The only car I'd buy is Lexus.
But German car, I'd lease rather than buy, the maintenance after 4 years is just too much money. The only car I'd buy is Lexus.
03-30-2006, 02:43 PM
#7
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Originally Posted by bgsm1th
Just out of curiosity, why lease?
I've never believed in leasing a car. A lease to me is just a glorified rental.
But different people, different needs. To each their own.
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03-30-2006, 03:00 PM
#8
Senior Moderator
pretty fancy list for a 19 y/o...
03-30-2006, 03:19 PM
#9
Team Owner
So S4 is too small for M45 is too big... they are all mid size sedan....
if you can afford a 50k+ car, i think u can afford to buy a cheap set of winter wheel + tires.
S4 - nice car, fast, i dont mind having it
CLK500 - 90% of the drivers are females
CLK 55 - not worth the $$
RL - why did u even bother??
M45 - MY CHOICE
BMW - nice car if u can afford it.
if you can afford a 50k+ car, i think u can afford to buy a cheap set of winter wheel + tires.
S4 - nice car, fast, i dont mind having it
CLK500 - 90% of the drivers are females
CLK 55 - not worth the $$
RL - why did u even bother??
M45 - MY CHOICE
BMW - nice car if u can afford it.
03-30-2006, 03:20 PM
#10
Team Owner
by the way... ur 19???? go buy a TSX or something...
03-30-2006, 03:29 PM
#11
Team Owner
Originally Posted by slyraskal
I've never believed in leasing a car. A lease to me is just a glorified rental.
But different people, different needs. To each their own.
When you are leasing a car, you dont have to deal with the car depreciation when you wanna sell it or trade it in.
For example, when you trade in a car that you bought, you would lose ur downpayment + the depreciation value.
When you return a leased car - you lose no or little downpayment with no depreication value. and you can go find a new car after you return the key to the dealer.
Also, you will have a new car every few years without losing an arm.
little or no down payment with MUCH lower monthly payment.
+ you still have the option to buy the car at the end of the lease ( usually cheaper than the market value at that time)
+ if you like the car so much, you can always buy it off at any time ( bank offers a BUY IT NOW price)
+ in case u hate the car so much and you wanna trade it in... you still could trade in a leased car the same way as a financed car.
of course, if we all have enough $$, the best way to buy car is CASH... but everyone has their financial preferences, someone (me) gets sick of cars very quickly ( See my sig), so leasiing a car would be ideal for me.
Last edited by oonowindoo; 03-30-2006 at 03:32 PM.
03-30-2006, 03:54 PM
#14
Team Owner
Originally Posted by zeroday
cut him some slack he's probably a hard working drug dealer. 
then he needs a fast getaway car... not a family sedan.
Lotus elise!!
03-30-2006, 04:01 PM
#15
on to the next one...
Originally Posted by oonowindoo
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When you are leasing a car, you dont have to deal with the car depreciation when you wanna sell it or trade it in.
For example, when you trade in a car that you bought, you would lose ur downpayment + the depreciation value.
When you return a leased car - you lose no or little downpayment with no depreication value. and you can go find a new car after you return the key to the dealer.
When you are leasing a car, you dont have to deal with the car depreciation when you wanna sell it or trade it in.
For example, when you trade in a car that you bought, you would lose ur downpayment + the depreciation value.
When you return a leased car - you lose no or little downpayment with no depreication value. and you can go find a new car after you return the key to the dealer.
A) You have a monthly company car expense
B) You simply cannot afford to own the car
I guess YOU, the buyer, don't loose anything to depreciation, but you don't gain any ownership of it either. At least when I turn around and sell my car after three years of making payments on it, I have something to show for it.
When you return your lease, you are giving back the car with no return on any of the money you have been paying monthly for lease payments.
But like the guy earlier said, to each his own...when I see/hear of someone leasing a vehicle, I think "that person can't afford to own that car, so they are borrowing it".
Pro to leasing: Get more car for your money per month
Con to leasing: Get nothing to show for your payments when you return the car
Just my
Good luck and let us know what you get!
03-30-2006, 04:58 PM
#17
Drifting
Originally Posted by GIBSON6594
I still wanna know what this kid does to afford these cars
But if you got it, spend it.
Off your list, I'd say the M45 but what about a Mercedes CLS??? Those are goregous!
03-30-2006, 05:03 PM
#18
Senior Moderator
Based upon your list:
1) No AMG ... overrated and no quality control. (See any post here about C32 AMG ... horrible)
2) Go with a M35x and forget snows. Pocket the difference from the M45 and mod it.
1) No AMG ... overrated and no quality control. (See any post here about C32 AMG ... horrible)
2) Go with a M35x and forget snows. Pocket the difference from the M45 and mod it.
03-30-2006, 06:34 PM
#21
Team Owner
Originally Posted by DownUnder
550i 6MT if you can find a better deal if not M45 all the way!
<---- Wishes the M45 came with a 6MT option.
<---- Wishes the M45 came with a 6MT option.
Do you really wanna have a V8 luxury sedan with 6mt??
!!!
03-30-2006, 07:24 PM
#24
Team Owner
Originally Posted by brianlin87
do you lease your cars?
Some...not all...
03-30-2006, 07:39 PM
#26
Suzuka Master
Originally Posted by zeroday
cut him some slack he's probably a hard working drug dealer.
03-30-2006, 07:46 PM
#27
Team Owner
u had experiences? 
03-30-2006, 07:48 PM
#28
The Third Ball
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Originally Posted by oonowindoo
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Do you really wanna have a V8 luxury sedan with 6mt??
Do you really wanna have a V8 luxury sedan with 6mt??
03-30-2006, 07:54 PM
#29
Team Owner
Originally Posted by The Sarlacc
uh yeah....better then an automatic any day of the week....ever drive a 540 6spd??? or last gen M5??? S4???
M5 and S4 are different
i never said 6mt doesnt exist for luxury sedan.
how many % of 540s are 6spd? i am guessing less than 5%.
i am just saying having a 6mt in a LUXURY sedan is kind of weird.... To me at least....
03-30-2006, 09:07 PM
#31
The Oracle of Acurazine!
Originally Posted by oonowindoo
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M5 and S4 are different
i never said 6mt doesnt exist for luxury sedan.
how many % of 540s are 6spd? i am guessing less than 5%.
i am just saying having a 6mt in a LUXURY sedan is kind of weird.... To me at least....
M5 and S4 are different
i never said 6mt doesnt exist for luxury sedan.
how many % of 540s are 6spd? i am guessing less than 5%.
i am just saying having a 6mt in a LUXURY sedan is kind of weird.... To me at least....
03-30-2006, 10:27 PM
#32
Team Owner
LOL ur the 2nd person who asked me that question....
03-30-2006, 11:47 PM
#33
i think you guys should stop busting the guys chops about buying a fancy car at a young age. whatever/however he affords it isnt really any of your business....im sure there are much better things most of you guys could be buying/investing in than the car you drive, myself included.
i think you should go for the clk55. nice car.......just dont know how great it would be with snows in nyc winters
i think you should go for the clk55. nice car.......just dont know how great it would be with snows in nyc winters
03-30-2006, 11:53 PM
#34
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I don't think anyone on here has busted his chops. And they are free to wonder how he has such good fortune.
You want to see busting chops, go find the wonderful threads featuring resident dumbass BadAcCls...or whatever his name is.
You want to see busting chops, go find the wonderful threads featuring resident dumbass BadAcCls...or whatever his name is.
03-31-2006, 06:57 AM
#37
Originally Posted by oonowindoo
LOL ur the 2nd person who asked me that question....
and never got an answer...every time you post you have to hit the shift key and the underscore key like 6 times and then it makes your posts look like a sig.. why do it?
03-31-2006, 08:13 AM
#39
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Originally Posted by njzprettyboy
i think you guys should stop busting the guys chops about buying a fancy car at a young age. whatever/however he affords it isnt really any of your business....im sure there are much better things most of you guys could be buying/investing in than the car you drive, myself included.
i think you should go for the clk55. nice car.......just dont know how great it would be with snows in nyc winters
i think you should go for the clk55. nice car.......just dont know how great it would be with snows in nyc winters
I agree...don't be mad at the kid because you were not in the position that he is at a young age. If you have the money to spend, why not. I hate when people assume that a young guy is a drug dealer or a spoiled rich kid just because he is shopping for cars that some people dream of.
....And I would also go with the clk55....that car is insane...
03-31-2006, 08:16 AM
#40
My Garage
Originally Posted by TLofNYC
I agree...don't be mad at the kid because you were not in the position that he is at a young age. If you have the money to spend, why not. I hate when people assume that a young guy is a drug dealer or a spoiled rich kid just because he is shopping for cars that some people dream of.
....And I would also go with the clk55....that car is insane...
....And I would also go with the clk55....that car is insane...