Style - CLS wins
Power - GS wins, in a recent Car and Driver test, the GS beat the E550, BMW 550 and M45 in 30-70 tests...
Practicality - one has no trunk, the other loses a seat so a tie
Fuel economy - GS wins, this is a daily driver in rush hour so this is somewhat important
Reliability - GS probably wins
Intangible factor - Mercedes stirs emotion, GS doesn't quite though it's still very good looking and has the "tree hugger" factor which is part of my personality I guess

Handling - advantage Mercedes but some suspension mods should help

Criteria - daily driver, mid life crisis (turning 40), blend of luxury and sport (ie. don't want to have to drive it like I stole it)

Other option is keep TL Type S as daily driver and get something for the summer (SL500? Cayman), only problem is I'd have to pay for storage of said summer car since I don't have the garage space

 

Well you have a good case for either car. Both are among my favorite cars(in terms of practical sedans in there respected price range), they are both trendy and probably before their time. The practical side of me says the GS450h would be the better daily driver, however, I feel the CLS is a bit sexier. You bring up the option of a cheaper car and a weekend toy, I have to think G35x as a daily driver, in particular living in toronto, the 07 G35 is a fantastic car. Possibly consider a boxster or S2k or something as a summer toy, choices are a bitch!

 

CLS500. GS450h for the long run.

 

I read the GS comparo too and I think you've pulled the ONLY winning number out of that test. CLS all the way. Styling points alone wins the day for that car IMO.

 

The CLS is a beautiful car, but I could never live with it as a daily driver. The inside of the car is incredibly cramped, and there are so many blind spots in that thing that it's difficult to drive. My mother has an '06 CLS500, and she has said that she has been beeped at from other drivers on the highway several times from when she's trying to merge into lanes because she can't see. Just a thought there - I'm one of those people that need a lot of room to breathe while I drive. I'd go with the GS, as gorgeous as the CLS is.

 

GS ftw- If its going to be a daily rush hour car you're going to need the better interior

 

CLS500 but for daily I would go with GS450h.

 

Um ... CLS is no longer a 500 but a 550. That biatch makes 380 ish HP. I'm looking at getting a black/black CLS550 with AMG sport package in the spring (May/June)

 

both are excellent cars, but I'd prefer the CLS500

 

I would really go and drive the two back to back again and see which one really is more comfortable for you in your daily commute.

I recently got a chance to drive my friend's CLS55 AMG that he just acquired and it's a nice car, but I could already pick out so many things about it that I didn't like. So make sure you'll enjoy your commute since that's a big need for you.

 

CLS 550 is hot

 

i agree.

 

the CLS, you won't be disappointed.

 

Hemant,

GS for the daily drive ... I know the GTA roads quite well ... CLS has the exterior design edge ... but sitting in one ... I don't know if I'd feel as 'comfortable' in it as a GS.

Plus ... you're also inheriting all the fun electronic gizmos in a MB. Not to say Lexus has electronic gizmos ... but the Lex has the definite edge on reliability of those said electronic gremlins.

I would wait a generation (or two) of MB due to the fiasco with all the electronic problems they are experiencing. Let "Dr Z" clean up house before you sink your hard earned cash in a MB.

Lastly ... if this is a true mid-life crisis ... and Porsche quite isn't your style ... why not a used NSX? Check trader.ca ... There are a TON in GTA on the block ... (and well below the CLS / GS450h price range ... and you won't have to take such a depreciation hit, either!)

Well ... your money. (And my job to make you think some more!)

 

Update : I made the mistake of driving the A6 4.2. It's pretty much a perfect automobile. But $82k Cdn (vs $65k for the GS350AWD). That's right on top of a used 06 CLS500.

I hear you about the CLS, visibility is a bit poor for a daily driver.

Maybe keeping the TLS and getting a toy makes sense, but the only toys I get excited about are :

SL500 (can't afford)
New Jag XK (can't afford)
BMW Z8 (don't like the Z3 or Z4)

Not sure I'm ready for a two car solution just yet....

 

If you want a CLS wait for a used 550 ... 83 more HP and 85 more TQ you can't beat that.

 

Go with the CLS

 

a friend of mine (rich friend that is) has an SL55 AMG and S500. both are 04-05, the SL55 is keeping it together well, but the S500 is nothing but problems. Electrical, break problems, no start, tranny, etc. and it's got under 30k miles on it.

I have always been a Benz guy since i was 6 years old.. but seeing how those cars are doing, I'm going to stay away from those things.

I'll say lexus as well.

 

Cls 500

 

I flipped a penny, CLS wins

 

I wish I had these kind of problems

 

 

has there been any talk @ all about problems w/ the hybrid technology in the GS450H?

just curious.

i'd love the CLS but practicality (unless ther'es documented problems) would go to the 450h