Drove a Merc CLK430 AMG

[JCE]

...and someone help me rationalize why I want one so badly now? It was a bright red 2000 AMG model--and it was perfect in everyway. It fit me like a glove--and I'm 6ft and 230lbs currently, has 99.8% of what I want from an interior--minus an MP3 player, and it's got such a sense of power for such a small bhp rating--the acceleration gave me the sense of speed and power I crave. The room in that car for a larger gentlemen like myself is exceptional and only the Mini Cooper and 911 Carrera S I drove had the same (or in the 911's case more) leg room than this car. The headroom was at a perfect height and the horizontal room was also perfect. Here's what started the love affair, I left the dealership where I work (under medium acceleration playing with the tip-tronic shifter) and I was driving along about 50mph down the Dallas North Tollway delivering it to it's new owner and floored it (wasn't the last time) and was instantly blown away by the orgasmic feeling of acceleration. It went from 50-90mph so fast I didn't even realize that I was already at over 90mph! My 3000GT VR4 wasn't that fast, my Corvette wasn't, and nothing I've owned was that quick over 50mph. I know its not godly fast--it does 6 seconds or so to 60mph, it isn't close to an SLR--but its not slow either. And to think the car doesn't even have over 300bhp or torque. I've driven my co-worker's CL55 AMG and came short of proposing to the car itself I loved it so much but mentally putting it out of my reach because of it's $140,000 price tag--but this car (the CLK430 AMG) is obtainable for me...pre-owned. I see them for sale on ebay and locally for $25,000 (and less) which is right in my price range. I've all but thrown every car that's on my new car list out the window for this car...so someone tell me reasons why I should and why I shouldn't. I'd always prefer a BMW over a Merc in the past...but the coupe' aspect of this car puts it over both Audi and BMW for me. So, let's hear it.

*edit*
Oops wrong forum, someone please move this to Cars in General. Thank you.

 

[Wolfe]

Sorry, but if it's got three numbers in the name, it isn't an AMG model...maybe it has an "AMG options package?"

Why you should --
- You love it
- The interior
- RWD
- Mercedes-Benz reliability (even if most of the electronic fiddly bits aren't so reliable, which is where M-B has gotten its bad rep )
- Grunty V8 power

Why you shouldn't --
- Autotragic transmission
- There are faster alternatives
- There are more efficient alternatives
- There are more practical alternatives
- There are some cars that combine two or all of the previous three (*coughBMW5-seriescough* )

 

[Danny]

Don't forget that after all these years it still looks amazing.

 

[Poverty]

But its still a very heavy car.
How about a fully kitted out 330ci sport instead?

 

[iceburns288]

Nothin wrong with the new CLK63 either eh

 

[JCE]

Sorry, but if it's got three numbers in the name, it isn't an AMG model...maybe it has an "AMG options package?"

Why you should --
- You love it
- The interior
- RWD
- Mercedes-Benz reliability (even if most of the electronic fiddly bits aren't so reliable, which is where M-B has gotten its bad rep )
- Grunty V8 power

Why you shouldn't --
- Autotragic transmission
- There are faster alternatives
- There are more efficient alternatives
- There are more practical alternatives
- There are some cars that combine two or all of the previous three (*coughBMW5-seriescough* )

Is it only a "package" for the CLK models and not an actual seperate model? I kind of thought all of the AMG models were "packages". Here's the car in question that I drove.

My reply to the shouldn't list:
Why you shouldn't --
- Autotragic transmission What's wrong with the transmission? It seemed ok to me.

- There are faster alternatives Faster maybe, but this was loads of fun and that's very important to me. Care to mention other faster alternatives that are at least V6's and within my $25,000 USD price range AND are a coupe' AND aren't older than 2000 models.

- There are more efficient alternatives Don't really care much for gas mileage if that's what you mean by efficiant--I can keep one or both of my Focuses for mpg. If not please explain.

- There are more practical alternatives Practicality is also not something I care about. Again, I can easily keep one or both of my Focuses for this.

- There are some cars that combine two or all of the previous three (*coughBMW5-seriescough* While I DO love the BMW 5 series I'd rather have a coupe' for my "fun" car...already have 2 4 door cars. [/QUOTE]

Thanks for the post, if I address the shouldn'ts then I should have all the bases covered--and that's why I made the topic to work out all the kinks to see if I really do want one. 👍

Don't forget that after all these years it still looks amazing.

+1 Very much so, Mercs and BMWs really look good for a very long time. Hell the previous generation 3/5/7 series BMWs still look absolutely amazing (and even better than the current ones).

But its still a very heavy car.
How about a fully kitted out 330ci sport instead?

Heavy yes, but for a car weighing about 4300lbs it felt very light on it's feet and really scooted when I stepped on the accelerator. I don't really want a 3-series--I want a larger car. Too bad they didn't make the 6-series from the last gen designs. You have to go back to the late '80s and or early 90's for a BMW coupe' (except the M Coupe based off the Z3).

Nothin wrong with the new CLK63 either eh

Nothing at all, if you had that kind of money. I need something in the $25,000 USD price range.

 

[humbo]

There are AMG styling packages available for some of the non AMG engined Mercs. So basically it would have AMG rims and maybe lip spoilers or something. Only the CLK55 was a real AMG car.

 

[Wolfe]

Is it only a "package" for the CLK models and not an actual seperate model? I kind of thought all of the AMG models were "packages". Here's the car in question that I drove.

*pic*

There is a CLK AMG model, but all AMG models only have two numbers in the name, ie "CLK55" like humbo said. Also, don'tcha think an AMG CLK would have more than 300hp and 300lb.ft of torque...?

My reply to the shouldn't list:
Why you shouldn't --
- Autotragic transmission What's wrong with the transmission? It seemed ok to me.

I just hate automatic transmissions, that's all. They shift too much in automatic mode, shift too late in manumatic mode (if there even is one), and you lose more power through the driveline.

- There are faster alternatives Faster maybe, but this was loads of fun and that's very important to me. Care to mention other faster alternatives that are at least V6's and within my $25,000 USD price range AND are a coupe' AND aren't older than 2000 models.

Barely faster:
2001 BMW 330Ci -- $22000-$24000
2000 Lexus SC400 -- $19000-$24000
2005 Volkswagen GTI VR6 -- $18000-$20000
2004 Ford Mustang GT -- $17000-$18000
2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 -- $15000-$16000

Significantly faster:
2001 BMW M Coupe -- $23000-$25000
2003 Nissan 350Z -- $20000-$25000
2000 Chevrolet Corvette -- $23000-$27000
2004 Pontiac GTO -- $23000-$24000

- There are more efficient alternatives Don't really care much for gas mileage if that's what you mean by efficiant--I can keep one or both of my Focuses for mpg. If not please explain.

- There are more practical alternatives Practicality is also not something I care about. Again, I can easily keep one or both of my Focuses for this.

Yeah, I was talking about fuel efficiency.

Hey, you wanted reasons why you shouldn't get it, to rationalize. I'm just giving you everything I can think of.

- There are some cars that combine two or all of the previous three (*coughBMW5-seriescough* While I DO love the BMW 5 series I'd rather have a coupe' for my "fun" car...already have 2 4 door cars.

Thanks for the post, if I address the shouldn'ts then I should have all the bases covered--and that's why I made the topic to work out all the kinks to see if I really do want one. 👍

I see, and you're welcome. I went through the same process myself with my car (albeit on a lower-scale budget ).

 

[JCE]

Barely faster:
2001 BMW 330Ci -- $22000-$24000
2000 Lexus SC400 -- $19000-$24000
2005 Volkswagen GTI VR6 -- $18000-$20000
2004 Ford Mustang GT -- $17000-$18000
2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 -- $15000-$16000

Significantly faster:
2001 BMW M Coupe -- $23000-$25000
2003 Nissan 350Z -- $20000-$25000
2000 Chevrolet Corvette -- $23000-$27000
2004 Pontiac GTO -- $23000-$24000

Great lists, the 350Z and Corvette are definately a no because my insurance would go up 40%. The M Coupe' is a great awsome car--but I just can't seem to get 100% comfortable in the driver's seat. The GTO is by far one of my favorite cars ever--both the original and the Monaro version. I never had a German car before (shocking considering I AM German) and I want to experience ownership of one. I didn't like my Lexus that I owned so I'd say no on that brand. I owned a Camaro already--don't care to own another unless it's a late-60's classic. The GTI VR6 is another car like the M Coupe' that I adore but don't care for the lack of comfort. The only 3-series I'd want has to have an M badge on it--which puts a modern one out of my price range--and I'd prefer a 5-series due to more space--thus getting away from the coupe' that I original want. Hah, I sound so negative but I'm really not trying to be. The one thing I need to do is get an insurance quote for one of these things as my second step--if it costs as much or more than a 350Z then I think I'll have to pass. The GTO is only about $35,00 USD more a month versus my daily driver ZX5 Focus. Thank for the list, keep it coming--who knows maybe someone will post a car I forgot about.

 

[Chuck430]

Definitely yes, i have a CLK430 myself and it is amazing, i have friends with both the 350z and the e36 m3. Ive driven both and i still love my car, granted its not quite as fast as the m3, but is close enough to be considered fast and is so much smoother and comfortable, the z is automatic and felt slower and industrial as well... BOTTOM LINE: the 430 is an excellent blend of luxury, performance and reliability

 

[Danny]

Definitely yes, i have a CLK430 myself and it is amazing, i have friends with both the 350z and the e36 m3. Ive driven both and i still love my car, granted its not quite as fast as the m3, but is close enough to be considered fast and is so much smoother and comfortable, the z is automatic and felt slower and industrial as well... BOTTOM LINE: the 430 is an excellent blend of luxury, performance and reliability

Please do bear in mind that this thread is now five year old.



While we're on topic though, the CLK to me still looks a great design.

 

[Mr. CoolFiat]

Please do bear in mind that this thread is now five year old.



While we're on topic though, the CLK to me still looks a great design.

OK Cool story bro, if the guy decides to post something on-topic in a 5 year old thread so what? so be it.... as long as it is on-topic and contributes to the conversation.

 

[Danny]

OK Cool story bro, if the guy decides to post something on-topic in a 5 year old thread so what? so be it.... as long as it is on-topic and contributes to the conversation.

I mentioned it in passing because the thread title says 'yesterday'.

Down off your high horse, please.

 

[JCE]

Definitely yes, i have a CLK430 myself and it is amazing, i have friends with both the 350z and the e36 m3. Ive driven both and i still love my car, granted its not quite as fast as the m3, but is close enough to be considered fast and is so much smoother and comfortable, the z is automatic and felt slower and industrial as well... BOTTOM LINE: the 430 is an excellent blend of luxury, performance and reliability

Holy thread revival Batman! To this day I STILL love the CLK with a V8 and would buy one for the right price in a heartbeat.

While we're on topic though, the CLK to me still looks a great design.

I prefer this style:

Over this:

And this:

 

[Cale]

It's great you liked it, but um..errr *cough*

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

I too am very fond of these cars. However, circa 2000 MB's don't really have a great reputation for reliability nor build quality.

 

[Jondot]

I prefer this style:

Over this:


And this:

See, now I like the middle one still. Though I think the first one will/has aged far better.

 

[sumbrownkid]

Don't forget maintenance costs and insurance.

Sure a used Merc will look sweet on your driveway, but it will cost you more than a couple of pretty pennies to be able to drive it off in confidence.

My cousin bought a used Merc over a new Honda, and now he laments how expensive it is to fix things on it.

 

[JCE]

Don't forget maintenance costs and insurance.

Sure a used Merc will look sweet on your driveway, but it will cost you more than a couple of pretty pennies to be able to drive it off in confidence.

My cousin bought a used Merc over a new Honda, and now he laments how expensive it is to fix things on it.

But, that "new" Honda once out of warranty will be just about as expensive as an older used Merc to fix. New cars with even more electrics than cars a decade ago aren't exactly cheap to fix. 👍

 

[McLaren]

But, that "new" Honda once out of warranty will be just about as expensive as an older used Merc to fix. New cars with even more electrics than cars a decade ago aren't exactly cheap to fix. 👍

What new Honda is as expensive to maintain as a used Mercedes?

 

[Crispy]

Wait, how did Chuck manage to revive a 5 year old thread? How did he even find it?