While looking at LSX GTOs, I stumbled across 2000 - 2002 (W208?) CLK55s for $9K-$12K. MSRP 9 years ago = $70K
350hp - 375tq - 3600lb
The specs are almost identical to the GTO, but the CLK is a few grand cheaper (of course it's a few years older). Anyone have first had knowledge of these cars and maintenance? I can't see these things making tons of trips down drag strips or being tracked much. It could make a nice replacement for the LS1 Camaro I gave up years ago.
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/man-some-people/24471/...
Never buy a modern Mercedes if it doesn't come with a warranty. (Not an "extended warranty" aka "we will pay 1/3rd of the labor rate, almost none of the parts thanks to the deductible, and most of that isn't covered anyway")
They really are turning into cars you throw away after a 3 year lease.
Okay, so someone else noticed the amazing prices on CLKs.
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Look at how much some of the parts cost and you will see why they are so cheap. If you really want a mercedes, you could get a pretty nice 560 SEC for that much money and even though they are old, they will probably last alot longer than a new mercedes.
Speaking from experience, dont buy a pre-owned high dollar benz without a warranty. That thing will cost you more to maintain than if you were to get a second GTO, lol! I think a lot of the reason these cars get so cheap when the warranty runs out is because of the crazy maintenance costs! I had a 2004 SL55 AMG for all of about 5 months. In that period I spent thousands on maintenance. I told my girlfriend I was going to buy her a SL55 or something similar as a wedding gift when the time rolls around, this time I will buy one under warranty FOR SURE!
My neighbour has a 2002 with about 70,000 miles on it. Run away , run far , far away. Electrical problems are so common that now his mechanic (euro car specialist) comes to the house before he takes it to his shop to diagnose. I remember sitting and watching the window go up and down for no reason without being touched, relay was fine, turned out to be in the door handle.. $800 later it was fixed. Sometimes it literally just shuts off , on the highway for 0 reason, then just starts back up.
Makes me glad I went with the GTO I just picked up. The CLK55 and C55 were on my short list of cars to replace the SAAB. Most of the parts prices on rockauto seemed reasonable for general wear items, but when it starts coming down to electrical gremlins your looking at high dollar maintenance costs unless your like me and "love" spending all your weekend tracing a short in a dimmer switch to figure out why your dashlights don't work.
The GTO on the other hand from reviews seems to be fairly free of gremlins. I payed 12k for an '04 6MT with 40K on the clock.
Oh and the gas mileage seems to be pretty decent in this thing also 24/5mpg with about 70/30 highway/city driving.
Good luck in your search
There are cars that will "nickel and dime" you to death. An older Mercedes CLK55 is not one of those cars. It will attack your wallet like a pit bull on a porkchop.
Would a 2000-2002 still be from the Biodegradeable Wiring Era of Mercedeses? If so, I'd pass unless you wanted to redo the wiring harness entirely.
"Mad Scientist" Matt Cramer
all the big expensive luxury cars drop off the steep end of the depreciation curve when the warrenty is done.
I may be a bottom feeder when it comes to buying cars.. but I won't even take the bait on those
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