Need your suggestions - I'm buying a new convertible - WickedFire - Affiliate Marketing Forum

katoved · 03-23-2008, 04:37 AM

I'm going down to Florida Monday and I plan on buying a new convertible while I'm down there. I'm thinking a Mercedes CLK 430 (2000 - 2003) and in the $20K price range. Anyone have this car, or anyone swear by BMW's? I'm just curious as this is my first car purchase and I haven't done any demo driving.

nickycakes · 03-23-2008, 04:57 AM

i swear by bmws, except in the snow

maverick · 03-23-2008, 07:58 AM

The major difference with most US / European cars is spec and mercs and BMWs are the worst of the bunch. I bought an Audi tt and it was fully loaded with electric heated seats, full leather, etc which and it was only the mid range model. I also bought a BMW z4 and it was very basic, crap CD player, manual seats etc and cost the same money.

Mercs are even worse so make sure you get a comprehensive list of all the on board toys as retro fitting is super expensive.

ImagesAndWords · 03-23-2008, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maverick

The major difference with most US / European cars is spec and mercs and BMWs are the worst of the bunch. I bought an Audi tt and it was fully loaded with electric heated seats, full leather, etc which and it was only the mid range model. I also bought a BMW z4 and it was very basic, crap CD player, manual seats etc and cost the same money.

Audi is a European car though

A Corvette would be my pick for a convertible.

maverick · 03-23-2008, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImagesAndWords

Audi is a European car though

A Corvette would be my pick for a convertible.

Yeh the point being that Audi was one of the first european car compnaies to realise that lexus etc were winning over car buyers by fully loading cars. BMW and Merc still only provide crap equipment levels on low model cars , even when a friend bought a bmw mini it cost him an extra $5k to get a decent list of options

dsm56 · 03-23-2008, 10:47 AM

I don't agree about mercs. s series at least. S series always has the best and newest gagets, now including an infra red camera that lets you see in the dark.

S500 AMG

ArtDeco · 03-23-2008, 08:12 PM

I drive convertibles only - I recommend looking at the Volvo C70 and VW Eos if it must be European - but I drive a Pontiac G6 Hardtop Convertible - my first ever GM new car and not a hint of trouble so far - only 15,000 miles.

Mazda Miata MX5 if you want a hardtop roadster.

You can park a hardtop 'vert in a rough part of town or at the airport and no one is likely to fuck with it as well as drive in snow and rain as comfortably as a coupe.

PS - get heated seats an you can stay warm in December with the top down and side windows up.

audax · 03-24-2008, 02:08 AM

You strictly looking at luxury convertibles in the $20k price range? Pretty limited options there.

durkadurka · 03-24-2008, 02:10 AM

bmw e93 m3

Stanley · 03-24-2008, 02:14 AM

My friend used to own that CLK model, it's very comfortable and it has great handling.
But at that price range you're better off looking at the G35 Infiniti

CLKeenan · 03-24-2008, 02:15 AM

I swear by BMWs. I drive a 2003 330XI and it is a fucking tank in the winter with my snow tires on it. When its late at night and I know I'm going to be up late working on a project I'll take a quick 10 minute break and go drive my car because its such an exhilarating experience. The responsiveness of the car is amazing. Taking off ramps at 70mph at still feeling completely in control of the car is one of the best feelings ever... second only to drive a back country road that has a bunch of ups and downs and twists and turns. Driving a manual has never been so much fun for me

Watch the BMW "The Hire" films on youtube. Especially the "The Star". Then go and watch The Transporter

adamx12m · 03-24-2008, 02:27 AM

i'll second the bmw m3 conv or the 330xi. bmw's suck in any snow unless it's a 4 wheel "x" model w/good tires. bmw is a driver's car = fun..

durkadurka · 03-24-2008, 12:39 PM

clk is for vagina meats

yoink*gasp* · 03-24-2008, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLKeenan

I swear by BMWs. I drive a 2003 330XI and it is a fucking tank in the winter with my snow tires on it. When its late at night and I know I'm going to be up late working on a project I'll take a quick 10 minute break and go drive my car because its such an exhilarating experience. The responsiveness of the car is amazing. Taking off ramps at 70mph at still feeling completely in control of the car is one of the best feelings ever... second only to drive a back country road that has a bunch of ups and downs and twists and turns. Driving a manual has never been so much fun for me

Watch the BMW "The Hire" films on youtube. Especially the "The Star". Then go and watch The Transporter

You shouldn't be driving like that on the streets anwyay there d00d.

Personally, I'd get the new Saturn Sky Redline or Solstice GXP. 263 HP turbo ragtop :P

Aniston · 03-24-2008, 01:19 PM

I have a mercedes but my sister and parents have bmws. I think the mercedes drive so much better than bmws. When I drove the bmws, to me it was like driving a tractor...no joke...I had a hard time turning the wheel and I didn't feel like I had control of the car very well. My car is so smooth and I feel like I am in a race car. Also, their cars were in the shop a lot and my car has only been in the shop because of brakes....probably because I drive to fast and slam on brakes! LOL! Go test drive both and you will see what I mean. Also, believe or not, carmax.com has the best prices on used cars that I have found...that's where I bought my car....nobody would ever know...they think I got at the dealership...it only had 9,000 miles on it!

Good Luck!

colts · 03-24-2008, 01:52 PM

BMW all the way, also check out 350z and g35 coupes they are pretty bad ass.

03-23-2008, 04:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
katoved Banned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,316 iTrader: (2)	Need your suggestions - I'm buying a new convertible I'm going down to Florida Monday and I plan on buying a new convertible while I'm down there. I'm thinking a Mercedes CLK 430 (2000 - 2003) and in the $20K price range. Anyone have this car, or anyone swear by BMW's? I'm just curious as this is my first car purchase and I haven't done any demo driving.

03-23-2008, 04:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
nickycakes Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Beantown, MA Posts: 1,666 iTrader: (1)	i swear by bmws, except in the snow __________________ Nickycakes.com: Reformed Blackhat Nickycakes' Newbie Guide #cakes irc.freenode.net

03-23-2008, 07:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
maverick Superstar DJ! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Button Moon Posts: 372 iTrader: (0)	The major difference with most US / European cars is spec and mercs and BMWs are the worst of the bunch. I bought an Audi tt and it was fully loaded with electric heated seats, full leather, etc which and it was only the mid range model. I also bought a BMW z4 and it was very basic, crap CD player, manual seats etc and cost the same money. Mercs are even worse so make sure you get a comprehensive list of all the on board toys as retro fitting is super expensive. __________________

03-23-2008, 10:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
dsm56 breasts Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 136 iTrader: (0)	I don't agree about mercs. s series at least. S series always has the best and newest gagets, now including an infra red camera that lets you see in the dark. S500 AMG __________________

03-23-2008, 08:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
ArtDeco Ex-lurker Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA USA Posts: 293 iTrader: (1)	Hardtop Convertibles I drive convertibles only - I recommend looking at the Volvo C70 and VW Eos if it must be European - but I drive a Pontiac G6 Hardtop Convertible - my first ever GM new car and not a hint of trouble so far - only 15,000 miles. Mazda Miata MX5 if you want a hardtop roadster. You can park a hardtop 'vert in a rough part of town or at the airport and no one is likely to fuck with it as well as drive in snow and rain as comfortably as a coupe. PS - get heated seats an you can stay warm in December with the top down and side windows up. __________________ I believe in free speech like liberals used to, free markets like conservatives used to, and free software like programmers used to.

03-24-2008, 02:08 AM	#8 (permalink)
audax .NET/PHP Developer Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 617 iTrader: (10)	You strictly looking at luxury convertibles in the $20k price range? Pretty limited options there. __________________ .NET/SQL/PHP/MySQL Web Developer

03-24-2008, 02:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
durkadurka Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 94 iTrader: (0)	bmw e93 m3

03-24-2008, 02:14 AM	#10 (permalink)
Stanley Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 3,134 iTrader: (1)	My friend used to own that CLK model, it's very comfortable and it has great handling. But at that price range you're better off looking at the G35 Infiniti __________________ LinkedIn - Twitter

03-24-2008, 02:15 AM	#11 (permalink)
CLKeenan Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,164 iTrader: (1)	I swear by BMWs. I drive a 2003 330XI and it is a fucking tank in the winter with my snow tires on it. When its late at night and I know I'm going to be up late working on a project I'll take a quick 10 minute break and go drive my car because its such an exhilarating experience. The responsiveness of the car is amazing. Taking off ramps at 70mph at still feeling completely in control of the car is one of the best feelings ever... second only to drive a back country road that has a bunch of ups and downs and twists and turns. Driving a manual has never been so much fun for me Watch the BMW "The Hire" films on youtube. Especially the "The Star". Then go and watch The Transporter __________________ Please Digg For Me - Free Online Education Resources Help Students Prepare for Spring AP Exam

03-24-2008, 02:27 AM	#12 (permalink)
adamx12m Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 49 iTrader: (0)	i'll second the bmw m3 conv or the 330xi. bmw's suck in any snow unless it's a 4 wheel "x" model w/good tires. bmw is a driver's car = fun..

03-24-2008, 12:39 PM	#13 (permalink)
durkadurka Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 94 iTrader: (0)	clk is for vagina meats

03-24-2008, 01:19 PM	#15 (permalink)
Aniston Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 211 iTrader: (0)	I have a mercedes but my sister and parents have bmws. I think the mercedes drive so much better than bmws. When I drove the bmws, to me it was like driving a tractor...no joke...I had a hard time turning the wheel and I didn't feel like I had control of the car very well. My car is so smooth and I feel like I am in a race car. Also, their cars were in the shop a lot and my car has only been in the shop because of brakes....probably because I drive to fast and slam on brakes! LOL! Go test drive both and you will see what I mean. Also, believe or not, carmax.com has the best prices on used cars that I have found...that's where I bought my car....nobody would ever know...they think I got at the dealership...it only had 9,000 miles on it! Good Luck!

03-24-2008, 01:52 PM	#16 (permalink)
colts Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: BC Posts: 173 iTrader: (0)	BMW all the way, also check out 350z and g35 coupes they are pretty bad ass. __________________