Need your suggestions - I'm buying a new convertible

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katoved

katoved

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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.
 


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.
 
maverick said:
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.
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Audi is a European car though :)

A Corvette would be my pick for a convertible.
 
ImagesAndWords said:
Audi is a European car though :)

A Corvette would be my pick for a convertible.
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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
 
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
 
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.:)
 
You strictly looking at luxury convertibles in the $20k price range? Pretty limited options there.
 
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
 
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 :)
 
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..
 
CLKeenan said:
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 :)
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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
 
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! :)
 
In that price range look at the Solstice as mentioned, or maybe a used 350. You could pick up an early 90s 911 cab. in the mid 20s. If you want something that will get you noticed get a 550 spyder replica like these. I watched a show where they showed them building these cars. They're sweet.

Automotive Legends
 
Try driving an M3 and see how much like a tractor it drives.

Aniston said:
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.
Good Luck! :)
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G35 doesn't come in a convertible, and the 350z is god ugly in it's convertible form.

colts said:
BMW all the way, also check out 350z and g35 coupes they are pretty bad ass.
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Just get an 07/08 MX5 if you can fit in it, fun little cars, and they get good gas millage.
 
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