Car Chat General discussion about Lexus, other auto manufacturers and automotive news.

Benz CL550 Mini Review

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-30-10, 10:17 AM
  #31  
mmarshall
Lexus Fanatic
 
mmarshall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Posts: 91,316
Received 87 Likes on 86 Posts
Default

What about the Hyundai Genesis 3.8 Track Coupe? The Hyundai name not panache enough? This car, granted, doesn't have the rich interior of some of the vehicles you named (Audi, Jaguar, Infiniti, Benz, etc...), or even as plush as the Genesis sedan, but it offers a superb drivetrain and what is, IMO, BMW-worthy steering feel, chassis engineering, and road manners at a far lower price.

For sheer looks alone, though, it's hard to beat the S5.....it is drop-dead gorgeous, and would, IMO, be even more so if not for that awkward, oversized grille. With an Audi, though, you run the risk of electronic and hardware problems....although that seems to be improving, according to Consumer Reports.

Last edited by mmarshall; 04-30-10 at 10:21 AM.
mmarshall is offline  
Old 04-30-10, 10:32 AM
  #32  
tmf2004
5% Club. Killing it!!!
iTrader: (15)
 
tmf2004's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: FL
Posts: 21,942
Received 63 Likes on 61 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by verals05
GTR all the way.
I think GT-R all the way as well.. Its probably the best bang for the buck.. Although the S5 is pretty sweet to... Tuff choice reggie.. Your a big guy so you should test drive the cars you mention if you already haven't..

GL..
tmf2004 is offline  
Old 04-30-10, 01:25 PM
  #33  
rdgdawg
Pole Position
 
rdgdawg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Lake Country, WI
Posts: 2,794
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by rominl
yeah i know what you mean, but when you have that wide of a range and also type of cars, then it makes decision very hard and often times confusing. i mean, all the way from g37 to gtr to m6, that make things really hard

look at russ j/p
Yep.... I'm a shell of my former self...

Benz CL550 Mini Review-jack.jpg
rdgdawg is offline  
Old 04-30-10, 01:37 PM
  #34  
Och
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (3)
 
Och's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NY
Posts: 16,436
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 13 Posts
Default

I recently drove a last gen CL600, and as awesome as it may be, its no S class, not even close. Didn't feel anywhere near as solid. But the acceleration from the twin turbo V12 was insane, and there was no engine noise whatsoever.

I have no experience at all with the new CL, but I'm not a big fan of the styling. I think the old one was better. Also, I'd be concerned with long term reliability and depreciation.
Och is offline  
Old 04-30-10, 07:31 PM
  #35  
Ice350
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Ice350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 11,349
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by tmf2004
I think GT-R all the way as well.. Its probably the best bang for the buck.. Although the S5 is pretty sweet to... Tuff choice reggie.. Your a big guy so you should test drive the cars you mention if you already haven't..

GL..
Believe me, I will test drive all these babies before I buy. I made that mistake once and never again. 3 years ago I got a G35 without test driving it. I loved that VQ engine (I still swoon everytime I hear one) but the seat was absolutely horrible. I developed neck and back pain that still bothers me. My posture was ruined as well. That engine note....and the pull was better than I expected. I won every race except 2. But I suffered in pain. I had to get rid of it. I should have just changed the seat. I didn't even think of it.
Ice350 is offline  
Old 04-30-10, 08:24 PM
  #36  
2002GGPIS3
Lexus Test Driver
 
2002GGPIS3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: FL
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default



Yes!!

Or if you are looking in the GT-R price range, maybe consider a Aston Martin V8 Vantage, sex on wheels.

Out of the current list, I would go for the XKR.
2002GGPIS3 is offline  
Old 04-30-10, 09:20 PM
  #37  
LexFather
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

^^ Amazingly Vanquish prices are below 100k and I think that car started around 250k or so.
 
Old 04-30-10, 11:05 PM
  #38  
rominl
exclusive matchup

iTrader: (4)
 
rominl's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Lovely OC
Posts: 81,673
Received 190 Likes on 148 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
^^ Amazingly Vanquish prices are below 100k and I think that car started around 250k or so.
how old is the car though. for the vanquish to be under 100k, i would be very afraid of all the problems that might pop up left and right
rominl is offline  
Old 05-01-10, 04:18 AM
  #39  
Ice350
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Ice350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 11,349
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by rominl
how old is the car though. for the vanquish to be under 100k, i would be very afraid of all the problems that might pop up left and right
I wouldn't even consider an older exotic. They may be attainable but they have exotic-like maintenance/repair costs that are astronomical. No way. I want a car I can enjoy.
Ice350 is offline  
Old 05-01-10, 12:07 PM
  #40  
oldcajun
Racer
 
oldcajun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: AZ
Posts: 1,419
Received 49 Likes on 34 Posts
Default

The 2011 Mustangs have just hit the dealers. With the new 5.0 V8 it is faster than anything on your list but the GTR. For $40K loaded, you would still have lots of bucks to mod it and make it unique.
Steve
oldcajun is offline  
Old 05-01-10, 01:48 PM
  #41  
(Cj)
Lexus Test Driver
 
(Cj)'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: somewhere out there
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Ice350
Believe me, I will test drive all these babies before I buy. I made that mistake once and never again. 3 years ago I got a G35 without test driving it. I loved that VQ engine (I still swoon everytime I hear one) but the seat was absolutely horrible. I developed neck and back pain that still bothers me. My posture was ruined as well. That engine note....and the pull was better than I expected. I won every race except 2. But I suffered in pain. I had to get rid of it. I should have just changed the seat. I didn't even think of it.
lol, considering your experience with Infiniti/Nissan, why are they even on your list for you next car?

Test drive the S5 it's probably the best luxury coupe sub-$50K and I saw another on the road today and it's just drool worthy.

You could probably save a bit more coin and get a regular A5. The 2.0T engine I've heard can get over 300hp with a few mods
(Cj) is offline  
Old 05-03-10, 05:35 PM
  #42  
COOLIS
Instructor
 
COOLIS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Ca
Posts: 792
Received 35 Likes on 27 Posts
Default

My mom got a CL550 a few months back and man what a car. You can buy one that is a few years old for around 60-70K with like 30K miles. Only thing that would scare me is when the warranty runs out. I bet these things cost a fortune to fix. It really drives like no other though. My mom actually said she doesn't like driving the car because of how many people look at it.
COOLIS is offline  
Old 05-03-10, 06:09 PM
  #43  
TXSTYLE
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
TXSTYLE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The GYM!
Posts: 8,270
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Lightbulb

Originally Posted by Ice350
so I tried a CL550.

.
Although I love the GT-R and it is a legend in it's own right!

My personal pick in this price point is EASILY the CL550!

Absolutely nothing can touch this car under $100k for "All around Presence" and sheer automotive genius.

But you know... It all comes down to "How you roll?"










Older Photo Shoot....









TXSTYLE is offline  
Old 05-03-10, 07:04 PM
  #44  
IS-SV
Lexus Fanatic
 
IS-SV's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: tech capital
Posts: 14,100
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Agreed, the CL550 does the job. I parked in back of a white one yesterday at Santana Row yesterday setup like above, nicely done.
IS-SV is offline  
Old 05-03-10, 09:41 PM
  #45  
RNM GS3
Lexus Test Driver
 
RNM GS3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: New York
Posts: 7,234
Received 70 Likes on 52 Posts
Default

From ur choices, I would take the Audi S5.

If ur price range is 100k, I would take a maserati gran turismo.

RNM GS3 is online now  


Quick Reply: Benz CL550 Mini Review



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:16 PM.