10 year old Merc CLK Convertable - am I mad?

rca779

Found this on Auto Trader http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/200936340974647/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/make/mercedes-benz/model/clk/transmission/automatic/body-type/convertible/price-to/7000/maximum-age/up_to_10_years_old/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/postcode/gu515np/keywords/elegance/page/1?previous=/search/results/usedcars/postcode/gu515np/make/mercedes-benz/model/clk/keywords/elegance/transmission/automatic/body-type/convertible/price-to/7000/maximum-age/up_to_10_years_old/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/sort/pricedesc/page/1&anchor=advert200936340974647&logcode=p


and I can't help but get interested. I know it is not very MSE, but the car looks great. So would I be landing myself in all sorts of bother with a car like this? In the description it mentions "1 Private Owner From new, M.B.F.S.H with Supplying Dealer"

Tell me am I mad or should I just forget the MSE bit and go for a really nice car?

Hintza

Looks a tidy car. How is the price? I assume slightly on the high side for such a good example.

Just remember MB were run by the accountants 10 years ago and are only now starting to recover from that regime of penny pinching.

Do all the normal checks and then make up your mind.

mercman1969

Having owned several mercedes benz cars including a 320 clk cab you will not get any bother from this car
the V6 engine is bullet proof as is chain driven and not belt so no belt change req'd

It has the right spec...auto and air, although isnt the most desireable of colours

It looks a great buy for the price

Go for it

AdrianHi

It's depreciating by about £400 a year compared to a 1 year old Mondeo depreciating at £1500 a year.
If you mileage is low fuel consumption and servicing is hardly an issue. It's repairs that might sting. A friend of mine had to pay £1000 to have air-conditioning fixed on his SL500 that is the same age to this CLK and that was done at an independent garage.
Chances are it won't cost you that much to own so long as your mileage is low. Someone in a 1 to 3 year old diesel Mondeo doing 15,000 miles a year will spend more than you would on that Merc doing 5000 miles a year in the long run.

If you want a car of this kind it is a canny way to do it.

rca779

mercman1969 wrote: »

Go for it

That's the sort of advice I wanted to hear.

Just got to persuade 'er indoors now

anewman

I'd love one if I could afford the insurance I think the older boxier ones look much cooler though

rca779

Being mid 40's, insurance is not a problem, but no doubt my mates will class a purchase like this as a mid-life crisis :rolleyes:

Inactive

Looks like a very nice genuine car from a reliable dealer to me, a bit pricey maybe, but where would you find another one as good?.

I bet the dealer doesn't have it for very long.

ArsenalFC

If you can afford it and really want it then go for one. When I first started driving i hear people rave about merc and bmw etc so I kinda always wanted to get one. I had 2 bmw so far and have been well worth it, now i'm driving a 12yrs old fiesta and I'm not really bother too much as I had my sports car already.

If you decide to go for it, keep it for a year or two and sell it on, you'll have had your enjoyment by then.

My next car is a ford puma or an mx5......I know i want an mx5....just the practicality issue. Not looking to spend much either, budget of £1500 max.

maninthestreet

rca779 wrote: »

Being mid 40's, insurance is not a problem, but no doubt my mates will class a purchase like this as a mid-life crisis :rolleyes:

Yes, most definitely.

BillScarab

Gp for it. I did a similar thing a few years ago. I'd always wanted a Jag so went and bought an old XJ6. Didn't cost much in repairs or servicing, just lots on petrol!

The trick is to find a good independent specialist. There's bound to be some Merc forums where people can point you in the right direction.