testknight

Well, my wife wants my C32..she said I can just go and get something else..didn't matter what. I paid cash for the C32. By March I can have about $13k-$14k cash (big year end bonus, taxes and sell an old minivan I have)

I hate loans but do want to buld credit. So, I plan to get a $4k-8k loan. So, I can go up to +/-$20k. What could I get with that? I've looked a lot and after having this C32 kind of like higher end options (mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Acura, and Jaguar).

I can't just get another C32 (would be odd to have two of same model in driveway.) I like performance capability of SLK32...but feel limited a 2 seater and 'boxy' body (LOVE, LOVE S55 body styles).

I do not see me getting a lot quicker without spending at least $25k or more....do not want to go that far. (note costs include mod needs).

I love the Jaguar XKR, S_type R and XJR cars,,,but no real aftermarket options...which I need. No good pasth for solid HP numbers. My C32 now seems to exeed any potential for those others listed...that said an XKR coupe is a HOT looking car...

any other ideas? I looked at '04 E55...but just a bit out of price range..

jturkel

BMW 335i or 135i. 'nuff said.

AlanG

335 or 135 cannot be had in that price range yet. How about an audi s4? Nice examples can be had for high teens-20k or so. Decent aftermarket for them and they have a great interior. Maybe a clean w210 e55 or a clk55? Good luck with the search!

Dingleberry

if you want something different, i'd hop on a jag s-type r. they run similar times to the c32, and take quite well to mods

http://www.dragtimes.com/Jaguar-S-Ty...lip-18318.html

DarkXerox

The 55's/600's are interesting and would be a step up in straight line speed. I'm kind of in your shoes too, but I might wait to just get a house.

TemjinX2

maybe a 01-05 cl600. twin turbo v12. You can find the 01's for 20k.

mb_c55amg_guy

i agree....but if it were me...i would suck it up and save a little more or get a bigger loan and get a c55....u can get them really cheap now...but thats my 2 cents.

SilverBulletAMG

If you like the body on the S class so much, sounds like you have a winner already. Older S55's are going for pretty cheap.
Any other C class (in your price range) would be a waste and the compairable (performance) BMWs aren't in your price range yet. If you were to get an SLK32, then you should give THAT car to the wife and keep yours. No offense to the SLK guys, but the SLK always struck me as a chick car.
If you wanted a project car, you could get a "ricer" and mod the snot out of it, ie STi, Evo, 350, S2000 (also chick car), GTI, etc.

Biscuit

Agree with SilverBullet. If you want a nice car with excellent modability then go with an STi or Evo. The Evo MR's actually have leather interior on some.

Those are miles away from an S class though. I think the previous generation M5 might fall in your price range for one with higher miles? (70k+)

02C32guy

I know you don't want another C32, but... https://mbworld.org/forums/mercedes-...out-there.html

Phil C55

A few months ago I was pretty much in this boat. Make sure and drive the Jag, I did and it wasn't anything like I had expected, I wouldn't have one as a gift after driving it. It really depends on what means the most to you, Euro cars, Germans especially, tend to have a very solid quality feel to them that nobody else can quite get. Once you have one, it's kind of hard to go back. My wife had a 03 Passat that she still misses because of the solid feel it had. I looked at 01-03 M5 BMWs before I bought my C55 because I really wanted a manual transmission car. After driving the C55, I had a change of heart because it works so well. Cadillac CTS-V might be worth a look, lots of mods available and 400HP to start, an 04-05 is in the price range too.

testknight

Yeah I went through BMW line and the only one is an M5 (around '01), which is 'Eh...' in looks and performance is good (seems to be a low 13s stock car), but it seems the aftermarket is crazy expensive for even a little gain over stock. 135 and 335...need ot lok more into those sounds too expensive though.

I am not interested in the EVO or Sti's...fugly cars and just can't do a car where most driver appear to be teenagers.

All the 55s and CL600s I see in my range are around 350hp...and heavier...just don't see me making them faster that my modded C32. Anyone disagree here? I do want to keep it under 20k and am not sure I could mod it under that budget...

Now the Jags...I gotta disagree on aftermarket. I've read every shred of forum postings about the XKR, XJR and S-type Rs and there just isn't good enough evidence to indicate I can get any of them in the 12s. One guy (Moran) did it on an XJR, but he spent a ton to get there (more than his cars worth). intakes do no good, exhaust does no good (don't take the vendor numbers its crap I've read every dyno available on these cars). high flow cats are an option, but they want huge $$ for them at paramount (and no data to back it up with numbers). All you can do is a pulley and tune really... You'll see at best 20 hp from a pulley (at most) and perhaps 10 more with tune.

That said I LOVE the looks of the XKR coupe (not 'vert) and if anything I'd get one of those, get what I can done to it and settle myself into a car that'll prolly be slower than my C32.. Guys, see the pics in this auction (just do it...I think the coupes looks way sexier than the verts on tehse cars, don't think, just click
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-...item4cebb6331c

Hell I don't know, I even looked at 2002 ZO6 vettes...but something about driving a car that everyone already knows is super fast doesn't excite me, I'll probably just end up getting the wife a nice 4matic, bigger lexus or other and just keep the C32...I've got till March to choose...keep sending me your ideas though...

Biscuit

I'm with you - I *love* the look of the XKR Coupe (non-convertible). Truly a beautiful car in my opinion.

The price range you're looking at is awkward. It's just not quite enough to land you in the range of merc's with the V8k. The 600 series somebody mentioned is a pretty good idea too. With just a tune those v12tt's get crazy.

Just my two cents but as far as the BMW M5 goes I like the style of the last generation more than the new. I really thought about it but since wife and I share the car I didn't want a stick.

What about the last generation of Audi RS4 or RS6? They're harder to find but I think they'll fall in that range? <-- *edit* [Nevermind, just looked at prices...don't think that'll work...]

Nachtsturm

W208 CLK55?

Definitely in the price range and meets all your criteria.

I know of a 40k Mile one for sale.

https://mbworld.org/forums/mercedes-...ml#post3803328

If not I would seriously take a look at 05-06 GTO's. Also everything you looking for.

Nachtsturm

I am pretty sure that all the XLR's are hardtop convertibles.

jturkel

well if you find one for a good price, they are very moddable and at not too high a price.

see link: http://www.burgertuning.com/

Biscuit

I didn't mean the Caddy XLR. I mean the Jaguare XKR. Like this --> http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-20...y-1280x960.jpg

Nachtsturm

My bad lol. I read it 3 times, and just kept seeing XLR, XLR, XLR.

Mind block I guess. Yes the coupes, look way better than the verts I agree.

TemjinX2

you can look at the other side and go with a e46 m3. But on the cl600..considering its a 5.8L v12 tt. I"m sure just adding intake would probably add 20whp and tune and exhaust..blahblah. Its a huge engine with a lot of cylinder and turboed. So i think that would meet your torque needs.

Phil C55

I had considered those too, great cars, except they look like a Chevy Cavalier on steroids. The owners are also out there on values, I mean the cars were $32k list new and anyone with a nice one wants $20k +, which is nuts for a four or five year old car that died an ugly death on the sales floor.

320 dreamer

it always strikes me odd that the guys with all the mods they can get are still slower than my slk32 call it a chick car!! btw your c32's look nice in my rear view mirror!

Newzchspy

-63, I'd get the 2010 C63 with the new P31 Package!!

jturkel

lol....well thats a whole difference price range...even more so than a 335. yes, if that were an option, without a doubt. that is definitely a car of mine in the future (i hope)

Phil C55

Don't take offense to it, converts tend to be chick cars, always have. The fact the SLK is short, most think it's kind of cute, like a chicks car. A SLK32 is a real AMG and is very strong, it's just a configuration thing.

02C32guy

You could get a really nice G8 for that money.