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I am in Paris attending the auto show and was afforded an opportunity to drive the new CL 550. All I can say is that if you like the S 550, you will also enjoy the CL. Drives pretty much the same, with two fewer doors. I know this all sounds pretty obvious, but this sums up my experience. If you want to know more details, watch for my full review on "thetruthaboutcars.com"

Florida Joe

I was hoping for more of a sporty feel. Currently have an 03 SL500 and it is great. I test drove an S550 and it wasn't my type of car.

I may have to rethink my ordering of the CL550

shoes

Ordering one with the sports package may help. However, compared with the SL, the CL will always feel more mature.

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http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=2439

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I had the opportunity to drive a launch edition car this weekend and liked it much more than I did during my first experience with the car. On US roads, the car felt much smaller. The color combination in the launch edition is magnificent- I really liked the mocha exterior paint, which is like obsidian black with even more metal flake. The interior reminds me of the designo grahite edition of the CLS in 2006 only instead of piano black, the wood is natural color. I found the handling and performance of this car to be much more impressive than the one in France, which makes me wonder what was missing from that one (ABC? Is that optional in Europe?). Only problem is the price, which at $114K and weak residuals, makes me consider a used Bentley GT or even a used Aston Martin DB9.

cda

What a shame - i would agree that the used Bentley or Aston Martin would be preferable. I was seriously considering the CL550....

Chucky300

Hmm I think a brand new Aston Martin V8 Vantage is about $120,000

CLFREAK

This just signifies the disastrous effects of gradual brand dilution which started when Merc introduced down-market trash like the C series. And neither Bentley nor AM (with RR about to follow up with a sub-$200K GT-eater) are pure at heart any longer either, with offerings under the $200K mark, though I do very much love both the GT coupe, cabrio, and AM's DB9 and Vantage V8. Please tell those guys to STAY THERE and not make the same mistake Merc did! I mean, who really wants to see a $25,000 Bentley??? Now, that would be the end of western civilization as we know it!

With Merc lease payments for the S and CL about identical to that of a long-term (www.woodsidecredit.com) loan on the true exotica, and with the horrible residuals, it really makes me think twice. Too bad, because the new S and CL designs are the best yet...

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I asked my dealer how many orders had been placed for the CL 550 and the answer was zero. Hard to have strong residuals when demand is slight.

MercedesFTW

Ouch...That hurts. It really does.