My New Daily
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
I test drove one and the dynamics did not inspire me one bit. IMO this thing is downright dangerous at highway speeds.
The fuel economy is also not impressive. There are plenty real cars that do better than the smart.
It does look cool in a cute way, but I don't think I will be driving one any time soon.
And merc a class is nothing like the smart. It is a real car. I drove a diesel one in France a couple years ago and I wanted to take the thing stateside
The fuel economy is also not impressive. There are plenty real cars that do better than the smart.
It does look cool in a cute way, but I don't think I will be driving one any time soon.
And merc a class is nothing like the smart. It is a real car. I drove a diesel one in France a couple years ago and I wanted to take the thing stateside
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 10
From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
This car does this to people. They either love it, or hate it. I love it.
For the money, you can't beat it. I still have the CL, and that car will be for weekends. I was sick of taking that car for little errands, and as a result I would find myself not going places simply because I didn't want to take my car there. I was able to find a way to zero-sum my monthly expenses, while putting less miles and wear on the CL.
For the money, you can't beat it. I still have the CL, and that car will be for weekends. I was sick of taking that car for little errands, and as a result I would find myself not going places simply because I didn't want to take my car there. I was able to find a way to zero-sum my monthly expenses, while putting less miles and wear on the CL.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 390
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
CL65, FJ80, Sportsmobile 4x4, Model X Plaid
Nice, I agree, was thinking of getting a Smart car too.
I'm doing 55-75 bucks a month for a new Volt if you subtract the gas I usually use from the lease payment.
I get free fillups(electric charge) at work and at home it cost about a $1-2 dollars to fill it up otherwise.
It's zippy from 0 - 35mph.. and not bad at other speeds. 275 ftlbs of instant electric torque.
My personal opinion is the Volt is really nice with leather and all the options.
The CL65 sits in the garage and only comes out on weekends.. if ever lately (raining alot).
I'm doing 55-75 bucks a month for a new Volt if you subtract the gas I usually use from the lease payment.
I get free fillups(electric charge) at work and at home it cost about a $1-2 dollars to fill it up otherwise.
It's zippy from 0 - 35mph.. and not bad at other speeds. 275 ftlbs of instant electric torque.
My personal opinion is the Volt is really nice with leather and all the options.
The CL65 sits in the garage and only comes out on weekends.. if ever lately (raining alot).
Last edited by NRL; Dec 28, 2012 at 12:31 PM.
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 10
From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
Nice, I agree, was thinking of getting a Smart car too.
I'm doing 55-75 bucks a month for a new Volt if you subtract the gas I usually use from the lease payment.
I get free fillups(electric charge) at work and at home it cost about a $1-2 dollars to fill it up otherwise.
It's zippy from 0 - 35mph.. and not bad at other speeds. 275 ftlbs of instant electric torque.
My personal opinion is the Volt is really nice with leather and all the options.
The CL65 sits in the garage and only comes out on weekends.. if ever lately (raining alot).
I'm doing 55-75 bucks a month for a new Volt if you subtract the gas I usually use from the lease payment.
I get free fillups(electric charge) at work and at home it cost about a $1-2 dollars to fill it up otherwise.
It's zippy from 0 - 35mph.. and not bad at other speeds. 275 ftlbs of instant electric torque.
My personal opinion is the Volt is really nice with leather and all the options.
The CL65 sits in the garage and only comes out on weekends.. if ever lately (raining alot).
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 390
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
CL65, FJ80, Sportsmobile 4x4, Model X Plaid
I was waiting to see if an electric Smart car was going to be sold in SoCal.. But after I test drove the Volt, loved the Sport mode..very zippy, K1 electric go cart but way faster. Better looking then the Nissan electric.
I opted for the full package all options, Black on Black which ran me $2.5k down, out the door $389 per month lease for 3yrs. The lease goes down to 270ish for less options which I would choice the next round.
Had to remind the wife to subtract the gas I usually go thru with my truck, van and of course, not count the gas costs for the AMG(very little)
Of course this works out much better when you can get a free daily full charge at work, and you don't need to charge when you get home.. Also within a 20 to 40 mile range if you want to use pure electric the whole time.. Great for zipping around silently around OC..
What's really amazing is when the dealer filled my gas tank up, the gas backup lasted 4 months (9 gallons), and I eventually burned thru it just to find out how well extended range works..
And when I drive the AMG W215 on weekends.. Feels like a new super car each time I get in.. But the Volt is a great Daily..
I opted for the full package all options, Black on Black which ran me $2.5k down, out the door $389 per month lease for 3yrs. The lease goes down to 270ish for less options which I would choice the next round.
Had to remind the wife to subtract the gas I usually go thru with my truck, van and of course, not count the gas costs for the AMG(very little)
Of course this works out much better when you can get a free daily full charge at work, and you don't need to charge when you get home.. Also within a 20 to 40 mile range if you want to use pure electric the whole time.. Great for zipping around silently around OC..
What's really amazing is when the dealer filled my gas tank up, the gas backup lasted 4 months (9 gallons), and I eventually burned thru it just to find out how well extended range works..
And when I drive the AMG W215 on weekends.. Feels like a new super car each time I get in.. But the Volt is a great Daily..
Last edited by NRL; Dec 29, 2012 at 12:57 PM.
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Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 10
From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
I was waiting to see if an electric Smart car was going to be sold in SoCal.. But after I test drove the Volt, loved the Sport mode..very zippy, K1 electric go cart but way faster. Better looking then the Nissan electric.
I opted for the full package all options, Black on Black which ran me $2.5k down, out the door $389 per month lease for 3yrs. The lease goes down to 270ish for less options which I would choice the next round.
Had to remind the wife to subtract the gas I usually go thru with my truck, van and of course, not count the gas costs for the AMG(very little)
Of course this works out much better when you can get a free daily full charge at work, and you don't need to charge when you get home.. Also within a 20 to 40 mile range if you want to use pure electric the whole time.. Great for zipping around silently around OC..
What's really amazing is when the dealer filled my gas tank up, the gas backup lasted 4 months (9 gallons), and I eventually burned thru it just to find out how well extended range works..
And when I drive the AMG W215 on weekends.. Feels like a new super car each time I get in.. But the Volt is a great Daily..
I opted for the full package all options, Black on Black which ran me $2.5k down, out the door $389 per month lease for 3yrs. The lease goes down to 270ish for less options which I would choice the next round.
Had to remind the wife to subtract the gas I usually go thru with my truck, van and of course, not count the gas costs for the AMG(very little)
Of course this works out much better when you can get a free daily full charge at work, and you don't need to charge when you get home.. Also within a 20 to 40 mile range if you want to use pure electric the whole time.. Great for zipping around silently around OC..
What's really amazing is when the dealer filled my gas tank up, the gas backup lasted 4 months (9 gallons), and I eventually burned thru it just to find out how well extended range works..
And when I drive the AMG W215 on weekends.. Feels like a new super car each time I get in.. But the Volt is a great Daily..
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 10
From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
I have a friend with a cl55 with 180k miles on the odo and the car runs great.
And the difference between a 50k miles 03 cl55 and a 180k mile one is about $5-7k. Hardly worth the effort of avoiding to drive the car you like.
The cl car is a daily car. It is not a Ferrari or a lambo. Miles on such old cars have little effect on value since value to begin with is so low.
But... To each his own
And the difference between a 50k miles 03 cl55 and a 180k mile one is about $5-7k. Hardly worth the effort of avoiding to drive the car you like.
The cl car is a daily car. It is not a Ferrari or a lambo. Miles on such old cars have little effect on value since value to begin with is so low.
But... To each his own
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 390
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
CL65, FJ80, Sportsmobile 4x4, Model X Plaid
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 410
Likes: 1
From: Northern VA
CL55, SL500, E350
I have a friend with a cl55 with 180k miles on the odo and the car runs great.
And the difference between a 50k miles 03 cl55 and a 180k mile one is about $5-7k. Hardly worth the effort of avoiding to drive the car you like.
The cl car is a daily car. It is not a Ferrari or a lambo. Miles on such old cars have little effect on value since value to begin with is so low.
But... To each his own
And the difference between a 50k miles 03 cl55 and a 180k mile one is about $5-7k. Hardly worth the effort of avoiding to drive the car you like.
The cl car is a daily car. It is not a Ferrari or a lambo. Miles on such old cars have little effect on value since value to begin with is so low.
But... To each his own
... why would you say you love your CL and not drive it? Life is too short. I find myself driving my two Mercedes 98% of the time, even when it rains! (the other 2% is when it snows or when I need to lugs my wheels/tires to the shops)Again ... to each his own
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 378
Likes: 1
From: LA CA
w215 cl65, W212 E63, R53 Mini Cooper JCW, E92 328I
i was also thinking about getting a daily driver.. i am spending average 500-550 dollars per month on fuel on my cl65 i wanted to get a orange chevy sonic turbo... get a performance tune, front mount cooler. and get 40mpg not bad
Last edited by freestylebiker3; Dec 31, 2012 at 08:16 PM.
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 10
From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
I have a friend with a cl55 with 180k miles on the odo and the car runs great.
And the difference between a 50k miles 03 cl55 and a 180k mile one is about $5-7k. Hardly worth the effort of avoiding to drive the car you like.
The cl car is a daily car. It is not a Ferrari or a lambo. Miles on such old cars have little effect on value since value to begin with is so low.
But... To each his own
And the difference between a 50k miles 03 cl55 and a 180k mile one is about $5-7k. Hardly worth the effort of avoiding to drive the car you like.
The cl car is a daily car. It is not a Ferrari or a lambo. Miles on such old cars have little effect on value since value to begin with is so low.
But... To each his own
- motor mounts
- rotors and pads
- oxygen sensor
- tranny mount
- rear flex disc
- valve cover gaskets
- lower oil pan
- spark plugs
- air filters
- ball joints
- tie rod ends
- front lower control arms
- driver door soft close
- trunk shocks
- car stuck in park
- much more I'm forgetting
I'm at around 111k now, and before 150k, it will need all the mounts replaced, the valve cover gaskets redone, tranny service, rear diff rebuilt (leaking now), another ABC debacle (thankfully ABC work was done prior to my ownership) and I'm sure much more.
Last edited by OCKlasse; Dec 31, 2012 at 08:30 PM.
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 10
From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
I don't need to drive my car to go to the gym, or commute to work, or to get groceries. What I enjoy my car for is going on drives on PCH, meeting up with other car guys, and going to Cars and Coffee on Saturday mornings.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 11
From: SF Bay Area, CA
2006 E55 and 2002 E320
Congrats on the Smart! It's a great car. Take it on the twisties and it will really surprise you on how well the car handles! And don't be afraid to overdrive it a little bit, if the car slides (and it takes a lot to make it slide) it's easily recovered so it's relatively safe. Please be safe though, not an excuse for unsafe driving. Enjoy!
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 69
Likes: 1
04 CL55, 04 SL55, 2013 Panamera GTS, 1987 944 Turbo 420WHP, 04 Dodge Viper, 2011 E550, 2013 Accord
You got a bargain, $99 a month really is a no brainer. For the amount that Verizon is screwing me I could of had 4 of those smart cars.
I think you made a good choice. Enjoy it. You get to keep the milage low on the CL, save some extra gas money to offset the CL gas and find easy parking. Kudos.
God Bless
I think you made a good choice. Enjoy it. You get to keep the milage low on the CL, save some extra gas money to offset the CL gas and find easy parking. Kudos.
God Bless
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
CL55 AMG
Great Choice!
OCKLASSE:
I also drive a Smart car and love the feeling of getting into the CL, it's more than just saving gas or Wear and tear.... It just makes cents! (Intended)
Congratulations! Enjoy your new ride!
I also drive a Smart car and love the feeling of getting into the CL, it's more than just saving gas or Wear and tear.... It just makes cents! (Intended)
Congratulations! Enjoy your new ride!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
following it one should feel real good when he repeatedly hits his fingers with a hammer, but every now and then misses
