I have a friend with a CLK500 - we have been talking sell or keep..
2006 CLK500, 40k miles, AMG rims and exhaust tips, clean and everything works well. Bought new at the dealer in 2006. He loves Benz's, so thats his preferred vehicle..

So given the car is paid off, looked at Edmunds today at private party is 21.8k - most of the depreciation has been absorbed already. Ouch.

The car is not driven much starting a year ago, sometimes it sits the entire week. All work is done at a shop/dealer..

Question is: long run - say next 4 years - will this be reasonable to keep say driving 5k per year, or will age/maintenance/repairs offset the savings of no car payment? Is maintenance armageddon lying ahead? All maint has been done at the dealer per schedule..

Or just sell it, and head to the Honda dealer , plop down the cash on a newish/CPO car?

Based on just this info, what do folks recommend?

Thanks
Gregg

 

well i would keep it as a nice sunday car. you can always do the work yourself as you should probably change the oil every year or so. nothing wrong with having the car sit. however, you have to see if its worth keeping the car in the long run.

well bottom line, its up to you. if your friend can keep this car and get another car. i say go that route if your funds allow you too. nothing wrong with keeping a nice benz around for sunday driving.

 

Your probably going to get a few bias answers considering this is a Benz forum...lol.. I say keep it. With the amount of miles he has and the amount he will be putting on a year he shouldn't have too many problems.

 

The CLK is not a very complicated car and if he drives it only a few thousand miles a year the maintenance cost will be well below the cost of making payments.

Another five years from now there may be a number of parts that need to be replaced and then it is a matter of inconvenience of having to go back to the dealer too often and the love may fade. He might as well keep it until he wants to trade it in for a newer model.

The idea of trading in a CLK500 for a used Honda is just tragic.

 

I'd keep it. There is nothing like having something in the garage that is always clean, catches the eye of most, and bought and paid for. Although I have two MB's we drive daily, We also have a garage queen in the garage bought and paid for. An 06 with less than 13k. Mike

 

You have to find a reputable Indie shop to do your work. Anyone will get frustrated having to always deal with the dealership.

 

Agreed. There are some really good ones out there that can save you a bundle. Search in your area for a local MB club or section. There are some good connected people at these things that know who is respected in the MB community.

 

Keep it.

Andy

 

Thanks for the advice everyone!! Will relay to my friend..

 

I'm struggling with the same question. I just bought two new cars this year, and gave the CLK to my gf, but we're debating on keeping it for pretty much the same reasons. In Hawai'i, everything is more expensive because of the shipping, so I'm just praying nothing goes wrong with the car; if it's something major, I can always sell it I guess.

What car are you looking into getting? Are you really wanting to replace your CLK with a Honda? I'd keep it around in case you need to go someplace where you'd rather drive the Benz. IMO. Good luck with the decision, not an easy one.

 

send it to me... lol