schvetkaaks

Who wouldn't LOVE to have one of the super sedans, but every time I drive, I am driving from the house downtown or to the store, and how much fun is it to get from one stoplight to the next in 3.4 seconds? We don't have an autobahn here, and even the mountain roads are filled with slow drivers in minivans, so where would one be able to even drive one of these things as they are able to be driven?? I enjoy my wife's A6 Avant, so I can imagine the S6 Avant is utterly fantastic, too. I drove another E500 today, and that is one sweet car, even has better pickup (on paper) for 0-60 than the S6 (5.9 versus 6.5). I can afford to get the RS6 or E55 when they come out, but I'm just not sure I 'should' - it's frustrating to be driving less of a car than you could afford, but it's also frustrating to have a supercar that only goes up to 70mph and sits much of the time in rush hour traffic!

I'm so frustrated - don't know what to do! Don't know if I should just settle into one of the various, more widely available, V8 monsters out there or wait for a supercar. I could overpay for a 24-month lease, too, then see what these cars are like since they will have been out for a while and demand will likely have peetered out - who knows?

Any tips? Advice? Flames?

ElDiabloJoe

Flame On! LOL.

If I were in your shoes making your decision, I think I would lean toward going with the new E500, and pocketing the difference between the E-500 and the E55 you *can* afford, and putting that into a fund to keep building on so you have mucho set aside for an upgrade several years down the line.

And you know this is honest advice because if you went with the E55, I know I'd get to take it for a spin

Just my .02, thanks for asking

EDJ

schvetkaaks

Hey Joe - knew I could count on you to reply :-)

It's funny, because even Mike was pushing me to the E500 instead of the E55, and you KNOW that's not in his best interest financially! I just can't seem to get it in my head where I would be able to 'use' that much car driving on the fricking 5 freeway, you know? I think mountain roads would be fun, but they would be fun in a used Boxster S or S2000 also...

drb

Let's sort out your observations....
You cannot use a super car because:

1. how much fun is it to get from one stoplight to the next in 3.4 seconds?
2.We don't have an autobahn here
3. the mountain roads are filled with slow drivers in minivans

Your experience says:
1 I enjoy my wife's A6 Avant
2. I can imagine the S6 Avant is utterly fantastic, too.
3. I can afford to get the RS6
4. it's frustrating to be driving less of a car than you could afford, but it's also frustrating to have a supercar that only goes up to 70mph and sits much of the time in rush hour traffic!

DUH!!! Go with what you know, not with what you cannot use. Hint: R6.

Take the difference between the R6 and E55, use that money to
1. move where you can drive a super car, save your money and then go E55,
2. donate to charity,
3. lobby your congressman to build supercar roads in your area.
4. add to your 401k, IRA, stock portfolio
5. buy your best friend a R6.

This is a no brainer.

amg55

The only rational reason to buy an E55 or RS6 is to enable yourself to have the pleasure of enjoying the vehicle to its full capacity. If you really can't take advantage of the extra power, tighter suspension and handling capabilities of the tuned versions over the E500 or A6, I think it would be a complete waste of money.
The more you spend the more money you lose (absolute dollars, not percentages) when you buy the E55 or RS6. And the next couple years are not likely to see a rebound in demand for higher end vehicles of these types.

Thinking responsibly can be terribly dull.
But I wouldn't buy the tuned cars given the limitations you describe.
Get a Boxster S or similar.

ValueplusClass

Bite the ego and go for the E320. There is more than enough power there for almost all the types of driving you described. Load up on wise options with the difference.

benggolf

I was in the same predicament wanting an E55, but finally talked myself down to an E500. Can't use all the power and speed, so why spent the money.

If you want the E55 look for that macho image, well just order the AMG aerokit, 4-pipe exhaust, 18" double spoke alloy wheels, AMG badges and you are all set!

Good luck on your decision.

zyajzarc

i agree with benggolf... just get a 500.. or even a 320 if you want it fully loaded (for the price of a 55) and just amg it.. like side skirts, front / rear spoilers.. .quad exhaust.. just don't put an amg badge.... that's just not right....

if you don't get a 55.. and you get a 320.. that extra 25 or so thousand can get you pretty far with options... or savings.. or you could send me some money... just a thought!

just my $.02, mixed with some other ppls ideas

Dema

Crowd roads are not issue. Having extra power is always good. And than more cars on roads than power is more important to get better spot. I didn't drive RS6 yet, so can't compare to E55. However some reviewers value RS6 over E55. We will see when RS6 hits our showrooms.

Beltfed

This is simple, get an E500 with some toys....if you want mean footprints, put a nice set of wheels/tires on and you'll be all set. The quoted times of 0-60 in 5.8-5.9sec is plenty fast for 99% of all driving situations.

The A6 is dated, the new body is coming in 04, there is only going to be 960 RS6's imported (up from the quoted 800).

You want to spend $83k or so on an old bodystyle (assuming you can get it for MSRP)? I'm sure it's a marvelous automobile, but I would get the E55 over it all day long. For no other reason than being a new style with new technology.

From the situation you describe, I would go for an E500 though.

Otto

schvetkaaks,

You must be younger than I am.

Here is my 2 cents, if your age is under 35 then go and get a M5, not the current M5, the next generation one which gives you 0-60 under 4 seconds.

http://www.imakenews.com/autospies/e...e000098743.cfm

If you are as old as I am -- above 35 years old, then get a E500, or E320. Because what you need is style not speed.

Otto

amg55

No way the M5 will average under 4.0 sec 0-60.
Those assumptions in the AutoSpies article are just that and too generous.

Blocktrader

I have to disagree here. If money is not a big factor then I would get the E55. You will not have to go fast to feel the difference. The car makes a huge amount of torque. The push in the back will put a smile on your face before you get across each intersection, even at mid throttle.

Benzoid

Do you use $100 bills for toilet paper?

Just kidding - but to some people the money on these cars is pocket change. If you seriously think the money is an issue you don't need the E55. If it doesn't matter and you don't have to wait - why not get it?

Personally I never thought much about an Audi - but that's because there's really no need / opportunity to drive hard around here - its more of a cruising area. Don't care much for the material quality vs. the Benz either. Sounds like you might have a good place to enjoy an Audi though. Would think it to be a better driver in wet weather.

I can afford an E55 but didn't want to wait. And realistically all I would do with the extra power is scare or impress some people once in a while and possibly get in trouble (hopefully just tickets). The E500 is an adequate commuter and highway cruiser (an understatement certainly). It still "gets on down the road" and for 99.9 % of my needed use its the same as the E55.

EmMtEe

get the E-500 man, it is a great car for the money.