Hello, I'm new here, just have a few questions on picking a car. I'm in my last year of grad school, single, and 32 years old. I live in Ohio, so the climate doesn't get too awful. I have a budget I'm trying to stick with, as well. I've noticed that Mercedes drop in value exponentially, so I can get an S 500 for about the same price as an E 320 of the same year, etc. This car will primarily be my daily driver, but I think I'll keep my old '96 Toyota Corolla around as a beater, bad weather car. The cars I'm considering are 2005 Toyota Solara, 01-03 MB CLK320/430, 01-03 E 320, 02 S500. The Solara is basically only in the running because my Corolla has been perfect, original engine and transmission, and well over 300,000 miles on it now. That alone will earn a Toyota consideration. However, I'm in my 30's now, and think I want to step up into something nicer, even if it's not as new.
I have no kids, no dogs, etc., so this is what appeals to me about the CLK. Plus, there's something about a Mercedes coupe. Depending on mileage, I've seen them in my price range for 01-03 models. Ideally, a 430 would be preferred, unless there's some reliability issues. It seems like the 320 is a little more tried and true, but I don't mind minor maintenance quibbles, etc., if it gets me a more enjoyable car.
The E320 is kinda the Toyota Camry of the Mercedes line, right? I figure it'd be a good one to get into just based on that fact alone. They're everywhere, though, and I'm not loving that.
The S500 is on the list because honestly, that's a car that will do everything, and it's just a good looking car. I like it much better than the newer body S class. The one I'm looking at is one owner, dealer maintained, but it's got a LOT of miles on it for a used car, at about 160,000.

Any advice for me? I won't have a payment on any of them, so the extras like tires, brakes, etc won't have much of an effect on which car I choose.

 

You might consider a 4matic Benz model in your climate. The Toyotas are FWD as the M/Bs are RWD unless 4matic. Big difference in heavy snow/ice.

 

The 4matic is only a + when it's snowing...

If you don't have snow, you don't need it. The have a different chassis and are more expensive then 2wd MB.

In my opinion you go well with a W208/209 CLK320. If this is not enough HP for you can put a Compressor on it...

But the 430 are older and doesn't sold well in Germany...

 

This is because nobody except those who can afford to buy one new can afford to maintain an S-class.

The S-class is the cutting edge technology leader and borders on "toy." Last year's toy suffers lots of depreciation.

No, that's the C-class. The E-class is the taxi cab of Europe.