kevine310

Maybach 62 maybe but I'm sure many people drive their own 57s. In places like Beverly Hills, many people routinely drive themselves in cars that are traditionally know as "chauffeur-mobiles": Bentley Arnage, RR... For example, Simon Cowell drove himself in an Arnage before switching to the Phantom.

The concept of a "chauffeur-mobile" varies from region to region. The S class for example are almost all chauffeur driven in Asia whereas in the US, they're mostly owner-driven. This is in part due to high taxes on cars and cheap labour.

Even in the US, there are discrepancies in what constitutes a "chauffeur-mobile". I doubt you'll find many owners driving their own Bentley Arnages in Manhattan, but they can be common in California or Texas.

I was recently in China on business and I was picked up by a chauffeur-driven Hummer. Now that's class!

MB_Fahrer

I agree--why go buy a new, say, s550 when you could go buy a used SL65 for the weekends and a used S65 for transporting the family around? It doesn't make any sense to buy a new car other than if you want to lease it for two years and get another different new car on lease.

usctrojans1

Guys who buy Maybach's and S/SL/CL 65's usually want the best. A used car would just not do! I guess it's a ego thing.

Besides, saving $50-70k for a used car is nothing to these guys.

MB_Fahrer

Yeah, that makes sense...unfortunatly...

trumpet1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NO-RE...=p4506.c0.m245


This is a rather unique deal. Buy an S550 and you get a SmartCar for FREE!

s600ed

considering that some dealers are giving 25k off on '09 basically you just bought a smart (i'm assuming the base model) for 25k!!!

QuadBenz

The top of the line, Brabus Cabriolet Smart is only $20k. All other models are cheaper.
Not too bad of a deal.

Kar don

Well I'm 6'8 and I am not comfortable in the back of an S-class. Maybach is great though

MBNUT1

At 6'8" the thought of you trying to get in the back of your CLS brings visions of pretzels.

trumpet1

Wow.

MB_Fahrer

chilledbenz

I posted this exact question months ago on the under the Maybach catagory and got pretty much the same answer. Most of the people who responded would go with the new S over a used Maybach. If I had the means, I would go with a new Maybach, but personally I would stay away from a used one, thats just me. Yes thats a Maybach Zeppelin in my signature.

Kar don

Actually almost 6'9" lol... Yah Front seats only, seat all the way back.

Cincinnati huh? MB Cincy is actually a really good dealer, very reasonable service prices. Charlene always used to take care of me Couldn't stand the city though, so boring.

ChuckinTucson

I think one of the reasons Maybach sales started out so poorly and went down hill from there is the color combinations the factory was putting out and making the dealers buy, i.e., the two-tone combinations, such as green/tan and others. I think they were trying to go with the old Silver Shadow/Silver Cloud look with these colors, but it just didn't come off right at all.

Recently I've been seeing more single color Maybach's, i.e., the usual black, gray, and silver. They should have gone with this to begin with.

Another problem with the original Maybachs is the color of the interior wood. It is almost a red color and I THINK was the only wood available. You can get a wide choice of wood veneers in a RR or Bentley, but were stuck with that god awful red with the Maybach.

On the plus side, those rear reclining seats with the fold out tables with a refrigerator in the arm rest for your bottle of champagne is a pretty nice way to ride.

I haul high-end cars for my job and see them all. I picked up a EWB Phantom recently in Newport Beach and took it to Greenwich, CT. It was an unsold '08 in black and had a very beautiful interior (I don't like the front end of the Phantom at all).

chilledbenz

Anymore the only Maybachs at dealerships are the S models which have carbon fiber trim, you dont even get a choice of woods. And your right about the color schemes, although I think they have went a bit too conservative now and I only see black, black, black, and oh yeah black. If you used the Maybach finder on their website it usually only returns 1 or 2 white cars in the whole United States. Not to mention most of the cars have black interiors and rarely do you see Aspen White leather or Labrador Anthracite Leather. Although if you order the car you can chose any number of paint combinations and interior choices, but apparently that doesnt happen too often. I would love to see the Antigua White with a Barolo Red side panel. Not to mention they really need to update their website, its like going to a 10 year old internet site. Would it kill them to add a build your own function, or at least a color wheel so we could finally see what Lanzarote Chromaflair looks like?

Zach8131

Sorry to re-open an ancient thread, but I'm having that dilemma right now!!!

I'm looking at a 2008 S600 (I need the blind spot assist), and a 2004 Maybach 57.

I am a little put off that it was based off the w220 and I have less space with the gear shift in the normal center spot. I love the freed up space the 221 gives having the SUV style gear shift. It also reminds you that you're driving a vehicle just as heavy, if not more so, than an SUV.

Anyway, if anyone cares... I have re-opened the thread and would love input.

Now that the 222's are out, I have another model to consider!!! If I want to fork out the extra money and wait a tad longer!!!

AstonLiyanarchi

I just got my s550 and the Maybach idea did cross my mind but it just reminded me of the previous s500s. The only thing that would have sold me was if it was a 62 because of the size. My next jump will hopefully be into a phantom.

phalen302

I can't see my self owing a mayback and driving it. Mayback is a life style vs. a car.

Zach8131

You can actually pick up a Phantom relatively cheap... I mean $120,000 is a LOT of money still but cheap when considering what car it is, that is what new S go for anyway...

N-4Speed

Sorry, I just realized, I am in the wrong thread.