When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I am looking at purchasing my mid life crisis car. I am just a middle class guy and looking to buy something used as I can not afford new. I won't be buying until next year at the earliest or the year after at the latest, but I love to research purchases, so it can never be too early. My budget will be 40k CDN at top end.
I had my wish list narrowed down to:
First choice 2004-2006 Bentley GT these range from about 35 to 60 k Cdn
Second choice was a Bentley Continental Flying Spur. These are aprox same as gt price wise
Third choice was tied between an undetermined model year of Bentley Arnage or a undetermined model year of Mercedes SL.
I also looked at 2010 to 2012 S class, and although they are beautiful cars they didn't tug on my heart strings like the the other options, but I did find the price point to be attractive.
Now, I stumbled on the 2014+ S class and I am in love!!!!! The prices seem to be close to 50k CDN on the lower side. I have seen the odd one at around 40k tho. As I mentioned I won't be buying for 1 to 2 years tho, so sure they will be in my price range by then.
So here is the question I have to you....
What sort of things should I be looking for when buying a used model? And what are the common problems? Most importantly are there any common problems that are huge dollar repairs? I would have a lot of trouble affording a 10k repair right after I buy one.
I know there will be biased answers here, but how does this compare the the Continental gt or flying spur I'm looking at? I know things like the infotainment will be light years ahead in this much newer car, but any other pros or cons you may be able to give advise on? Anyone on here own or ever own a continental?
ANY INPUT you can share with me would be greatly appreciated.
Save your pennies and buy the newest S Class you can afford. The Bentley's will eat you alive in maintenance costs. I have a 2015 that I purchased a few years ago and it has been rock solid. No issues whatsoever. They are also pretty easy to work on with regards to brakes and oil changes. Typical things that break on the S are air suspension components and sometimes electrics. You should not have any 10K repairs but could have a few 1500 repairs if you do not like to wrench on your cars. Brakes are expensive to have done and tires can be spendy too.
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
One of the few perks to living in Canada—(sorry, couldn’t help it)—is that all R231 SL’s came with the truly astonishing Active Body Control or “ABC.” We here in the USA were forced to order ABC, as it was optional between 2013-2020. I highly recommend that you buy a gently used 2017 or later SL450. The 450, IMHO, drives SO much nicer than the 550, has WAY more than enough power and costs way less. The car is a true bargain. A big S Class is NOT a “midlife crisis” car, an SL is—IN SPADES! Older Bentley’s can be EXTREMELY expensive to repair, so stay away from those. Good luck!
All of those cars you mention are very nice cars, but they all are VERY expensive to maintain and fix. Whatever you buy, I would highly suggest you buy one with some kind of warranty. BTW, why not buy a used AMG? You could find a used 2017 or lower CLA 45 in that price range or even an older C63. I would buy it at a Mercedes dealership with a CPO warranty if you can. I've had 2 CLA 45's and loved them. They handle so well and are a blast to drive.
All of those cars you mention are very nice cars, but they all are VERY expensive to maintain and fix. Whatever you buy, I would highly suggest you buy one with some kind of warranty. BTW, why not buy a used AMG? You could find a used 2017 or lower CLA 45 in that price range or even an older C63. I would buy it at a Mercedes dealership with a CPO warranty if you can. I've had 2 CLA 45's and loved them. They handle so well and are a blast to drive.
I think that based on the OP's car list he is looking for a luxury oriented car. The distance between a Bentley and a CLA45 is Grand Canyon wide using that metric.
One of the few perks to living in Canada—(sorry, couldn’t help it)—is that all R231 SL’s came with the truly astonishing Active Body Control or “ABC.” We here in the USA were forced to order ABC, as it was optional between 2013-2020. I highly recommend that you buy a gently used 2017 or later SL450. The 450, IMHO, drives SO much nicer than the 550, has WAY more than enough power and costs way less. The car is a true bargain. A big S Class is NOT a “midlife crisis” car, an SL is—IN SPADES! Older Bentley’s can be EXTREMELY expensive to repair, so stay away from those. Good luck!
On the used market, I bet the 550 isnt much more and for me at least would be well wrth it. Sl is def an option though.
One of the few perks to living in Canada—(sorry, couldn’t help it)—is that all R231 SL’s came with the truly astonishing Active Body Control or “ABC.” We here in the USA were forced to order ABC, as it was optional between 2013-2020. I highly recommend that you buy a gently used 2017 or later SL450. The 450, IMHO, drives SO much nicer than the 550, has WAY more than enough power and costs way less. The car is a true bargain. A big S Class is NOT a “midlife crisis” car, an SL is—IN SPADES! Older Bentley’s can be EXTREMELY expensive to repair, so stay away from those. Good luck!
I got a chuckle out of the fact that the OP considers an S class to be a mid-life crisis car. I like my E class, but I considered any 4-door sedan to be an admission that I’m officially so old that I don’t even care anymore.
I got a chuckle out of the fact that the OP considers an S class to be a mid-life crisis car. I like my E class, but I considered any 4-door sedan to be an admission that I’m officially so old that I don’t even care anymore.
Way to make me feel terrible...........
I'm in the same boat for a mid life crisis car. One gigantic 4 door beast/sedan!
If you are poor:
Mustang
Camaro
Jeep
VW Bug Convertible, maybe.
Used SLK
Used C or E convertible
If you are rich:
Corvette
Jag XK
New E Convertible
Used Porsche
Used SL
If you are wealthy:
New Porsche
Ferrari or other exotic
AMG GT
S Class Cabriolet
New SL
Bentley or RR convertible
NO 4-DOOR VEHICLES NEED APPLY!
Hey, I resemble that!
I drove two Mustangs for a total of 23 years. I waited too long for my real mid-life crisis car, which was a Corvette. If I had irresponsibly bought it in my 30s, I probably would have loved it. I finally took one for a test drive when I could afford it and was depressed to learn that I HATE it. The cabin noise drove me insane.
So that brought me to my nice, quiet, comfortable Mercedes. One of these years, I might move up to an S-class. I enjoy reading about them here. I still can’t wrap my brain around dropping six figures for a car.
I too envisioned this thread to contain a different list of cars For a mid-life crisis I was imagining a Lambo or a Ferrari type of list I enjoyed my time with the S, and really only missed it on a recent beach getaway LOL!
I got a chuckle out of the fact that the OP considers an S class to be a mid-life crisis car. I like my E class, but I considered any 4-door sedan to be an admission that I’m officially so old that I don’t even care anymore.
I am nearly 50, and I passed on several perfectly good one and two year old S550s for this very reason. Wasn't ready to admit I am old. 😆
08-30-2019, 05:20 PM
)—is that all R231 SL’s came with the truly astonishing Active Body Control or “ABC.” We here in the USA were forced to order ABC, as it was optional between 2013-2020. I highly recommend that you buy a gently used 2017 or later SL450. The 450, IMHO, drives SO much nicer than the 550, has WAY more than enough power and costs way less. The car is a true bargain. A big S Class is NOT a “midlife crisis” car, an SL is—IN SPADES! Older Bentley’s can be EXTREMELY expensive to repair, so stay away from those. Good luck!
I enjoyed my time with the S, and really only missed it on a recent beach getaway LOL!
