JP465NY

Well that is the question. If I can get an E550 with AMG Sport Package then the answer is no. Also it comes to the fact ..do I really need this? 507HP with a lease of approximately $1400/month. Financially I can do it and while not asking I guess a lot of you (on the forum) have not sacrificed the food from your mouths or the roofs over your heads (I hope). I'm 49 and single and do not want to jeopordize my retirement. Also I see a lot of California guys here. California is some much more car friendly than New York. I always love driving when I am out there (minus the traffic of course).

TREZ63

I went through this same thing between CLS550 and CLS63. The cars are very different so don't even kid yourself. I'm 30 and financially I have very few responsibilities so it was easier I guess to make the leap. It's still a ton of cash each month but I absolutely love getting into my car each morning.
Here's how I define affordability:
"How much you can spend on something without having it adversely effect the quality of your life." If you have to cut a lot of corners each month then think twice about it but you only live one.

And remember, you can sleep in your car, but you can't drive your house to work. LOL

JP465NY

No corners cut. My house is paid. I will just SAVE a little less cash (about $400 or $500 a month). Yes I am a saver.

BMWEATR

Stop ***** Foot'n Around And Bust The Amg!!!!

Tuskir

If you think E63 AMG is too expensive, why not opt for a slightly used E55 AMG? The performance difference between the two cars is very small, unlike the performance difference between E55/E63 and E550, which is huge,

bahb

I think trezaei summed it up.
If it turns out to be a financial burden then get out of it and move on.
I too love to get in my 63 in the morning and cruise to work. Well, maybe not the work part, but I do like every thing about it.
Live a little.

ROCKETW19

what ever makes you feel better is what i say. money comes and goes.

jangy

If you consider an E550 with AMG package the same as an E63, then get it. The AMG isn't about the looks. Its a different animal all together, which you may not enjoy. Also, NY is no excuse. the AMG will handle the harshness as well as any E550 with AMG package. That is one of the beauties of the AMGs. Civil, yet beastly.

As for the financial part, the only time my family goes without a roof is when the sunroof is open!!

Never let a toy get in the way of your power. Money is power in this country. Don't hang yourself out there if the money is a factor.

03c4s

spend now and pay later, works for our government, and they are the ones taxing and spending our money.

just do it,get the E63, I did and have had no regrets, like the car so much I hardly ever drive my pcar.

plus++++you will also become part of the AMG crew!!! and that is priceless, especially when you meet others on the road, you both know you're driving a car most mortals will never drive.....

2K6E55

Yeah... Just DO IT.

Jrocket

I would hunt for the absolute best lease deal you could find,then if you dont like the car afterwards put it on swapalease.com to get out of it.

BlkE63AMG

I have not for a second regretted my decision to get the E63. I even look forward to driving to work everyday and after 12 hours look forward to driving home. Best car I have EVER owned. Absolutely civil when you want it to be and just utterly insane if needed. The wife loves it and that is saying ALOT!!!!

I understand about the money thing. I sat and did finances and calculated out everything. I too am a saver. Traded in the M3 and bought my E63. That kept the payments low and easily manageable. Hope some of this helps.

Dawson AMG

Get the 2005 E55 low miles and save the 20 grand for a trip to Europe or that Panerai watch!

Jrocket

Oh and another thing,get white with the pano roof...very clean looking!

TREZ63

+1, that is the best looking E63, white with pano. Looks AMAZING!! I wish the CLS came with Pano. It would look sick.

JP465NY

Thanks guys,

I just got off the phone with my salesman. The AMG Sport Package is NOT going to be available for the E550. He even called Germany and they were adamant about it. The E63 was never in my plans from the beginning and I do know it is an entirely different machine than the E550. I could well afford the E63 but I can use the money saved to help the less fortunate members of my family or enhance my hobbies.

My salesman suggested that I add the AMG wheels myself being this is more of an appearance issue for me rather than a different car all together. That will run me 2K out of pocket.

For those interested here is the breakdown of the numbers I got for the E63. The car will run about 90K. In NYC there is an 8.375% tax in which I think the laws here state that it gets figured into the lease calculation in full. I never put a red cent down for any lease. The residual was 44% for 15K miles with a MB Credit money factor of .003875 which I thought was kind of high. With my credit score being a "sick" 863 I could probably get a better rate through a bank. Anyway through MB the lease payment would be roughly $1600/month. Using another bank I could possibly get it down to 1500.

Anyway the deal on the E550 would be roughly $900/month. MB offers more incentives for the non-niche cars. The E63 is definately a niche car.

Nevertheless the urge is always there and I will let you know if I change my plans.

BTW I will be ordering the car in Flint Gray.

JOE

JamE55

I thought credit score(transunion,equifax & experian) maxes out at 850? You must be more than perfect.

Archi

Max FICO score is 850 and that is extremely rare. 850 wont get you a better rate than 775+ is most cases.

Archi

Max FICO score is 850 and that is extremely rare. 850 wont get you a better rate than 775+ is most cases.

JP465NY

Made a mistake .. that's 853. Yes that is what I got. Could the salesman be using another set of metrics or a different program? Regardless it doesn't matter. My credit is good. I guess this would only matter if I bought the car.

JOE

glennbaz

Another factor to consider. Are you a responsible driver? With either the E55 or E63 you will be tempted to jump on it a lot more. Can you afford to jepordise your license? Yes, it is fun to drive but do you have the roads to support the horsepower and speed? If you aren't going to get the most of the car most of the time, then I would pass on it and put your money elsewhere.
glenn

JP465NY

A very responsible driver for 32 years. Does anybody here really max out the capablities of the car? If you did on any California freeway or NJ Turnpike you could go to jail. You can take these cars to a racetrack in upstate NY and run them. Just don't tell your insurance company.

When I got my SC400 back in 1992 I started to get a little crazy and that was the first time I ever got speeding tickets. I'm nearly 50 and the demons have left me. LOL

JOE

KamzAmg

Get the AMG... u wont regret it!

-K

baldmike73

I say scrap the E550 idea and find an 06 E55 and lease that. I bet you could get a screamin lease deal for around the same price as the E550

Love my E55. It is totally tame when you want it to be and hammer that SOB and its like you are driving a totally different car. Everyone loves the car and when my buddies get in and feel how much faster it is than their pcars they are pissed! Even the wife loves it especially when guys pull next to her and try to run her (only woman i know who can drive the **** out of a car where i feel safe. guess thats why i married her)

Get the 55!!! Everyone can attest to it being sooo much fun. And with the money saved get yourself a new Panerai!

Archi

Same thing happens in Texas, but atleast they smile while they take you in. Unfortunetly I have first hand knowledge. But, I get my license back in a couple months!!