Opinions on a car

[Craig234]

I recall that Top Gear had a 'best convertible to buy' recommendation a little over a decade ago, I think it was the Mercedes MLK 350.

I think they stopped making them in 2005 - so, now, they are quite used but quite affordable.

It's always been something I've thought a little about since the show - would you guys have any opinions whether it could be a good car to get now, as old as they are but for a good price?

 

[Jimzz]

A used European car out of warranty requires you to be able to do a lot of repairs yourself or have a big bank account to keep it going.

Get a Lexus is350, skip the 250's. I steered my SiL from Audi to that. Have done no where near as much work to the Lexus as I had to do to the Audi.

 

[agent00f]

You're thinking of the CLK. They're alright when working, but as mentioned affordable for a reason.

 

[Demo24]

Remember, you may be able to get the car cheap, but parts are still priced for a vehicle that cost significantly more.

 

[hans007]

i wouldn't get a chrysler era mercedes and that is in that era. friend of mine has a CLK320 (same body style, but the older engine) and he says its been well more problematic than it could have been.

the post 2006 cars are a lot better (like the W204 C class, which is the last generation before the current one. the CLK is based on the older w203 C class)

 

[Craig234]

Thanks for the posts. I thought the top gear 'this is the best convertible' was a heck of a recommendation and am disappointed to hear maybe not.

So guess I'd need to look for other affordable used convertibles. The Lexus IS 350 looks a bit pricey and 'ok' looking but might have great things also.

 

[Demo24]

Thanks for the posts. I thought the top gear 'this is the best convertible' was a heck of a recommendation and am disappointed to hear maybe not.

So guess I'd need to look for other affordable used convertibles. The Lexus IS 350 looks a bit pricey and 'ok' looking but might have great things also.

The Lexus may not have overall been the best in its segment, but it has a high probability of being significantly more reliable. Thus they also hold onto value better, so that's why it's more at the moment.