During brokers tour I had the chance to get about two hours worth of wheel time on an 07 CLK550 Cab. Rolled it over 5k miles actualy.

That new V8 is awsome! All you ever need is 1,500 rpm, and its about as fast as the SDL at WOT. Its very quite and extremly refined. Around 3k it starts to really pour on the power and make some noise, above 3k a lot happens fast! I beleive it has damn near 400hp, and typical for MB its a strong 400hp. The exhuast and engine note is sweet!

The car itself was ok, I'd say 7 out of 10. The interior was nice, and it drove fine. Breaks and steering, are typical MB, excellent. Wasn't as stiff as I would like, the Porsche Cab felt like it was a solid block of metal; the CLK felt kind of floppy over the bumps. If I hadn't driven the Porsche the week before I wouldn't have noticed this, but I did.

I have mixed feelings about the 7spd trans. It shifts great, just a bit to often. Its very busy a lot is going on down there. IMHO its got to many gears, a 722.6 would be better. The big V8 has a ton of power, you really don't need the extra gears. Its nice on the highway though, the engine is barely off idle at 70. The F1 style paddle shifters are nice, but a toy. I wouldn't pay extra for them. They are fun for like 5 minutes. You really could only use them on a track, the car is to fast to really work out on public roads. You sneeze and its doing 100.

I was not a big fan of the previous CLK, and this one leaves me with similer feelings, it costs about $70k. Sure its a 4 seater but not really, the rear seats are kind of tight. Thats about the only advantage it has over the SL, and its a small one IMHO. My first thought after hearing how much it cost, was how much more is an SL550? I have not driven the new SL but I have driven the old R129. IMHO the R129 is a better car, its stiffer, more sporty, and has a better interior. The new SL seems the same way.

So if you want a drop top Mercedes get an SL.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200