Relieved and impressed when CarMax carries high end CL-class Mercedes and pleased today they have two, albeit both are one-accident cars. Let’s start with the more exotic and angry AMG version of the CL-series, the 2012 Mercedes CL63 AMG. Selling new for maybe $150k new it’s way discounted at $37k now. It’s a wonderful coupe with a 536hp 5.5 liter V-8, and 0-60mph in four seconds flat – so says Car and Driver in this review.
The interior of the CL’s are identical to the interior of my S600 – the difference is all behind the B-pillars. I never have passengers in the back of my S-class and seems like a waste to have all that tail behind my car. I still think there’s much to be said for a two door S-class coupe, which is what this CL is.
And it’s hard to argue with a hand-built AMG motor in a coupe. Alas, this one is a one accident CL63 found here in Tinley Park, Illinois. If you’re new here, you need to know I highly recommend MaxCare for when this high end Mercedes melts down, and it will.
If you’re more secure than me and don’t care for all that SMG horsepower, here’s a very nice 2013 CL550 coupe. About the same mileage, about the same number of wrecks (1), and ever so slightly better appointed, this car is selling at a $7,000 discount over its AMG cousin.
Same interior, although black, the CL550 has night vision assist and the CL63 does not. My 2010 S600 has night vision and I’ll let you in on a little secret – it’s totally unnecessary. I though I needed to have it because A) I HATE having dummy blanks in a dashboard that make it clear there was something available that I do not have, and B) I have turned on the night vision in my S600 and it’s really not all that useful. But the CL550 has it and the CL63 does not. You decide if you need it. Regardless, here’s a nice review of this once-$130k coupe. You can’t go wrong with either of these high end German cars. This 2013 CL550 is here in Laurel, Maryland, way too close to me!
