Quick Hit – Last of the CLS550 (W219) Shooting Brakes

CarMax generally carries cars up to 10 years back, so they tell me, although at this moment there are 124 of their 30,000 cars on lots that go back to 2009 – 12 model years’ old. None of them are European cars. There are another 249 2010 models at dealerships, of which a whopping 22 are European (sneak peak – here’s the link to a 2010 Mercedes CLS550 for only $23k coming soon!). And finally, 2011 models – now 10 years old, account for another 350 cars of the 30,000 – and only 39 of those are European. And truly really finally, 2011 was the last year for the lovely first generation Mercedes CLS550 (W219) “shooting brake”. Last year manufactured by Mercedes, and 2021 should be the last year offered by CarMax. A unicorn.

The CLS550 four door coupe is pretty much a more shapely E550 platform, with seating for four, and less room. I’ve been in them and in the E550’s and yes, the sloped roof intrudes on headroom. Everything else is the same, including the 382hp 5.5 liter V-8 that will still get you to 60mph in under five seconds. Not bad. Here’s a link to one of the last CLS550’s I covered – has all the performance info you need!

This 2011 model is selling for $27,998 – pretty high if you ask me even thought it only has 42,000 miles. No auto cruise control but most other luxury features included. Most of the CLS550’s of this era were selling for significantly less at CarMax, including this nice one for only $19,998 just a month ago. MaxCare going to run another $3-5k. But this 2011 CLS550 is a two-owner accident free car from New England, and you can see it here. If it were a CLS63……?

Quick Hit – This Spud’s for You! Nice White CLS550 in Boise for $19,998

Interrupting my drive west (see below!) to bring you another “shooting brake” unicorn courtesy of CarMax! Nearly identical to the 2011 model found here in November – same price, almost same mileage. But this one’s a 2010, and still amazes me that bumper to bumper MaxCare coverage is still a bargain for an 11 year old Mercedes. It’ll be 16 years old before it runs out of warranty.

The interior of this four door “coupe” is stylish for its day and seats just four. Not for everyone. It has a Harman Kardon audio system, Bluetooth, adjustable suspension, sunroof….and not much else. Pretty basic as Mercedes go, and yet it’s got more charm than a basic family sedan. Plus it’s got a 382 hp 5.5 liter Mercedes V8 that’ll do sub-5 second 0-60 mph and run forever. Once a $70,000 car this single owner, low mileage, accident free Idaho car is still a bargain at $19,998. It’s here in Boise.

Continue reading “Quick Hit – This Spud’s for You! Nice White CLS550 in Boise for $19,998”

2011 Mercedes CLS550 – Didn’t Think I’d See Anymore of These at CarMax!

I’ve covered a number of these W219 “Shooting Brake” Mercedes CLS550’s in the three-plus years of blogging with the last one almost a year ago – a 2009 model that looked and was priced almost identical to this one – less than $20,000! Thought time had run out for these CarMax unicorns so I was quite surprised to see this beauty tonight. It’s an accident free 2011 model with only 43,000 miles. For a 382 hp 5.5 liter Mercedes V8 it’s just getting broken in!

Yes the CLS is built on the E-class platform but has less front seat, rear set, and trunk room than the E-class, it’s just damned more attractive. Cutting edge when new as a first generation CLS, they started to look dated after an eight year run, and now nine years out of production are starting to look a little vintage to me? The CLS550 cost over $74,000 in 2011 and this one is now $19,998.

Check out the CarMax cameraman in the mirror!

With 2011 being the sunset year before the all new for 2012 model there aren’t any real good car reviews from back then. But this 2007 Car and Driver review of a nearly identical model (when the CLS got the 32 valve, 5.5 liter engine) claimed a 0-60mph run in 4.7 seconds with a seven-speed automatic. Not bad for a two ton sedan.

I don’t think I’ve ever had three passengers in the back of my sedans and while the four seat coupe seems sexy, it’s also a roll of the dice that you’ll NEVER want to haul more folks.

This 2011 Mercedes CLS550 is a three owner car that spent most of its life in Florida, and is now here in Cincinnati, Ohio. It’s a bargain, sophisticated German car, and of course, MaxCare is highly recommended for when that air suspension or high-end engine breaks!

Misnomered Mustang and Mercedes.

These two cars are misnomered in the CarMax menus.  Doesn’t appear to have affected their pricing as both are priced appropriately for CarMax cars, but it does mean they won’t show up in anybody’s search if they are specifically looking for these.  There aren’t many of these older unicorns still offered, so if you want one jump on it! CarMax only carries US and Japanese/Korean cars for 11 years and European cars for 10, so there won’t be many more of these.  I’d of course recommend MaxCare protection for the Mercedes…..maybe not for the more reliable and less expensive to fix Mustang?Bullitt side This Mustang Bullitt is listed simply as a Mustang GT.  Only a few thousand 2008-2009 Mustang Bullitts were made, and the black one (while not authentic green as in the movie) is more rare with only 1,400 made.   They cost about $3,300 more new than a Mustang GT.  The Bullitt had a tuned exhaust that sounded like the ’68 model in the movie, has 15 more horsepower than a GT, and is a good 1/4 second faster to sixty in a respectable 4.9 seconds – not bad for a 315hp car!

This price is decent, but check out this one I covered last year that was WAY under priced.  There was also one this fall in Frederick, Maryland near me that was priced at $16,000 and had only 40,000 miles.  See this one-owner Mustang Bullitt here in Fort Worth, Texas.2008 Musstang GT Bullitt $14599 66k Ft Worth 1-29-20 Continue reading “Misnomered Mustang and Mercedes.”

Quick Hit* – Low Mileage 2009 Mercedes CLS550 (W219) “Shooting Brake” – $21,998

2009 CLS sideThe first generation CLS550 remains one of my favorite body shapes.  Produced from 2004 through 2010 but not at all dated to me.  And CarMax only carries European cars up to 10 years old, so just one more year to snag one of these unicorns and capitalize on MaxCare.  Built on the E-class platform but far more style, and not as gigantic as the S-class.  Decent power with the 5.5 liter 382hp V-8 and 7-speed automatic.  Adjustable suspension.

Air conditioned seats and (finally) Bluetooth – for calls only, as Mercedes has that funky interface in the glovebox for music.   Real cup holders, not the single mechanical robotic piece of crap I had in Guenther, my S55 that had me spilling open coffee cups into the passenger footwell while cruising on the highway, leaving a huge brown stain on the carpet like a murder scene.   Not that I’m bitter.

Here’s a decent review from New Car Test back in the day.  The 2009 Mercedes CLS550 sold for more than $70,000 new, and only 2,527 units were sold in 2009.  Thinking $21,998 isn’t too bad for a 10 year old German car eligible for MaxCare – the great bumper to bumper warranty good for another 100,000 miles of risk free driving.  And this car has really low mileage for a 2009.   Find this two owner car in Los Angeles here.  If the link is dead it’s sold, on hold, or being transferred.2009 Mercedes CLS550 $21,998 35k LA  *Quick Hit means I have to post something short and sweet because A) the car may be gone soon B) I don’t have the time to write a lengthy piece and C) I don’t think you all want to read long essays all the time.