I have been entertaining the idea of a 08-09 c63amg for about 8 months now and while searching I've come to find a lot of other options for the same money. I would never buy a new car over 40k just because of the deprecation I find the smell of money more enticing than the "new car smell". I really want a v8 number of doors doesn't really matter. I want to be able to drive long distance and be comfortable which is a feat considering I'm 6'2". The car won't be a daily driver just for weekends and cruising. Any thoughts or suggestions I'm stumped... Maybe i should find the one with the best price and just jump on it, if I hate it sell it with out losing my a88. Another thought, which is going to hold its value the best?

Srt6 (best buy financially I wouldn't have a payment)
Lexus isf
BMW 650i (not great reviews)
Lotus Elise
Jag XF R supercharged coupe
Audi rs4
Ford Mustang Shelby gt500
Corvette z06 (Least favorite but an option)

 

Mine is no rocket ship, but I picked up a low mileage MB E-350 4-matic. I ran across a lot of E class v-8 2 wheel drive in the mid 20's. Car rides, handles, quiet... I put some 63 rims on it, and have a lip spoiler I will get painted and put on the trunk. Just depends what you want. ADD 15k with the letters AMG on it though. I looked, and did locate a few in the 35-45K range. That would be too much car for the wifey and my fuel mileage wallet...

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Acura-NSX-OPEN-TOP-AUTO-COLLECTIBLE-ITEM-JUST-35K-MILES-LQQK-TARGA-TOP-AUTO-COLLECTIBLE-ITEM-JUST-/221320525447?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3387bb3687&item=221320525447&pt=US_Cars_Trucks
Jerrid, it's a little more than what you want to spend, but there's always a chance they'll take less.
Either way, I don't think you'll ever regret it.

 

@ doc
The mpg was a concern for me too with the miles I want to put on during the summer months. Another was tire wear, I like the 18in wheels on the older c63s (cheaper rubber) but even 18s the weight of that car would shred a performance tire. I do like the idea of four doors a little more than two after getting my sti having the extra room is pretty nice.

@ AMX
Strangely I ran the nsx on auto trader last night! I was dumbfounded! Those were easily found for sale 6 or 7 years ago. In my price range I only had 4 hits! Ill do a little more research on them. I know they reviewed awesomely I'd have to compare it directly to the r8! I'm not a huge fan of convertibles it's scares me being so tall if I were to end up rubber side up I'd end up a statistic!..

 

I wish I had bought an MB a long time ago, but cost was why I didn't. This is a used car, granted only 40K miles, but it is so quiet and rides so well. The power isn't bad either for as heavy as it is. The styling even though an 08 is still with what they are producing today. It lacks some of the technology offered up today, but I love driving it. It is the 1st car since the 80's I have bought her that I have enjoyed driving it. It was usually her car and what she liked. We both love this one. Mileage isn't bad either. The V-8's especially the AMG was in 12-15 mpg, and this 6 is getting 22 mpg right now.

 

Like the wheels Doc that color combo is perfect!

 

If you aren't stuck on the V8 (which you might be, for good reason), you could get a decent Cayman S for that money.. Mid engine RWD, similar performance to the 911's of their respective years for a fraction of the cost... I had a blast flogging one around an Auto X track

 

After I wrote this I realized I left a handful of cars out that I had looked into.

Hyundai gen coupe 3.8 - awful interior/road noise
98-01 viper gts - never got drive or ride in one only an rt and I loved it!
new camaro - steering is very strange very popular not unique
srt8 challenger - more expensive than the camaro less hp and weighs more
m3 - boring to look at other than that love the feel ride and options
Maserati coupe cambiocorsa - expensive to insure, expensive to maintain, weak clutch also expensive
cl 65 amg - with my budget I'd be looking at a buying a car with a cassette player...The performance however 600hp and 720 some torque crazy!

The cayman s was another one of them. I love the look but I hate the storage space it lacks. Three years ago it wouldn't be an issue but this creature came into my life and so did her luggage!! How much stuff do you need for a weekend get away its insane! I guess the lack of space would force her to leave some stuff at home. I have pretty much looked at every possibility available and can"t choose just one. I really like the new fr-s and brz too but I'm pretty sure I am done with 4 bangers and 4banger turbos. I love my sti its fun to drive with 390 awhp its fast too but the turbo lag is ridiculous, constantly changing maps and tuning is a hassle, its not taken seriously by the older enthusiasts, every kid with vtec labeled fart can wielding civic wanting to race has just got old.
I appreciate the input and seriously will be test driving a cayman s before making any decisions. Im glad to hear you really enjoyed it maybe I'm on the right track. I just watched the uk top gear episode with the cayman s and they reviewed it under the m3 but I think the style and look of the cayman makes up for the little it lacked on the m3. I'm looking at making a purchase in the spring so I have a few months to keep researching. I really want to go German the ride and build quality I experienced with the crossfire (even with the crapy interior) has made me realize what crap US manufactures put on the roads. I got to drive my uncles 2013 507 c63 and that has me really leaning toward the c63 I'm kinda feeling him out for a full weekend with it but its still his baby lol. He has a really unique collection 1995 rx7 tt 2002 zo6 vette 2004 Audi tt 3.2 vert and the newest edition being the c63.

 

I've always fancied the Pontiac G8 GXP. I'm pretty sure it's just a rebadged Holden, but with a 400+ HP V8 and an option of a stick or auto, they seem they'd be a fun ride. Plus, they aren't made anymore (like our Crossfires) so you'd be keeping with up with the "rarity"

 

I was in Altoona last year with my friend buying an atv off a guy and he had a g8 GXP but I think it was a step up from that even big brake kit supercharged he didn't seem to really want to talk about it though really sweet looking car I have heard they are an electronic nightmare though with dozens of recalls maybe better in the later years.

 

Cayman S: Mid Engine RWD the way God intended! Though its hard to settle on one because they just kept getting better [and faster] as the years kept going... I had more fun in the brand new Cayman S than I did in the 911 Carrerra 4S but maybe just because I was less scared haha

I like your lists so far, I hope you find what you're looking for. I know people with most of the cars on your list and all are pretty happy with their choices. I agree that the Camaros and Mustangs are entirely too common for my taste, though a nicely modded SRT8 Challenger would be a very fun toy (this is my favorite Challenger build Rough Muscle: Jon Sibal's Dodge Challenger | Speedhunters), but they're a little old these days and might be worth waiting for the next iteration.

Keeping the Mercedes family I would probably go towards the SL, looks like you could probably get into a SL55 AMG.. but admittedly I haven't read up on them much as far as reliability or if they are worth it, just like the look.

I've been hanging out with a crowd of BRZ/FRS recently, and there are some really nice ones out there (the factory white on the FRS is beautiful) BUT they're essentially a N/A Crossfire when it comes to power to weight. The boxer 4 is an amazing little engine but is better suited for a curvey track than a straightaway...

The G8 GXP is a very cool car and was an M5 hunter when it came out.. you might be on to something there.. also, speaking of sedans, Buick is doing some interesting things these days under the radar. I was surprised to see Brembos peeking through the wheels of a brand new Buick..

And then there is BMW... my uncle had an e92 M3 and the thing was absolutely amazing.. loved it.. BUT for the money, I would personally get into a 335i and mod the bejesus out of it.. when the 335i came out there was a comparison between a Dinan 335i and factory M3.. the M3 still outperformed but for the price difference, even after all the mods, the 335i was the better car.. OR if you want to have the most fun, see if you can find a 1M or just a "regular" 135i with a tune and go fast parts

 

Just buy an SL65 black and call it a day lol.

 

You don't even know how close I was to owning one out of Chicago. It went cheap, for a black... I quit bidding at 45K...and it went for 52k... I had it won, until those last few minutes, and realized a few were just sitting there ready to put me out....lol. I passed on another at that price as well. Beautiful cars. I also was looking at a bi-turbo repo up there. I chickened out. But again, it went cheap for what it was...55k. Just have to shop, and be willing to be patient. I was looking at a Viper in IL....that was fairly low on price as well. But, the old guy needs to get back to work now...so no more bidding for awhile.

 

this one looks like a great deal

Cars for Sale: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG in NAPLES, FL 34104: Convertible Details - 359222725 - AutoTrader.com

 

There is always someone to let the cat out of the bag, now there is more than one of us going to haggle this one down using a Crossfire as a trade.

 

That is the top of the line car...good luck with that.... When AMG and BLACK are used to together....ouch... I would have loved just an AMG C63 or 55....lol

 

I cannot understand why anyone would spend 200k (after tax like 230k) on a car knowing damn well it would depreciate faster than you could pay it off. Well assuming you had 230k to blow on a car you probably wouldn't finance it but I couldn't and wouldn't do it even if I had the money.


@ Rayth
I just looked into the challenger story really sweet car glad to see him cover up the flashy flames with the flat black. I can't understand why the challenger and camaros don't have all the crazy editions like the mustang does. The 2005-08 s281 saleen is one of my all time favorite cars to look at but then again it's just another mustang. I really wish that they would have brought out a new trans am with the camaro. The look of the prototype was jaw dropping.