Category: Convertibles 
Price Range: £33,411 to £68,923
Beautifully engineered, wide choice of engines, smooth auto gearboxes, high equipment levels, solid build and structure
Not hugely involving to drive, grey plastic in entry-level cabins, some tacky interior finishes
The CLK may not suit determined thrill-seekers, but it's a fantastic choice for those who just want to cruise in style
Fuel bills are going to be steep in real terms, but the engines are reasonably economical considering their size and power. Mercedes aren't cheap to service and maintain, and the easily-damaged canvas roof will affect insurance premiums. However, the biggest cost when running a new car is usually depreciation (loss in value), and the CLK has always been one of the slowest depreciators, so it will prove a sensible investment when viewed in the longer term. There won't be any on the used market for a while yet, and when they do emerge, they won't be cheap. However, a second-hand CLK will be a solid investment, is unlikely to go wrong and will give years of pleasure. Watch out for highly-specced ex-demo models, though these are likely to be snapped up quickly. It's not worth paying over new list price to skip the waiting lists and secure a lightly-used 'private' car, however - don't encourage speculators and touts. The CLK cabriolet is hardly bargain territory, with the various models dearer than equivalently-powered BMW 3-Series, Audi A4 and Saab 9-3 Cabriolet models. It does feel a little more upmarket than those, however. The CLK 500 is cheaper than most other V8-powered convertibles (including the XK8, Maserati Spyder and so on), moreover, and the CLK should be a very good long-term investment as it holds its value so well.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Mercedes CLK-Class Cabriolet
wrote on 17 07 2006