I think I may have a new top choice for what replaces the Mazda5. Something I didn't know existed.
Mercedes R63 AMG.
I had no idea that AMG had made a monster R-class. All of a sudden a car I had poked fun of until this moment becomes an absolute object of desire. A normally aspirated 6.2 liter V8 with 507 horses. 0-60 in 4.6 seconds. Seats six. Cost was north of $80,000 new, but there's a 2007 up the road from me for $30k.
Think they'll depreciate to about $15k in a few years? Think mommy will go for it - there's AWD for the winter, and lots of airbags. Kids have never been safer.
Also, did you know that the new Mercedes E-Class wagon has seven seats, including two rear-facing in the third row? Here's hoping for a 500+ hp E63 version in the future.
We have an 06 R350 and they are nice. One of the best things to me is the fact that an adult can sit in the third row and have plenty of room. I really wanted the AMG but they where too much money when we were looking, same thing with the oil burner so we got the V6 instead.
Over all it has been good. We got it with almost 80K on it and it is now pushing 120K. There have been two pricey things go wrong with it. Ours has the airmatic system and I have had to replace the air springs over the winter. The two on the passenger side would deflate over night so I got new bags all the way around and put them in. There is a place that makes them and they are alot cheaper than the MB ones. Also the air compressor went out due to a hole in one of the air lines.
Aside from that it had been solid and I like it. If you are ever around Columbus feel free to come by and check it out.
Vigo
UltraDork
8/8/13 4:26 p.m.
The R-class was my favorite minivan for a period of time. I would be looking for a CDI, but i totally understand the appeal of the AMG.
Love the concept, but I can't imagine they're cheap to keep. I'll wait until I hit the lottery, then buy a new one.
