Since herc drove a bunch of would-be competitors i'll add to it a little =p

the little c230 kompressor- what a fun little car, noticeable lag, cloth seats, probably can find something better for 25k

clk430 cabriolet- 4 seater convertible, nothing altogether too impressive really compared to the sl500.

sl500 wow, leaps and bounds over the clk 430, smoother, faster, turns better yada yada. the gauges on this car are especially nice.

e500 got into this car looked around, the interior is kinda funky. it's got the wood panelling yet it's also sort of rubbery in some places. the exterior of the car is booooooring. on to the acceleration test we go, wow this car pulls, holy crap it's a monster. slam the brakes into the little swerve area and the tires bite right in swingin it around. the looks of this car are real iffy but hot dangit make no mistake, it drives.

s600 hrm, suede headliner, even the rear seats have their own vanity mirror/lights, curb weight of 4610lbs, 496hp, 590 torque from like 1500-3800 rpm or so, twin turbo 5.5L v12. this car pulls harder than the half empty 737 i took back home with 4 adults in the car. all the little things in the car are just right, everything within reach at the right distance etc. is it worth the $120k price tag? you betcha! (kinda makes the s500 we drove feel a lil wimpy but by no means a bad car at all)

so, if any of you all were in vegas for networld, hope you got to drive a bunch of the benzes too...the best car of the lot i'd have to say is the e500... maybe the looks will grow on me, i dunno, but what a sleeper, was really quite surprised.

all that being said, can't wait for my rx8 to arrive =)

Wow, where'd you go to get to drive so many Benzes? I drove a C230 coupe at my local dealer (thought I'd check it out cuz I get a Daimler employee discount through my parents). The dealer was pretty strict about it and insisted coming along and cramming himself into the little back seat for the test drive. I don't think they would've let me drive an S600...

I drove the C230 nice car, good power in 2nd gear, but I didn't like the gas pedal, it started off with no go it was weird.

this past week in las vegas was the networld/interop convention and MB is there and they have a bunch of cars you can test drive thru a coned off course in a big parking lot. all you needed was to show your pass that you were in networld and a valid drivers license and then you get a wristband and stand in line.

the lines aren't so bad, the s600 line being the worst was only 8 people at most and it takes a good 2-3 minutes to go around the track/swap drivers or so. they had 1 of each car, except for the g-series which they had none of and the sl500 which they had 2 of (that line was really popular especially since it moved fast).

then you leave and get a free hat and dream about buying one when you're just rolling in money.

i drove a c240 just when it came out like 2 years ago... a charming little car, very nice and elegant, very well put together w/ nice gadgets and touches. but VERY slow, too :p however, i really like the new c230k sedan, should have more of a punch in power while not punching a big hole in wallet

what am i talking about i'm never gonna buy a mercedes anyway :p besides, i'd get an rx-8 :)