"My Miata's name is Senna" (jakeandsenna)
12/11/2014 at 06:38 • Filed to: None

Conundrum

It has been about a year and a half of owning my S550, and I am heavily considering moving over to an '06 STS-V. They're rare, luxurious, and faster than the Mercedes. They are cheaper to maintain and it offers AUX playback instead of requiring CD's like its 1995. I guess the reason I don't want to sell my merc is because of the subtle design beauty, the fact that I bought it myself at 19, and I love the luxury.

I can't modify the mercedes, and maintaining it (even at an independent shop) is crazy, Expensive parts and slightly higher labour costs I guess.

I would want to bolt on a full exhaust, better cooling, and maybe a smaller pulley, because I don't think its all that fast with 4500lbs and 469hp.

I am so confused and I need my fellow opponaughts to see this and help!

DISCUSSION (15)

E. Julius > My Miata's name is Senna
12/11/2014 at 06:40

I'd go with the STS–V, simply because MB will probably be making S–Classes until long after we both die. Enjoy the STS–V now while it's still a plausible daily driver, and pick up another S–Class later if you want one.

My Miata's name is Senna > E. Julius
12/11/2014 at 06:42

Am I being stupidly emotionally attached to the S class?

E. Julius > My Miata's name is Senna
12/11/2014 at 06:48

No, especially if you bought it yourself. It sounds like you would enjoy the STS–V too though, not to mention the cheaper maintenance and modability, although in many respects the S class is a superior vehicle. Have you driven the STS or have you just seen some for sale?

deekster_caddy > My Miata's name is Senna
12/11/2014 at 06:56

Emotional attachment to an old car can be tough. I know a lot about this... The thing is, if you can't do the maintenance yourself, or if the repair work is becoming frequent and major, then it's no longer emotional... It's hurting the wallet and no longer reliable. Plus, CTS-V because CTS-V!!!!

My Miata's name is Senna > E. Julius
12/11/2014 at 07:14

I test drove one, and it didn't seem quicker than the Benz, and the interior wasn't as good in terms of quality. Its also smaller, my S class is a limo basically, so I want something smaller.

My Miata's name is Senna > deekster_caddy
12/11/2014 at 07:15

CTS-V's (2nd gen) are still like 25K+ though, and I wouldn't get a first gen CTS-V. The STS-V's are 15-20k, but rarer

E. Julius > My Miata's name is Senna
12/11/2014 at 07:29

Well it sounds like you weren't really impressed with the drive. If you're looking for something smaller but still on par or better in terms of comfort and speed, have you considered a smaller Merc or an M3 or something like that? For the STS–V budget you should be able to get one in decent shape, and if you pick it right you can get one that's probably in better condition/more reliable than the S class.

Maybe a hemi/SRT charger or something if you want to get away from the German maintenance costs, although you'll definitely take a hit in interior quality.

My Miata's name is Senna > E. Julius
12/11/2014 at 07:34

See, the M3 would be a consideration, but they're not super cheap, and I guess I want something luxury oriented, because at the end of the day I do need this to be my DD. If only Acura still made cool shit.

E. Julius > My Miata's name is Senna
12/11/2014 at 07:37

I just did a quick cars.com search and there's a fair amount of less performance oriented but still quick German cars in that budget in good condition. V8 E classes/5 series, etc. You might want to look into something like a nicely optioned 335i or G35. Something sporty but not over the top. Ditto on the Acura line.

My Miata's name is Senna > E. Julius
12/11/2014 at 07:46

I like the 535i, IS-F, and the infiniti M37, I just wish they were around 15k like the caddy.

E. Julius > My Miata's name is Senna
12/11/2014 at 07:50

Well you clearly like the S class, so if it's not getting too expensive to maintain (big if) maybe you could keep it for a little while longer and save up to get one of those.

jkm7680 > My Miata's name is Senna
12/11/2014 at 08:01

Keep the S-Class. That thing looks awesome, and the STS-V has a shit interior. It's like an expensive Cavalier in there.

My Miata's name is Senna > E. Julius
12/11/2014 at 08:01

Yeah, they'll depreciate at a faster rate than my Benz. Thanks a lot for talking this through with me homie, hoon on

E. Julius > My Miata's name is Senna
12/11/2014 at 08:12

No problem!

My Miata's name is Senna > jkm7680
12/11/2014 at 10:36

the interior of the S is so nice, and the caddy just isn't, thats a huge issue for me