Video test drive review: 1995 Mercedes Benz S500.

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

W220 is ugly IMO, too complicated electronically and mechanically...lacks that feel & look of the older M-B's. FWB's are nice too, but they're getting up there in years and they're tough as hell to find around here.

[Jonas McFeely]

If you show up to the November meet in a damn Mercedes, we will have words Chad. Words.

[Playdrv4me]

I may show up supporting every continent in my BMW/Land Rover/Ford.

[96Fleetwood]

I got your back Chad. IMO, you will probably get the S320/740/A8 and then in the future get a classic car as a weekend driver. From what I understand, those are the Cadillacs and Lincolns that are true to your heart.

So, get a daily driver that you will be happy with, after all.. that is where you will be spending your time behind the wheel day in and day out. Then... you can get back to the real Cadillacs we all truley love.

[gdwriter]

As I told you on iChat, buy what you like and will be happy with. If you've had a long-term interest in these late 90s S-class and can afford one, why the hell not? Might as well experience it. And if it turns out that you don't like the German definition of luxury, you can probably sell it for close to what you paid.

I like the previous generation BMW 3-Series (1998 or 1999 to 2003 or 2004) and might look at one of those when it's time for another car. But there are also Cadillacs that I like that would (I hope) fall into my price range when it's time for my next car.

I think most of the people here who know you are giving you their opinions and advice because you asked for it, but they're just opinions and advice. You ultimately have to choose what's best for you.

It's too bad those Eldos are sold since that was one of the cars you were interested in, and it would be nice to compare them back to back with the S320 since those are the two cars at the top of your list.

Take you time, don't rush into the first Benz you drive, but make sure you'll be satisfied with what you buy.

[gdwriter]

OK, I'm going to poke my nose in here again. While there aren't any Eldos in your price range in the Twin Cities area, I did find quite a few 2000-2004 STS/SLS in the low teens, some with low mileage and extended warranty available.

Here's a striking dark blue 02 SLS, $13,500, 41,900 miles and with an extended warranty:







The rest of the listings I saw were here: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/search...el=ELDO&color=

My suggestion—and it's only a suggestion—is to test one of these back to back with the S320. Then you can really compare the performance, comfort, ride, fit and finish, design, etc.

The Eldorado didn't change that much from '92 to '02, while the Seville was redesigned in '98, so I would think and STS/SLS would be the better car of the two.

One other thing to keep in mind. I don't know what kind of traction control comes on the S320, but I would wonder how good those cars would be on snow. I know true performance enthusiasts bad-mouth front wheel drive in a performance/luxury car, but for winter driving, the SLS may be much easier to drive and more forgiving. If nothing else, consider the different between driving in snow in your RWD Roadmaster (admittedly, it has Positraction) vs. your DeVille.

OK, I've thrown enough advice at you. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Playdrv4me]

Thats a pretty blue color, though that one looks like its been repainted and the price is a tad high despite the low-ish miles. Those are my favorite Northstar Cadillacs, I will definitely own another one of those even as just a secondary car at some point.

[gdwriter]

Originally Posted by Playdrv4me

Thats a pretty blue color, though that one looks like its been repainted and the price is a tad high despite the low-ish miles. Those are my favorite Northstar Cadillacs, I will definitely own another one of those even as just a secondary car at some point.

I checked the NADA Guide; it said clean retail value with that low mileage is $14,050. There were quite a few others listed in AutoTrader, but I singled out that one for the combination of low miles, decent price and extended warranty. Plus, that color's fairly rare. Most STS/SLS of that generation are white, silver or bronze.

Since I'm in no position to buy another car for another year or two, I'm shopping vicariously for Chad.

[Playdrv4me]

The problem with NADA is it's very very high retail. You should always aim to pay wholesale as a consumer. Thats not to say youre going to come near auction type pricing, but anything near NADA retail is too high. Id probably pay 11 for that Seville at most, especially being an SLS and not an STS. But its a nice car regardless.

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by Jonas McFeely

If you show up to the November meet in a damn Mercedes, we will have words Chad. Words.

Be nice, be civil about this. Here's what we do if both of you show up at the November meet. We get you and Chad to stand beside your cars and then we bring out some girls from the bar/club the meeting is held at and let them decide who is the man. Will they pick the Mean Green '85 Sage or the smelly Benz!.

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

Oh he's just kidding around. Atleast I hope he is!

[AElayyat]

dude, i've got that delayed reaction thing going on, but did you get that benz? those are the best big body benz's made. when i use to work at a used car dealership i drove a lot of the s320 and s430's and those things are nice. the only ugly part is the repairs. let us know what you did.

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by I~LUV~Caddys8792

Oh he's just kidding around. Atleast I hope he is!

Hell no. I'll go inside round up some girls and tell them we are having a contest in the parking lot and need them to judge OR you guys can have a race. The other option would be a demolition derby to see which one is tougher.........just pray he doesn't bring the '68.

[Jonas McFeely]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

Be nice, be civil about this. Here's what we do if both of you show up at the November meet. We get you and Chad to stand beside your cars and then we bring out some girls from the bar/club the meeting is held at and let them decide who is the man. Will they pick the Mean Green '85 Sage or the smelly Benz!.

Im taking the '68.

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by Jonas McFeely

Im taking the '68.

So we are leaning towards a demolition derby are we?. We can leave Chad out of it. You dont like Lincolns either, how about we race my green Lincoln vs your green Cadillac?.