2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK 430

2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK 430

I haven't been blogging much over the last year. I just kind of got out of the habit, but I have been told I need to post on some of the vacations we've taken so to get going again I'm starting with something I really haven't done in a long time - a Random Vehicle Blog!

My random program has selected a car I owned a long time ago and not for very long. I had wanted a CLK for quite some time before I bought this one, and I probably overpaid a bit, but it was a nice car and I definitely used it while I had it. This one had the 4.3 liter V8 (as opposed to the CLK 320 with the V6) and it was a strong runner. It's simple physics - big motor + small car = fun!

All 430's at the time had the AMG appearance package which included the rims and the body molding all the way around the bottom. You could get the package on a 320 as an option is you wanted. I always thought the car looked pretty sporty with the AMG package and kind of just economical without it. I would have no interest in the 230 without the AMG package myself, but if you really want the top CLK, you could step up to the CLK 55 AMG, which not only had the looks, but the horsepower to go with it.

The car even had functional back seats. They weren't huge, but if needed, you could get four adults somewhere. The convertible version of this car would have been even cooler. 

Despite having done over 70K miles when I got it, the car ran great. It was loaded with options and was both comfortable and fun to drive. My brother borrowed this one for a period of time during "Minivan Search 2 - The Return of the Box" and declared it one of his all time favorites. I have no complaints and honestly can't remember where or why I sold it.