I love GT sports coupes. There is something subtly extravagant about the whole idea of a GT coupe. From the BMW 6 Series and Mercedes-Benz SEC models of the 1980s to the various Aston Martin coupes of all generations, GT coupes have always been my single favorite category of automobile. These are not cars that one needs but one wants. They tend not to make sense as they hold fewer people and cost more than a sedan. They are designed for driving across continents in supreme comfort, functioning as a substitute for air travel. The best of these are the pinnacle of luxury and also capable of performance usually reserved for sports cars. Of all the GT cars from the last 15 or so years, the one that delivers completely on all levels better than the rest is our Pick of the Day: this 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG.
The CL65 AMG is a 4,750-pound coupe that is powered by a 6.0-liter, twin-turbo V-12 with 604 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. This gives the car a 0-60 time of around four seconds and a top speed — if you take the car to a dealer and have the limiter removed — of more than 200 mph, which is supercar performance in a coupe that is more comfortable than many homes. What is most interesting is the way in which the big Mercedes delivers this level of performance. It is less like a sports car and more like a luxury high-speed train. Yes, it will outperform an E92 BMW M3, but it will do it with a lack of fuss. You hammer the accelerator and all of a sudden, you notice you are traveling over 100 mph with no idea of how you got there. It is something that needs to be experienced to be fully understood.
All of this came at a pretty steep price, as the CL65 AMG had an MSRP of just under $200,000 in 2008. That being said, I remember having one of these amazing cars one year during Monterey Car Week and thinking to myself that everything I saw and touched in the car was at that price level.
The car we have here is one that has some miles on it, but it looks to be extremely well cared for. It has covered 112,000 miles, but after talking to many Mercedes experts over the last few days, I learned that the care these cars receive is much more important than the mileage, and that the engine will last for quite a few hundred thousand miles.
Looking at the photos of this stunning Mercedes, I see a car that truly appears to defy that mileage figure. The paint seems exceptional and I see no bodywork issues whatsoever to be concerned about.
The interior looks almost more Rolls-Royce than Mercedes, with beautiful quilted leather seats contrasting with the wood appliqués on the dash, center console, and door panels. All looks great and almost as good as when the car was new.
The seller states that this CL65 was factory-equipped with AMG-specific exterior and brake/suspension upgrades, AMG alloy wheels, COMAND navigation and infotainment, premium audio, Bluetooth phone connectivity, power-adjustable front seats with memory, dual-zone automatic climate control, power sunroof, Xenon headlamps with washers, rain-sensing wipers, and front and rear parking sensors. In addition, this car has the optional wood and leather steering wheel and the optional Alcantara headliner.
The ad states that the seller can offer an extended warranty for the car. I would advise you to get that warranty if you are sure that you can use it at your local Mercedes dealer, as this is a complex car that needs to be serviced by techs who understand it. The warranty might cost you some money up front, but it is likely to pay you back quickly. This is not a big deal when you consider that this 2008 CL65 AMG, which cost around $200,000 when new, is being offered by the Boca Raton, Florida dealer for only $27,900. Sometimes depreciation is wonderful. If there is a way to buy more car for less money, I have no idea what it is.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
