Mercedes Benz - durability and grace
By dohdeelicious on
I was not looking for a new car when I purchased my 1997 Mercedes Benz E420. We were looking for a car for my husband. We drove by the dealership, I saw the car on the lot and ached to drive it. O this baby is sweet!
Took it for a test drive and I was hooked. I've enjoyed driving it ever since. Mine is the last model year this car was offered in the Mercedes Benz E-Class line up. I believe the current model equivalent is the E500. Made in Germany, this 4-door sedan is still magnificent at 11 years old.
Comfortable interior. Spacious. Beautifully finished. Wide seats. Incredible seat adjustment controls, really customized to the driver's preference. Can save 3 seat position settings which is very convenient.
Gorgeous "ride" - smooth yet fast. The E420 is a V-8 engine. Accelerates like a dream. Hugs winding roads and highway ramps firmly and without hesitation. Not as stiff as the BMW line which is more of a sports car ride.
Gas mileage is surprisingly good given the size of the car and the engine type. I don't have much of a commute to and from our warehouse so that saves me on the skyrocketing cost of fuel these days. I have 116k miles on the engine and it's nowhere near ready to give up the ghost. [knock wood]
My husband is ready for me to get rid of my sweet E420 but I'm not ready. There's nothing else on the market I can imagine myself driving. The ability to fit both of our dogs in the backseat is critical to me in a new car. May seem silly but I cart them to and fro each day so it's a serious consideration. I've considered a hybrid something but, as I said, I thoroughly enjoy driving this car. Still.
While the Mercedes Benz line up doesn't come cheap, this is not a throwaway vehicle by any stretch of the imagination.
This sounds like a vehicle that would be hard not to fall in love with! I sure remember driving a V8, but mine was a gas hog for sure! Nice details on the handling, comfort and room of the vehicle.
E420? I wonder what the 420 means? I like your description of this ride! WW-V:)
Sounds like you really love your car. You shouldn't have to give it up until you are ready. Sometimes I think the older models are better than the new ones. I think even being an older model, it's way out of my price range.
Your Mercedes sounds like a 'keeper" to me! As long as you don't have to put a lot of money into repairs, no reason for you two to part!
My husband and I would both love to have a Mercedes. The closest we have made it so far is a VW and a BMW, but one day maybe not a new one but we will find a great deal and finally own one.
I drive a Kia....... wish i could afford this!
Wow I love that it can save seat positions, is that a standard in the Mercedes? I would love to have that because I always know when my boyfriend has driven my car because my foot can barely reach the pedal when I get in! Sounds like a great car for being 11 years old! :o)
Sounds like a beautiful vehicle. Wish I could afford one of these.
very good writing and information. you made it very personal. /ctcp [XTV]paw TV