At $9,500, Is This 2006 Mercedes CLK500 Ready For Frugal Fun?

With convertible weather right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about cars like today’s Nice Price or No Dice Mercedes. Let’s see if this droptop still needs a drop in its price.

The ID. Buzz that hits the U.S. market later this year marks a return for Volkswagen to the minivan market—albeit in electric form. The 2002 VW EuroVan MV we considered yesterday represented the last model of VW people carrier offered in the States, the later Routan having been a badge-engineered model bought from Chrysler. Being the real deal means that the EuroVan has its fans. Ours, however, did not seem to have many acolytes; its $12,500 asking price put off many and resulted in an overwhelming 76 percent No Dice loss.

It’s been a long, long time since Torrance, California’s Beach Boys were relevant in music. These days, the band—or at least what remains of it (R.I.P. Dennis and Carl Wilson)—are relegated to playing their hits after having adopted the mantle of being an “Oldies Band.” That all being said, is there any better way to kick off summer than with the surf and sand harmonies of the Beach Boys? In fact, I think the opening verse of 1976’s It’s OK is perfect, not just for summer, but for today’s 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK500 convertible. It goes a little something like this:

Today’s CLK looks ready for that summer fun despite its having been built by a company better known for slide rules than surfboards. Just look at its bona fides: it has a three-layer convertible top, a solid 302 horsepower all-alloy V8 under the hood, and room for four so the party never ends.

Not only that, but when the sun goes down and it’s time for a night out on the town, the CLK looks elegant enough, even with the top up, not to embarrass its owner.

The CLK is based on the W203 C-Class platform and shares much of the saloon’s styling, including the raked grille, double oval headlamps, and oversized tail lamps. This one has been given the AMG Sports package, which imbues it with a rear lip spoiler, deeper front valance, five-spoke alloys, and white-faced gauges. As noted, the car gets the numeric portion of its name from the 5.0-liter M113 V8 under the hood. That’s good for 302 horsepower and a stout 339 lb-ft of torque. All that’s routed through the standard seven-speed automatic to the rear wheels.