Hi enthusiasts. I’m trying to talk myself out of something I’ve already talked myself into. I need your help.
For five years I’ve been driving a 2004 SLK32 AMG. Overall, it’s been reliable, never left me stranded on a roadway, though when the ECM crapped out in a parking lot, I had to pay around 2500 to get it repaired.
I financed it for about 22k when I bought it, and I’ve gone from 60k to now 112k miles on it. In that time, I’ve replaced the rear tail-lights (heat warp - known issue), the drive shaft bushing, transmission plug, motor mounts, crankshaft position sensor (easy job, but awkward and shredded my hands), replaced the headliner, the plastic cupholder housing, dome light housing (shitty interior plastics), brakes, rotors, and various odds and ends. I could afford all repairs, and aside from the 2500 ECM bill, and 300-400 dollars for shitty plastic interior parts, it’s mostly not been too shocking.
In many ways, it’s wonderful and rewarding to drive. 350/hp and torque with a great mid-range in a 3300 lb car can be fun, even with obvious shortcomings. The steering feel isn’t wonderful, and the balance isn’t great, but ripping it out in a straight line or dropping the top and punching the throttle out of a corner and watching it GO all the way to redline still puts a huge smile on my face.
Now, I’ve seen a 3.2 Carrera in the 35k range - 70k miles, and I’m in love. I REALLY want one, and I think they’re going to slowly move upward into non-affordable ranges, so I think my time is limited to get one.
Here’s the catch. I’d have to trade in my car and finance the rest, probably around 27 to 29k all-in. Payments over 60 months are affordable, and I’d still have the cash to repair normal things. Having already had an out-of-warranty German import, I’m not THAT scared, but I also drive around 40 miles per day and I want to know, generally speaking, will the car hold up for the next 3-4 years? In a pinch, my wife works 3 blocks from the house and we have a 2015 GTI in case it needs to go to the shop for a few days, but that can’t be a monthly occurrence.
My question is, am I just smitten and being unrealistic? Or are all of these videos I see about people driving the hell out of their vintage Carreras really my next adventure? How will the car hold up in a 20 mile commute daily? Yes, I know it’s uncomfortable, but my first cars being mid-eighties Hondas with manual steering and cable clutches, I’m not that scared. Help me out here guys and gals. I feel like I’m on the brink of making a terrible, or wonderful decision.
