Vehicle Description
2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK 430 Cabriolet
" "Solid," "satisfying," "powerful" are adjectives that describe
driving the CLK430. Mercedes was kind enough not to tune out all
the V8's good sounds. There's a throaty intake roar under
acceleration, and the exhaust speaks in deep, wuffly tones. Freeway
passing is a hoot: A romp on the gas at 60 brings a double
downshift to third, and a torque laden nudge in the back. Buttery
smooth, light throttle upshifts take place at relatively low rpm,
but the crisply gated 5-speed auto box will hold full throttle
shifts to redline with no complaint." MotorTrend on the "new"
CLK430, 1999
For consignment, a 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK 430 cabriolet with a
title verified 79,668 actual miles, a 4 passenger convertible with
a handsome exterior, a sporty interior, and a fierce V8 that was
originally clocked to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. Though now 23 years
old, this car holds its own in terms of style and will likely look
fresh for years to come. Well done, Mercedes!
Exterior
The unique shade of blue here is Quartz Blue which has a slight
lavender tinge to it and will stand out in a sea of blue cars.
Flush round headlights are matched with round marker lights with
clear lenses, presenting as a pseudo quad headlight formation
flanking a pursed grille over a lower intake that spans the fascia,
all topped by the iconic Mercedes star rising like a punctuation
mark. The tail lights are flush too, but retain the Mercedes
grooves and split between the trunk lid and body panels over a body
colored bumper cover. In profile, the car is like a bull nosed
wedge with a straight shoulder line and lower AMG inspired aero
cladding that visually lower the car and give it motion while
parked. The complementary dark blue canvas top gracefully covers
the car with a slight dome shape and is in great shape. 17-inch AMG
wheels are on board with staggered size 40 series Z rated tires,
and some of those wheels have some curb rash. Other imperfections
include some bubbling near a horizontal panel gap, scuffs and
scrapes on the chin and on a bumper cover.
Interior
A mix of gray and dark blue materials, including leather, adorn
robust door panels with a sporty design and faux burl wood inserts,
and the driver's door shows some wear on the bottom. Blue and gray
leather dress the front bucket seats which mix the contrasting
colors in a sporty configuration that is copied in the back 2+2
bench that includes headrests. One front bucket shows wear with
some splitting of a seam between the perforated insert and outer
padding. A steering wheel cover dresses the rim of the wheel, while
the efficient and clear gauge cluster looms ahead of us, with
nothing extra or over the top provided and allowing the driver to
focus on driving. Blue textured plastic surrounds a faux burlwood
frame around a row of toggle switches on the center stack and an
AM/FM/CD radio along with a screen and integrated phone keypad that
was an option early in CLK production. The shifter and a number of
robust plastic switches live in the center console, all backed in
that dark burlwood trim. Gray carpet covers the floor and the small
trunk is finished in charcoal coverage.
Drivetrain
Under the hood, a mostly shielded 4.3 liter SOHC V8 engine
producing 275 horsepower and tied to a 5-speed automatic
transmission that sends power to the rear wheels and 2.87 gears.
Power disc brakes are found front and rear.
Undercarriage
Other than some road dirt and a film of oil on the pan, the
underside is clean and complete and holding up very nicely after
79,000 miles. There's no rust, surface or otherwise, to speak of.
The single exhaust forms after the cats and trail back to an
original muffler that expels an oval polished tip under the rear
valance while the suspension consists of double wishbone up front
and multi-link in back, both being independent.
Drive-Ability
Much like the SL Benz of the 80's, this car makes you feel like a
Hollywood agent no matter what town you live in. The comfortable
seats and practical controls mean no steep learning curve for a
high tech onboard entertainment system. It's concise and the
materials are pleasant to the touch. The 4.3 comes to life via fuel
injection and does have a nice exhaust note, but this car is about
luxury, illustrated by the smooth ride with sporty feedback from
the 40 series tires. It delivers in the functionality department
too, with everything working on and in this quality-built Benz.
While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were
working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these
functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
Media mogul, accountant, big man on campus. Whatever your walk in
life, this car will suit your needs for a luxurious sports
cabriolet in a fantastic color and whether it's cruising the
Pacific Coast Highway or rural backroads, this car is a performer
and quite the looker in this Quartz Blue, a color specific to the
CLK and some say, possibly rare, although exact numbers are not
available. For its age, it retains a modern look and is quite the
bang for the buck!
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
