Mercedes-AMG's angry 475-HP V8 drop-top costs half as much as a new Mazda Miata

Mercedes-AMG models have always been renowned for their speed, style, and exclusivity. Back in the 2000s, the Mercedes-Benz CLK range was tasked with the job of taking on two-door coupe and convertible rivals from BMW and Audi. To do this, it was fitted with a wide range of engines and offered in several trim levels, but the ones that really stood out from the crowd were the range-topping AMG models.

The car we're talking about was introduced near the end of its production run, and it soon became clear that it was a very special car. Everything from its power, to its performance, and aggressive styling was a notch above what most rivals could muster. It came with a price to match, with a base spec 2007 model costing just shy of $100,000. Fast-forward nearly 20 years, and these amazing AMG-powered drop tops can be found for half the price of a 2026 Mazda Miata.

Does that make them the performance deal of the century, or a quick way to the poor house? We decided to find out.

The Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Cabriolet

Some cars wow you with their looks, others with their historic significance, while a few need a few miles behind the wheel to understand what the fuss is all about. The Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG touches on all of these bases, but the moment you hear that 6.2-liter V8 start for the first time, you know that everything else is a supporting act for that hand-built centerpiece.

The two-door C209 generation CLK-Class was based on the standard W203 C-Class sedan platform, and while it wasn't an inherently sporty starting point, Mercedes' engineers tweaked the suspension and used a different steering setup to give the CLK a more dynamic edge. Introduced in 2001, the CLK was offered with a wide range of engines to help it take on its German rivals. There were supercharged inline-fours, V6s, and a 362-hp 5.4-liter V8. All were rear-wheel-drive, and Mercedes didn't bother with the four-cylinder models or manual transmission derivatives for the US market.

A range-wide refresh in 2006 introduced several new and updated engines, including the first time use of the now legendary M156 6.2-liter V8. It was fitted to the CLK 63 AMG coupe and convertible, and tuned to produce 474 hp and a massive 465 lb-ft of torque. This was 112 hp more than the outgoing CLK 55 AMG, and 60 hp more than the Audi B7 RS4 Convertible and soon-to-be-launched BMW E91 M3 convertible, too. It made more torque at 2,000 rpm than the M3 or RS4 could muster in total.

It also sounded like an old-school muscle car, yet despite its 6.2-liter capacity, still revved out to 7,200 rpm. We were only offered the cabriolet variant in the US, but AMG fans with very deep pockets could opt for the CLK 63 AMG Black Series coupe, which cost around $40,000 more.

The cabriolet was more GT than track car, but it handled well enough and was quicker than any of its rivals in a straight line. It was also more expensive than any of them, too, so it remained a rare sight on the roads when new.

Why Buy A 20-Year-Old AMG?

Old cars can be expensive to maintain. Old performance cars have the potential to ruin you with one blinking warning light. The CLK 63 AMG is not a particularly unreliable or troublesome car but it cost almost $100,000 when new, and while it may have shed some of that value in the interim, maintenance and servicing costs have not got any cheaper.

So why risk your hard-earned money on an almost 20-year-old car? That's a simple one, and it's called the M156 6.2-liter V8. It is the focal point of the car, and it's always ready to remind you why a big-capacity naturally aspirated V8 is one of the sweetest automotive pleasures around. This engine was used in several top AMG Mercs between 2006 and 2015, and produced up to 518 hp in its most potent form. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series used an uprated version of this engine called the M159, which produced up to 619 hp. In the CLK 63 AMG, it was in a relatively mild state of tune, but you wouldn't know from the way it launches the relatively portly CLK down the road.

What's The Catch?

Aside from regular servicing and maintenance, owners have noted that the M156 motor can suffer from oil leaks, worn camshafts and lifters, and corroded head bolts. The hydraulic engine mounts can also leak, and the transmission drive selector module has been known to fail. Carrying out some preventative maintenance on these items is recommended, so factor this into your calculations when looking to purchase one. So what are these cars actually worth these days, you ask?

What Are They Worth?

Older luxury and GT cars tend to suffer from depreciation more than most other vehicles. The CLK 63 AMG Cabriolet is no different, and while it could easily top $100,000 in 2007 after picking a few options, values have dropped significantly since. Condition, mileage, and maintenance history are three of the most important influencers of used car prices, and as such, the values for the CLK 63 AMG Cab fluctuate wildly.

They range from the low-ball Kelley Blue Book fair purchase price figure of $10,555, to Classic.com's $23,413 average price rating. Looking at recently sold vehicles, it is clear that low mileages make a big difference; a 6,000-mile 2008 example sold for $45,000. However, cars with closer to 60,000 miles on the clock range between $14,000 and $20,000. That looks like amazing value considering what a beast the CLK 63 AMG is.

Time For The Brave Pill

New cars offer the latest safety, tech, and convenience features. They are more efficient and faster than their older stablemates, too. But they don't come cheap. The Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet is the closest new alternative to the 2007 CLK AMG 63, and it costs $84,600 before taxes and options. It also makes less power and torque from its turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine than the older car, and certainly sounds nowhere near as good.

A new Mazda MX-5 Miata is just over $30,000, but that's still twice as much as a decent-condition 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Cab. Yes, you will have to deal with higher running and maintenance costs, and you miss out on the new car smell and the warranty, but the older car should depreciate at a slower rate, and you'll have $15,000 in reserve for fuel and repairs. Get one now before everybody realizes what a bargain these cars really are.

Sources:Mercedes-Benz, Classic.com, Cars&Bids, Mazda, Kelley Blue Book