RJMDAD996

Funny Story, I was going to sell the AMG, but prior to the transaction my wife drove the beast for a couple of hours and decided that she really loves driving it "The power is too much" she says, "I feel so cool in it, plus I get to blow by all of the rice burners" she tells me. So without a moment’s hesitation I canceled the selling of the AMG and now the beast is parked in my wife’s side of the garage. Now the real fun begins, I get to match the 996 Targa and the CLK55 against one another whenever I see fit. AWESOME. My kid’s friends (ages 9 -12) think we are the coolest parents because of the hot cars we drive. 40 yrs the both of us and still we got it working With 361hp and 342trq she is going to be fun on the roads - if you live in Northern NJ, Watch Out for a silver CLK55 AMG, because she doesn't take prisoners...

ry322

Funny, my friend calls his CLK55 "the BEAST" also.
I'm a lucky man also, I get to keep my S4 (my version
of a beast) and the 996.

SANDOVAL

All CLK55 drivers call the CLK55 the "Beast" It is all over there boards... Just weird MBZ following thing.

RJMDAD996

I think the reasoning behind the BEAST is the engine it is truly powerful, wheelspin from the German Gods - Hand built V8 5439cc is pure power - Handling and Steering, well that's another story...

SPR

it's from that one commercial when amg brought out the new 55 with the beast which made it popular, unless it was b4 that. I didn't call my c43 that though.

Zlaatan

The E39 M5 has been called "the beast" for ages. And that is in my opinion the TRUE beast!

RJMDAD996

My Brother has a 2003 M5 and It a beast no doubt.. I would have to agree, but also in the same vain, the AMG V8 54399cc in the CLK55 is a beast also, one drive you will understand why - agreed it is not as fast, but it also has no problem keeping up....

BC

C43? You mean a silver C43? Like the previous body style one - only a few ever made and was sitting at Prestige motors, in San Diego say a month or two ago?

SPR

na that wasn't mine. I sold mine to a guy back in Philly, who dropped it and put in a supercharged e55 motor in it!! I have pics of it, pretty freaking sick. He said it lit all gears up to 4th!

BC

SO there are a few then...

wknopf

I traded my '02 CLK 55 cabrio in on the '04 anniversary car. The CLK had about 30,000 miles on it when I traded, after buying new, so I know the car very well. It was somewhat entertaining, and remains very rare, but in no real sense does it compare to driving any 996. I know the cabs weigh more than the coupes, but handling, stability, quarter-mile, whatever, it is in a different league. On the other hand, the back seat is larger, but now my kids are older and they don't want to be caught dead riding with Dad anyway, so I was pretty pleased to get back into Porsche ownership. This is damning the CLK 55 with faint praise, but I used to say it was like driving the world's nicest Mustang GT. It is a great boulevard cruiser...

RJMDAD996

I couldn't agree more regarding the handling and feedback the car provides, my 996 is perfection - I believe the difference with the CLK55 Cab vs. the Coupe is .03 sec - which is pretty wide margin. The roll-on power is pretty amazing as well. Highway rides vs. my wife should more entertaining... :-)