north shore news ___ AUTO Mercedes CLK430 a * true four-person car From page 40 Don’t worry about spin- ning the tres and burning up some of that expensive Z- rated rubber — the CLR430 comes standard with ASR traction control to finvit wheel slip and an ESP anti- skid system which prevents lateral slides and skids by automatically braking an appropriate wheel. In addition, the CLK430 has four wheel dise brakes with a four channel ABS sys- tem, and Brake Assist, a com- puter-controlled system which automatically applies full pressure to the brakes in an emergency braking situa- tion. [ found these brakes to be incredibly powerful with min- imal pedal effort. Cornering limits are high and balance is excellent, in part due to the car’s longitudinal front engine/rear-wheel-drive lay- out, and in part due to its fully independent suspension (front double wishbone/rear multi-link). Tires are low-profile 225/45ZR-17 inch in front and 245/40ZR-17 inch at the rear. The ride is velvety smooth and whisper quiet despite the tire’s narrow sidewalls. However, like most Mercedes-Benz automobiles, there’s some body-lean dur- 1-99 YW Jer 36 mo, lease $2500 down *99 Winpstar GL S37 Bra. 36 mo. tease $2500 down IETTA Gis £369n0 °99 Por ing cornering, a result of ts softer suspension settings, The CLR30 has a tradi- tional recirculating ball steer: ing system rather than the more common rack-and-pin- ion system, The recirculating ball sys- tent requires very litde steer- ing ctfort, however it teels like the steering shatt is immersed ina vat of thick malasses, and there’s little road feel. On the plus side, the CLK430 has a short (10.7 nictre) turning radius, a real advantage when manocuvring, in parking spaces on when making U-turns. The CLK430 is a true four-passenger coupe. The bucket-like rear seats are sep- arated by a wood-trimmed divider, and there are only four seatbelts. Rear legroom and head- room is adequate for adults, though nor. roomy. The front passenger seat automatically slides forwards when the seatback is folded, and automatically slides back to its original position when the seatback is pushed back. The interior is extremely well-finished and looks expensive, Standard features include leather upholstery with front-seat heaters, 10- way power seats with three- position memory, burl walnut trim, dual zone automatic cli- CHE BOXSTER ‘893s 36 mo. ease % 0000 a down ‘99 Avot AG Quarto 566510 _* m0. . lease ‘$5000 down mate control, heated outside Mirrors, premiam AM/¥FM//cassene stereo with weatherband, and 60/40 split tolding rear seatbacks. ACD plater is optional. Vhe trunk is a roomy 318 fitres, aliiose as big as a C230 sedan. ‘To help prevent thett, the CULRK430 features an infrared ignition key which, when insested, Lransmits a security signal to the engine computer to authorize engine starting. It also has remote door unlocking and panic alarm. Satety has been given a high priority. In addition to the ASR, ESP, ABS, and Brake Assist systems, the CLK430 has standard front and side airbags, adjustable front and rear head restraints for four, BabySmart child seat detection system to disable the passenger airbags, emer- gecicy tensioner seatbelt retractors, and anti-submarin- ing bucket seats. Though the CLK430 has an impressive engine, suspen- sion and tires, its stecring, body lean during cornering, and Jack of 2 manual trans- mission disqualify it from being classified as a driver's car, like the BMW M3 and Jaguar XK8. The CLK430 is more of a luxury coupe with the added power and smoothness of a 1999 Sport Ut Vehicle of the ear}: “99 SUBURBAN SLE ‘5; 36 mo. lease $5000 down Lp, *555 4-RuNNER: KAD. *, 36 mo, lease $5000 down 36 mo. feas? $2500 down [ATTeNTion: es Visit our web site: Ory 12.5 W100 ben (23 erg)! ollighemay 9.71100 tun (27 meg} North Vancouver Suzuki | 983-2088 Ef toons pyre cond on 43 meth tree co $237 O0/S259 DOS 7PP OO/S329 O0,/merte tenet laene btgaton $11,722 COSA 782 O05 16,252 00'S 18,042.04 Ps ames, OAC. auth $2,250 00/52, 220 00/3200 00/52, 250 dome prysare ; 6935 Marine Dr. North Vancouver Complete mechanical & electrical repairs by factory trained technician IMPEX AUTOMOTIVE 1338S Pemberton Ave. Tel: 985- 6237 www3.bc.sympatico.ca/impexauto/impexauto.himl a ee eS ee $ suzuxi eI Ad you have to do is drive one new Mercedes at $399" You can stop looking now. Considering what you can get for an equivalent lease, why settle for anything less than a 1999 Mercedes-Benz? Right now, with the Mercedes C230 you get leading-edge safety features, legendary luxury and a whoie lot more. At a monthly leasing rate that’s frankly too good to last forever. If seeing is believing, driving is everything. Come in and take one out for a test. Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. 1375 Marine Drive, North Vancouver * 984-9351 *36 month term. “First class lease™ exclusively from Mercedes-Benz Credit of Canada ttiv.” $7,736.62 downpayment or equivalent trade-in, Refundable security deposit required. Freight, PDI, taxes, registration and insurance extra. $23,149.50 optional buyback.