100 respondents now.

Average age 37.1 years.

 

I am 20.

Purchased my SL600 last week.

It is a wonderful piece of German Engineering.

Vincent

 

34.5 + 19% vat = 41... and just love my R129!!


George

++

 

I am 23 years old with a 91 model 500 SL with 57 000 Kilometers on the clock.

 

The classic SL of the 1990's and early 2000's appeals to me and many other people in their 20's (I'm 25). In addition to the classic and timeless shape, great build quality and a great combination of elegance and power, it was a car that many idolized at a young age. Memories and perceptions formed in your teens or tweens can stay with you for a long time. Growing up in a different part of the world, I did not have access to much automotive media until discovering some current and old Car & Driver issues in an uncle's closet around 1994, along with a few Road & Track and some Motor Trend issues. The BBC's weekly show "Top Gear" was another source and influence.

Aside from myself, I know a few other young adults who, if given a blank check and a choice between the two, would opt for the R129 over a R230 today. The R129 already is and will increasingly become a classic. Whether the R230 will be, remains to be seen. As good looking as it is, the R230 is perhaps too "fussy" a design to be really called timeless (all the vents and other artificial retro touches), IMHO. The sheer cleanliness of the R129's lines is amazing -- one can draw those lines in the mind's eye without hesitation.

Perhaps I see too many in New York or southern New England, or maybe it's just me, but the new SL doesn't seem to be such an exclusive car. It certainly doesn't help that the new SL is featured in a lot of music/rap videos, movies, TV shows, etc. -- that to me is a turnoff, even if it helps someone else attract a 18 year-old mallrat who doesn't know any better than the fact that she saw the car last week on MTV "Cribs" and a bunch of hiphop and rap videos.

I can understand the picture is very different from the crowd 10 years younger (already a different generation) -- not trying to judge here. I can relate to a 15 year-old boy getting blown away by the latest concept and/or debut of the latest SL a couple years back. It probably happens with every generation and, yes, the power retractable hardtop is very cool. I just don't think it will be quite as timeless as the R129, and perhaps DaimlerChrysler is endangering the long-term health of the MB brand by pushing it so hard (in terms of all these product placements, as mentioned above) for a few extra short-term dollars.

Sorry if this is going too long or off topic and, yes, BMW and Porsche certainly appeal to a lot of people, including people in their 20's. Among other things, many younger drivers would opt for the 3-series over the C-class. And if you're worried about looking like you're driving "your dad's Merc" then certainly a 911 might be a better choice for you (ok, there are plenty of good reasons to get a 911). Nonetheless, the R129 SL, along with the W126 S-class and W124 E-class, are great examples of brilliantly engineered and timelessly designed Mercedes Benzes that seem to appeal to enthusiasts of all ages.

 

good wright up, i got mine when i was 16, could not be happier.

mark

 

Haha, Mark, you are 1 lucky ess-o-bee...

Workin' on joining the R129 club ... in a few years

 

Got mine the day I turned 17. I know the feelin' bro.

 

Will be glad to have you as a fellow member!

 

I got my 99 SL500 new back in 10/98 when I was 27
I am now 34 and my SL just went over 15K miles.

The R129 got my attention when I saw it the first time in 1990, and I am still loving it

 

Wow! Such low mileage. Barely broken in!!

My 1999 (as it turns out I am the third owner ... it was a demo ) is likely more typical at 51,000 miles.

Enjoy that car!

 

105 respondents now.

Average age has dropped a bit to now = 36.9 years.

 

I'm 57 and owner of an 85 380SL (100 k. miles and '01 SL500 (8,500 k. miles). I've been in love with the SL's since my first up close and personal encounter with a 280 in the late sixties. At that time I was a bit disappointed they didn't come with a stick but over the years I've gotten over it. The evolution of the car has been wonderful to watch but I tend to agree with the 230 comments. They're nice but tend to lack the personality of the 107's and the 129's. Maybe I'm just getting more sentimental with age.

 

Should we have a new Thread for this? Or carry the old posts foreward?

Having added crb49 the average age of 106 respondents is 37.1 years.

Either a lot of old er or younger owners ... or some very old or very young owners would be required to change the statistic much!

Me turning 50 young next month won't change much ... I'll will change my logged age up from the original 47 old years.

I do note a few new members posting in the past few months.

Drop a post onto this thread to let us know our forum profile a bit better.

 

Hey Heavy Metal,

I'm 58 and live in Southern California the hotbed of MB ownership. I test drove two used SL600 and three used SL500 on a single Saturday. Two of the SL's were Silver Arrows. Note: I hate the interior appearance of the Designo cars. To broken up.

On 7/24/06 I ended up purchasing a Y2K SL500 Black on Black Sport with the SL2 Value Added Package and 20K miles for $34K. I then put on a new set of Michelin PS2's and bought a HT Hoist.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lynnso...&.beg=0&.spd=2

The HT has not been on the car since. I love cruisin at 80-90 in 72 degrees with the windows/winstop up and listen to the Bose.

 

i think we should have a new one at the start of 2007, and every year do anothger poll and see if the age goes DOWN because the cars are getting cheaper.

 

I think that is a good idea.

1) To me, there seems to be more R129 cars on the road each year.

Low mileage R129 cars coming out from the garages of the people who bought them for toys initially?

R129 cars being bought by people who intend on using them as daily drivers?

An affordable luxury cruisers with power.

2) The % of people who drive the R129 and use the internet for forums will also change as time goes on.

3) The 5 page Thread may not be the easiest thing for newbie's to read & appreciate.

 

Yea but Mark Im getting older. In fact 33 today. JJ

 

Too bad we are grading on the curve since I am 71 and my 300sl is still raring to go at 140 mph.

 

I bought my 1st SL(1992 300SL) at the age of 24; drove it for 4 years and loved it. unfortunately at 145k miles, I started having transmission problems and decided to sell. Then I bought an Audi TT Quattro Roadster and drove it for 2 years!! Last week, I traded my TT for a 2000 SL500 Sport -- and I have never been happier!!!!
I love it more than my first SL. It has class, power and and and ....

 

Congratulations on a smart buy. Post a picture when you get a chance. I would like to see it.

I traded my silver blue/blue 1989 560SL w/ 80K miles, that was in great shape, for a black/black Y2K SL500 Sport w/ the SL2 package that now has 23K miles. I find every excuse I can to drive it.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lynnso...&.beg=0&.spd=2

 

I purchased my 97' SL600 when i was 15 actually, just turned 16 today, now, no more parents yelling at me for speeding, alright!.

-SL-MC-C-

 

OK.

Let's let this thread die.

See "How Old " 2nd Edition.

 

Think I'm the oldie 62. Looked ten years for the car. Originally wanted the old classic sl (like me) but found silver 1998 sl500, it had some rough edges in the beginning, but thanks to the forum, I found an indy tech and it is now purring like a kitten, albeit an expensive one.

 

97 SL600

I love the car, but I'm wondering whether or not it's time to get a new one.. The only thing is.. I don't really like the new body style.

Do you guys think it looks dated? or should I buy a new one?

If so, I couldn't imagine getting anything less than an SL65.. thoughts anyone?