Stockinv

How long?

JackStraw

I would wait and buy the '07. How long? That depends on where you live, how much you value a buck and how long you plan on owning the car.

The exterior changes to the '07, while modest, are very clear to the trained eye. Think about the differences between the '02 and '03 S and CL class. The exterior changes were even more modest: taillight lenses and headlight lenses. But from the moment the '03 came out, the '02 looked dated. With the new look, you probably get 4-5 more years before the next update. Some will say that you can simply buy the '07 tail light lenses and body kit for your '06 for $2,500 but...

...The 550 will also be considerably quicker than the 500 and you get a second generation ABC.

How much will you save by buying an '06 500 over an '07 550? Five grand maybe? Is that worth it to you to have a slower car that already looks dated the moment you buy it?

Where do you live? Here in NY, I get 9-10 good months to drive my SL, often with the top down. If you live in a colder more forbidding climate, you may run the risk of missing out on a season of driving. I find summer to be less fun driving with the top down than spring or fall because it is so darn hot. You will have to be the judge of that, but I suspect you will be able to pick up an '07 550 at MSRP or below by late summer or early fall.

Six months out, you won't even remember the extra 5 grand you spent to get the '07, but you'll be happy you did. And if you plan on keeping the vehicle for several years, don't get hung up on depreciation, just accept it and enjoy the car. It is a great ride.

Stockinv

I'd estimate the current price difference between the two cars is at least $12,000. Mercedes is offering money back to the dealers on the '06, so the discounts will be very large. For 5 grand it's a no brainer, but for $12,000, it's not an easy decision. If I buy the '07 at list, in a year I'll not only take a hit on a year's depreciation, but also on the discount I didn't get because I bought early.

MNJohn

I agree. A $5000 discount is a significant underestimation of the discounts now available.

In addition, do you really want the first SL550 manufactured?

JackStraw

Sounds like you made up your mind. Good. It is not the decision I would make, even for a 10K savings, but to each his own. I am not selling my car and so don't care about the depreciation. But if you are going to lease yours or turn it over soon, you have probably made a good financial decision. Enjoy.

MBZFAN55

Jack - Wichita, NY ?

JackStraw

Just to clear up any confusion... I am not, in fact, the British foreign secretary. If I were, I would have let Condi have the bed. Jack Straw is the title of a Grateful Dead song, the best known version of which is on the classic album "Europe '72". The title character Jack Straw is from Wichita. I am not, I live in NYC.

Good tune.

http://www.lyricstime.com/grateful-d...aw-lyrics.html

And now, back to the show.

JackStraw

I would agree that you take some risk when buying a car in the first year that a new model is introduced, but this version of the SL has been out since '02 and the early production defects have been virtually eliminated. It's just a new engine---I don't remember hearing about any problems when the E350 replaced the E320 a couple of years ago.

Germancar1

I agree there is nothing to worry about with the SL at this point. If anything this facelift took care of whatever problems there may have been from a manufacturing standpoint. The new V8 has been in production since last August and on the roads in the European "S500" since Sept 2005.

I'd get the SL550 and call it a day, it is likely Mercedes' best car when you look at everything it offers, only the S550 is really in the same league. The CLS/E/CLK are great, but the SL and S/CL is where Mercedes really perfects their craft.

M

Stockinv

As of today, you can't build your own SL550 on the Mercedes website. You can be emailed when that service is enabled.