Stockinv

I'm interested in purchasing a new SL. Should I look to buy now or wait for the 2007? Any idea when it would be available?

MNJohn

From my perspective, it would soley depend upon whether you feel you need the extra HP/torque of the 2007. For me, the great deal I was able to get on the 2006, my basic satisfaction with the SL550's performance and my reluctance to buy a model with a first year engine overshadowed the 1.0 second 0-60 advantage of the 2007.

I would reccomend driving the SL500 and judge for yourself if you will be satisfied with its acceleration or not. If you are, my guess you will find the incremental value of an SL550 will not be there. If you always have to have the newest and the best, you will want the SL550.

The SL550 should be in the US sometime in April but allocation is highly limited and discounts are unlikely.

Good luck with your decision,

John

blazinginder

Yeah...If you think the extra 80hp is worth the wait and passing on the discounts ranging from 10-20k on the 2006 SL500's...then SL550 is your best bet.

CY

wait for the HP unless you want a major discount....its a trade off.

glennbaz

Life's too short. Why miss another season for a few more horse power? Enjoy the ride with the top down now instead of waiting for the 07' so maybe you can beat some other car from a green light. I've had and have faster cars than my 03' SL500 but love the ride and smooth cruise more than acceleration.
Glenn

SL BRABUS

wait......

blazinginder

Come to think of it, I'd take a deal (10k discount or more) on a 2006 mainly because if you're buying such a nice car you'd want to drive it ASAP and especially in the summer time. I dont know where you're from but if the winters bring snow etc. and the wait for the 2007 SL550 is backed up till fall thatd be a hard long wait till summer 2007 to reallllly enjoy the car for the first time in prime weather

MBZFAN55

I don't think there is anything in the Benz lineup that is "backed up" at this time. Even the S550 appears to be in good supply in most markets, with less than MSRP not out of the question. The SL is merely a facelift with the new 5.5 engine and I doubt availability will be an issue, even this spring.

blazinginder

You may be right about the new SL550s....but the S550s are deff. having issues with customers who want / ordered highl optioned cars and the wait is in fact backed up

MNJohn

Ask your local dealer how many SL550s they'll be getting between now and the end of 2006-I think you'll find the SL550s are going to be highly allocated and difficult to get in the first year.

John

Auraraptor

Just buy a slightly used SL55/SL600

CY

I agree.....if buying instead of leasing get a starmarked SL500/SL600 hands down.

MBZFAN55

True, the S550's are "backed up", but only because MB cannot supply a reasonable level of the options that most buyers are requesting. My point was more to the fact that even less than well equipped, there are plenty of S550's available for purchase at this time.

blazinginder

Yeah I'm not denying that, way i see it is people who buy 90k+ cars want all the new technology options and packages that enhance the value and luxury of the car....and about the SL550's there are others on the forum that agree with there being a wait for SL550s...

Stockinv

Thanks for all your replies. I went to my local dealership in St. Louis on Saturday and talked to the sales mgr. He said exactly what everyone is saying here.

The new SL's should be out in the next few months. Allocation will be very tight. They are a large dealership and will only get 2 or 3 in the first allocation. He's sold 5 already. Discounts will be tiny if at all. They are getting cash back from the factory on '06 models, so he would be able to give a good discount on that. He mentioned 10 grand. Is this fair?

I'm wondering how much the '06 will depreciate with a new model becoming available? I always buy my cars, but leasing may be a better option if the depreciation is enhanced because the '07 has a bigger engine.

blazinginder

IMHO you're better of getting a certified 2005 SL600 or 55 as the engines wont be changing anytime soon (from what i know / have heard)...therefore as 07 models come out you wont see a big hit like you would if you were getting a SL500 the new SL550 causing great depreciation...so if you are willing to pay normal SL500 price or even a little less than that for a used SL55 or 600 thats the best bet in my opinion..

Stockinv

Are there any other changes on the '07 SL550 besides the larger engine?

JackStraw

wheel styles, tail lights, front fascia and grill

http://emercedesbenz.com/Jan06/17Det...LFacelift.html

Germancar1

And also they've tweaked the suspension and brakes for better handling and feel. The interior gets some upgrades and there should be some new interior/exterior colors also. I think the SL550 with 382hp is going to be a lot hotter than most think. With that kind of power on a standard Benz it almost seems like a dare I say a "bargain", at least withing the SL lineup it makes the most sense IMO. Now the new 510hp SL55 is even more capable now too. On Germancarzone there is thread/article in which the new SL55 was compared to the BMW M6 and it was actually 1.5 secs faster around the track than the M6!

M

Germancar1

Your White SL is gorgeous!

M

blazinginder

Thanks for the nice remarks, I try to keep it as clean as possible washing it almost weekly when weather is warm out and of course keeping it out of the rain

lorinserbenz

Id buy now and with all the money you save get some cool wheels or a SL65 front bumper.
The Sl550 is not going to set the world on fire. There wont be any discounts on the first few due to supply but wait two months and you will be able to get the same deal as you can get on a 500 right now.

MBZFAN55

As soon as they clear out the remaining inventory of '06's, the availability will increase and the discounts will be forthcoming. As nice as the SL550 appears to be, it is not a new model like the 2003, and will not have longterm pricing or availability issues.

allenjdmb

US consumers are fickle, short termed, and not extremely well informed, and the "new" SL won't look much different to Joe Lunchpail. The majority of the aggravations and bugs have been worked out of the SL, and the car is quite enjoyable to drive. Yes, there will be plenty of discounts in the not too distant future, as DC continues to devalue the brand by putting entirely too much product on the ground. Anyone else here besides me lose thousands of dollars at the beginning of the SL craze? It certainly can happen again.
Guess what really matters is how often you like to trade, and are you buying or leasing? If it's a long term commitment, then you'll need to make the determination based on that. For less than 10 grand, you could buy lots of nice accessories or performance enhancements that would give you a unique SL. But if you're paying by the month, ....gotta do the math and determine what works for you.

JackStraw

Wait.