LovinMercedes

Well, as some of you may know my car stories go on forever and most are not happy endings. I know it is me but nonetheless that is all I have to work with. I can't help it if I want a car that works...most if not all of the time. Oh, I forgot to tell you that I can't handle not servicing my car perfectly the first time.

OK, so I am getting itchy and thinking about buying a MB although I swore to myself I wouldn't do it until they got their act together, which as we all know is not that time yet. Better yes, but not quite there.

SL65, clearly the winner, has the plushness of the SL600 and the sport from the SL55 and the power to beat all. So, obvious choice but I just can't believe I could spend almost $200,000 on a MB that looks like every other one on the road. Just don't see it being worth it.

SL600 for me...every time over the SL55 because I want the V12.

Bently GT...well, thats an obvious one. Gorgeous but do I really want to admit I am this old?

Do nothing and keep the Infiniti M45 which hasn't had even the slightest hint of a problem since I got it and the service is the best I have ever seen. Guaranteed...no problem car!

Hmmmm... what to do?

CY

If I remember right, on the phone you said you already had 3 R230 SL's over the last few years....I would get the GT or get a F-car/L-car and keep the M45. I know Astons are out of the question right...LOL

france2112

Have you considered the 07 S65. I was at Renntech last week and they had a fully loaded 07 S65 with beautiful 20 inch Lorinser wheels on the dyno. The new S65 is a work of art. Big, sporty, luxurious, and fast as hell. It is also upgradeable with the ECU and carbon fiber airbox if more HP is wanted. Price is approx. $190K. Expensive but this is the ultimate Benz. For some reason the Bently GT does nothing for me and it's not really that fast. It will probably hold its value better then Mercedes unfortunately. Good luck with your decision. The SL600 is amazing but you have been their and done that. Try something new.

Vik888

How about the SLR? Sure as heck won't look like anything else out there.

seattlecarfreak

i've been around and driven many vehicles.. including the new porsches, ferraris, etc.. and while yes. nice NOVELTY wise.. i honestly couldn't imagine giving up my SL.. it's just a perfect, easy ride every time... i think it's the ultimate GT car ever created..

yes as nice as the other NOVELTY exotic cars are.. like anything.. after a few months.. we all want something comfortable, desirable that we enjoy and are comfortable in.. without having to worry about sticking out like a sore thumb, appearing too pretentious, etc.. for me the SL embodies all of this..

just my opinion..

GMBALL

Get the Bentley, the best choice IMO.

Juice it

They always come back! Well, for my 2 cents I have a Bentley Cont. GT Convert coming in January that will hopefully live up to how I feel about my SL65. The SL is an awesome car and mine in particular has been great. That said, my only issue is that looks wise it just is lacking that something special a 196k car should have. If it maybe had gull wing doors and a more unique front end to seperate it from the rest of the SL line it would be perfect but it doesn't and the direct result is horrible depreciation.
As for the Bentley, unlike the Benz you can completely customise the interior to your liking and I would bet I won't see another that will look just like mine unlike the SL. From a driving perspective though, i don't see how anything can match the SL65 especially when you throw in a hardtop convert. I still haven't fully decided if I will flip the Bentley and keep my SL. The first car I really don't want to get rid of but I also don't want to ride it down to 100k.

StephenK

Sl600

FIXEDupW209

Instead of the bentley gt i would replace that choice with an Astom Martin db9 or AMV8

johnny5

All 3 are beautiful cars no doubt. I really like the Bentley GT but again the power isnt really all there. It really depends on how you want to drive. Comfortable the Bentley is the pick. Power and handling I would go with the SL's. Even though the SL's are common there still nice to look at. Good luck with your choice. Either way you picked out three of the nicest cars out on the market.

PA55AMG

I think you should get another SL, but this time you should go to a different dealer. I can't help but think that your ownership experience was tainted somewhat by your previous dealer. If anything, it would be a change.

I looked at the Flying Spurs recently, and I did like them very much, however I couldn't get past the obvious VW/Audi switchgear and heritage.

You could also go another direction and find a mint BMW Z8. They are pretty nice, and very exclusive.

Or... how about finding a nice old Gullwing?

seattlecarfreak

i personally am not impressed with the flying spur at all exterior wise.. i think the front and rear, are actually less attractive looking with their minor modifications than the original gt... sedan wise.. i think the maserati is the choice.. that is a beautiful sedan..

PA55AMG

We should not hijack Lovin's thread... I only mentioned the Flying Spur because of it's obvious similarities to the GT.

I have been too harsh on Lovin in the past and for that, I am sorry. I would like to have Lovin back in the fold.

I traded my SL (a regular 500) for the S55, but I miss the Sl all the time. It is still one of the few cars that turns my head every time.

Perhaps an SL600 with a personalized interior would fit the bill?


P.S--- saw a new SL550 today and loved the new taillights! LED-very cool!

mebeJOE

Wa wa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa wa waaaa waaaa waaaa

I feel so sad for you . . . poor guy can't figure out which awsomely expenisive car is right for him.

I can't believe this thread. I'm stifling myself right now. I won't tell you how I really feel.

lorinserbenz

Wow... arent we cranky..

Legit question IMHO..


Personally Id go Bentley GT..

sillydriver

Pay up for a Ferrari 599 or get the new Audi R8.

As for 600 v. Continental GT, they are completely different cars. I have both. The 600 (Renntech) is much faster, the GT plusher and more ostentatious. But then you already know this.

BTW, I’m moving farther from the Mercedes fold, thanks to poor service experiences and the styling of the new S-class. I just ordered an Audi W12 to replace the S500.

mjr24

You probably feel the same as when I see people who have nice cars (your profile says you have a 01 SL) and can't spell simple words such as awesomely and expensive.


Anyways, back to topic. I would go with the GT too. I wanted to get a SL55when I started SL shopping but I was not impressed enough to justify the huge price increase. The car looks the same, SL500 or SL55, especially if you have the sport package.

CY

Audi R8 looks crazy (audi gallardo)....Also the GT does not make you old. These new Bentley's are a whole new breed, I would love to roll one and I'm 26....you won't go exotic again? If I was in your shoes I get a F430 conv. and a nice luxury four door for everything else.

seattlecarfreak

As much as I love the gallardo and especially ferarri f430.. I could not imagine driving one of these on a daily basis.. I don't think it's a matter of being able to afford one.. the cars imho are just too damn flashy for daily driving... when i want to drive.. i have enough trouble as it is being left alone in a plain jane white mercedes.. i couldn't imagine dealing with the attention on a daily basis in an exotic..

i think this individual is looking for a daily driver.. and a f430/gallardo i don't think fit into those categories... weekend driver yes.. daily.. no.. even if they can handle it..

sometimes one wants to simply get into a nice car, relax, and not have to deal with everyone gawking at them.. that's i think the nice thing about the sl55/65.. blends in with traffic quite nicely.. but is just at lethal as the exotics.. that don't

CY

I know what you mean Seattle, however Lovin is the same guy who had a VANQUISH "S", and he was also considering a 911 turbo. He is not new to exotics and after having a very detailed conversation with him on the phone a while back, I think deep inside he has a need for speed and superior craftsmanship. I still think having a luxury 4 door and an exotic is the way to go, or the GT will do just fine.

LovinMercedes

Leaning toward the GT but no final decision yet.

GMBALL

I would really go for the Bentley. You're looking for an extremely comfortable, fast, prestigious and beautiful car for an every day use. Bentley Continental GT does all of that at the same time.

CY

I remember you saying that you would get Black on the GT, however there seems to be a few silvers/grays that really look awesome. I saw a dark blue one that was INSANE the other day...it was unique and IMO the best color I've seen on the car. Problem is it may have beem custom since it was completely tricked out with rims, kit. etc.

sillydriver

Mine is dark blue. Here is the link to pictures.

https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-r230/107131-impulse-buy.html

CY

AWESOME COLOR COMBO!