SL/R230: How long is the waiting list?
05-02-2003, 10:48 PM
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'05 Infiniti G35 Coupe
How long is the waiting list?
Hello, I'm sorry if this has been asked a million times or not but I did a search and nothing recent really came up. I had two questions. I'm in the Houston, TX area and my mom and I are looking at getting my dad a new SL500 for his 50th birthday. I went to the dealership tonight but got there after it closed so I couldn't get any information on the subject. I was just wondering how long the waiting list is right now and about how much over MSRP they are currently selling for. If anyone could be of any help, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks alot.
Last edited by Dernick; 05-03-2003 at 01:33 PM.
05-03-2003, 12:07 PM
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sl and M-class E320 4Matic SLK350
8 months or less if flexible
To get the SL equipped to your specs it is now 8 months at the downtown Mercedes dealership in Chicago which was recently acquired by the people who sponsor this board. They are a volume dealer and can deliver out of state or you can go there and pick it up and enjoy a nice ride home. If you are flexible though there are cancellations all the time and you could be in one within days if you are lucky. MSRP or less if you negotiate. Alternatively many dealers (including the one referenced above) have SL's on their floor "used" which are available immediately but you will pay a premium over MSRP for those. The one I saw at the Chicago dealership as of a few days ago is desert sand, and it sounds like black ones are usually available since that seems to be the most ordered color on the SL500. If you need the name of a salesman there who provided the above information to me feel free to PM.
Last edited by northbenz; 05-03-2003 at 12:12 PM.
05-03-2003, 01:29 PM
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'05 Infiniti G35 Coupe
Re: 8 months or less if flexible
Originally posted by northbenz
To get the SL equipped to your specs it is now 8 months at the downtown Mercedes dealership in Chicago which was recently acquired by the people who sponsor this board. They are a volume dealer and can deliver out of state or you can go there and pick it up and enjoy a nice ride home. If you are flexible though there are cancellations all the time and you could be in one within days if you are lucky. MSRP or less if you negotiate. Alternatively many dealers (including the one referenced above) have SL's on their floor "used" which are available immediately but you will pay a premium over MSRP for those. The one I saw at the Chicago dealership as of a few days ago is desert sand, and it sounds like black ones are usually available since that seems to be the most ordered color on the SL500. If you need the name of a salesman there who provided the above information to me feel free to PM.
To get the SL equipped to your specs it is now 8 months at the downtown Mercedes dealership in Chicago which was recently acquired by the people who sponsor this board. They are a volume dealer and can deliver out of state or you can go there and pick it up and enjoy a nice ride home. If you are flexible though there are cancellations all the time and you could be in one within days if you are lucky. MSRP or less if you negotiate. Alternatively many dealers (including the one referenced above) have SL's on their floor "used" which are available immediately but you will pay a premium over MSRP for those. The one I saw at the Chicago dealership as of a few days ago is desert sand, and it sounds like black ones are usually available since that seems to be the most ordered color on the SL500. If you need the name of a salesman there who provided the above information to me feel free to PM.
Last edited by Dernick; 05-03-2003 at 01:33 PM.
05-03-2003, 02:00 PM
#5
It seems like cars on the lot that were ordered by the customer but not taken are going for near MSRP.
However, if you plan on ordering and expect a car within the next 6 months, you might end up paying a few k above MSRP.
regardless, Its a good time to pick up the SL500 right now
However, if you plan on ordering and expect a car within the next 6 months, you might end up paying a few k above MSRP.
regardless, Its a good time to pick up the SL500 right now
05-03-2003, 05:19 PM
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'05 Infiniti G35 Coupe
We just went to the dealership and test drove the red 'pre-owned' SL500 they had on the lot. The salesman said that he could try and find one exactly like my dad wants (either black, white, or some pewter color) with whatever options they have, and if he can't find one, we are getting the red one on the lot.
05-03-2003, 05:43 PM
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2003 SL 500
Good luck and keep us posted!
Originally posted by Dernick
We just went to the dealership and test drove the red 'pre-owned' SL500 they had on the lot. The salesman said that he could try and find one exactly like my dad wants (either black, white, or some pewter color) with whatever options they have, and if he can't find one, we are getting the red one on the lot.
We just went to the dealership and test drove the red 'pre-owned' SL500 they had on the lot. The salesman said that he could try and find one exactly like my dad wants (either black, white, or some pewter color) with whatever options they have, and if he can't find one, we are getting the red one on the lot.
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05-03-2003, 09:50 PM
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sl and M-class E320 4Matic SLK350
Is it Magma red or the other red (firemist?)? Both look nice on the SL - definitely better than white. Black is just too common and hardly a car to have in hot Houston. The Pewter does look nice too. Your quoted price could be OK if enough options are included. Otherwise try to deal them down so your are not paying more than 5 thousand over MSRP. MSRP is the most dealers now will pay for a "used" SL500 so a $5000 profit may be understandable. Ask them to show you the paperwork evidencing what they paid for it if you need to.
05-04-2003, 12:29 PM
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'05 Infiniti G35 Coupe
Originally posted by northbenz
Is it Magma red or the other red (firemist?)? Both look nice on the SL - definitely better than white. Black is just too common and hardly a car to have in hot Houston. The Pewter does look nice too. Your quoted price could be OK if enough options are included. Otherwise try to deal them down so your are not paying more than 5 thousand over MSRP. MSRP is the most dealers now will pay for a "used" SL500 so a $5000 profit may be understandable. Ask them to show you the paperwork evidencing what they paid for it if you need to.
Is it Magma red or the other red (firemist?)? Both look nice on the SL - definitely better than white. Black is just too common and hardly a car to have in hot Houston. The Pewter does look nice too. Your quoted price could be OK if enough options are included. Otherwise try to deal them down so your are not paying more than 5 thousand over MSRP. MSRP is the most dealers now will pay for a "used" SL500 so a $5000 profit may be understandable. Ask them to show you the paperwork evidencing what they paid for it if you need to.
). There were two Magma red ones, the one we drove and on that they had just gotten in from another dealership. My dad is looking at the one they just got in. It's that red with the stone interior and has quite a few options on it. I don't have the list of them infront of me, but it's fairly loaded. Also, the salesman ended up being my grandmother's pool boy from like 20 years ago, and because he was so glad that my grandmother was still 'as sweet as ever', he's cutting us a really good deal on the car. I think it was like $3-4K over MSRP, and that was without any negociating. Also, because of that thing with my grandmother, he said Monday when we go finalize the paperwork for the one my dad wants, he'll 'lend me the keys' to the black SL55 AMG they have out front and I can take it for a little spin 
.ALso, I have a few questions about it for you guys. My parents keep argueing back and forth about it, so I'm going to see if you guess have any personal experience so I can stop magazine racing with them. My mom has a '01 Lexus GS430, and she and my dad keep argueing between them which one is faster, the GS430 or the SL500.Anyone here ever race an GS430? I know it's a good low 14's car in the 1/4 mile, seeing as I've brought it out a few times and judged it's performance compared to what I was against. Anyone else ever go up against one? I know the GS430 is significantly faster than the SC430 because of the weight difference. I know the SL500 isn't exactly a race car, but still, I'm just wondering if any of you guys have felt it's 'full potential' against a GS430 ever before.
Last edited by Dernick; 05-04-2003 at 12:39 PM.
05-05-2003, 05:57 PM
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'05 Infiniti G35 Coupe
Ok, he just went in to their 'sister' dealership on the other side of town to look at a black/charcoal one that has 4K miles on it and are asking $97K for. It has parktonic, bi-xenons, that Keyless-go thing, the ventitated seats, and the AMG sports package. Is $97K a good price for one like that?
05-05-2003, 06:17 PM
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2003 SL 500
that is a good price with those options. Does that 97K include local taxes, gas guzzler, luxury tax, tag, title, etc. Is that DRIVE OUT price?????????????????
Originally posted by Dernick
Ok, he just went in to their 'sister' dealership on the other side of town to look at a black/charcoal one that has 4K miles on it and are asking $97K for. It has parktonic, bi-xenons, that Keyless-go thing, the ventitated seats, and the AMG sports package. Is $97K a good price for one like that?
Ok, he just went in to their 'sister' dealership on the other side of town to look at a black/charcoal one that has 4K miles on it and are asking $97K for. It has parktonic, bi-xenons, that Keyless-go thing, the ventitated seats, and the AMG sports package. Is $97K a good price for one like that?
05-07-2003, 08:00 PM
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sl and M-class E320 4Matic SLK350
Tough choice
An extra grand for a SL500 with 3000 additional miles, but with better options? A tough call. I really like those ventilated seats and parktronic. The AMG package is overpriced in my opinion but if you like it you like it and probably have to have it. Sounds like neither vehicle has the panorama roof but maybe in hot Houston the top will be down most of the time anyway so less of a concern than up here in the cold north. IT probably goes down to red vs. black.
05-08-2003, 01:10 AM
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'05 Infiniti G35 Coupe
Ok, he ended up getting the black one for $97K. It has 4,100 miles and is in absolutely perfect condition. It has Parktronic, Keyless Go, bi-xenons, and the AMG package. Once I get back home early next week, I'll post some pictures of it.
05-08-2003, 11:34 AM
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2003 SL 500
congrats and welcome to the family
Originally posted by Dernick
Ok, he ended up getting the black one for $97K. It has 4,100 miles and is in absolutely perfect condition. It has Parktronic, Keyless Go, bi-xenons, and the AMG package. Once I get back home early next week, I'll post some pictures of it.
Ok, he ended up getting the black one for $97K. It has 4,100 miles and is in absolutely perfect condition. It has Parktronic, Keyless Go, bi-xenons, and the AMG package. Once I get back home early next week, I'll post some pictures of it.
05-09-2003, 09:41 AM
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'05 Infiniti G35 Coupe
Originally posted by northbenz
Sounds like a done deal though. Looking forward to the photos..by the way which interior?
Sounds like a done deal though. Looking forward to the photos..by the way which interior?
05-09-2003, 09:07 PM
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Congrats on getting your dad the new car!
I ordered my CLK from MB Houston North...
I asked the salesmen what the wait list was for an SL and he said 3 years.
I went a few weeks ago and they also had a Silver one used.
I saw that Black one that you bought at MB Greenway Plaza, I didn't think it would take too long to sell..
Post pics when you get a chance..
I ordered my CLK from MB Houston North...
I asked the salesmen what the wait list was for an SL and he said 3 years.
I went a few weeks ago and they also had a Silver one used.
I saw that Black one that you bought at MB Greenway Plaza, I didn't think it would take too long to sell..
Post pics when you get a chance..
05-10-2003, 12:16 AM
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'05 Infiniti G35 Coupe
Originally posted by playaplaya
Congrats on getting your dad the new car!
I ordered my CLK from MB Houston North...
I asked the salesmen what the wait list was for an SL and he said 3 years.
I went a few weeks ago and they also had a Silver one used.
I saw that Black one that you bought at MB Greenway Plaza, I didn't think it would take too long to sell..
Post pics when you get a chance..
Congrats on getting your dad the new car!
I ordered my CLK from MB Houston North...
I asked the salesmen what the wait list was for an SL and he said 3 years.
I went a few weeks ago and they also had a Silver one used.
I saw that Black one that you bought at MB Greenway Plaza, I didn't think it would take too long to sell..
Post pics when you get a chance..
At MB Houston North, we had 3 different salesmen tell us three different waiting list estimates; one said 8 months, one said 12-18 months, and another lady that admitted she didn't know much about the cars at all said that there was an 80 person waiting list and they got about 3-4 SL's per year. You do the math on that last one.
05-10-2003, 12:51 AM
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The one I saw was definitely not the one you purchased then..
As far as estimates, I had the same thing happen with my CLK...
3 different wait estimates from 3 different salesmen.
1 tells me 45-90 days
another tells me 60-120 days
the last tells me 8months...
MB greenway told me 90 days.
Funny.
As far as estimates, I had the same thing happen with my CLK...
3 different wait estimates from 3 different salesmen.
1 tells me 45-90 days
another tells me 60-120 days
the last tells me 8months...
MB greenway told me 90 days.
Funny.
05-12-2003, 10:28 AM
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2003 SL 500
Apples and Oranges 
The SL500 sure the hell looks better though.
BTW: I don't think that the gs430 can compete with the Vett Z06.
The SL500 sure the hell looks better though.
BTW: I don't think that the gs430 can compete with the Vett Z06.
Originally posted by J Lucas
I dont think the sl500 can compete with a gs430 stock for stock on the highway. The gs is just geared too strong.
I dont think the sl500 can compete with a gs430 stock for stock on the highway. The gs is just geared too strong.
