SL/R230: Anyone gone from a 911 (996) to an SL500?
07-26-2003, 09:37 PM
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997 C2S Cab
Anyone gone from a 911 (996) to an SL500?
My process went Audi S4 -> Boxster S -> M3 -> 911 C4S
My big question is have any of you come from a 911 and what were the reasons for switching? What do you miss about the 911? What do you NOT miss?
MTIA
Le Chef
My big question is have any of you come from a 911 and what were the reasons for switching? What do you miss about the 911? What do you NOT miss?
MTIA
Le Chef
07-27-2003, 05:35 AM
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SL500
SL500 -> C4S
Hi
I'm thinking of going the other way - SL500 to C4S.
I love the SL, but I've also always wanted a 911. So really its just about a change and seeing how they compare.
Suspicion is I will get more driving enjoyment from the 911, but the SL will always be an awesome thing to own. Reckon the SL will date much more than the 911 ever will though - just look at the image of the old R129 SL compared to say a 993 911. The SL may start to date around 2006-7?
The interior trim in the 911 is pretty naff though these days don't you think? Quite funny really that of all the VAG products - Audi, Seat, VW, Skoda and Porsche - the worst interiors are in the Porsche!
I'm thinking of going the other way - SL500 to C4S.
I love the SL, but I've also always wanted a 911. So really its just about a change and seeing how they compare.
Suspicion is I will get more driving enjoyment from the 911, but the SL will always be an awesome thing to own. Reckon the SL will date much more than the 911 ever will though - just look at the image of the old R129 SL compared to say a 993 911. The SL may start to date around 2006-7?
The interior trim in the 911 is pretty naff though these days don't you think? Quite funny really that of all the VAG products - Audi, Seat, VW, Skoda and Porsche - the worst interiors are in the Porsche!
07-27-2003, 05:47 AM
#3
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Except of course Porsche are not part of VAG Group, though I agree the interior of the 911 is pretty horrendous. The R129 does indeed look dated now, but you're wrong to compare it with the 993; it came out at least a year before the 964 which was the previous slab-sided generation.
You're correct that the 911 will never date, it already has. The endless make-overs of the 911 are just tedious and recent press comment is that the US market is beginning to tire of the product line - the Cayenne has bombed, the Boxster is old, and the 911 is older, not to mention the unfortunate 9-11 connection. You can walk into a dealer in the UK and get a healthy discount on the Cayenne and the product is, what, 6 months old? My view is that they should have conentrated on coming out with a new sports car instead of messing in a market they don't know.
You're correct that the 911 will never date, it already has. The endless make-overs of the 911 are just tedious and recent press comment is that the US market is beginning to tire of the product line - the Cayenne has bombed, the Boxster is old, and the 911 is older, not to mention the unfortunate 9-11 connection. You can walk into a dealer in the UK and get a healthy discount on the Cayenne and the product is, what, 6 months old? My view is that they should have conentrated on coming out with a new sports car instead of messing in a market they don't know.
07-27-2003, 06:04 AM
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SL500
True...
...not part of VAG, but they have pretty strong ties. 924 with VW LT van engine etc. Original Audi RS2 done by Porsche including 911 lights etc. Point is you might have expected Audi to have taught Porsche a thing of two about interiors by now (as Audi are arguably weltmeisters at it).
The 911 is dated, but in my view has dated very well. I still love it, and whilst I agree the 964 was a bit unfortunate (which is why I avoided mentioning it), the previous run out model 1989 G50 911 (same year as R129 SL) is a lovely classic. I like the 993 too and the current 996 in C4S/Turbo form is a beauty.
The R129 SL in contrast has a pretty negative image, and I reckon will never attain the semi classic status of the (Hart to Hart) SL before it and the true classic status of things like SL190s etc. The current SL230 may well fare better, but I can clearly remember thinking in 1989 when the R129 SL500 came out that it was the most awesome car ever made - in fact pretty much how I think of the R230 at the moment.
The 911 is dated, but in my view has dated very well. I still love it, and whilst I agree the 964 was a bit unfortunate (which is why I avoided mentioning it), the previous run out model 1989 G50 911 (same year as R129 SL) is a lovely classic. I like the 993 too and the current 996 in C4S/Turbo form is a beauty.
The R129 SL in contrast has a pretty negative image, and I reckon will never attain the semi classic status of the (Hart to Hart) SL before it and the true classic status of things like SL190s etc. The current SL230 may well fare better, but I can clearly remember thinking in 1989 when the R129 SL500 came out that it was the most awesome car ever made - in fact pretty much how I think of the R230 at the moment.
Last edited by NastyAluQuadra; 07-27-2003 at 06:07 AM.
07-27-2003, 06:14 AM
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
There are family ties - Ferdinand Piech, just retired head of VW was the nephew of Ferry Porsche and his mother ran Porsche distribution in Austria.
Agree with what you say. The 993 was for me the best 911, last of the air-cooled. Also that the R129 is never likely to achieve the same status as the R107 - if you look in the ads of the Mercedes Club magazine, it's R107s people want. The R129 is just too complex for people to contemplate having as a "fun" car
I thinking about how I could - somehow - sell my SL600 but at 72k miles, it's going to be tough to shift, and all I need is a major failure like morebhp's gearbox and I'll be in a real quandary...
Agree with what you say. The 993 was for me the best 911, last of the air-cooled. Also that the R129 is never likely to achieve the same status as the R107 - if you look in the ads of the Mercedes Club magazine, it's R107s people want. The R129 is just too complex for people to contemplate having as a "fun" car
I thinking about how I could - somehow - sell my SL600 but at 72k miles, it's going to be tough to shift, and all I need is a major failure like morebhp's gearbox and I'll be in a real quandary...
07-28-2003, 12:38 AM
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2010 E63, Iridium Silver, Black, Dark Ash, Distronic Plus, Night Vision, Premium
Carrera 4S vs SL500
I had a brief passsing thought about getting back into a Porsche.
My choice would have been the best normally aspirated 911 ever made, the 2003 4S.
Idrove it, and bought the SL.
It's like my firend the MB salesman said: a Porsche? Well it's a car a lot of my customers once had...
My choice would have been the best normally aspirated 911 ever made, the 2003 4S.
Idrove it, and bought the SL.
It's like my firend the MB salesman said: a Porsche? Well it's a car a lot of my customers once had...
07-28-2003, 02:13 AM
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2109 S450, 2015 S5502012 S320,2009 S550, 2009 GL450, 2006 Sl500 2003 Sl 500 sold 2002 G500 Sold 2000
I sold my 2000 996 cab and got a 2003 Sl500 in January 2003.
I loved my 996, but after two years, I wanted more comfort. Porsche is a real sports car, it accelerates and corners like no other car I have driven before. But there were a few things I disliked about it: Although seats were very comfortable for high speed driving and cornering, sometimes I just wanted more comfort, there was no space to put a cell phone, keys and other small things, and yes I wanted a cup holder (starting in 2002 Porsche added cup holders). The SL feels just as fast as Porsche did, but it is feels more comfortable (I got ventilated seats and comfort package). There is plenty of storage, Navigation is standard as well. The roof is great, it is silent in up or down position, and in up position it feels like a regular coupe. Porsche always made noise in either position. I feel for the money you get more comfort and convenience with SL even though my Porsche had full leather, CD changer, heated seats and other options. I enjoyed my Porsche but for daily driving I prefer SL500. Sometime in the future I will get another Porsche convertible, but it will be a weekend fun car.
I loved my 996, but after two years, I wanted more comfort. Porsche is a real sports car, it accelerates and corners like no other car I have driven before. But there were a few things I disliked about it: Although seats were very comfortable for high speed driving and cornering, sometimes I just wanted more comfort, there was no space to put a cell phone, keys and other small things, and yes I wanted a cup holder (starting in 2002 Porsche added cup holders). The SL feels just as fast as Porsche did, but it is feels more comfortable (I got ventilated seats and comfort package). There is plenty of storage, Navigation is standard as well. The roof is great, it is silent in up or down position, and in up position it feels like a regular coupe. Porsche always made noise in either position. I feel for the money you get more comfort and convenience with SL even though my Porsche had full leather, CD changer, heated seats and other options. I enjoyed my Porsche but for daily driving I prefer SL500. Sometime in the future I will get another Porsche convertible, but it will be a weekend fun car.
