Turbineguy

Howdy all,

I recently spent a week with the new SL550 courtesy of Mercedes' press fleet, and was thoroughly impressed by the car. I liked the retro touches on the car, and the power was thrilling, to say the least. I drove around looking for highway onramps just so I could floor the pedal and hear the exhaust note (it never got old) I'd like to hear from those who own this car, and those familiar with the SL550.

http://www.examiner.com/review/merce...assic-roadster

Regards,
Will

abiazis

I test drove the 2013 car twice and it rides great, modern interior, but lots of shiny buttons complicate things......

I can't get past the front end of the car's looks.......even the R230 face lifted SLs of 2009-2012 look much better than the 2013.......the R231 just does have the flowing design in person, just choppy.......wanted to like it, but it is subjective to each of us and I just don't.........

It is actually an ugly car now....IMHO......the AMG versions look better but the front end is still there........hard to love.....

Gunther

Completely disagree. I have a 230 and love it, but just put down a deposit to reserve a slot for a 2014 SL63. While I think the 230 is a a great looking car, the new noses of the 231 has an amazing level of aggression that the 230 never quite had - and its even more aggressive with the 231.

Can't wait to have the 2014's come online to finalize the order and then get the call that its ready and we can book our flight to Stuttgart to pick it up.

abiazis

I agree it is definitely more aggressive, just not as compatible with the rest of the car relative to the R230 as an overall design, as I view it and as others have expressed that are more trained in design than I am. The face-lifted cars were more aggressive also, but even they flowed better into the rest of the car.......AGAIN...and MOST importantly all subjective, just one person's opinion and it may just be a matter of time to get used to it, but it will never be seen as good looking....

Sort of like a chick with lots of well done make-up that looks pretty hot, but not like the girl with less make-up that is just flat out beautiful.....

SLS

Totally agree. The 230 was and is a natural beauty. First time I ever went through a, I must have this car. Fell in love at first site. Would like to trade the 2003 SL in for a newer model but I'm just not feeling it. I was hoping the 2013 would have fixed the front end, but it got worse. Sigh...

Well there's always 10 years from now, I suppose. Wish I loved the new front end as I love the SL and don't really want anything else. Just waiting for the natural beauty to come back.

Daytona-flyer

I still smile when I see my seven month old SL. The car is just a knock-out.

However, there is no accounting for taste.

Germancar1

Why wait for a 2014 model?


M

Gunther

I am a firm believer in not purchasing the first year of a new model; had a bad experience with another marque years ago, but the issues were worked out with the following year.

Even MB has their occasional flaws, the 2003 SL had issues with the seal around the trunk and many owners had trunks that leaked during heavier rains - but the problem was worked and resolved for the 2004 models. So better safe than sorry, I guess.