Always liked new cars and I know many here have stated that they get such a good deal if one looks around for a used car with low mileage. Think I am beginning to see why after finding out that my 2013, great condition with 60K and virtually fully loaded is only worth around 33K max!!! WTF! Had no idea. That's serious depreciation. Not too enamored with the latest news of the 2020 SL being a 2+2 and cloth top and as some of you know have been waiting and waiting to see the new shape. Can I wait this out only to perhaps be disappointed? Hate black dashboards and so have limited choice with MB and now thinking of the GT as love the lines of the front(not so much the back) but again because my wife has broken her back, sure it wont be as comfortable as the SL550. Decisions. I just see nothing out there that has the comfort and style of our cars and with the looks but like another poster(streamlined?) has mentioned, Mercedes color choices for interior/trim and exterior are seriously lacking and I also want ABC! Bentley..too big, don't need huge seats in the back and dont like the front grill. Aston, not me..Ferrari, how comfortable?
What else is there? Still have my 05 customized Vette with 9K on the clock, so if I want to rip it, will do, but now want style, acceleration when needed but above all smooth ride with all the trimmings inside..Gone off point here a bit, I know, sorry.

 

S class cabriolet?

 

I have the E450 CAB and my wife and I absolutely love it. Smooth ride, lighter interiors and more color choices IMO than the SL and S CABS. Looked into the SL and was turned off by the old look and outdated screens and gauges. Test drove the E and was sold!

Like you, I was interested in the beginning in only the hardtop, until I experienced the soft. So quiet when top down and much better looking inside! Plus less weight and more trunk room. Just the right size as well. Plus, a hell of a lot less expensive in the long run.

 

It always makes more financial sense to buy MB's as CPO's (Certified Pre-Owned) than to buy one new. This is particularly true for higher end models like the SL Class, and the S-Class Coupe, Cabriolet, and Sedan. The greater the list price of the car, the greater the depreciation.will be.

My 2013 SL550 listed for more than $120K. I paid $44,900 when I bought it last year. Mint condition, with just !5K miles on it.

It was much the same story for the other (2) MB's in my garage....A 2006 CL55 AMG Coupe, and my wife's 2010 S-550 Sedan. Those were pristine, low mileage (CPO) purchases as well!

Can't see any justification for buying 'brand new' high-end MB's.

 

Higher end cars have higher depreciation. Another forum member drove his SL65 for 3500 miles and lost $110k in 2 years. Mid-level cars have a broader audience, hence lesser loss

To me, a top down car has to be a roadster. I am personally not interested in a cabriolet which has quite a bit more wind buffeting in the center between the 2 seats, even with the Air Cap feature. Plus its louder too.
To Rustybear3, I agree that the tech feels outdated due to the small screen but on a roadster I find the screen less relevant.

 

I kind of understand the E class over the SL. While looking to replace my R130 I looked hard at them. But I have been down the road of replacing a soft top on another car. Plus I just like roadsters. So I let someone else take the depreciation on a fully loaded 2013 SL. Personally I don't know how any one justifies purchasing new. Car listed at $131k and sells 6 years later for $37k you could never call that an investment, more like a wallet divestiture.

 

Well, if everyone follows your thinking, there won't be any new car sales
While you got a good deal on your car, the higher miles account for it not being in the $40's and the depreciation is standard across many models. 40-50% is standard within 3 years for many cars and 70+% after 6 years. The reason on higher-end models is simple. Most people that can afford to buy the cheap used car will experience budget-crushing minor repair bills as the repair costs are still based on a $100k+ car. Extended warrantees will also be beyond many so DIY for many tasks is the only way to afford them.
Same thing for all luxury cars and worse for exotics.

 

In my opinion, absolutely NOT! I test drove both a new S550 Cab & S560 Cab, and I must tell you that those cars drive like something twice their size, all bloated, mushy, ponderous and just plain BAD! My daily driver is an S560 sedan and it feels like a Ferrari compared to the S Cab. The SL is just a WAY better car, and way less expensive. Long in the tooth, crummy sound system, warts & all, there is nothing else on the market that offers what the SL delivers.

 

At some point, it comes down to more than just dollars and cents. I agree, CPO cars can be a hell of a bargain. However, there is something about ordering a brand new car and having it delivered just as you want it. Some folks will say it is throwing money away to buy new, while others, such as myself, will say that having a new car is a special experience and to get it, you have to pay to play. I’ve got a 2019 SL450 on order right now, which is supposed to arrive in May. I may keep it for many years—as I did with my 2004 SL500, that I kept for 12 years—or I might trade it next year for a 2020, if they offer some wonderful new color (fat chance), or I might go for the new 2021 model, I just don’t know. What I do know, is that I’m not getting any younger, you can’t take it with you, I’m like a kid on Christmas morning waiting for this new car and I can’t wait.

You know, I’ve had going on 65 brand new cars over my lifetime. “Lost” a ton of money on them, one might say, but I wear a Seiko watch that I have had for 25 years that I paid $135.00 for. Some folks spend their money one way, others spend it another way. All that matters is what you value and some of us value brand new cars.

Aw hell, I’m going to post another rendering of it, sorry, I just like looking at it.

 

Well said and I agree completely. What options did you order?

 

Every option except B&O Sound & Magic Sky.

 

I wouldn't order the B&O either, but I'm rather intrigued by Magic Sky....push a button and the sun goes out. Are you not just a little skeptical about the maintenance issues of ABC.....unless you'll get rid of the car within warranty? Last, which seats and which color? I'm planning on ordering a SL450 next year before MB switches to the 2+2 w/soft top...Diamond White, Porcelain/Black Napa (like the Ginger Beige seat option but NOT the Espresso Brown dash and doors), Black Ash, Wood/Leather Steering Wheel, Premium & DA Pkg., Soft Close Doors and, maybe, MSC.

 

I had a 2004 SL500 that I bought new. It, like all other R230 models, came with ABC as standard equipment. I kept the car for 12 years, put about 22,000 miles on it. The ABC pump went out once and was replaced under warranty, but other than that, I never had one problem with it. Now, ABC and similar systems such as MBC (Magic Body Control) that I have on my S560 sedan, have been around for many years and have been upgraded & improved to the point where I feel they are very reliable IF properly maintained. As for Magic Sky, the GM at my dealer said that he had to have three layers of tint material put on the underside of the Magic Sky roof on his wife’s SL, as here in Southern California, even at the darkest setting, she complained that it was too bright and too hot. As for me, my SL will be driven almost exclusively with the top down, so not even considering Magic Sky was a no-brainer for me.

We all have different tastes, so no choices are wrong, but I like the Ginger Beige/Espresso Brown interior BECAUSE the dash & other trim are BROWN and not black, as they are on every other interior choice.

 

So Cal sun is, undoubtedly, brighter and hotter than Virginia sun so I understand your perspective. My wife and I make long road trips from Maine to Florida and not every day is nice enough to put the top down on the C 300. Sally has a Lincoln MKX with the panorama roof and I've gotten used to (and like) having sky above me on cloudy days. Of course, that roof has a sun shade as opposed to MS. However, I was under the impression that the MS glass only allowed in a 60w light bulb's worth of heat on sunny days. Now, I know that's not the case and the rating was, no doubt, made for driving in New England rather than So Cal or FL. Live and learn. Thank you! I have to give that option some more thought.
And, you're absolutely right, taste is subjective so there are no wrong choices although I never understood why MB put white steering wheels on the 220's. I had a '59 220 S coupe and a '61 220S Cabriolet with white steering wheels. I had them both customized to match the burled walnut on the dash and door trim, I did, however, put the original wheels back on when I sold them.
BTW, why did you opt for the 450 instead of the 550 seeing as you had the former previously?

 

Living in Sunny South Florida, I haven't seen any 'heating issues' in my 231 that can be attributed to the Magic Sky Roof. Hard to understand why anyone would need to add 'more tint' than is already available via the Magic Sky's 'darkened mode'. I do have a light colored interior, (Ginger Beige/Espresso Brown), and perhaps that helps keep my 231 interior somewhat cooler than a 231 with an 'all black' interior would.

Keep in mind that sun shines through the (clear) windshield and side windows adding heat, even though UV glass is used in those areas, and anytime you leave the car 'parked' in the sun, it is going to warm up, but I don't think the Magic Sky Roof adds more heat to it.

Until you've experienced the Magic Sky Roof, it's easy to say it's something you can live without. In fact, I actually felt that way myself until I bought my current SL 550 and it just happened to have the Magic Sky Roof option.

Now, that I have had time to fully experience and enjoy it, I can say with confidence that I wouldn't ever want to own a 231 without 'Magic Sky' now. It's suits the character of the 231 so well, and adds to the enjoyment of the car when driving 'Top Up' with the A/C on here in hot and humid South Florida.

You'll also appreciate the 'cleaner look to the headliner' and 'extra headroom' by not having a 'roof slider' between you and the glass roof. (BTW, those roof sliders sometimes develop a 'rattle' after a few years, especially if frequently used. That happened with a previous car of mine, a 2005 CL500).

Bottom Line: I think the Magic Sky Roof is a 'great option' for the 231, no matter what climate you happen to live in, and I recommend it for anyone considering a 231 purchase. (Skip the B&O Sound System however, it's not worth the money, and same goes for the 'soft close' doors). .

 

After my 2004 SL500, I had a CPO 2013 SL550. I sold that car because like the vast majority of non-AMG R231 SL’s, it did not have ABC and I did not like the ride quality of the car. So, I test drove the SL450 on several occasions and to me, the car just feels so much lighter, so much sportier and with 362hp, it had way more power than I will ever need, so I opted for the V6. Mind you, I would have gone for the 450 even if it were the same price as the 550, but with a $20,000.00 lower price and EVERYTHING else exactly the same, well, that was just the icing on the cake.

 

That's fine for you guys wanting to buy a new SL. OP wants suggestions outside of the SL; he doesn't really want to buy another one.

 

Yeah, topic drift happens all the time, my apologies to the OP.

I didn't want a new SL either and took a look at pretty much every, higher end convertible out there. I thought I wanted a Bentley Continental GT until I drove one and pretty much hated it. The Porsche Carrera Cabriolet is a great car and there are tons of them on the secondary market. I decided against it, because it just isn't as comfortable as the SL. The Ferrari Porto Fino is a nice car, but very expensive and does not have all the collision avoidance systems that as an older gentleman, I find very appealing. The current Stingray has that same problem. I might have actually gone with a new Corvette if it had a full range of safety features, but it doesn't. So, round and round I went until I finally decided that the current SL450 had the most of what I was looking for in a convertible and I just love the retractable hard top. The R231 SL is far from perfect and a bit long in the tooth, but for me, it was the best choice.

 

Thanks for your perspective. I'll have to test drive a car with MSC to help me make up my mind. I think I'd like the "cleaner look to the headliner" Now, if MB had only provided concealment for the roof hinges as BMW does on their 4 Series, I'd be happier.
How do you feel about ABC? It operates on the same principle as Soft Close Doors?

 

Did you order the ABC option on the 450 or did you feel the ride, being "much lighter, so much sportier," negated the need for ABC?

 

Yep, I ordered ABC.

 

Beautiful car! And for those of us that can't afford to buy these cars new, we are grateful to those of you who can and wish you much enjoyment owning them.

 

Naturally you might experience a slight bias for the SL in the SL forum. No surprise here

The difficulty with offering easy options for Branmin's question is the complete lack of an equivalent roadster. There are simply so few that you can count them on one hand.

Most top down cars are cabs and 2+2's. To many of us, it's simply not a good option and frankly, it isn't as good of a top-down ride. Too much wind, too much noise and to my eyes they are not quite as attractive as their coupe brethren. The 911 is probably the best choice apart from next SL.
The Ferrari Portofino is the only hardtop 2 seater that comes to mind. Unlike the Cali T I find that one to be beautiful and a true option if the budget is not a priority. Unlike other Ferraris it will not hold its value so could be picked up at a decent price used.
For us it's not an option due to the nearest dealer being 420 miles away.

2 seater soft tops have the Jaguar F-Type and the AMG GT. No Astons at this time but I would consider the upcoming Vantage Volante. Now has Mercedes electronics and the AMG 4.0L engine which will increase the reliability greatly. Plus these cars are cheap to lease (at least the coupe).
The Jaguar is underwhelming in roadster form and too cheaply made.
The AMG GTC roadster is my favorite at this time. My wife also has back issues (2 spine surgeries) and has driven the car and seems ok with it. She is no real fan of the E63s because that car has an extremely stiff suspension, has the non-cushy performance seats and neck-snapping acceleration.
A beautiful classic roadster, fun to drive but bare bone compared to the SL which seems to be accused by many as being outdated. A typical $170k model won't even give you Distronic or lane assist (at any price). Forget about Apple CarPlay
Still, this is my next best choice...

 

I’ll just say that my first car was a 1956 Oldsmobile that was running on seven cylinders and had the front end smashed in when I got it. I rebuilt the engine and exchanged the fenders, bumper, etc. from parts I bought from a junk yard. I then had many used cars, before I bought my first new one, a 1975 Toyota Celica, which was really for my wife. My first new “car” was a 1978 Chevy Van that I drove daily, as I built up my business. Over those early years, I was fortunate to find several, very nice 911’s that I bought used, from owners who had babied them. Anyway, thank you for the good wishes. My father taught me to always take the best of care of things, so the cars that pass through my hands will always be real “finds” for their second owners.

 

Here's the thing. There is a reason the SL are probably going 2+2 in the new model with a soft top. Nobody is buying the present SL when you can have the GT model with more pizzaz for a little bit more. The new SL will probably also replace the S CAB model as well.

It's a shame they didn't Update the interiors to keep up with the beautiful exterior styling. Again, that's what turned my wife and I off from considering it. Plus, we didn't like seeing the hinges exposed in the interior portion of the top like that. Test driving it was fine on smooth roads, but encounter a rough road...mercy! You could feel every bump. Our car didn't have ABC.

Again, nobody can dispute the exterior styling as being among the best in roadsters. But IMO, it can't make up for the shortcomings of that interior. The big question is why MB? WHY? It's like having a beautiful house with crummy interiors and rooms....that's what you see mostly and live with. WE really wanted to love the SL, but just couldn't with these shortcomings. Again, it is a beautiful car to behold exterior wise! No doubt!

ps. Has the SL ever been crash tested in the US?