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The C8 convertible is starting to grow on me. I might be looking at one in about 3 years when the CPO on my SL expires. Watch the video on this forum when you have a spare hour:
The C8 convertible is starting to grow on me. I might be looking at one in about 3 years when the CPO on my SL expires. Watch the video on this forum when you have a spare hour:
Let me become the first unpopular person on this forum to say I think the design ugly in my opinion and looks like one of those transformer cartoon cars. I prefer smoother artistic lines. To each his own.
I somewhat agree it's not the most attractive car BUT for the money it's hard to beat the performance. I traded a C7 for my SL mainly because my wife hated it and missed our Z4 with a retractable hardtop. I tracked the C7 a few times and it was a hoot.
I somewhat agree it's not the most attractive car BUT for the money it's hard to beat the performance. I traded a C7 for my SL mainly because my wife hated it and missed our Z4 with a retractable hardtop. I tracked the C7 a few times and it was a hoot.
I guess it all depends on where one is in life. I don’t track cars and on the road there are very few places to really use a high powered car to its maximum safely so I do not understand 0-60 times one never uses. It’s actually amusing seeing Vettes driven on the freeway under the speed limit most of the time.
I just remapped the ECU on my ‘19 SL550 and at speeds under 35 you can’t keep the rear wheels from spinning flooring in S or S+ mode even with “Summer” tires so for me the SL outperforms any acceleration I could possibly need. Since I remapped the ECU the SL is faster than my son’s new Mustang GT and when I rally with 2 friends with 911’s I keep up with them on every road curve just fine.
I guess making decisions before actually driving the C8 is not fair but it would have to be substantially softer riding for me to spend bucks just to impress strangers on the road. The three I have driven were way too harsh for me. Time will tell on the new C8. At first they will sell like hot cakes.
With the magnetic ride suspension, reviews says it rides as well as the best sedans offered today. I am anxious to test drive one next year once they start arriving at the dealers.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I’ve owned many Corvettes. Overall, I like the new car, but am hoping that the bodywork will become a bit more refined over the next couple of years. I don’t care for part of the air scoops being on the doors. For me, as an older fellow, who knows that my reaction times are not what they were in my 40’s, I would not even consider a Corvette—or any other car—without a version of MB’s Driver’s Assistance Pkg. Yeah, yeah, I know, it’s a “driver’s car,” which is Ferrari’s excuse. I don’t care. A full slate of electronic safety measures should be standard equipment on EVERY new car. If folks don’t like them, turn them off. GM has the systems in their parts bins. Considering the age of many potential Vette buyers, they NEED to make them available on the C8. Here I am, just a few years ago , with one of my Corvettes.
I am amused at MB dropping the retractable hard top while the new Corvette will have the retractable hard top, according to the Leno spot, because it makes the car quieter and not look cheap like a rag top.....
The current Car & Driver just published a very positive article about the C8 and Motor Trend just awarded it their Car of the Year. It is a lot of car for less than $70k for the convertible. Still it is not an SL. The build quality of my SL is much better than the C7 I traded. I hope the C8 succeeds as America needs its own sports car.
Last edited by rmorin49; Nov 20, 2019 at 06:35 PM.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Along with the safety features I mentioned, it would be great if they produced a "softer" version of the car. Magnetic Ride dialed in for a better ride, more luxurious interiors, etc. I do wonder, just how easy it is to get in and out of.
I had a Lexus SC430 in 2002. I had been driving Lexus LS sedans for a few years and loved them. So, when I saw this odd looking convertible with a folding hardtop, I just had to have it. The car did not ride well. It was jittery and not at all buttoned down. The finish work was beautiful, but the V8 was lackluster. In 2004, while I still had the car, I got a 2004 SL500. Day and night better, in every way. I sold the SC shortly thereafter and kept that SL for 12 years. I know this new Lexus will have a great sound system and the latest electronic features, but it is ugly and could never take the place of my R231 dinosaur.
I'm looking to replace my SL whenever something "comes along" and so far I have found two contenders: The next-gen SL and the S cabriolet. The Lexus LC is not as good as the SL, the Bentley Continental is too difficult to find in the right spec and is a bit too expensive for what it is and the reliability is horrendous. The Porsche 911 is a great choice too, but it doesn't have the same comfort as the SL.
Hardtop convertibles will soon be a thing of the past. The Ferrari Portofino will be the last traditional hard top convertible on sale.
I had a Lexus SC430 in 2002. I had been driving Lexus LS sedans for a few years and loved them. So, when I saw this odd looking convertible with a folding hardtop, I just had to have it. The car did not ride well. It was jittery and not at all buttoned down. The finish work was beautiful, but the V8 was lackluster. In 2004, while I still had the car, I got a 2004 SL500. Day and night better, in every way. I sold the SC shortly thereafter and kept that SL for 12 years. I know this new Lexus will have a great sound system and the latest electronic features, but it is ugly and could never take the place of my R231 dinosaur.
What made you leave the Lexus LS and come back to the S-Class? I feel like after 2007 or so a lot of loyal LS buyers left once the S-Class started to clearly pull ahead in most areas.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by Germancar1
What made you leave the Lexus LS and come back to the S-Class? I feel like after 2007 or so a lot of loyal LS buyers left once the S-Class started to clearly pull ahead in most areas.
M
From 1993 through 2012, I had eight, new LS sedans. They were truly wonderful cars. The big change for me, was when Lexus lost their minds and went with the "spindle grill" design for 2013, which I found--and still find--to be hideous.
The thought of knowing that if I wanted a new Lexus LS, that it would look like something out of a cartoon, got me to test drive a 2012 S550 and I never looked back. I say that "I didn't leave Lexus, Lexus left me." That said, IF they ever
started producing beautiful cars again, I would certainly give them another look, but it doesn't appear that such an event is coming anytime soon.
I am amused at MB dropping the retractable hard top while the new Corvette will have the retractable hard top, according to the Leno spot, because it makes the car quieter and not look cheap like a rag top.....
That's one of the top things I like most about my SL, the retractable hardtop. After having several Corvette convertibles the hard top is way better that a canvas top. I know you sacrifice a little room but it is much quieter, better looking and even more secure than the SOFT top.
Sorry to see the new generation SL going to a soft top.
Plus, in my opinion, the SL is a "mature sports car" where the Corvette may be a better performer but a notch or 2 lower in style and class.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by 1sweet66
That's one of the top things I like most about my SL, the retractable hardtop. After having several Corvette convertibles the hard top is way better that a canvas top. I know you sacrifice a little room but it is much quieter, better looking and even more secure than the SOFT top.
Sorry to see the new generation SL going to a soft top.
Plus, in my opinion, the SL is a "mature sports car" where the Corvette may be a better performer but a notch or 2 lower in style and class.
AND, you have never lived, until you have had your luxury car fabric top sliced with a knife. That happened to my 1979 450SL. I fought with the insurance company and finally got them to allow for the ordering of a complete new fabric cover from the factory.
I had it installed at the top trim shop in the L.A. area and it still did not fit like the one that came with the car. It creaked and squeaked and was a nightmare. It would be one thing, if the SL had never come with a folding hard top. But the fact that it has
and the top was a hit, and now they are going backwards to a cloth top is just plain NUTS to me.
Stream - you are CORRECT re the Lexus "Spindle Grill" design - it is atrocious. I had progressed from the ES to the GS to the LS ... and then with the redesign, left Lexus ... and GLADLY found MB !!!
AND, you have never lived, until you have had your luxury car fabric top sliced with a knife. That happened to my 1979 450SL. I fought with the insurance company and finally got them to allow for the ordering of a complete new fabric cover from the factory.
I had it installed at the top trim shop in the L.A. area and it still did not fit like the one that came with the car. It creaked and squeaked and was a nightmare. It would be one thing, if the SL had never come with a folding hard top. But the fact that it has
and the top was a hit, and now they are going backwards to a cloth top is just plain NUTS to me.
Yes, exactly! I was always nervous when on a trip with the Corvettes and having it parked out at a hotel overnight. Paranoid? maybe. It would just take 1 idiot out there to easily ruin a weekend away.
Stream - you are CORRECT re the Lexus "Spindle Grill" design - it is atrocious. I had progressed from the ES to the GS to the LS ... and then with the redesign, left Lexus ... and GLADLY found MB !!!
I agree with you and Streamliner. Horrible grill. Reminds me of the anus of a baboon.
From 1993 through 2012, I had eight, new LS sedans. They were truly wonderful cars. The big change for me, was when Lexus lost their minds and went with the "spindle grill" design for 2013, which I found--and still find--to be hideous.
The thought of knowing that if I wanted a new Lexus LS, that it would look like something out of a cartoon, got me to test drive a 2012 S550 and I never looked back. I say that "I didn't leave Lexus, Lexus left me." That said, IF they ever
started producing beautiful cars again, I would certainly give them another look, but it doesn't appear that such an event is coming anytime soon.
Completey agree with your experience Stream. Totally loved out 2007 Lexus LS and the Lexus service was simply outstanding. But I just could not warm up to that atrocious new Lexus grill no matter how much I tried. Lexus left both of us and many others. That said, grateful that hideous grill led us to our current S & SL.
Let me become the first unpopular person on this forum to say I think the design ugly in my opinion and looks like one of those transformer cartoon cars. I prefer smoother artistic lines. To each his own.
As a life-long and current Corvette owner, I couldn't agree more...and the same goes for the C7. They've really cut the cord with me on the last two generations. Kirk Bennion (C7/C8 stylist) has admitted publicly that his main influence growing up was Hot Wheels, and boy does it ever show in the cars he works on.
Originally Posted by Streamliner
I’ve owned many Corvettes. Overall, I like the new car, but am hoping that the bodywork will become a bit more refined over the next couple of years. I don’t care for part of the air scoops being on the doors. For me, as an older fellow, who knows that my reaction times are not what they were in my 40’s, I would not even consider a Corvette—or any other car—without a version of MB’s Driver’s Assistance Pkg. Yeah, yeah, I know, it’s a “driver’s car,” which is Ferrari’s excuse. I don’t care. A full slate of electronic safety measures should be standard equipment on EVERY new car. If folks don’t like them, turn them off. GM has the systems in their parts bins. Considering the age of many potential Vette buyers, they NEED to make them available on the C8. Here I am, just a few years ago , with one of my Corvettes.
So, was that an L89 or an L68? I owned an L68 briefly...
Last edited by Dr. Manhattan; Dec 22, 2019 at 12:21 AM.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by Dr. Manhattan
So, was that an L89 or an L68? I owned an L68 briefly...
That car was an L68, 427, 400hp. Believe it or not, it was a Power Glide with most every factory option, including blue leather, headrests, A/C, bolt-on wheels, etc. I sold it to a fellow from Germany, who shipped the car there.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
, with one of my Corvettes. 
