Probably not. Once you go over $150k, things start to get interesting for other rarer brands. Justifying that much money on a daily driver (at least for me) is hard to do..
I would have, especially if there were things that justified the higher price. I think first on the list would be a fabulous audio system. Others would include a surround view camera system, more available options, such as the ceramic brakes, a solid metal, retractable roof without the glass panel, a color palette similar to Bentley for both the interior and exterior, the option of having the “sport” bodywork or a “non-sport,” more elegant look, etc.
When I bought my 2019 SL450, I was in a position where I could have gone for a car two or three times the cost of the MB, but at the end of the day, I found no other car that I wanted more. Wish it were Mars Red. Wish the interior color were a few shades darker. Wish it had a more attractive front end. Wish the audio system was pleasing to my ears. Oh well. I still love it, warts & all.
Well, since I buy almost every car used, the new MSRP is of little relevance. My 2013 SL63 had an MSRP north of $165k and I purchased it for a little more than 40% of that number.
I highly doubt that I'd buy any car north of 6 figures. I would rather buy 2 or 3 used cars that *had been* of that price point.
Well, since I buy almost every car used, the new MSRP is of little relevance. My 2013 SL63 had an MSRP north of $165k and I purchased it for a little more than 40% of that number.
I highly doubt that I'd buy any car north of 6 figures. I would rather buy 2 or 3 used cars that *had been* of that price point.
There are so many truly fabulous cars available previously owned. That said, somewhere along the line, many years ago, I got addicted to new cars. MB allows for reasonable customization when ordering a car and I find the idea of ordering a car just as I want it—or at least as close as they will let me—irresistible. Pick the colors, the options and then sit back and wait for “your” car to arrive, exactly as specified. I know it is money lost the minute I take delivery, but I find value and great pleasure in the experience. Here’s a photo of the day I first set eyes on my Mighty Mouse.
My answer is a definite NO. We bought our SL off a Mercedes lease program at three years old for about half of what the new retail was. When we were shopping, it was very evident that these cars depreciate pretty fast for the first couple of years.
We buy a vehicle because we like it and we buy pre-owned late model. The SL came off a Mercedes lease program, the Expedition was special ordered for the dealership owner's wife, the Enclave was bought new by a family member and we bought it from them.. I don't like taking the hit of a brand new vehicle.
Also, the new SL does not meet the "like it" criteria. I will never own one. I like my 2017 better from what I have seen.
Our only regret, we did not buy our first SL 30 years ago. I would probably be on my third, fourth, or possibly 5th SL by now.
Our 2017 SL is the most enjoyable vehicle we have ever owned (excluding the Trabant quality audio system). We purchased our 2017 CPO in 2018 with just 2,800 miles on the clock, 35% off the MSRP. First "used" car we had purchased in 50 years - the discount and the mileage was too tempting to resist. 36 months later, no repairs of any consequence. Would I buy the new SL at $150k? That cloth top makes it a hard no. The most important lessons I have learned when purchasing an SL: there is always a large selection of extremely low mileage, deeply discounted CPO SL's for sale to choose from. These are beautiful, fun-to-drive vehicles. They do require substantially more financially to properly maintain & service, but that should come as no surprise to anyone.
Our only regret, we did not buy our first SL 30 years ago. I would probably be on my third, fourth, or possibly 5th SL by now.
Our 2017 SL is the most enjoyable vehicle we have ever owned (excluding the Trabant quality audio system). We purchased our 2017 CPO in 2018 with just 2,800 miles on the clock, 35% off the MSRP. First "used" car we had purchased in 50 years - the discount and the mileage was too tempting to resist. 36 months later, no repairs of any consequence. Would I buy the new SL at $150k? That cloth top makes it a hard no. The most important lessons I have learned when purchasing an SL: there is always a large selection of extremely low mileage, deeply discounted CPO SL's for sale to choose from. These are beautiful, fun-to-drive vehicles. They do require substantially more financially to properly maintain & service, but that should come as no surprise to anyone.
Sure. We would and did, sort of.
Our R230 SL55 was nearly $130k when purchased in late 2002. That is north of $180k in adjusted Dollars.
Our R231 SL's were also all over $120k, all new. Well worth it Our GTC list was close to $180k even with a soft top , also new. Even more worth it. We were lucky to negotiate nice deals on all but in the end we would have taken them at list.
I think the used car comments are not a relevant to the question. For anyone buying a used car for a deal, someone else found it worth to be buying that car new. So that question really goes to them.
For the used car buyers, the questions will just be different: Would you spend $50k for a 5 year old SL or $20k for a 10 year old one? Half the people will say yes, the other will say no
This thread sheds light on why the DIY content in this forum is low!
Not necessarily. It simply is an example of a trouble-free design. The R231 is now 9 years old and there are virtually no issues with these cars.
This was very different with the older R230 where people were inundated with significant repairs just a few years in.
People saw used car bargains but didn’t realize the complexity and costs of maintaining these cars. Hence DIY…
I grew up when the SL was a sign of success, if you had one, you knew you "made it". Back in its heyday it really was a gentleman's thoroughbred. Then they redesigned it from the R129 to the R230 and I felt it lost something in translation. It was a fine car but for some reason wasn't special anymore. It seemed to get worse from there with the new R231. Don't get me wrong, I still bought a new 2013 SL63 but mainly because it was a great deal, not because I loved the car. The current 231 redesign has the car looking good, maybe a step beyond acceptable but not WOW. The GTC is a fantastic looking car inside and out. I would have certainly went that route but I was looking for more of a cruiser vs sports car (rougher suspension). For me I would miss the hardtop but in practice my top only goes up to clean the car. If they manage to cleanly evolve the GT looks and give an SL like ride quality option then I'd be in for $150k.
...I think the used car comments are not a relevant to the question. For anyone buying a used car for a deal, someone else found it worth to be buying that car new. So that question really goes to them.
For the used car buyers, the questions will just be different: Would you spend $50k for a 5 year old SL or $20k for a 10 year old one?...
This is the core of the question for those of us who actually do have to consider the cost/value conundrum. With this in mind, my answer to the question of whether I'll be willing to spend $50-60 on a 232 in five years is...hell no. The rag top and back seat are the absolute "nail"...for me. So hell no at any price. In four or five years, if I'm feeling the itch for a "new" SL, I'll be looking at 2020s.
It's a no go for me. I have owned both hard top convertibles (SL, SLK, Lexus SC430, Lexus IS, and 428 BMW) as well as soft (CLK, Miata, Saturn Sky). I would never even consider another soft top convertible, that is a deal breaker for me. So if I replaced my current 2017 SL550, it would be only be with a 2020 SL (wouldn't care that much whether it was a 450 or 550) or a 2020 S560 Coupe.
Wicked, give us an explanation of why no soft top. I know all the usual answers, my question is what negative experiences that YOU have had with soft tops. Thanks.
Wicked, give us an explanation of why no soft top. I know all the usual answers, my question is what negative experiences that YOU have had with soft tops. Thanks.
I'm not Wicked but feel the same way based on my experience. I had an E350 cabriolet that was a fantastic car but did give me a scare when a cable used to raise/lower the top just popped out of it's place in the trunk. I was able to repair it myself. I also had an Audi A5 convertible; the back glass just fell in and Audi said the only fix was replacing the entire top, around $4,000.
Around 1981, my 1979 450SL was parked behind my business. Someone slit the top, unlocked the car and ripped out the radio. The top was replaced with a complete, factory unit. The installation was done by a fist class trim shop that did work for MB of Beverly Hills. The new top cost a small fortune, looked great, but it creaked, squeaked and was forever after very annoying.
Fabric tops deteriorate fairly quickly, no matter how one babies their car. The new SL may be a great car, but discontinuing the retractable hardtop is truly unforgivable, IMHO. I know all the reasons why and to all of them I say PHOOEY! They cut corners, pure & simple. I would have rather seen them simply retire the SL line than dilute it as they have done. No retractable hardtop, two virtually useless rear seats and a detachable wind screen: M-I-C (won’t) see you real soon, K-E-Y Why? Because we (don’t) like you, M-O-U-S-E!
Wicked, give us an explanation of why no soft top. I know all the usual answers, my question is what negative experiences that YOU have had with soft tops. Thanks.
A few reasons:
1) Maintenance/wear and tear - I hate washing soft tops and also have seen numerous ones on the road that visibly degraded over time. I never kept any of my cars long enough for mine to do so, but have seen evidence of them.
2) Temperature - I have no empirical evidence for this - just my "gut feeling" but I hate being hot and I live in Southern California where routinely it gets to the 90s and above in the summer. Every time I had a soft top the car was an oven when I got inside of it. Hence...my reason for searching tirelessly to finally get an SL with Magic Sky.
3) Security - I am married to a police commander and as long as I want the household to pay my car payment it won't be on a soft top. All it takes is one thief or vandal to slice it...
4) Appearance - My CLK was white with a black top, my Saturn Sky was black with a black top, the Miata was Tiffany blue with a beige top. Other than the Saturn's black on black, I hated the visual of the car's appearance being broken up by a different color top. Hardtops have the same metal color as the rest of the car.
5) Safety - Finally, the CLK did not have this problem but both my two seater roadster soft tops were almost impossible to see out of with ridiculous blind spots. No hardtop convertible I ever owned had this issue - usually due to the addition of a small glass window like on the SL.
So for all of the above reasons, soft tops are a no go for me.
1) Maintenance/wear and tear - I hate washing soft tops and also have seen numerous ones on the road that visibly degraded over time. I never kept any of my cars long enough for mine to do so, but have seen evidence of them.
I would hate a soft top just for the car washing alone. My top almost never is up, it's a 3rd car and we don't take it out unless the weather is supposed to be nice. Washing the car and then having to keep the top up until fully dry would stink. Plus keeping the top down months on end can't be good for fitment on a cloth top...
Our Volvo convertible had a tan colored top. The car was a maroon with tan top and beige interior. It was a nice combo, but the top got discolored with some dark spots that never came out no matter what I did.
Maybe MB will only offer black, but one of my buddies had a Corvette with a black top which created another problem with heat.
I know sales slipped on the SL and they felt they needed something different, but I think it will be short lived. They can stick SL numbers on the trunk, but that won't make it one. It is history.
I guess I will judge the new SL on what it is and not what it is not
If the package works we may get one, if not we will have to pass. The problem, as before, is that this market is so small that there are not many viable choices. A Bentley certainly isn't one nor is an Aston Martin. Jaguar, no way and neither is the BMW 8 Series cab (will likely get the ax in time). So maybe a Portofino or a 911 cab or the whole slew of mid-engined variants.
I still find this car still has a unique place in this small niche...
I guess I will judge the new SL on what it is and not what it is not
If the package works we may get one, if not we will have to pass. The problem, as before, is that this market is so small that there are not many viable choices. A Bentley certainly isn't one nor is an Aston Martin. Jaguar, no way and neither is the BMW 8 Series cab (will likely get the ax in time). So maybe a Portofino or a 911 cab or the whole slew of mid-engined variants.
I still find this car still has a unique place in this small niche...
AND, I believe I heard that Ferrari will be adding electronic safety measures, such as automatic emergency braking, etc. If they do that, the Portofino, with its gorgeous lines and retractable hardtop, certainly goes to the top of the list, but it certainly is pricey to buy, not to mention maintain.
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.
