SL/R231: What do you think?
03-08-2023, 04:06 PM
#26
I'm not sure of the logic as most of the people you describe have at least a sun or panorama roof on these cars. Maybe they never open it, I don't know. We were out two days ago in Eastern TN with the top down and had two people stop at traffic lights and compliment on us on the car. Happens everywhere we go. I drive my new E63s and only occasionally get a thumbs up from an enthusiast. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. We would have been buyers if the new model suited our eye. It did not so we will keep what we have and are very happy with the decision.
I couldn't agree with you more. I've read all of the reviews of the R231 when it first came out and the press bashed it for its looks. Be that as it may I constantly have folks comment on the car, especially younger ones. I teach at an SEC university and this week had a group of young co-eds tell the me car was "slay," (which is today's "cool"). This week I let one of my students take the car, top down, to pick up one of our larger donors. I just watched as she drove away and marveled at how great the car looked. I was even asked to drive Miss Mississippi in our Christmas parade.
Don't know whether the cars will increase in value, doubt they'll go down. But I don't have the cash or savvy to buy cars as investments. I buy them because I like the experience of driving them. I still smile some days when firing up my SL550. That's good enough for me...
Happy Motoring!
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03-08-2023, 05:09 PM
#27
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Well, I thought we were talking about convertibles in general, but it doesn’t matter. Both Porsche & Ferrari produce those “toys” as you refer to them and they are raking it in. Here is South Orange County, you see more Porsche sports cars & Ferrari’s with convertible tops than coupes, by a pretty wide margin.
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03-08-2023, 05:43 PM
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Well, I thought we were talking about convertibles in general, but it doesn’t matter. Both Porsche & Ferrari produce those “toys” as you refer to them and they are raking it in. Here is South Orange County, you see more Porsche sports cars & Ferrari’s with convertible tops than coupes, by a pretty wide margin.
03-09-2023, 04:43 PM
#29
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My top went down after golf today. The sun was shining and with heated seats and air scarf, I was very comfortable cruising home even with temps in the upper 50s. For those of us living in places like SoCal. most days are good for top down driving, But when it is not, it sure is great to have the hardtop. Moving to a soft top, like the new SL, puts them in a class with the BMW roadster giving potential buyers other choices. Also, having had many soft top convertibles, there is no way you can keep them looking great over time and the more you take them up and down the worse they look. The R231 is pretty hard to beat with its comfy seats and large trunk space when the top is up. Even down a golf bag fits. For some of us it is nearly perfect.
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03-09-2023, 09:14 PM
#32
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Considering the US car market is 15-17 million units per year, the SL and AMG-GT are nothing burgers volume-wise, and sinking in volume each year.
Retractable roof, whether hard or soft top and 2-seat or 2+2 seating vehicles are toys and not meaningful in the wider auto business.
03-09-2023, 09:24 PM
#33
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if so shouldn’t that make our hardtops go up in value since we are the last? Everyone keeps saying not likely, or no, but it seems like it should. They should become classics.
Porsche 911 sells far more units than SL and AMG-GT combined. Ferrari and Lambo sell in the same volume range in the US as SL+AMG-GT.
Considering the US car market is 15-17 million units per year, the SL and AMG-GT are nothing burgers volume-wise, and sinking in volume each year.
Retractable roof, whether hard or soft top and 2-seat or 2+2 seating vehicles are toys and not meaningful in the wider auto business.
Considering the US car market is 15-17 million units per year, the SL and AMG-GT are nothing burgers volume-wise, and sinking in volume each year.
Retractable roof, whether hard or soft top and 2-seat or 2+2 seating vehicles are toys and not meaningful in the wider auto business.
Last edited by ThatsMyDawg; 03-11-2023 at 06:34 AM.
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03-09-2023, 10:07 PM
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SL sales are going down because no one wants to buy them.
Prices go up for depreciating assets (like cars) if they are "special" and in impeccable condition. The 300SL is special. The R231 SL450 with Airmatic is not special.
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03-10-2023, 02:50 PM
#36
The late 80s 560SL's are going for big money on Bring a Trailer. They tend to be low mileage, well cared for vehicles but, from a performance standpoint, are nothing special. I've owned a couple and love them but would not trade my R231 for one with equal (19,000) miles. I say that to say I personally think nice examples of the R231 will find interested buyers willing to pay. What that price point is I have no idea...
03-10-2023, 03:26 PM
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The late 80s 560SL's are going for big money on Bring a Trailer. They tend to be low mileage, well cared for vehicles but, from a performance standpoint, are nothing special. I've owned a couple and love them but would not trade my R231 for one with equal (19,000) miles. I say that to say I personally think nice examples of the R231 will find interested buyers willing to pay. What that price point is I have no idea...
