pinoyamg

Whenever I buy a car, I often have a hard time selling them either to a dealership or a private party. I ordered my car in 03 thinking that this is probably the best performing benz out there. It was until the 65's. Now there's a lot of 65's for sale and I am tempted to buy one but I do not see any reason to unload my sl55 for a 65. Yeah and obtw, unload an additional 50K - 60K out of the checking account for an additional 111 hp. I've had the car now for a year and I still enjoy it. Just as a survery, how long do you expect to keep your sl55?

CASL55

2 or three years. I'm thinking about an M6 in 2007. Or maybe not. I'm liking my SL55, but it's fun to think about what might be next.

If I go with the M6, it'll be hard to give up the wind-in-the-hair experience. Yeah, I know there's talk about a convertable, but I don't like rag tops. The SL65 doesn't tempt me because of the extra weight, and it's all in the nose where the SL55 is already too heavy.

Jim

Schiznick

You really need to go and drive a SL65. If money is not an issue then you will never look back! I went from a SL55 to the SL65. You will not notice the slight weight advantage of the 65 one bit and the car will flat run away from a 55. My 65 is over 1 second faster than my 55 in the 1/4 mile.

Every time I get in my CLS55 after driving the 65 I am amazed at how I want the car to be faster..........

It is not just the additional HP, it is the whole package.

If you are around ATL youre welcome to drive mine.

Enjoy

pinoyamg

Yeah, I considered the M6 myself, should handle well, good engine but not a convertible! I chose the mb mainly for the versatility of the car. It may not have the exotic car pedigree as a f430, the nimbleness of an M6 or a porsche or the muscular appearance of a vanquish but overall, the sl55 seems to hit close to bullseye on its performance, luxury and style. And its a convertible too! Not to mention price! It's hard to come across another car with similar stats and luxurious appointments for the same price.

pinoyamg

Hey shiznick, is your 65 your daily driver? How long do you intend to keep her?

WIldcat465

I'll only keep my car until the warranty expires.

CASL55

Hard to argue with that. Why I bought it, and why it'll be hard to give it up. OTOH, I get bored easily...

Jim

CASL55

What a generous offer. Unfortunately, I'm on the left coast.

Jim

IanSL55

I think once the new SL comes out mine will be gone...

~ Ian

blueSL

Agree with Ian. I'll keep my SL55 until the next SL comes out. I'm not driven to participate in the small model increments from year to year because there's not enough new to make the change worthwhile and fire my interest. As for performance, the SL55 provides me with all the performance I can use safely on the roads so I've no use for an SL65.

Instead, I prefer to dip into different manufactuers. Aston Martin next, then F430... which should take me nicely to the R231.

Schiznick

I had 10,000 miles on my first SL65, I am now on my second. Yes, I use it as my daily driver. I have a CLS55 for when I need to carry more than 1 additional person.

PM me for more details.

Schiz

v8plus4

If you don't mind my asking, what is a 10,000 mile SL65 worth at trade-in time?

Schiznick

I really don't think I would be a good example as I buy many AMG cars. I have hear it is all over the board for even low mile cars.

I know of a couple of new SL65's that can be bought slightly under MSRP.

Dealers seem to be paying auction prices at trade and then trying to sell the cars for full retail on the floor.

CL65 seem to be where the real deals are right now. I am hearing 10K - 15K off MSRP for new ones.

Send me a PM for more info.

Schiz

pinoyamg

Schiz, would like more info but apparently can't PM U since your mail is full. Would like more info on a possible move up to a 65.

pinoyamg

I gather most people will end up with the new model in 06 or 07, I've got a question. How many have leased their sl? I have been a buy and hold person but my curiosity and love for cars has ended up with me needing a bigger stable! (Which is already on the drawing board!) Don't think that taking the depreciation on a 2 or 3 year benz is better than a lease.

IngenereAMG

I think that I will keep my SL55 for quite some time. I am not one to trade for the latest bling, bling toy. The 55s performance on the road and track have been outstanding.

The only thing that I will do is I won't buy new. I am used to the Ferrari philosophy of underproducing as compared to demand. This keeps values high. I don't think that MB shares those ideals...therefore...depreciation....mark downs, etc. It would have been smarter to buy used....but I still love the car and I haven't run into anything that can catch me at the track or a windy road yet!

CASL55

Not I. I like to have a lot of flexibility as to how long I own the vehicle. IMO, lease rates fairly anticipate eventual valuations, unless the manufacturer has too many vehicles in the pipe, and is trying to lower the price without officially lowering the price (cf 2003-4 745s).

Jim

AMGgirl

I will keep mine until the new model comes out I guess...I just recently got the SLK55 and even though these cars are similar, I still drive the SL as much as I did before the SLK came along.

Schiznick

Sorry about that, I have resolved my PM issue! Fire away

pinoyamg

AMGgirl, just out of curiosity, why two roadsters? I can see the Gallardo, benz truck but the slk?

Juice it

What happened to the black wheels you had on the SL? They looked sweet!


Jeff

AMGgirl

I took the black wheels off for the winter. The car was in storage anyway. I had to order a new wheel from HRE due to a wheel repair mishap. I should have the black one's back on soon.

AMGgirl

I have lost my mind. The SL is my favorite car of all time but I had to have the SLK when I saw it. (impulse buy) The two are similar, but I like the SLK more. It is so small and cute

sprins

Say AMGgirl, are those the 19" AMG Style III wheels on your SL? If so, how do they ride? I'm guessing they are lighter than the Style IV multipiece wheels, if so the Style III should ride better than the Style IV.

And do the Style III wheels have a wide lip on the rear wheel (deep dish)?