SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: SL65 or... Ferrari, Lamborghini?
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SL65 or... Ferrari, Lamborghini?
I know there is going to some bias with asking this question here but I'll try anyway. Not that I'm incapable of making such a decision but I'm relatively young and new to the exotic cars.
I've test driven a SL65 for about 60miles on my own and coming from a SL55 I'm not quite sure the difference is worth the extra money. So I'm considering a used Ferrari 360 Spider or a Gallardo. Now I understand straight line performance the SL65 comes out on top however I'm not sure that is the primary concern for me since I rarely have a chance to use that type of performance. I guess I'm asking this forum because I'm sure a few of you have owned these vehicles and would be able to give me some real life experiences and valuable input.
I guess I'm not looking for stats on performance but more on experiences with dealer network, service, what the TCO is or rough maintence expectations. I'm frustrated because anyone I've asked say "If you have to ask you can't afford it" which to me is a ridicoulous statement.
The role of this vehicle is purely a weekend toy and possibly driven a few times during the week. I wish I knew where a good Ferrari forum is...
I've test driven a SL65 for about 60miles on my own and coming from a SL55 I'm not quite sure the difference is worth the extra money. So I'm considering a used Ferrari 360 Spider or a Gallardo. Now I understand straight line performance the SL65 comes out on top however I'm not sure that is the primary concern for me since I rarely have a chance to use that type of performance. I guess I'm asking this forum because I'm sure a few of you have owned these vehicles and would be able to give me some real life experiences and valuable input.
I guess I'm not looking for stats on performance but more on experiences with dealer network, service, what the TCO is or rough maintence expectations. I'm frustrated because anyone I've asked say "If you have to ask you can't afford it" which to me is a ridicoulous statement.
The role of this vehicle is purely a weekend toy and possibly driven a few times during the week. I wish I knew where a good Ferrari forum is...
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If you're looking for a weekened toy get a used 360CS and Novitec it! You'll have both power in the straight line and nimble cornering ability! 
Although it'll probably cost you around or close to $300k.
Although it'll probably cost you around or close to $300k.
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SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
Your question depends on what you are looking to do with the car. I have had alot of Ferraris and I have used them from track toys to daily drivers. The newer cars are very reliable....as long as you take care of them and maintain them. If you want an everyday supercar with a removable roof...you can't beat an SL55. I think the 65 is overkill...but that's just my opinion.
I do alot of my own work, so servicing costs are a bit less for me. Ferrari dealer servicing costs in the US are obscene. If that is a non issue, then don't worry about it. Service on an SL55 or 65 will be reletively cheap as compared to Ferrari.
I have driven the Gallardo...and it is brilliant!! 500hp....4wd.....and Audi quality. Audi is EXACTLY what Lambo needed. The cost of the car (for an 04 w/low miles is about what you would pay for an SL55)...is very competitive. You can have a Gallardo instead of a Ferrari and put some $$ in your pocket. From what I understand servicing costs are much cheaper in the Lambo as well. The only modern Ferrari I would buy is a 360CS....but the prices are still rediculous.
I think the driving experience in the Italian cars is very special....the looks, the handling...the attention, the sounds and the smells, etc. The SL is a beautiful car, but isn't quite as exotic as the Italians. From a performance standpoint, I have left Fcars and Lambos for dust on many occassions....so there is no lack of supercar performance from the SL.
In sum, you have to figure what YOU want. If you have never had a Ferrari or Lambo and can afford it.......you should do it at least once. As for me...I'm hooked pretty hard!! My next car will probably be a Gallardo as opposed to another Fcar.
I do alot of my own work, so servicing costs are a bit less for me. Ferrari dealer servicing costs in the US are obscene. If that is a non issue, then don't worry about it. Service on an SL55 or 65 will be reletively cheap as compared to Ferrari.
I have driven the Gallardo...and it is brilliant!! 500hp....4wd.....and Audi quality. Audi is EXACTLY what Lambo needed. The cost of the car (for an 04 w/low miles is about what you would pay for an SL55)...is very competitive. You can have a Gallardo instead of a Ferrari and put some $$ in your pocket. From what I understand servicing costs are much cheaper in the Lambo as well. The only modern Ferrari I would buy is a 360CS....but the prices are still rediculous.
I think the driving experience in the Italian cars is very special....the looks, the handling...the attention, the sounds and the smells, etc. The SL is a beautiful car, but isn't quite as exotic as the Italians. From a performance standpoint, I have left Fcars and Lambos for dust on many occassions....so there is no lack of supercar performance from the SL.
In sum, you have to figure what YOU want. If you have never had a Ferrari or Lambo and can afford it.......you should do it at least once. As for me...I'm hooked pretty hard!! My next car will probably be a Gallardo as opposed to another Fcar.
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Gallardo
I would have to say the Gallardo is in contention however I was looking at an 04 but the dealer stated that Lamborghini in Canada has yet to offer extended warranty which obviously is a concern for me. On the other side of the coin you are correct about the maintenance on the Gallardo I was told oil changes are in the range of $100.
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Timing?
One other thing since I'm don't follow car sales and pricing but being in Canada and sports cars are seasonal do you think the prices would be cheaper now versus next spring or will depreciations pretty much eat into any of those cost savings by purchasing in the fall.
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Originally Posted by Poverty
One other thing since I'm don't follow car sales and pricing but being in Canada and sports cars are seasonal do you think the prices would be cheaper now versus next spring or will depreciations pretty much eat into any of those cost savings by purchasing in the fall.
Prices for sports cars generally fall as the weather turns colder, but that is always dependent on the car and the market.
As far as oil change prices....if you want to pay $100 for an oil change, go for it. But I would think that a Gallardo takes 10-12 qts of oil and the filter probably runs <$20. Even if you use Mobil 1, it will come in cheaper than $100..........if you DIY.
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I have been looking at the same three cars as you have stated and have pretty much eliminated the 360 spider. After having a 355 spider, I feel the service is way overpriced and the interiors leave much to be desired for such an expensive car. Other issues are that the 430 is out and people are still asking mid 170's for 01 spiders which is crazy and in the near future when more 430's are delivered the 360's will surely fall hard in resale.
If you look hard enough, you can find low mile 05 SL65's in the 140's which is basically close to the money of an 06 SL55. For what you get, I think it is a great deal however the one thing that it lacks is the italian exotic car feel and far out looks. Unless you are a true enthusiast, the close to 200k SL65 can be mistaken for an SL500 all day long. This will never happen with a bright yellow Gallardo! I think the baby lambo has it all and my main problem is that the 04's don't have the front lift system which I feel I would very much need and I don't want to spring for an 05 since the 06 has a power increase and will be out very soon. Bottom line is the SL would probably be the most sensible but the Gallardo the most fun.
If you look hard enough, you can find low mile 05 SL65's in the 140's which is basically close to the money of an 06 SL55. For what you get, I think it is a great deal however the one thing that it lacks is the italian exotic car feel and far out looks. Unless you are a true enthusiast, the close to 200k SL65 can be mistaken for an SL500 all day long. This will never happen with a bright yellow Gallardo! I think the baby lambo has it all and my main problem is that the 04's don't have the front lift system which I feel I would very much need and I don't want to spring for an 05 since the 06 has a power increase and will be out very soon. Bottom line is the SL would probably be the most sensible but the Gallardo the most fun.
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2005 Mercedes C-Class
Originally Posted by Poverty
I know there is going to some bias with asking this question here but I'll try anyway. Not that I'm incapable of making such a decision but I'm relatively young and new to the exotic cars.
I've test driven a SL65 for about 60miles on my own and coming from a SL55 I'm not quite sure the difference is worth the extra money. So I'm considering a used Ferrari 360 Spider or a Gallardo. Now I understand straight line performance the SL65 comes out on top however I'm not sure that is the primary concern for me since I rarely have a chance to use that type of performance. I guess I'm asking this forum because I'm sure a few of you have owned these vehicles and would be able to give me some real life experiences and valuable input.
I guess I'm not looking for stats on performance but more on experiences with dealer network, service, what the TCO is or rough maintence expectations. I'm frustrated because anyone I've asked say "If you have to ask you can't afford it" which to me is a ridicoulous statement.
The role of this vehicle is purely a weekend toy and possibly driven a few times during the week. I wish I knew where a good Ferrari forum is...
I've test driven a SL65 for about 60miles on my own and coming from a SL55 I'm not quite sure the difference is worth the extra money. So I'm considering a used Ferrari 360 Spider or a Gallardo. Now I understand straight line performance the SL65 comes out on top however I'm not sure that is the primary concern for me since I rarely have a chance to use that type of performance. I guess I'm asking this forum because I'm sure a few of you have owned these vehicles and would be able to give me some real life experiences and valuable input.
I guess I'm not looking for stats on performance but more on experiences with dealer network, service, what the TCO is or rough maintence expectations. I'm frustrated because anyone I've asked say "If you have to ask you can't afford it" which to me is a ridicoulous statement.
The role of this vehicle is purely a weekend toy and possibly driven a few times during the week. I wish I knew where a good Ferrari forum is...
Get a Lamborghini Gallardo (if you're satisfied with interior though), com'on, even though SL65 is one sick car, its still a Mercedes and it still looks almost identical to SL55.....
Or get a Ferrari. Dont get SL65...
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Don't get me wrong, 360's are great cars....dynamically. The looks do nothing for me. They are very reliable, but I feel that they have been overproduced (somewhere between 18K-19K cars), and as a result the values will plumett. The same thing is sure to happen with the 430. Gone are the days of just a few thousand cars or a few hundred per model.
I think the Gallardo is still the best exotic around for value, speed and looks.
I think the Gallardo is still the best exotic around for value, speed and looks.
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SL65, 05' & Ford GT, 06'
Here is my two cents. As the owner of both a SL65 and a F430 F1 (also owned a 360 Spider F1 previously).
Both cars are sensational but so different. The SL65's acceleration never ceases to amaze me. It is an instantanious at any speed. It is low profile (I debadged mine) so only those in the know can tell it's a SL65 therefore no one messes with it (as yet....hope I don't jinx it) and I park it without stress. Mine is a Designo Graphite so it is rare and in my humble opinion gorgeous. I always look back when I get out of it to admire it so it passes that test. I have had not one single service issue.
No one can capture the sensations and the feel of the road like Ferrari. The sound is ethereal and intoxicating. It is actually more comfortable on the freeway than the SL65, in my opinion, yet it corners like it is on rails. It is a totally involved driving experience. I never listen to the radio. I'd rather hear the sounds of the drivetrain. It could be used everyday with no problem but I am a perfectionist and I would be undone if some jealous soul keyed it etc. Wish I didn't care but I do.
I have driven the Lambo too. Hated it...ergonomics suck and it just doesn't have the panache of a Ferrari
Bottom line....buy an SL65 if you can only have one.
Hope this helps.
Both cars are sensational but so different. The SL65's acceleration never ceases to amaze me. It is an instantanious at any speed. It is low profile (I debadged mine) so only those in the know can tell it's a SL65 therefore no one messes with it (as yet....hope I don't jinx it) and I park it without stress. Mine is a Designo Graphite so it is rare and in my humble opinion gorgeous. I always look back when I get out of it to admire it so it passes that test. I have had not one single service issue.
No one can capture the sensations and the feel of the road like Ferrari. The sound is ethereal and intoxicating. It is actually more comfortable on the freeway than the SL65, in my opinion, yet it corners like it is on rails. It is a totally involved driving experience. I never listen to the radio. I'd rather hear the sounds of the drivetrain. It could be used everyday with no problem but I am a perfectionist and I would be undone if some jealous soul keyed it etc. Wish I didn't care but I do.
I have driven the Lambo too. Hated it...ergonomics suck and it just doesn't have the panache of a Ferrari
Bottom line....buy an SL65 if you can only have one.
Hope this helps.
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AMG
Originally Posted by IngenereAMG
Don't get me wrong, 360's are great cars....dynamically. The looks do nothing for me. They are very reliable, but I feel that they have been overproduced (somewhere between 18K-19K cars), and as a result the values will plumett. The same thing is sure to happen with the 430. Gone are the days of just a few thousand cars or a few hundred per model.
I think the Gallardo is still the best exotic around for value, speed and looks.
I think the Gallardo is still the best exotic around for value, speed and looks.
The best ,right to the point and honest review.. I have ever read IngenereAMG posts...
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From: Irvine, California
'10 MB E63, '08 ML550 ('05 E55, '05 SL55, '08 E63 GONE)
Originally Posted by RonG
Here is my two cents. As the owner of both a SL65 and a F430 F1 (also owned a 360 Spider F1 previously).
Both cars are sensational but so different. The SL65's acceleration never ceases to amaze me. It is an instantanious at any speed. It is low profile (I debadged mine) so only those in the know can tell it's a SL65 therefore no one messes with it (as yet....hope I don't jinx it) and I park it without stress. Mine is a Designo Graphite so it is rare and in my humble opinion gorgeous. I always look back when I get out of it to admire it so it passes that test. I have had not one single service issue.
No one can capture the sensations and the feel of the road like Ferrari. The sound is ethereal and intoxicating. It is actually more comfortable on the freeway than the SL65, in my opinion, yet it corners like it is on rails. It is a totally involved driving experience. I never listen to the radio. I'd rather hear the sounds of the drivetrain. It could be used everyday with no problem but I am a perfectionist and I would be undone if some jealous soul keyed it etc. Wish I didn't care but I do.
I have driven the Lambo too. Hated it...ergonomics suck and it just doesn't have the panache of a Ferrari
Bottom line....buy an SL65 if you can only have one.
Hope this helps.
Both cars are sensational but so different. The SL65's acceleration never ceases to amaze me. It is an instantanious at any speed. It is low profile (I debadged mine) so only those in the know can tell it's a SL65 therefore no one messes with it (as yet....hope I don't jinx it) and I park it without stress. Mine is a Designo Graphite so it is rare and in my humble opinion gorgeous. I always look back when I get out of it to admire it so it passes that test. I have had not one single service issue.
No one can capture the sensations and the feel of the road like Ferrari. The sound is ethereal and intoxicating. It is actually more comfortable on the freeway than the SL65, in my opinion, yet it corners like it is on rails. It is a totally involved driving experience. I never listen to the radio. I'd rather hear the sounds of the drivetrain. It could be used everyday with no problem but I am a perfectionist and I would be undone if some jealous soul keyed it etc. Wish I didn't care but I do.
I have driven the Lambo too. Hated it...ergonomics suck and it just doesn't have the panache of a Ferrari
Bottom line....buy an SL65 if you can only have one.
Hope this helps.
THAT'S A GREAT CALL.
Personally I've considered both the Lambo and the Ferrari, however the SL has always been a high performance car that I felt I could drive to the local Starbucks without worrying about it or raising too many eyebrows...
That said I'm turning 40 next year and a Modena would make a nice birthday present to myself...
Good luck in making your decision.
~ Ian
Last edited by IanSL55; Oct 2, 2005 at 02:42 PM.
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Thanks!
Thanks for all your input guys I really appreciate it. Seeing that I'm not even 30 yet I've decided there's plenty of time for cars. I'm going to lay low and take the money and invest it some how. It's a shame I'm late for the Real Estate boom. Thanks again for your time!
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'14 E63S & '14 Audi SQ5
The Gallardo is a great looking car. I prefer the clear rear deck lid (ala 360/430). Great awd traction and performance. However, I found the pedal positions on the manual transmission model to be odd. They were really offset to the right and made for an uncomfortable driving positon. The e-gear models fix that problem with the elimination of the clutch pedal and movement of the other pedals to a more centered position. So if you can handle the e-gear and all the wanted/unwanted attention it is a great car to own (so I am told). Personally, I prefer the "unassuming" SL/CL65 and that monster engine.
Tom
Tom
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Originally Posted by TMC M5
The Gallardo is a great looking car. I prefer the clear rear deck lid (ala 360/430). Great awd traction and performance. However, I found the pedal positions on the manual transmission model to be odd. They were really offset to the right and made for an uncomfortable driving positon.
Tom
Tom
AHHHH...........Welcome to the world of mid engined exotics!! Every Ferrari that I have owned has the pedals offset towards the center of the car. It is a function of the intrusion of the wheel wells.
Without fail after 2-3 hours of driving, your right leg will be numb from the position........oh the price that we pay!!! At least with the SL I can hit the seat massager!
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AMG
Originally Posted by Poverty
I know there is going to some bias with asking this question here but I'll try anyway. Not that I'm incapable of making such a decision but I'm relatively young and new to the exotic cars.
I've test driven a SL65 for about 60miles on my own and coming from a SL55 I'm not quite sure the difference is worth the extra money. So I'm considering a used Ferrari 360 Spider or a Gallardo. Now I understand straight line performance the SL65 comes out on top however I'm not sure that is the primary concern for me since I rarely have a chance to use that type of performance. I guess I'm asking this forum because I'm sure a few of you have owned these vehicles and would be able to give me some real life experiences and valuable input.
I guess I'm not looking for stats on performance but more on experiences with dealer network, service, what the TCO is or rough maintence expectations. I'm frustrated because anyone I've asked say "If you have to ask you can't afford it" which to me is a ridicoulous statement.
The role of this vehicle is purely a weekend toy and possibly driven a few times during the week. I wish I knew where a good Ferrari forum is...
I've test driven a SL65 for about 60miles on my own and coming from a SL55 I'm not quite sure the difference is worth the extra money. So I'm considering a used Ferrari 360 Spider or a Gallardo. Now I understand straight line performance the SL65 comes out on top however I'm not sure that is the primary concern for me since I rarely have a chance to use that type of performance. I guess I'm asking this forum because I'm sure a few of you have owned these vehicles and would be able to give me some real life experiences and valuable input.
I guess I'm not looking for stats on performance but more on experiences with dealer network, service, what the TCO is or rough maintence expectations. I'm frustrated because anyone I've asked say "If you have to ask you can't afford it" which to me is a ridicoulous statement.
The role of this vehicle is purely a weekend toy and possibly driven a few times during the week. I wish I knew where a good Ferrari forum is...
if it was F430 vs gallardo , I would have suggested the F430... but it seems that the Gallardo is a better bet, the reason is that there isn't a new gallardo but there is a new 360 and its the 430, look at the new Gallardo Spider , its still the gallardo heres a link
http://www.channel4.com/4car/gallery...er/spider.html
hope my input helped
Last edited by AMG&AMG; Oct 14, 2005 at 11:14 PM.
