Ever since I purchased my sl, i've never had such a strong follower of "haters" (have to be grammatically correct in this new century of thug talk <g>)

It seems like for the SMALLEST little things I do when driving incorrectly, people feel the need to just completely go buckwild.. i get honking, flicked off, people screaming at me..

ironically, in my porsche, i VERY rarely encounter this.. and in my bmw 7, almost never.. is it just me, or is the new body style sl a reason for jealous/mad at the world/etc.. people that haven't done anything with their lives to go off on you?

of course, i'm in my early 20s, so i'm sure it doesn't make them too happy to see me driving around in a vehicle of this nature, when these older individuals will never be able to afford one in their lives... i'm just kinda surprised the difference i see in my porsche vs my sl.. i get nothing but respect in the porsche, (which is also a convertible) but when the top is down on the sl.. people just flick me off for no reason.. and i'm living in a progressive downtown large city.. not some hick town.. but regardless, just seems very odd how the mercedes generates 10 times the heat of the porsche from angry/jealous people...

others with multiple cars, or who have recently upgraded to a new sl, am i alone here? :>

 

Throw tennis ***** at them, give them a reason to be mad

 

You are driving one of the most recognizeable ostenatious symbols of consumption in one of the most liberal environmental cities in the US, what do you expect? Never happens on the Eastside.

Seriously, Seattle is ****ed up when it comes to cars and class envy. The Porsche gets a pass because most people don't recognize it for what it is.

BTW, love the SL, hope to have one in a year or two.

 

Doesn't happen around DC. Benzes are dime a dozen and hardly turn a head. I guess we need some more tree huggers around here!

 

Here a Mercedes is referred to as "The Newport Chevy" and a Porsche is "The Newport VW" for what that is worth . . . Who cares. Enjoy!

 

I've heard this from other people also about the SL, no matter what city they live in. The SL draws mad envy and jealousy, it is a symbol of success, power, high class, and money .... and unfortunately to alot of people that means they think that the owner must be a pompous, arrogant, self-centered, materialistic, vain, elitist a**hole. It's quite unfortunate indeed. I've gotten a few bad looks and comments here and there when I first got my CLK, but fortunately not as bad as some SL owners have gotten.

Back in '97 I had an SL 500, black on tan with chrome wheels and custom sound system, and boy did that thing draw alot of negative attention. I got flicked off all the time ... even got in a few fist fights over the car ... seems nobody was willing to forgive an owner of a flashy SL (and I was only 17 years old at the time, that didn't help) who they perceived might have been driving a little too aggressively. I even got flicked off a few times for no reason whatsoever ... just because I looked way too damn happy minding my own business in my SL.

There was one or two U.S. auto magazines a while back that even talked about how when the SL 55 first came out, they had never before been in a car that drew so much heat ever. They said the mere sight of the car on the road drew sheer anger and negative envy and made alot of sports car drivers pull right up very close behind with a mean look on their faces like they were actually very pissed that someone had the ***** to be in an SL 55 in front of them. Very weird and disturbing stuff they said. Remember, Mercedes Benzes are symbols, and when one drives an extra flashy one, it just amplifies the negative heat around it. :v
Now imagine what other drivers thought when they saw me, a flashy and maybe too confident 17 year old still finishing high school in a flashy SL with custom wheels and system, top down, and european electronic dance music blasting extremely loud, and in a part of town where everyone either listened to Radio Top 40 Pop, alternative rock, classic rock, heavy metal, or hip hop, and country. Then I drive by too fast in flashy car, flashy music, wearing european designed clothing in all black, while everyone else was much more toned down either wearing khakis and penny loafers with polo shirt, or dressed kind of punkish alternative, or hip-hoppish.
I guess some of us Benz drivers like to be very unique and not always follow the crowd.

 

A very successful friend told me a long time ago..."if they hate you , that must mean that you're doing something right."

 

Humm, I encountered a similar situation this past weekend when I was in traffic jam on 275 in downtown Tampa. There was a 20 something year old like yourself with a Brilliant Silver/Ash SL55 with some HRE 547s and the top down. *I was in the ESV But I did admire his choice in wheels* I got a chance to talk to him for a good 15 mins as traffic was at a virtual standstill and I gave him a piece of paper with the site on it, I don't know if he'll visit, but it was a honest effort. Alright, back to the point. The fact is that people were very... I don't really know how to describe it, but they were indifferent. He nailed it to jump off at 33ed street and I let him over but “the fingers” synonymously fly up, ironic a bit. Perhaps it was the stresses of traffic or the reason that you stated at the time everyone was driving like an @$$. Who knows, but I'd just thought I'd share my personal experience.

And I don't know about the Porsche's getting more respect, there are a huge amount of Boxters around here and they drive like it's a Bugatti Veryon. They don't tend to get much respect when compared to the amount of laughs they get :p

 

HRE's rule!!!!!

 

 

Exactly.

Generally speaking here in SoCal... I get more thumbs up than I can count.

~ Ian

 

i'm from southern california, so i know the socal attitude.. but up here in seattle, it sure sucks.. i mean i've had a variety of high end cars in my short life.. but in my SL, I have more "haters" than any other car i've ever been in.. it seems people can appreciate exotics, or are in wow of them, or don't want to hurt them, but with an SL, they just see you as a rich "*****" to be blunt..

i think subconciously the SL is pretty much known as the american car that symbolizes you have finally "made it".. and all the people that don't or won't ever have one, gives them somewhat of a powertrip to be able to bully someone in such a vehicle.. making them feel like they "pissed off the rich jerk"

it's almost as if, driving the car is an invitation for people "wanting" you to do something wrong, so they can honk at you or flick you off.. i mean just last night, i accidently touched the yellow line on the other side of the road at 3am, and a damn taxi cab honked at me from behind.. of all cars, taxi drivers!

and then the night before i was pulled over by a cop for alledgedly "making eye contact" with him while driving.. ?? sometimes i think i'd be better off driving a yellow ferarri 430 than this thing.. <g> not to say i don't get my share of compliments.. but the SL definately tops the list of vehicles i've owned, of people that seem to feel they can take their anger out on themselves and their lives on me when i'm driving it..

 

Maybe he thought you were cute and wanted to date you?

What strikes me is the difference in reactions between top up or down, and wether I'm alone in the car or not. When I'm alone in the car with the top down I really seem to hit a nerve with some people. But if e.g. my girlfriend is sitting next to me (top down) or the top is up people tend not to notice me. Very weird. I'm in liberal Amsterdam by the way, so the issue is intercontinental.

 

WOW! Maybe I am just indifferent and don't give a damn what anyone happens to think. Maybe its because I have too many go-fast cars. The only thing I notice is all the knuckhead moves and the fact that everyone is on a cell phone and not paying attention. It could also be that I am usually travelling ALOT faster than the traffic flow that they may not have a chance to get pissed! I'm probably a 1/2 mile ahead before they have a chance to give me the single finger salute!

 

Im 33 rolling an 03 CL55 slammed on 20's driving like a complete jack *** and I never get a peep........Mayby its cause my windows are blacked out and for all they know Im some huge mother fkr!! Little do they know its just me...5'9 with a beer belly.

 

Now that was good...