lookatmeeee

Stuck as to what I should get next.. The SL55 is fast, and it's luxurious, and it's sexy.. But it's not THAT fun to drive, other than in a straight line. Otherwise, it's a bit ponderous, and the steering is very numb..

I'm leaning towards a 997 C4S Cab... But the F-car is just beckoning.. 2000's and 2001 360 Modena's can be had for about $110-125K, which is also right around the range of the new AMV8

Oh, and the SL is just depreciating at an exacerbating rate. It's ridiculous that 2003's can be had now for $75K-80K -- cars that were originally $125K+ just 3 years ago!

That, and the fact that in West Los Angeles at any intersection at least 3 other cars are SL's (a problem almost as prevalant with driving a P-car)

Any other suggestions? Comments? Whaddya ya guys think?

AMG65

As a former owner of a 996 and a DB9 and current owner of a 360F1, Ford GT, and Now an SL65, I would pick the F1. I didn't like the balance of the 996 and I was extremely disappointed with the DB9. So I traded the 996 for the GT and the 9 for the SL65 and am very happy. The SL is the perfect all around car. Luxurious, fast, coupe or convertible and doesn't attract undue attention. A real sleeper. The poor unsuspecting Corvette and Porsche owners quickly learn the difference between an SL500 and an SL65. For the money , I would go with an F1. It can be a daily driver, gets a lot of attention, and it feels like a slot car. Perfectly balanced and very quick although not as fast as the SL. It will also hold its value better than any other car. Hope this helps

lookatmeeee

By F1 i'm assuming you mean modena right?

I also contemplated the Ford GT.. How do you like that car? They're AMAZING values @ 140K 1 year used.. Also, I HATE the 996.. but absolutely love the 997, the styling which reminds me of the 993 (my favorite 911) combined with the refind interior really does it for me... Unfortunately the 997 C4S runs into the same problem as the SL.. they're everywhere. I just have a problem with spending over 110K on a car and seeing the same thing at every intersection.. If I just wanted a car that drove well and didn't care about exclusivity i'd be driving a S2000


BTW.. any pics of the GT? I love that car, in black w/ a white stripe :-)

WishforE55

AMV8 for sure always rare.... BTW I'm biased my son is called Aston...

sprins

Take the Aston Martin: Drive around in style.

Bigdot

i would take the ford GT, then the 360, then the AM in that order.
Mark

Cylinder Head

iTrader: (1)

I was one of the first people on the list for the AMV8, and when I test drove a friend's I was horribly disappointed in the power. 380 just does not cut it at that price point, and I'm very happy with my M5. I personally wouldn't get the Ferrari simply because they're everywhere right now (depreciation definitely has something to do with it). Stick with the GT if you want to break necks, including your own.

Le Chef

I'm biased, but I think you should look at the 997 C4S Cab. The Aston is a disapointment when it comes to driving - slower than the 997, despite being beautifully built. I saw them coming of the production line at Gaydon and it really is a work of art. Just a shame it's not a driver. The 360 or 430 would be fantastic and will keep their value better than any other car here.

The 997 C4S is a quantum leap ahead of the 996. I owned a 996 and hated it. The 997 OTOH is a really great handling car.

It comes down to how which is ore important: car snobbery or driving pleasure. The only way to have both is a Ferrari...

nishi

the new porsche turbo test drove it a week ago, omg ! beautiful

Sharkster

I think you should stick to the SL 55. The SL 55 is way more than the sum of its parts. It's pretty close to THE perfect car. No other car offers this combination of comfort, sporty looks, coupe/convertible, power, everyday usability, exhaust sound etc.

I had a 996 TT coupe before I got my 55er and I guess I'll keep this car for at least until the new model arrives.

If you sell it, then there will always be something you'll miss about it (pick one of the list above, depending on which car you go for).

Having said that, my list of alternatives for the SL55 would be the exact same as yours. But you only need to look close enough to find out that they are no real alternatives.

If it's the direct hard drive pleasure you're missing on the SL55, then get an additional Porsche Boxster as fun ride for windy roads, but stick to the 55.

TA-9FF

997TT all the way. I believe it should be faster than a 360F1, seeing how test reports state the 997TT is faster than an 430......

lookatmeeee

LOL.. you've almost hit it on the spot.. It's as if I can't find something that can fully replace the SL55... I think the closest would be the 997 C4S, but then you lose the luxury and the looks of the SL.. I contemplated getting a boxster as another car but after driving the 997 around getting a boxster as an additional car just feels like i'm short-changing myself

Even the 360 is just a car I cant see myself driving more than once a week if that, as I couldn't just take it to the 7-11 or around town to run errands...

As to the AMV8, it's severely underpowered, and that I already know.. It'd be a car for looks

Lastly, the Ford GT is a pure racecar, and suffers from the same problem as the 360...

lookatmeeee

How do you like your M5? Was contemplating also switching out my Range Rover for one...?

Humbucker87

My dad's is pure sex, and alot of fun to drive.

lorinserbenz

Have you checked out a Gallardo? You can pick up a used one in the 130-140 range and not have to finance future repairs. My buddy has one and he drives it everyday..

lookatmeeee

THAT'S pure sex

Scruffyone

There is no replacement for the SL55. You can pick up a Noble for under 100k if you want a raw, pure driving experience. 400+hp in a 2200# car makes for rocket like performance. You won't see too many of them on the street either.

BklynBenz

did someone say noble? might be your lucky day, lol

https://mbworld.org/forums/classifieds/154871-fs-1-kind-2005-noble-all-you-noble-heads-chk-exclusive-joint-out.html

Humbucker87

Can't say that I disagree with you.

zoink

Scruffyone... so you got a Noble, 2 TT's, 1 AMG and a hauler????

You've got everything: Pure track car, mixed, pure highway car and one hauler... damn! One thing you need to add... a luxury sedan (sedan, not 2 doors or SUV ).... get S65 or a Maybach (I saw one used for ~$170K)

Scruffyone

I wish. The 996TT belongs to a friend, and the pic with the Noble in it was taken at the tuners where I had the K2 done. No Noble, not yet anyways.

nlpamg

now this is pure sex.

norb

Ford GT. When they stop production, depreciation will be very little for a few years.

IngenereAMG

I have to laugh when I hear "Such and such car is underpowered" . There are dozens of people searching for more power from cars that they already can't handle. If you think a car is underpowered...............go take a driving school and then drive the same car and all of a sudden it will be alot quicker......because the weak link in most performance cars these days is what sits behind the wheel. To the guy that thinks the SL is just for going straight......Bondurant or Barber is a great place to start.

Vik888

My question is -- where do you get to use that power anyway? Sure, a great kill story once in awhile .. but I'm in SoCal .. so I can make it to the next lot of traffic or red light quicker?

Who knows .. I'm all about comfort so I can survive the traffic down here, so the SL is a great choice.