SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Tough choice: SL65 or 997 TT for daily driver?
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From: Bethesda,Md.
Bentley Arnage Red Label
997TT w/o doubt for all-seasons commute duty.
Own both '07 SL65 and 997TT Tip....'07 65 is notably better than ancient '06 in terms of ABC/steering precision/trac; upgraded/thicker steering wheel/paddleshifters; nanotech paint (useful vs swirls on blk), cf trim, etc etc, but '07 65 weak mid-range traction is concerning even in CA's winter rains, let alone ex-CA settings.....
On dry pavement, def prefer '07 65 (not an ancient '06) vs 997TT....65 has no apparent turbo lag, much stronger 60-120MPH accel, more interesting exhaust note and a commute-relevant 24gall fuel tank (vs 997TT's <18gall tank....and both cars get 10MPG in urban/spirited/cold-weather driving).....but for rain weather commuting I'm keeping 997TT until Spr07.....and next winter, plan to use CL63 as my rain weather commuter.....
Besides, a 997TT Tip is much cheaper/more "liquid" to lease and trade-in next Spr for CL63 than getting stuck w/an illiquid 65 for more than 6-12mos, esp an already-obsolete '06....and even '07 SL65 already looks ancient vs CL63/65 in terms of headlight systems/airbag&safety systems/integral seats/infotainment systems, etc etc.....
Own both '07 SL65 and 997TT Tip....'07 65 is notably better than ancient '06 in terms of ABC/steering precision/trac; upgraded/thicker steering wheel/paddleshifters; nanotech paint (useful vs swirls on blk), cf trim, etc etc, but '07 65 weak mid-range traction is concerning even in CA's winter rains, let alone ex-CA settings.....
On dry pavement, def prefer '07 65 (not an ancient '06) vs 997TT....65 has no apparent turbo lag, much stronger 60-120MPH accel, more interesting exhaust note and a commute-relevant 24gall fuel tank (vs 997TT's <18gall tank....and both cars get 10MPG in urban/spirited/cold-weather driving).....but for rain weather commuting I'm keeping 997TT until Spr07.....and next winter, plan to use CL63 as my rain weather commuter.....
Besides, a 997TT Tip is much cheaper/more "liquid" to lease and trade-in next Spr for CL63 than getting stuck w/an illiquid 65 for more than 6-12mos, esp an already-obsolete '06....and even '07 SL65 already looks ancient vs CL63/65 in terms of headlight systems/airbag&safety systems/integral seats/infotainment systems, etc etc.....
Are you sure you aren't just trying to justify the extra money you paid for an 07? I drove a buddies and I don't feel ANY difference in the two. To call one ancient is crazy. To me paying 50k more for an 07 is nuts. The engine, HP, TQ etc. is the same.
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From: Seattle
'19 E63S, ‘16 CLS63 RIP, '09 E63 Gone, '06 M5 Gone, '97 Supra TT Gone
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SL55, ML500, GT3 RS, 997C2S
The 997TT in normal ride mode rides every bit as good as the SL55 in sport mode. It's also has a very smooth power delivery, and if you get the tip, you will have the ultimate stoplight warrior. I think the tip even comes off the line faster than the Veyron.
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SL55, ML500, GT3 RS, 997C2S
BTW, is the 997TT locked in to a deal? Most dealers have a huge waiting list. If there is one available then it may not last a week. I bet I could sell mine for very close to what I paid for it.
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From: Kenilworth, il usa
GT63S ePerformance 4dr, '25 Bentayga Black Ed.(wife), Wrangler and 250 MLB(kids)
Update:
997 is total of $10k over $151k MSRP and lease now comes to about $450 more monthly.
Btw,all 600s and 65s were with nano paint since 2004...
997 is GT Silver ,two tone Black/Grey leather,CCBs,Carbon,carbon
997 is total of $10k over $151k MSRP and lease now comes to about $450 more monthly.
Btw,all 600s and 65s were with nano paint since 2004...
997 is GT Silver ,two tone Black/Grey leather,CCBs,Carbon,carbon
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From: OC, SoCal
08 S65, 06 M3 CS(stick), 02 BMW X5 4.6iS, 07 R1 Raven, 08 F-450 4x4, 08 CooperS JCW
?
You've previously stated you had the frothcoming CL65 on order as well as a Ferrari 599 and a Bentley Flying Spur for the wife. Are those three still the plan?
This leaves me a little confused as to this thread.
BTW, SL65 is great but 997TT is better in the wet and will be a very comfortable daily driver too, especially as it's tiptronic. You can use its power much more of the time than the 65's.
This leaves me a little confused as to this thread.
BTW, SL65 is great but 997TT is better in the wet and will be a very comfortable daily driver too, especially as it's tiptronic. You can use its power much more of the time than the 65's.
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From: St George Utah
2017 SL63
It appears that I am about the only one that doesn't like the TT over the SL as a daily driver.
Have you guys owned one??
I have. 04 TT Cab. Bought it new.
Sold it after 8 months. Wasn't comfortable
wasn't at all practical. And some of the rattles...
I enjoyed my CLS55 and now the SL, MUCH more than the Porsche.
If the weather sucks that bad I would never drive either one of them in it anyway. That's what second cars are for.
My experience and opinion.
Have you guys owned one??
I have. 04 TT Cab. Bought it new.Sold it after 8 months. Wasn't comfortable
wasn't at all practical. And some of the rattles... I enjoyed my CLS55 and now the SL, MUCH more than the Porsche.
If the weather sucks that bad I would never drive either one of them in it anyway. That's what second cars are for.
My experience and opinion.
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From: Kenilworth, il usa
GT63S ePerformance 4dr, '25 Bentayga Black Ed.(wife), Wrangler and 250 MLB(kids)
You've previously stated you had the frothcoming CL65 on order as well as a Ferrari 599 and a Bentley Flying Spur for the wife. Are those three still the plan?
This leaves me a little confused as to this thread.
BTW, SL65 is great but 997TT is better in the wet and will be a very comfortable daily driver too, especially as it's tiptronic. You can use its power much more of the time than the 65's.
This leaves me a little confused as to this thread.
BTW, SL65 is great but 997TT is better in the wet and will be a very comfortable daily driver too, especially as it's tiptronic. You can use its power much more of the time than the 65's.
Made my mind ,will take the SL ,since Porsche is $10k over MSRP and is Silver with Grey and Carbon(most unatractive combo in my eyes).
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W208 CLK55K, GTR, RS5
Traded in the G55 for the RR? Did I read that correctly? To each it's own, but man... I love my father's G55!
Oh yeah, I would go for the SL65. Not because I'm a Mercedes guy, but having hours in a P car, it's not an everyday car.
Oh yeah, I would go for the SL65. Not because I'm a Mercedes guy, but having hours in a P car, it's not an everyday car.
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From: Bethesda,Md.
Bentley Arnage Red Label
My G55 is in service waiting for new headers and is already traded for Range Rover Sport SC (coming next week),wife is already enjoying her FS,599 is scheduled (already specced) for December production,order for CL65 is in force with approximate arrival in the Fall of 2007.
Made my mind ,will take the SL ,since Porsche is $10k over MSRP and is Silver with Grey and Carbon(most unatractive combo in my eyes).
Made my mind ,will take the SL ,since Porsche is $10k over MSRP and is Silver with Grey and Carbon(most unatractive combo in my eyes).
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From: CA
2010 CL65
I typically get 3-4 new, latest-tech MB/F/P every 6-12 mos b/c one of my primary hobbies is enjoying new technologies and aesthetics of a brand new, bespoke-spec'd car.....sure, new, latest-gen P/MB all deprec $50K upon drive-off....and new F's are essentially free in US for repeat buyers...
To me, as an amateur w/no aspirations of giving up my day job to become a pro race car driver, stoplight drag racing/track times are fairly irrelevant....I enjoy mid-range tq/accel, steering precision, chassis balance, traction, brake pedal feel.....and interior materials, down to even quality/tech features of key fob (where '06 65 has the ancient plastic MB key fob).....and we each need to determine for self what's an absurd/perfectly rational amt of money to spend for a few mths enjoyment of a car (or anything else in life)......as life is too short to overrationalize discretionary car purchases....o/w we'd all be driving S550 4Matics/Camrys (dpdg on budget) for 2-3 yrs before getting new iterations when leases expire......
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From: Los Angeles, CA
SL/M6
Buy= Turbo (Good resale if that is an issue, rougher ride, true sportscar. But exterior not too stunning or showy in anyway to most non-enthusiasts....the SL will turn more heads. This could be bad or good depending on you).
IMO
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From: Vancouver
06 CLS55, 07 997TT, 07 ML63, 10 X6M, 11 Alpina B7, 12 997TTS, 13 G63, 13 MP4-12C
being a brand new owner of a tip-ed 997TT I can tell you with the Tip, it's one of the best GT car there is. Porsche changed the tip programming from the 996 version and this version is almost as good as the one in my CLS55.
For all weather driving nothing beats the awd in the TT. The very next day I took delivery of my TT I went on a 500+km roadtrip in torrrential downpour, the TT is as stable as a rock on highway. Remember awd even works in the snow!!!
About the only thing you will be missing if you pick the Porsche is that you would not have a convertible top and a covered trunk.
The TT can carry a lot of stuff too if you need to, I can fit 2 golf bags, 2 push carts and 2 overnight bag in the car without much trouble.
For all weather driving nothing beats the awd in the TT. The very next day I took delivery of my TT I went on a 500+km roadtrip in torrrential downpour, the TT is as stable as a rock on highway. Remember awd even works in the snow!!!
About the only thing you will be missing if you pick the Porsche is that you would not have a convertible top and a covered trunk.
The TT can carry a lot of stuff too if you need to, I can fit 2 golf bags, 2 push carts and 2 overnight bag in the car without much trouble.
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From: chicago burbs
fast cars and faster motorcycles ..
WSH,
.
are you saying that you can purchase a 430 spyder for list price not market condition price? the two ferrari dealers i talked to said $70K over list..
.
.
Absent,
i went from a TT to an SL55.. you need a convertible.. SL65 all the way..
.
i'll look for you in LF..
.
are you saying that you can purchase a 430 spyder for list price not market condition price? the two ferrari dealers i talked to said $70K over list..
.
.
Absent,
i went from a TT to an SL55.. you need a convertible.. SL65 all the way..
.
i'll look for you in LF..
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W208 CLK55K, GTR, RS5
I know I'll catch a lot of flack for this, but I'm still not a fan of the 997 looks. I still prefer the looks of a 996 GT2, or 993 tt. I know the 997 is the "better" car inside and out, and in no way is the 997 a duck, but it's just my opinion.
Absent, great choice with choosing the "real" beast!
Post pics when you pick it up!
Absent, great choice with choosing the "real" beast!
Post pics when you pick it up!
Last edited by 55 ON IT; Oct 6, 2006 at 01:06 PM.
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From: Long Island
'07 Porsche 997TT
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From: United Snakes of America
German
I would go with the AWD 997 TT..... I would never think of driving a SL65 in the winter, that just an accident waiting to happen.
P.S I live in Vernon Hills...about 15 min from Lake Forest and I know how crazy the weather gets in the winter.
P.S I live in Vernon Hills...about 15 min from Lake Forest and I know how crazy the weather gets in the winter.
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From: Manhattan
SL55
But, I'd still probably go with the 997TT because of the AWD.
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From: Austria
Mercedes
As said before, the 997 is the better all-around car (4WD, new model, less depreciation). However, the SL is open air. Depends on how important that is for you. Otherwise wait for the 997 TT cabrio.
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From: Bethesda,Md.
Bentley Arnage Red Label
Everyone keeps bringing up the all wheel drive like that is a huge plus. From reading the list of his other cars, like most people buying 100kplus sports cars they have SUV's for bad weather and the sports car usually never even gets driven in the rain. Its not that they can't, but they are for sport or fun and there is no need to drive them in crappy weather if you have something else to take. Yeah you could take it out in light snow but why would you?
