SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Tough choice: SL65 or 997 TT for daily driver?
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From: Lubbock, Texas
being that ive never been in either, based on what i have read, i would still go with the 911.... screw 'most people' as we are car nuts here...
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Manhattan
SL55
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?
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2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
997TT tip
Have a tough choice to make ,have wife's permission and have to decide within a week:
a brand new ,no miles ,'06 SL65 Black on Black,or
also new ,'07 997 TT tip,Silver with Black.
Both have the same sell price ($145k)
Car is supposed to serve as a daily driver in all kinds of weather.
What would you do?
a brand new ,no miles ,'06 SL65 Black on Black,or
also new ,'07 997 TT tip,Silver with Black.
Both have the same sell price ($145k)
Car is supposed to serve as a daily driver in all kinds of weather.
What would you do?
If mostly city driving, the 997TT, if mainly highway or wanting attention, perhaps the 65. The 65 will be quieter. The trunk of the SL is signficantly larger than the 997TT.
The 997TT however, is a dream zipping around; you can taker corners MUCH more quickly than the 65. Braking is also lovely in the Porsche, makes stop and go traffic less annoying. I haven't tried the 07 but I dislike the brake by wire in my 2003 SL500 and 2004 E55.
You can't lose either way.
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From: Los Angeles, CA
SL/M6
SL65 again....I agree with the comment about taking out a new 100k+ sportscar/roadster in the snow/harsh rain....most people have another vehicle for that.
The 998 will hopefully be an interesting change exterior wise, but for now the 997 isnt all that bad, just a little retro. To some that's great, too others its not.
The 998 will hopefully be an interesting change exterior wise, but for now the 997 isnt all that bad, just a little retro. To some that's great, too others its not.
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 165
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From: Southern California
A Beater
IMO the 997TT and the SL65 are in a league of its own. It is hard to reach a medium trying to get an opinion from a diversity of people age ranging from 30 - 70 on this forum. My father owns both the 997TT and the SL65. He first bought the SL65 on his 65th birthday and loves this baby more than my mom. The TT spends more time in the garage than burning rubber at a stop light. His takes on it is that he felt that the SL65 fits his age a lot better than the TT. Even though the TT brings out the youth and the racing spirit in him when ever he takes it out for a spin at the end he prefers the comfort and the luxury in the SL. Surprisingly I started to find my self spending more time with my father every weekend taking him and the TT out for a spin. At the age of 29 I'd get more attention from hotties in the TT than the SL and I am sure the wife "woman" wouldn't be too happy about it if she find out this is what's going on when I am spending quality time with pops.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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997 turbo..no brainer.When i bought my SL i did want to buy the 997 but the turbo version waiting list was till next october ! 
Unfortunately, i went with the SL55 and i do regret it.The 997 turbo rapes both the 55/65 and there is no comparison in style/performance/handling/QUALITY/Resale value if thats important to you.The 997 turbo is a masterpeice of engineering.Go for it,i havnt heard any bad comments from owners of 997 turbo's.I will soon post a race between my SL and 997 from a dig and a rolling start,the mercedes has no chance in staright line with the porsche,what do you think would be the outcome in the twisties ! 
Unfortunately, i went with the SL55 and i do regret it.The 997 turbo rapes both the 55/65 and there is no comparison in style/performance/handling/QUALITY/Resale value if thats important to you.The 997 turbo is a masterpeice of engineering.Go for it,i havnt heard any bad comments from owners of 997 turbo's.I will soon post a race between my SL and 997 from a dig and a rolling start,the mercedes has no chance in staright line with the porsche,what do you think would be the outcome in the twisties !
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R35 GT-R, EvoX
My father went from an SL55 to a 997TT. I drove both cars extensively so I have a lot of experience with them both. In performance and looks, no comparison the 997TT wins hands down. But the 997TT always had that exotic feel whereas the SL felt like a more expensive/sportier version of my CLK. The SL is definitely easier to live with as a daily driver. An SL65 is just as fast (if not faster) than the Turbo, it has a convertible hard top, it isn't super flashy like the 997TT is, and it rides very smooth. The 997TT will punish you with bumps and potholes. Where we live, there are potholes on every street and there are a lot of hills. It was a chore driving the 997TT. So, for a daily driver I take the SL65.
But for me: I'd take the 997TT over the SL65 in a heartbeat. I'm very irrational lol.
Oh, and my father got the 997TT as a daily driver. He sold it two weeks later because the harshness was too much to bare for daily driving.
But for me: I'd take the 997TT over the SL65 in a heartbeat. I'm very irrational lol.
Oh, and my father got the 997TT as a daily driver. He sold it two weeks later because the harshness was too much to bare for daily driving.
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 190
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From: South Easton, MA
2008 S63 w/perf. pack, 2002 Ferrari 360 F1 spider , 2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV (my Limo)
Have a tough choice to make ,have wife's permission and have to decide within a week:
a brand new ,no miles ,'06 SL65 Black on Black,or
also new ,'07 997 TT tip,Silver with Black.
Both have the same sell price ($145k)
Car is supposed to serve as a daily driver in all kinds of weather.
What would you do?
a brand new ,no miles ,'06 SL65 Black on Black,or
also new ,'07 997 TT tip,Silver with Black.
Both have the same sell price ($145k)
Car is supposed to serve as a daily driver in all kinds of weather.
What would you do?
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: South Easton, MA
2008 S63 w/perf. pack, 2002 Ferrari 360 F1 spider , 2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV (my Limo)
My father went from an SL55 to a 997TT. I drove both cars extensively so I have a lot of experience with them both. In performance and looks, no comparison the 997TT wins hands down. But the 997TT always had that exotic feel whereas the SL felt like a more expensive/sportier version of my CLK. The SL is definitely easier to live with as a daily driver. An SL65 is just as fast (if not faster) than the Turbo, it has a convertible hard top, it isn't super flashy like the 997TT is, and it rides very smooth. The 997TT will punish you with bumps and potholes. Where we live, there are potholes on every street and there are a lot of hills. It was a chore driving the 997TT. So, for a daily driver I take the SL65.
But for me: I'd take the 997TT over the SL65 in a heartbeat. I'm very irrational lol.
Oh, and my father got the 997TT as a daily driver. He sold it two weeks later because the harshness was too much to bare for daily driving.
But for me: I'd take the 997TT over the SL65 in a heartbeat. I'm very irrational lol.
Oh, and my father got the 997TT as a daily driver. He sold it two weeks later because the harshness was too much to bare for daily driving.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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I'll take the 65 all day long
I just got my 65 and I have put many miles on the 997TT, I can say if I had to choose between the two I'll take the SL65 all day long. To have all that power, total comfort, drivability and hardtop convert to boot is hard to beat. Yes, the 997 AWD is great to have and a true rocket when modded. Hard to argue with it's ability to launch out of the hole but that's even more a testament to the 65s monster torque that will put it nose to nose with the porsche in the 1/4 mile. I have driven quite a few exotics and for the price a 65 can be had for now it's, IMHO, very hard to beat.
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1989 Toyota Tercel EZ - dyno'd @ 70whp/77wtq
Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 107
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From: Los Angeles
2017 C63s Cabriolet
I heard that in the end, he decided to make do with a base E class and took the savings and helped the homeless in Chicago. I thought that was nice, don't you? Now your really talking "tough choice"
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Kenilworth, il usa
GT63S ePerformance 4dr, '25 Bentayga Black Ed.(wife), Wrangler and 250 MLB(kids)
How fair is that??
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,934
Likes: 387
From: Kenilworth, il usa
GT63S ePerformance 4dr, '25 Bentayga Black Ed.(wife), Wrangler and 250 MLB(kids)
You would "save the enviroment" and help the homeless too.
An E class is unnecessary luxury also....
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 587
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From: New Jersey
2005 E55 Delivered 01/07/05
Even though I love Porsche and own a 997S, I would have to take the SL65 for everyday driving. It's more civil, more room, more comfort. SL65 hands down. Personally I would love to have both. Use the SL for the weekdays and the Turbo for the weekends. Thats what I do with my E55 and 997S except in the winter months I use my Jeep Grand Cherokee in the snow
Last edited by MBH; May 28, 2007 at 10:54 AM.
