SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: My decision is 360 spider
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: South Easton, MA
2008 S63 w/perf. pack, 2002 Ferrari 360 F1 spider , 2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV (my Limo)
My decision is 360 spider
If any of you guys know, I originally traded a 360 Modena for an S600 and I thought I really believed my reasoning behind the decision. I then got rid of the S600 and got an SL55. don't get me wrong guys I love the SL55, and after considering, the SL65 and sort of considering a CLK black 
I have decided to leave the AMG world and head back to Ferrari. I have a deposit on an 04 360 F1 Spider. If any of you have driven a ferrari, you know there is something about that car that has a soul, it gives you goose bumps from the combination of the sound, the steering and chassis, and the feel of the acceleration. It may not be faster than some cars out there today (including the 65), but it sure feels faster. Although my decision has been made, I love hearing all of you guys expert opinions, so please, give me some feed back. Ferrar 360 F1 Spider or SL65.
I have decided to leave the AMG world and head back to Ferrari. I have a deposit on an 04 360 F1 Spider. If any of you have driven a ferrari, you know there is something about that car that has a soul, it gives you goose bumps from the combination of the sound, the steering and chassis, and the feel of the acceleration. It may not be faster than some cars out there today (including the 65), but it sure feels faster. Although my decision has been made, I love hearing all of you guys expert opinions, so please, give me some feed back. Ferrar 360 F1 Spider or SL65.
Last edited by xecution; Jun 7, 2007 at 12:16 AM.
Thread Starter
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)
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From: L.A., CA
'08 M5, '10 Land Cruiser
For me...
Of course, I understand your viewpoint with the Ferrari. I don't have an affinity for them but many do and I understand why. They have that "special" feeling that no Mercedes can give you.
The main thing for me would be how I would feel if an F430 pulled up alongside.
G/luck with your decision and let us know what ends up happening.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 594
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From: Haleiwa on my mind
355 F1 Spider & ......V12 w220.176
Fchater here........
Not sure what your thought was selling a F spider for a sedan, maybe you could expand on that. I can see why you are going back to a convertible. But, you should have just added the S600 to the stable and held the Spider. That's the best of both worlds, I think....
But, to answer your question 360 spider vs. SL65..... To personal to answer really. 360's got heart and passion. The SL65 or the SL600, for that matter, is prob. a better car with better performance and you don't have to worry much about parking it..... Though it's not a Ferrari.....
Not sure what your thought was selling a F spider for a sedan, maybe you could expand on that. I can see why you are going back to a convertible. But, you should have just added the S600 to the stable and held the Spider. That's the best of both worlds, I think....
But, to answer your question 360 spider vs. SL65..... To personal to answer really. 360's got heart and passion. The SL65 or the SL600, for that matter, is prob. a better car with better performance and you don't have to worry much about parking it..... Though it's not a Ferrari.....
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2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
SL65 for sure. Reliable, rarer (in L.A. anyways) and the option of Renntech Stage II giving 700bhp and 900lb/ft. Also, you can pick up a barely used CPO SL65 for little more than 100k. Coming from an SL55 you know all about the double coupe/convertible nature and the fact that SLs attract only the right kind of attention.
Of course, I understand your viewpoint with the Ferrari. I don't have an affinity for them but many do and I understand why. They have that "special" feeling that no Mercedes can give you.
The main thing for me would be how I would feel if an F430 pulled up alongside.
G/luck with your decision and let us know what ends up happening.
Of course, I understand your viewpoint with the Ferrari. I don't have an affinity for them but many do and I understand why. They have that "special" feeling that no Mercedes can give you.
The main thing for me would be how I would feel if an F430 pulled up alongside.
G/luck with your decision and let us know what ends up happening.
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From: Kenilworth, il usa
GT63S ePerformance 4dr, '25 Bentayga Black Ed.(wife), Wrangler and 250 MLB(kids)
SL65 will be faster of course and will impress you initially.
Novelty will wear off pretty quick though and you will feel like driving just another Benz,although much more powerful then the rest.
You will not have that sense of occassion,that feeling of driving something special as you would driving a 360.
If you are looking for a very fast and fairly comfortable appliance to get you to work then ,by all means,choose the SL65,if you are looking for something that would stir your soul every time you get behind the wheel,get the Ferrari.
I have SL,it's my daily driver,so that should give me some credibility here.
Novelty will wear off pretty quick though and you will feel like driving just another Benz,although much more powerful then the rest.
You will not have that sense of occassion,that feeling of driving something special as you would driving a 360.
If you are looking for a very fast and fairly comfortable appliance to get you to work then ,by all means,choose the SL65,if you are looking for something that would stir your soul every time you get behind the wheel,get the Ferrari.
I have SL,it's my daily driver,so that should give me some credibility here.
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From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
The 360/430 are nice cars, but I feel that is all they are. I have been in love with Ferrari since I was 11...and an owner for the past 20+years. I founded the Desert Region of the FCA and am an FCA chief driving instructor. Having said that, as good as the new cars are, as cars.....Ferrari has lost the plot, in favor of making money hand over fist.
Whereas, Ferrari's were rare and exotic....they are now overproduced and understyled. Pick virtually any city and they are almost as common as muck. Its really a shame that the management has sold out and chosen to hang the horsey on everything from cars to underwear. Ferrari's were special. They were something that you read about....heard about.....but rarely saw. And when you did it was special. The driving experience was also very special. Sadly, neither exists anymore.
As a sports car, the 360 Spyder is a great car, but it fails as an exotic car, and for my money, that's what a Ferrari should be. Sadly, they have left exotic cars to Lamborghini.
Now that I have blown off a fair amount of hot air!
Your choice between the 360 and the SL65 is personal. If its about speed....the SL65 wins. I routinely run away from my Fcar friends on any road or track with the SL55, without a challenge. Styling is personal...I think the SL is a better design. If its about a name and a logo...Ferrari wins.
If you want a modern exotic car....the answer is a Gallardo.
Whereas, Ferrari's were rare and exotic....they are now overproduced and understyled. Pick virtually any city and they are almost as common as muck. Its really a shame that the management has sold out and chosen to hang the horsey on everything from cars to underwear. Ferrari's were special. They were something that you read about....heard about.....but rarely saw. And when you did it was special. The driving experience was also very special. Sadly, neither exists anymore.
As a sports car, the 360 Spyder is a great car, but it fails as an exotic car, and for my money, that's what a Ferrari should be. Sadly, they have left exotic cars to Lamborghini.
Now that I have blown off a fair amount of hot air!
Your choice between the 360 and the SL65 is personal. If its about speed....the SL65 wins. I routinely run away from my Fcar friends on any road or track with the SL55, without a challenge. Styling is personal...I think the SL is a better design. If its about a name and a logo...Ferrari wins.If you want a modern exotic car....the answer is a Gallardo.
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From: CA
2010 CL65
Cars are increasingly tech commodities like iPods/smartphones....tech keeps moving forward, making once-great cars obsolete within 12-24mths....
5 yrs ago, SL55 and 360 were brilliant, latest/greatest, complementary driver's cars....
Today, CL63 and 599 occupy those roles....
Any car loses its novelty value quickly....one of my colleagues now has his second new 599 and new CL63 (he typically gets new F and new MB every 6mths, both@MSRP); he now prefers driving his CL63 (even on wkends) after daily-commuting via 599 for past 8 mths....
My office parking garage routinely has at least 2 599s (and seems like 70%+ of them are grigio silverstone ); not uncommon for power restaurants in SF to have two 599s valet-parked in front....such cars become commonplace within 6 mths of US launch in places like Greenwich/BeverlyHills/SiliconValley, esp in certain office pkg garages/in front of certain restaurants/in certain suburbs or neighborhoods where jaded, repeat buyers tend to live/work/congregate....
Only live once....either buy new 599 at mkt or get new CL63@MSRP (ideally both)....after one yr of daily driving, 599 prob costs $80K in deprec and CL63 about $50K in deprec....decide for self what provides better value vs your driving/status "needs"....
5 yrs ago, SL55 and 360 were brilliant, latest/greatest, complementary driver's cars....
Today, CL63 and 599 occupy those roles....
Any car loses its novelty value quickly....one of my colleagues now has his second new 599 and new CL63 (he typically gets new F and new MB every 6mths, both@MSRP); he now prefers driving his CL63 (even on wkends) after daily-commuting via 599 for past 8 mths....
My office parking garage routinely has at least 2 599s (and seems like 70%+ of them are grigio silverstone
); not uncommon for power restaurants in SF to have two 599s valet-parked in front....such cars become commonplace within 6 mths of US launch in places like Greenwich/BeverlyHills/SiliconValley, esp in certain office pkg garages/in front of certain restaurants/in certain suburbs or neighborhoods where jaded, repeat buyers tend to live/work/congregate.... Only live once....either buy new 599 at mkt or get new CL63@MSRP (ideally both)....after one yr of daily driving, 599 prob costs $80K in deprec and CL63 about $50K in deprec....decide for self what provides better value vs your driving/status "needs"....
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From: Kenilworth, il usa
GT63S ePerformance 4dr, '25 Bentayga Black Ed.(wife), Wrangler and 250 MLB(kids)
The 360/430 are nice cars, but I feel that is all they are. I have been in love with Ferrari since I was 11...and an owner for the past 20+years. I founded the Desert Region of the FCA and am an FCA chief driving instructor. Having said that, as good as the new cars are, as cars.....Ferrari has lost the plot, in favor of making money hand over fist.
Whereas, Ferrari's were rare and exotic....they are now overproduced and understyled. Pick virtually any city and they are almost as common as muck. Its really a shame that the management has sold out and chosen to hang the horsey on everything from cars to underwear. Ferrari's were special. They were something that you read about....heard about.....but rarely saw. And when you did it was special. The driving experience was also very special. Sadly, neither exists anymore.
As a sports car, the 360 Spyder is a great car, but it fails as an exotic car, and for my money, that's what a Ferrari should be. Sadly, they have left exotic cars to Lamborghini.
Now that I have blown off a fair amount of hot air! Your choice between the 360 and the SL65 is personal. If its about speed....the SL65 wins. I routinely run away from my Fcar friends on any road or track with the SL55, without a challenge. Styling is personal...I think the SL is a better design. If its about a name and a logo...Ferrari wins.
If you want a modern exotic car....the answer is a Gallardo.
Whereas, Ferrari's were rare and exotic....they are now overproduced and understyled. Pick virtually any city and they are almost as common as muck. Its really a shame that the management has sold out and chosen to hang the horsey on everything from cars to underwear. Ferrari's were special. They were something that you read about....heard about.....but rarely saw. And when you did it was special. The driving experience was also very special. Sadly, neither exists anymore.
As a sports car, the 360 Spyder is a great car, but it fails as an exotic car, and for my money, that's what a Ferrari should be. Sadly, they have left exotic cars to Lamborghini.
Now that I have blown off a fair amount of hot air!
Your choice between the 360 and the SL65 is personal. If its about speed....the SL65 wins. I routinely run away from my Fcar friends on any road or track with the SL55, without a challenge. Styling is personal...I think the SL is a better design. If its about a name and a logo...Ferrari wins.If you want a modern exotic car....the answer is a Gallardo.
It would be all nice and dandy if Ferrari continued to be what it used to be,great looking,poorly made,great driving (when not in shop),with Fiat switchgear,no working A/C,ergonomically fit for midgets only rust bucket,but,still exclusive and extremely rare.
Except the company would go away the way of TVR.
I am glad they keep evolving,they still make the greatest cars and there is no risk of them going out of business.
SL65 is a fast pig and nothing more,either keep the SL55 or go back to F-car(my recomendation)
Thread Starter
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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)
SL65 for sure. Reliable, rarer (in L.A. anyways) and the option of Renntech Stage II giving 700bhp and 900lb/ft. Also, you can pick up a barely used CPO SL65 for little more than 100k. Coming from an SL55 you know all about the double coupe/convertible nature and the fact that SLs attract only the right kind of attention.
Of course, I understand your viewpoint with the Ferrari. I don't have an affinity for them but many do and I understand why. They have that "special" feeling that no Mercedes can give you.
The main thing for me would be how I would feel if an F430 pulled up alongside.
Of course, I understand your viewpoint with the Ferrari. I don't have an affinity for them but many do and I understand why. They have that "special" feeling that no Mercedes can give you.
The main thing for me would be how I would feel if an F430 pulled up alongside.
F430 is out. thanks for your insight though.
Thread Starter
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)
SL65 will be faster of course and will impress you initially.
Novelty will wear off pretty quick though and you will feel like driving just another Benz,although much more powerful then the rest.
You will not have that sense of occassion,that feeling of driving something special as you would driving a 360.
If you are looking for a very fast and fairly comfortable appliance to get you to work then ,by all means,choose the SL65,if you are looking for something that would stir your soul every time you get behind the wheel,get the Ferrari.
I have SL,it's my daily driver,so that should give me some credibility here.
Novelty will wear off pretty quick though and you will feel like driving just another Benz,although much more powerful then the rest.
You will not have that sense of occassion,that feeling of driving something special as you would driving a 360.
If you are looking for a very fast and fairly comfortable appliance to get you to work then ,by all means,choose the SL65,if you are looking for something that would stir your soul every time you get behind the wheel,get the Ferrari.
I have SL,it's my daily driver,so that should give me some credibility here.
Thread Starter
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)
The 360/430 are nice cars, but I feel that is all they are. I have been in love with Ferrari since I was 11...and an owner for the past 20+years. I founded the Desert Region of the FCA and am an FCA chief driving instructor. Having said that, as good as the new cars are, as cars.....Ferrari has lost the plot, in favor of making money hand over fist.
As a sports car, the 360 Spyder is a great car, but it fails as an exotic car, and for my money, that's what a Ferrari should be. Sadly, they have left exotic cars to Lamborghini.
If you want a modern exotic car....the answer is a Gallardo.
As a sports car, the 360 Spyder is a great car, but it fails as an exotic car, and for my money, that's what a Ferrari should be. Sadly, they have left exotic cars to Lamborghini.
If you want a modern exotic car....the answer is a Gallardo.
Ingenere I think you have just had Ferrari overkill For one, every Gallardo owner I have known has done nothing but complained about there souped up Audi as they have called it. With all of the Ferraris you have owned I think it is normal to be a little tired of them. 
Thread Starter
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)
Totally disagree,unless you get the Superleggera any Gallardo is just an exotic looking Audi,that's what it feels like,that's what it is(had '05 model)
It would be all nice and dandy if Ferrari continued to be what it used to be,great looking,poorly made,great driving (when not in shop),with Fiat switchgear,no working A/C,ergonomically fit for midgets only rust bucket,but,still exclusive and extremely rare.
Except the company would go away the way of TVR.
I am glad they keep evolving,they still make the greatest cars and there is no risk of them going out of business.
SL65 is a fast pig and nothing more,either keep the SL55 or go back to F-car(my recomendation)
It would be all nice and dandy if Ferrari continued to be what it used to be,great looking,poorly made,great driving (when not in shop),with Fiat switchgear,no working A/C,ergonomically fit for midgets only rust bucket,but,still exclusive and extremely rare.
Except the company would go away the way of TVR.
I am glad they keep evolving,they still make the greatest cars and there is no risk of them going out of business.
SL65 is a fast pig and nothing more,either keep the SL55 or go back to F-car(my recomendation)
Thread Starter
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)
A great debate.
Either way guys, this is a great debate since there are varying opinions. Lets keep it going guys, I am enjoying this.
Thread Starter
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)
You are kidding right? Any Mercedes no matter which one depreciates double the amount of a Ferrari. I have traded or sold many, many, many Mercedes. The SL55 has already depreciated about 30 g in 2 months. When I traded my 99 Ferrari I actually got a good portion of my money back. Ferraris are based on Market value. Mercedes are not. If you buy a 175 G SL65 it will be worth 125G in one year, if you buy a 175g Ferrari, it will probably be worth 165G in one year. The problem I see is that Mercedes has too many lower priced models which take it out of the exclusivity category IMO. You can't buy a Ferrari for under 50G unless it was an old piece of crap, and even then, you'd be lucky to find one. My buddy just bought The 1995 355 spider and it was going for 75G.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 594
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From: Haleiwa on my mind
355 F1 Spider & ......V12 w220.176
Ummm....what?
"Common as muck"? I don't think so. It is a rare day that I see one on the road and I live in a major city area. You must be going to too many ferrari events and be seeing them all together.
Xecution, you didn't answer my question.
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From: Rostock,Germany
i like to ride my bike
Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 91
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From: Salt Lake City Utah
SL65 VRP1000 and 20" Monolites
I myself faced a similar decision
After I sold my E55, and before I bought my SL65, I was seriously considering a F430 Spider.
My buddy has an 03 Ferrari 360 Modena, and he gave me the keys and said, "take it for a few weeks, and see if you like it, before you buy one."
So, I drove the Ferrari for about a month.
The car definately got a lot of looks, but, TO ME, it was uncomfortable, hard to park, impractical, and not very fast.
I took it out against my friend who bought my E55 on the freeway, and that E55 just smoked that Ferrari.. It wasn't even close, no comparison.
So, considering that it was a 360, and I was looking at the 430, I still debated..
I obviously ended up deciding against the Ferrari and bought the RennTech SL65 instead.
Tough choices..
My buddy has an 03 Ferrari 360 Modena, and he gave me the keys and said, "take it for a few weeks, and see if you like it, before you buy one."
So, I drove the Ferrari for about a month.
The car definately got a lot of looks, but, TO ME, it was uncomfortable, hard to park, impractical, and not very fast.
I took it out against my friend who bought my E55 on the freeway, and that E55 just smoked that Ferrari.. It wasn't even close, no comparison.
So, considering that it was a 360, and I was looking at the 430, I still debated..
I obviously ended up deciding against the Ferrari and bought the RennTech SL65 instead.
Tough choices..
Newbie
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, GA
SL55, 360 Spider, NissanTitan
I went through this decision process in March and ended up with an SL55. Yes, IMO Ferrari's are beautiful, passionate vehicles, steeped in history. I looked at 360's, really wanted a manual F430 but couldn't justify paying a premium for a car that would sit in the garage when I drove a second vehicle on a daily basis. I tried to justify it by telling myself it wouldn't be depreciating as much as other cars while sitting there! And what's the point of spending all that money only to regret not being in it when you are sat at a light and a Gallardo or such pulls up alongside? My SL55 is plenty powerful, practical (ish) and pretty darn good looking too - without attracting the same amount of attention a Ferrari tends to attract. But yes, I will have a Ferrari one day!
Passion whispering in one ear and practicality yelling into the other one
Face it, we are lucky to have the chance to worry about such issues!
Passion whispering in one ear and practicality yelling into the other one
Face it, we are lucky to have the chance to worry about such issues!
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 105
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From: Southern California
09' Ferrari Scuderia 16M Spider, 11' Mercedes SL63 AMG, 09' Mercedes S550
I own a Ferrari 360 Spider (triple black) and a SL600 (triple black). Here are what I consider the high points for each vehicle:
Ferrari:
-Sense of occasion
-Rare (even in Los Angeles vs mercedes)
-Attention grabber (if your into attention)
-Much better handling
-Much better sound (especially with my Tubi exhaust)
-Feels much faster (I know its not)
-Holds value much better (3 year old used 360 Spiders are still selling at original MSRP...3 year old SL's are 40% below MSRP)
-Much higher fun factor
-More active on-line community (ferrarichat.com)
Mercedes SL600:
-Faster
-Very common look (despite my 19" SL65 wheels and AMG Sport Pkg)
-More comfortable
-Love the hardtop
-Much cheaper to maintain (Ferrari is $5000+ for major tune, $4500+ for clutch, $600 for oil change, etc)
-Far better daily driver (less to maintain, easier to drive, etc)
-More subtle (when you want to blend in)
Tim
Ferrari:
-Sense of occasion
-Rare (even in Los Angeles vs mercedes)
-Attention grabber (if your into attention)
-Much better handling
-Much better sound (especially with my Tubi exhaust)
-Feels much faster (I know its not)
-Holds value much better (3 year old used 360 Spiders are still selling at original MSRP...3 year old SL's are 40% below MSRP)
-Much higher fun factor
-More active on-line community (ferrarichat.com)
Mercedes SL600:
-Faster
-Very common look (despite my 19" SL65 wheels and AMG Sport Pkg)
-More comfortable
-Love the hardtop
-Much cheaper to maintain (Ferrari is $5000+ for major tune, $4500+ for clutch, $600 for oil change, etc)
-Far better daily driver (less to maintain, easier to drive, etc)
-More subtle (when you want to blend in)
Tim
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From: L.A., CA
'08 M5, '10 Land Cruiser
I hear you. It's a tough decision but an ultimately fun one. Good luck.
