I am seriously contemplating a 55. I am tired of my 500 but there is nothing else out I want. I want something fast and the SL is still a really nice car. I like the CL but am not paying $100k when those things will depreciate like crazy the next 2 years. The 6 series is OK but it's still a step down from the SL. There really is nothing parallel to the SL and to step up means you are going to a Bentley GT or Lambo.

My only turnoff is the fact they are facelifting the damn SL this year. Alot of 55's are in the 50's now....will this car keep tanking? If I bought a 55, I would keep it for 2 years and sell it....before the R231 came out. How much do you guys think it will tank once the new facelift (in 2009) comes out and they change it to the SL63? I just don't want to buy one now for $55k and then in a year once the update and 63 is out it's worth $35k.

Prices are all about supply and demand. Right now the used SL55 market is not hugely strong, but I think that as the new latest bling begins to get tired (ie. the 63 cars), the value of the 55K power plant will begin to come into its own and people will realize that it is a great engine and the SL55 was a great package.

When people start to search out these cars, when they are no longer in production and they find that good ones are harder and harder to find, I think that prices will firm up and even rise.

As for right now, they are used cars and if you want to play.....you might have to pay!

I agree with IngenereAMG about supply and demand.

I own both the CL and the SL and have watched both just dive in value.
Bought my CL500 for $ 57K used 4 years ago. Lucky to get $ 25K for it now.
Less on a trade. My SL55 was $ 86K 18 months ago. Now with the miles I tacked on maybe $70K if I am lucky. Part of owning these cars is the depreciation. If you can accept and afford it its not so bad. But I am at a crossroads with my SL55. I was going to trade up and get a SL65. But for now I think I will keep her another year and see what happens. Good clean
SL55`s without issues are going to get more and more rare. My 2005 had only 1542 units produced. 748 Units for 2006. As apposed to 5200 units in 2004. These are US numbers. So a good used top quality 2005 or later will be the model to keep. And just maybe they will retain their value as the NA engine is all that will be available in the future. Time will tell. Good luck on your SL55 Shopping

Yeah, the CL killed me, too. I bought it for $64k in January 2004 and sold it in July 2006 for $27,500. I felt I was lucky to get that much, too.

I looked at the 03-05 CL55 prices for somewhat of a comparison (although there is a brand new model out) and those seem pretty steady in the upper 30's with high mileage to 40's. That is pretty good considering a new model is out. The 50k-60-70k mileage CL's are fetching $40k still.

I think what will kill the value of the SL55's is the SL550. Superior engine DOHC and latest technology. The SL 55 is not much quicker then the SL550. Since SL's are not considered race/drag cars I think the SL550 will hurt them as much as the SL63 if not more.

I am going to take a shot and say you have never driven an SL55 ?
Another member here. SL-Chick has a 2007 SL550. PM her and ask what she thinks. She has driven my car and is just sick that she did not get the AMG
over her new SL550 in hindsight.

SL550 and SL55 are very different cars indeed. The power of the SL55 far exceeds a naturally asperated SL550. Like over 120 HP difference.
Not to mention a hand crafted AMG engine. The sound difference alone is reason to go SL55.

Your correct I've not driven the SL55 or the SL550, just going by 0-60 numbers not being that much different. I mean 5.1 is quick, I know 4.6 is quicker but in normal driving does it really matter???

+1

Without meaning to disrespect the SL550, the SL55 is significantly quicker. A stock SL55 will beat a stock SL550 by more than half a football field in a 1/4 mile drag race.

The difference in a road race should be even greater given the SL55's suspension and braking advantages, e.g. six piston fronts/four piston rears for the SL55 versus four piston fronts/single piston rears for the SL550.

My take is that the proliferation of high performance, $100,000 + cars is pulling down SL55 prices. When the SL55 came out, there weren't many other cars in the same league...now there are a lot. I think prices will continue to sag until CAFE forces manufacturers to limit the sales of high performance cars.

Its more seat of your pants feeling. The SL55 will bury you in the seat and roar with a very pronounced exhaust note. The SL550 is far more tame.
Also the AMG if just going 60MPH on the freeway will hit 100MPH in far quicker time than the SL550. Other considerations are the handling and suspension and brakes that come with the AMG SL55. Far more balanced
and tighter than the standard production SL550.

I know when I bought my 55, I drove the 500 to see if the 55 was worth the significant price difference. After driving both I completely ruled out the 500. It was a very nice car, however the 55 is a completely different driving experience. Certainly worth the difference in price to me. I think the key to these cars are drive them, enjoy them and hold on to them. If your not going to sell it and your enjoying it, who cares what it's worth. It's all about justification, after all, cars in general are one of the worst items to put your money into.

I think you should plan on 1,300 to 1,600 in depreciation per month - even buying used. At least that's my experience.

OTOH, add a pulley to the car and for $1,000 you're killing the 996TT up to 100 mph. Not bad for a 4,250 lb cruiser.

Fortunately, I keep my cars a long time. My 348 has been around for 18 years. I kept my TR for 10+. I have only had the SL55 since '03, and it isn't going anywhere. So if it stays around for 20 years, and its worth $50K or less, so what.....I had a blast! I guess I use my cars for development and R&D. That's why our 55K software has been so well developed. I guess it's time to get a 65!

We are working with an AMG tech to come up with a lowering package for the SL55, and all of the ABC cars. If you have any desire to lower your cars, let me know.

I hear what your telling me and I drove the SL550 and bought a new one. The reason I bought it over the SL55. The newer tech. dual over head cams and VVT. I don't see the advantage of hand built over machine built. People are human and make mistakes, machines don't. You have fast and then you have super fast. If I wanted a really fast car I would get a ZO6 Vette which blows the SL55 off the road for a lot less money. I'm just not into racing and like the best technology.

It all depends upon what you want. The SL550 is a great car with excellent acceleration and good handling. They are a treat to drive. So long as you are happy and not always wanting more you have made the right choice. The AMG's have a totally different nature than the non-AMG's in their driving characteristics. Not everyone wants that or appreciates it. 5.1s was almost supercar status not so long ago.
I too have decided I don't care about the depreciation. These cars are way too much fun to drive. So drive it I will. I don't care about resale or miles. I enjoy driving it everytime I do. I don't plan on replacing the ML or the SL for a long time. Now adding another car to the stable in a few years is interesting though. Nissan GTR? C or E 63?. X6?. ISH? Apparently Acura has a supercar in the works. Maybe a used 05 CL65 for less 1/2 of new price with 12k miles on it? . Ahh isn't life great?

Car and Driver tests show the SL550 hitting 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. That is way faster then I will ever have it going. I'm 58 and racing for me is a think of the past.

I had a 2005 Sl500 and just bought a 2005 SL55. It's a different car. I own a 2006 Z06 corvette. It is totally different than my SL. Not to mention that it is not a roadster. Apples and hand gernades.

sl2003driver, i'm sure the sl550 has a great new engine, but that's not the reason the prices on 55's are going down. it comes with the territory. You buy a mercedes, and within 2-3 years, you lose HALF. Every line that was ever produced by MB was the "best class yet", and the next generation will be the "new best class yet", and so on and so forth. Take the last S class. I can personally say, it was a great ride, quiet, good acceleration. it was a great car! Who cares? the new S is a better car. Now, a 2003 s500 that cost 90k new is worth about 35k. prices will continue to drop, regardless of how great you think your car is. your 550 will be worth 50k-55k is 3 years.

Congratulations on your new SL. I can relate to getting older and going fast.
I hit 52 in a couple weeks. I guess around here in Orange County, CA. we have some great open toll roads and canyons. Not that I "Race". But having the extra power of the SL55 as well as the extras that come with the AMG
model was the reason to go AMG. There is much more that comes with the AMG engine than its hand built status. It uses more robust parts as far as crank, rods, pistons, etc. Also having a supercharged engine reminds me of the old super cars of the 70`s. With mine going out of warranty late this summer. (Too many miles). I am going to Chip, Pulley, and new cooler pump
the beast and keep driving her on the weekends only.

Again enjoy your new SL

if the US economy keeps going down like this, the market will be flushed with all these unwanted and used high end mercedes at cheap prices... if i were u, i would wait.... in fact if i were u, i ll reconsider if i should buy another car at all...

There may be a few youngsters in their 30's or 40's who actually borrow money to purchase cars, stocks and houses and may be too young to remember a real long-term economic downturn, i.e. like the late 70's and early 90's.

And if they had been playing the world-wide stock market on the long side (especially on margin), I'd say there may be some really good deals coming in the next few months ..... starting this week

If you got the money get what you want now and enjoy it. Cars are not an investment. They are transportation and for me entertainment. "When your out of work its call a depression, when your neighbor is out of work its called a recession"

I would think that if one had to work out of need for money, then it really would be depressing

I am 78 years old and would like to buy an SL55 AMG for my 80th birthday present.Thinking of 05-06 model year. Presently drive 98 SL500 and love it. Need advice on the Sl55, thanks.

you are living the life, my friend

My advice:

1. Don't wait for your 80th! Why give up a perfectly good year or two of driving?

2. Also check out the SL600 and SL500/550. Maybe even the SL65 as well. A lot of us like the SL55 best but not everyone does.

3. Consensus is '05 and '06 cars have fewer problems on average but some '03 and '04 cars have been perfectly reliable and some '05 and '06 cars have had issues. A reasonable way to hedge your bet is to get a max length CPO warranty.

Good luck and enjoy!