Wolfman

Interesting thread...

I had the chance to drive a Porsche TT (RUF conversion) up to 200mph in France on the peage (French tollways) and tried the curves on the country roads and it was great fun in a great handling car.

I can see that people swear by it. Would I buy one? No way...

To me, a car is more than just the handling in certain situations. It's the safety, durability, elegance and plain usability "package" that sells me.

With the SL55 I have an incredibly elegant car. Works great for going to work, going out, getting groceries and going fast. And fast it is, faster than most anything else Plus it's the safest convertible in the world, period.

To those that continously cite the Porsche's performance specs I can only say that in my many years driving in Germany, Switzerland and France and the rest of Europe I have rarely been beat by a Porsche, but pushed most of them off the passing lane.

This is not to mock Porsche drivers, but there were just very few enthusiasts that actually enjoyed going fast, certainly over longer distances.
For that I found BMW drivers to be the most competetive drivers in Europe.

Great fun, disciplined (important at 150+mph high speed chases) and respectful drivers.

Wolfman

TestnDoc

I like the sound of your girl-friend, she's obviously got good taste... in most areas that is


thanks blueSL...LOL

ShyneSL

Oh my goodness...How can you compare the sc430 to an sl500...There is no comparison here test boy...The sc430 is for people with big ego's and little pockets...I have seen sc430's around different towns, but it is always the same story...This car is ugly and it probably reflects 85% of the lexus drivers attitude...You are what you drive...They all think they are driving some piece of art work...Mercedes has always been on top, and for lexus and its owners to dare compare their vehicles to ours is just plain nonsense...If you want an everyday practicle, beautiful, smart, safe, luxurious, agile sports car; it has to be the 500/55/600 SL's...Our brother engineers at daimler benz have done their homework, they have been assigning others theirs for years...Its so funny to watch others play "catch up." ShyneSL

p.s.-even with nice Work wheels from japan, this sc doesn't sell me...

Ted Baldwin

With the SL55 I have an incredibly elegant car. Works great for going to work, going out, getting groceries and going fast. And fast it is, faster than most anything else Plus it's the safest convertible in the world, period.


.............perform a supercharger replacement with A Kleeman supercharger on your SL55 and you woin't be talking about Porsche anymore. You will be discussing how dated the Concorde has become.

Ted

TestnDoc

OK OK BOYS!!

The girlfriend convinced me to trade her Lexus SC430 in..getting her an SL500..silver/charcoal..we are picking it up friday..I will post pics...

blueSL

That's good news and I'm sure you'll come to understand that your previous assessment of the car was, how shall we say, subject to a temporary VAI (Vehice Assessment Impediment).

TestnDoc

Going to pick her up today..I think Im more excited that my girlfriend!!

victoryroad

I certainly understand Homemark's reasons for the change. Nothing will compare to the driving satisfaction of the 996 TT, but I opted for the 03 CL55 instead of a new TTX50 simply because it does not draw the attention, most of it unwanted, when on the road. This after driving an 02 C4S for 6 months last year. Yes Porsche is not up to the minute in technology and , yes, the ABC does seem a bit artificial, but those are the compromises that those of us who cannot have the TT and an SL or CL 55. BTW, my wife is very happy with her 03 SL500 Sport and could care less about speed. She thinks that I am a bit off to want speed that I cannot often use.

TestnDoc

WOW,

The SL500 is an AWESOME ride. You were absolutely correct blueSL !!!!! The car is light years better than the Lexus SC430. My girlfriend loves it..lol..hope to post pics soon!!

blueSL

lI'm pleased you like it!! Your original impressions just didn't ring true, so that car must have been a bit of a clunker. We'll look forward to pictures of your girl-friend soon, you can post some of the car as well if you like... LOL

TestnDoc

LOL,

BlueSL, maybe she will allow me to take some pics....Im looking at a CLK55..wow what an impressive car..Im going to get it or a BMW M3...I think the CLK is overall, a better car..any thoughts??

Thanks

victoryroad

Doc
You might want to search on the BMW boards for problems with the M3 engine. I recall an Autoweek article a couple of months ago that highlighted the a number of problems with them.

Mustard

Now look, BlueSL, with all this pro-MB talk and very biased representations, with us plebians all asking for advice and relying on your gentle guidance and recommendations I'm of the firm opinion you might NOT be semi-retired, you might well be on a handy retainer from MBUK, and sit all day deflecting negs and guiding pos's, encouraging Porsche owners to defect, working on people like Andrea Corr after private submissions to Britney, then the pretty obvious denials, then talking me & others into spending more on extras and others into SL55's instead of SL500's...

....all with total disregard to our financial state and marital bliss, ever so subtly leading to our current logical conclusions about the total invincibility of all MB products.....

I'm on to you, you know....

blueSL

OMG, my cover is blown. You're right, I'm on a retainer and get 20% on every ABC sale I make

Seriously though, I'm a 47 year old "computer programmer" who doesn't like .NET so I'm in the process of retiring instead. Much more time to play with my toys....

Silver_Lana

Is it just me or is the .NET framework a rehasing of old ideas?
Innovation my ***!

P.S. - Cheers on your new SL500!

carcrazy

hey guys, the SL55 is a fantastic car and should be appreciated for its uniqueness. The SL55 is no Porsche. Just like a Porsche is no Ferrari and vice versa. They are all different cars and have their own uniqueness. Just enjoy your car and who cares what anybody thinks.