SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: New here and looking for advice on which year?
04-16-2009, 11:27 PM
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porsche 928
New here and looking for advice on which year?
Hi all,
I am set on a sl55 and would really like to know the differences between the 02, , 03, 04, 05 , 06.
and what to look for when buying- How important is a warranty? Hows the reliability and maintenance on these cars.
What is considered high mileage for what year?
Any tips or guidance would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Joe Cat in Lancaster, pa.
I am set on a sl55 and would really like to know the differences between the 02, , 03, 04, 05 , 06.
and what to look for when buying- How important is a warranty? Hows the reliability and maintenance on these cars.
What is considered high mileage for what year?
Any tips or guidance would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Joe Cat in Lancaster, pa.
Last edited by joe cat; 04-17-2009 at 12:10 AM. Reason: added
04-17-2009, 08:58 AM
#2
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Hi, Joe.
'02s were only sold in Europe. First year in the US was '03. The more recent years are more reliable but several members have reliable 2003s.
General consensus is that you don't want to own an AMG without a warranty because the repair costs are so high. And, man, are they high!
But there's a also a group that believes if your individual car has been reliable it's likely to remain reliable, making it okay to skip the extended warranty. I bought my 2003 as a used CPO in 2005. Between the balance of the factory warranty and the one year CPO extension, my warranty ran out in 2008 and I opted to go without. So far, so good.
Even thought I'm personally okay with keeping the car without an extended warranty, I would not have purchased it without an initial warranty. I really wanted coverage during that initial "shake down" periord.
You'll want to do due diligence on the car: Carfax or equivalent, dealer maintenance history, etc. If it's had a problematic history, skip it no matter how tempting the price.
10,000 miles per year is probably the nominal average so low mileage would be something much lower than that. The former owner of my 2003 put 9,000 miles on the car in two years, so 4,500 per year.
Good luck with the decision! It's a great car!!
'02s were only sold in Europe. First year in the US was '03. The more recent years are more reliable but several members have reliable 2003s.
General consensus is that you don't want to own an AMG without a warranty because the repair costs are so high. And, man, are they high!
But there's a also a group that believes if your individual car has been reliable it's likely to remain reliable, making it okay to skip the extended warranty. I bought my 2003 as a used CPO in 2005. Between the balance of the factory warranty and the one year CPO extension, my warranty ran out in 2008 and I opted to go without. So far, so good.
Even thought I'm personally okay with keeping the car without an extended warranty, I would not have purchased it without an initial warranty. I really wanted coverage during that initial "shake down" periord.
You'll want to do due diligence on the car: Carfax or equivalent, dealer maintenance history, etc. If it's had a problematic history, skip it no matter how tempting the price.
10,000 miles per year is probably the nominal average so low mileage would be something much lower than that. The former owner of my 2003 put 9,000 miles on the car in two years, so 4,500 per year.
Good luck with the decision! It's a great car!!
04-17-2009, 11:03 AM
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04-17-2009, 12:59 PM
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SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
I think that it is more about each individual car and how well it was taqken care of.
There are some different features on the newer models, but from my experience all the years are fine cars. Just make sure that you check the history of the car and you should be fine. Then.... when you start thinking it's slow... I can make it faster!
There are some different features on the newer models, but from my experience all the years are fine cars. Just make sure that you check the history of the car and you should be fine. Then.... when you start thinking it's slow... I can make it faster!
