SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Buying help Confused
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Buying help Confused
I have a S400 CDI ( sux ) Am gonna trade it in for a nice sports convertible / coupe but have narrowed to 3 choices SL55 AMG or Ferrari 360 Modena spyder or CL 55 AMG or the CL600 if it gets twin turbo this fall. Could someone guide me correctly cause i want a nice car and I like all the 3.. .and please lol dont gimmie some other names or else im gonna be confused for life and be stuck with this 400 CDI motor... thanx
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1M, F550M, F550B, F40, S600, 365GTC, DBSx2, etc.
Is this going to be a daily driver? I can tell you from ownership that the 360 is out. It's a wonderful car, but not a daily driver.
Between those three, depends on if you want backseats (2+2) or if you want awesome cruising power + hardtop + convertible.
For the design, the style, the power and the convenience of everything rolled into one (plus the uselessness of the rear seats in the CL - get an M5 if you want a sedan) ... the SL 55 automatically wins.
I went through the same dilemma, and if you can buy both, the Ferrari would be a beautiful complement, but if you have to choose one, the Benz will win hands down.
Hope this helps, but if I can be of any further assistance don't hesitate to ask.
--Dan
Between those three, depends on if you want backseats (2+2) or if you want awesome cruising power + hardtop + convertible.
For the design, the style, the power and the convenience of everything rolled into one (plus the uselessness of the rear seats in the CL - get an M5 if you want a sedan) ... the SL 55 automatically wins.
I went through the same dilemma, and if you can buy both, the Ferrari would be a beautiful complement, but if you have to choose one, the Benz will win hands down.
Hope this helps, but if I can be of any further assistance don't hesitate to ask.
--Dan
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From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
Actually, the rear seats in the CL aren't too bad. I have an adult in the back on a 350 mile trip and he told me that it was more comfortable than the front seats in his 2001 Porsche C4 ..
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From: Anchorage, Alaska
04 SL600 & 04 Range Rover
Don't rule out a Porsche 996 Turbo. I recently purchased a 2001 with 6,600 miles on it. 4 year 50,000 mile Porsche warranty. It was slightly more than the fully loaded 2003 SL 500 that I had on order. The power and handling is superb and the ride is not all that harsh. A very fun car to drive. Can be used as a daily driver. I have put 2,000 miles on mine with no problems.
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Thanx a lot i really love the people on this forum and the prompt reply bobafett I dont need a rear seat since i live alone with my fiancee lol we're getting married next month so kids yet are years away... and about the porsche umm.. i dont know my fiance doesnt like it... and lol if i buy something she doesnt like... im sure gonna have to replace the windscreen 
.. getting back to it no i dont want an M5 or any sedan i just wanna have a Coupe or a convertible... I thought of the 550 but it goes about 50,000 EU above my budget I do have the money but i still dont wanna shed 50,000 more then what i budgeted and yes it will be a regular car and once i have my 760 then for the highways ill be using the 760Li... Im so confused now SL55 | Modena spyder or CL...
.. getting back to it no i dont want an M5 or any sedan i just wanna have a Coupe or a convertible... I thought of the 550 but it goes about 50,000 EU above my budget I do have the money but i still dont wanna shed 50,000 more then what i budgeted and yes it will be a regular car and once i have my 760 then for the highways ill be using the 760Li... Im so confused now SL55 | Modena spyder or CL...
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1M, F550M, F550B, F40, S600, 365GTC, DBSx2, etc.
SL55, trust me. I'm not a porsche fan either, so I'm with you there.
You simply can't run the 360 everyday, don't fool yourself. It will be a miserable experience. Love them for what they are. Maybe every other day, but you need a reliable car.
Build up slowly, get the best daily driver you can first, in this case, w/o the rear seats, get the SL55. I'm with you, single and not having kids soon. Congrats on the fiancee
--Dan
You simply can't run the 360 everyday, don't fool yourself. It will be a miserable experience. Love them for what they are. Maybe every other day, but you need a reliable car.
Build up slowly, get the best daily driver you can first, in this case, w/o the rear seats, get the SL55. I'm with you, single and not having kids soon. Congrats on the fiancee
--Dan
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From: Anchorage, Alaska
04 SL600 & 04 Range Rover
I don't disagree that the SL 55 will be a great car. I put over 200 miles on a new 2003 Launch Edition SL 500 and the only real weakness in my opinion was the lack of power. I do think it will be extremely difficult to get an SL 55 anywhere close to MSRP for quite some time. If you are not in a hurry, or don't mind spending well over MSRP, then I'm sure you will be happy with the SL 55. I knew I wouldn't be happy with the underpowered SL 500 and the prospects of a very long wait for an SL 55 didn't appeal to me. I won't attempt to argue the virtues of the Porsche Turbo, but I am very happy with my decision.
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1M, F550M, F550B, F40, S600, 365GTC, DBSx2, etc.
I don't know where you are, but less than two weeks ago i found that my local dealer has them available in less than a year @ msrp with a nominal deposit.
Pretty scary, as I had expected to have to buy it from Kansas ro somehing
--Dan
Pretty scary, as I had expected to have to buy it from Kansas ro somehing
--Dan
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From: Cali
2003 CL 55 AMG
I would agree with the SL hands down if you are interested in a convertible however i would not eliminate the CL if a Luxury coupe is what you admire as well. The four seater is very comfortable in the back and brings a Classy feeling wherever you pull up, and you always have room for a few friends as well!!!
nathan
Good Luck on your Decision!!!
nathan
Good Luck on your Decision!!!
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Thanx again bobafett and thanx for the personal attention...I spoke to the dealer He asks me to wait for 8 months 
For SL55 AMG.....I hate this Wanted a new car before I marry lol... Neways I guess Im making up my mind in a day or so now the problem is my fiancee wants the 360 and I want the SL ...
For SL55 AMG.....I hate this Wanted a new car before I marry lol... Neways I guess Im making up my mind in a day or so now the problem is my fiancee wants the 360 and I want the SL ...
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Originally posted by bobafett
You simply can't run the 360 everyday, don't fool yourself. It will be a miserable experience. Love them for what they are. Maybe every other day, but you need a reliable car.--Dan
You simply can't run the 360 everyday, don't fool yourself. It will be a miserable experience. Love them for what they are. Maybe every other day, but you need a reliable car.--Dan
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1M, F550M, F550B, F40, S600, 365GTC, DBSx2, etc.
8 months isn't too bad. Maybe you can accelerate the process a bit.
commissioning a new 360 is impossible, so if you buy one you have to get a used one. You can't order a new one anymore (last I checked).
In all honesty, maybe the solution is to buy the 360 until the SL arrives, and if you love the 360 while you have it, great - you'll get it out of your system, and if you don't then when the SL arrives you'll have a blast.
In all honesty, if you need a daily driver, buy a Z8. I'm shopping for one myself (Topaz over Black+tan, simply amazing in person) and can give you some direction if you need. If you want comparisons or testimonials, check out www.bmwm5.com (in the E39M5 forum).
--Dan
commissioning a new 360 is impossible, so if you buy one you have to get a used one. You can't order a new one anymore (last I checked).
In all honesty, maybe the solution is to buy the 360 until the SL arrives, and if you love the 360 while you have it, great - you'll get it out of your system, and if you don't then when the SL arrives you'll have a blast.
In all honesty, if you need a daily driver, buy a Z8. I'm shopping for one myself (Topaz over Black+tan, simply amazing in person) and can give you some direction if you need. If you want comparisons or testimonials, check out www.bmwm5.com (in the E39M5 forum).
--Dan
