ghmundt

Actually in the US the SL500 and SL550 are quite different cars. The SL500 was sold here through the 2006 model year and had a 300 hp engine. The SL550 became its replacement in 2007 and has the newly redesigned 380 hp engine.

rcf8000

The SL500 in Europe has the same engine as the SL550 in the U.S.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

correct. robarapta is talking about the sl500 in europe NOW. they don't have sl550, only sl500. just like s class

Gojirra99

Yes, but I was referring to the currently produced SL's worldwide, they are still called SL500 worldwide currently except in N.America even with the upgraded engine with 5.5 L displacement & 382 hp.

ghmundt

Sorry. I missed worldwide reference. Having now owned 3 SCs, One SL500(US) and now the SL550, I have to say the 380 hp engine in the SL550 is a significant step up in performance and where many think they would only go SL with an AMG set up, most don't need the extra power. This is now a 5 second 0-60 car with a very nice trans that kicks down almost instantaneously. With the incredible deals out there on new 550s, I would encourage SC drivers to stop in for a test drive. And I am not a Merc sales guy!

KSUFlasher

Merc quality has gotten better in recent years, but still not even 'better than avearage'. A car is only worth what you pay for it, and a car with a $102k sticker that sells in the $80s is an $80k car. There is a reason they 'reduce' the price so much. My wife thinks if she get's a $400 pair of shoes for $124 (this happened about 10 minutes ago), then she got a great deal on $400 dollar shoes - I say no, she got the going rate (which means moderate) deal on a $124 pair of shoes.

If you like the merc, go for it, but I wouldn't use the price as a reason, all your price means is that it just depreciates that much more.

KA8

iTrader: (1)

If you decide to get the MB get to know your dealer. You're going to go see them often. I have an entry level MB and knowing your service advisor comes in handy :lol:

I'd never buy another MB again

GS3.0

iTrader: (1)

I totally agree. Nothing even comes close to the level of service and hospitality at my Lexus dealership, and my GS is a 99'. Everytime i bring in the 05' C320 4-matic, the Mercedes dealership i bring it to could care less about me...when i bring in the 06' SL600, its like VIP service, with a loaner, etc. Now that the service manager knows me, its as different story. I don't know if i'd buy another MB either b/c i've had problems from day 1 with the 05' C320 4-matic...tranmission oil leaking...cd player ate my cd...seems like the QC at MB went down after Chrysler took ownership...i dunno.

ghmundt

My point is for me the SL550 is a great $75-80000 car, not a $100000 car and the agggressive pricing by Merc has gotten it there. In the same way, the SC430 which stickers for $67ish immediately becomes a $50000 car when you drive it out of the dealership, but because of the small number Lexus produces they don't seem to need to have factory incentives to move the small inventory.

Larry96815

I own a Lexus and a MB. I have owned two of each. All are great cars. None of them have ever had any problems. I get better service from my MB dealer. I prefer the way the MB drives. If I had to keep one car it would be the MB. Again, just my opinon, which means nothing.

Aloha,
Larry

talwang

iTrader: (4)

You must love mb very much to post the same comment twice in the same thread.

If I trade my sc for sl and love it to death, I rather go to mb or car chat forum instead.
This is sc430 forum.

Larry96815

Like talking to my wife ----yes Dear.

Yes, I do love the MB

talwang

iTrader: (4)

That is why they have mb forum for that purpose.

Larry96815

I go there daily too ---------- and the Corvette Forum ---- and the best of all, www.slowtwitch.com

mjr24

Got news for you, there is a reason the 08's are tens of thousands off. They are restlyling it for 2009 and the 2008's will drop about $25k overnight. I would not buy a new SL right now....not even for $78k. If I were you, get a used SL55 with 500hp...you can get them for in the 50s and 60s right now and they will hold their value better because it is an AMG. Or worst case, lease a new SL....I have seen some 27 month leases for $1200/month or so with $5k down. At least you don't get hit with the depreciation then from a new model.

They will then do a major renovation in 2010 (2011 model year) I believe and the car will drop that much more. Just a word of caution in case you plan to try to resell the car in a few years. You can put 10 miles on that car over the next 3 years and you won't get more than $30k when the new one comes out.

My SL has been great. I test drove the SC back in 2004 before I got my CL. I still think it's a nice car but the fact they really have not restyled it at all since 2002 bothers me. They can be had for $25k now and most won't know the difference between a 2002 and 2008. I think the SC is the best car you can get right now for $25-30k.

I would keep my SL but we just had a baby and I need something more than a 2-seater.

Someone mentioned one of the SC's competitors is the SL....those cars are not in the same league. Not even close. One is $40k more than the other. I think most people who look at the SL look at the new XK and maybe the 6 series for a split second (but then turn away when they see it is a soft-top and even that is $30k less).

I would say the SC's competition would be with the 6 series, XLR (another $65-70k new)....and that is probably it.

It actually is quite amazing that the 2003's still go for the $40s considering Mercedes has tried everything possible to backstab owners on the value of the car. First, they switched from the 500 to the SL550.....then they changed the body style once....now they are doing it again (a pretty major upgrade for not introducing a new chassis) and then changing it completely in 2011.