Thinking about getting a MB SL

My lease is up in August and I have an opportunity to get a really good deal on a new SL55 AMG now. Has anyone had any past experiences with one? I am not a fan of the automatic only trans but my wife loves the MB. I was debating waiting for a 997 TT but am curious of your thoughts? Thanks!

997TT all the way!!!

All depends on if you're a true "Porsche guy"?

SL55 is a fast and comfortable ride. 997TT will be probly faster and more nimble. SL55 have large discounts due to over production.

I'll try not to be insulted by the "true Porsche guy" comment! The way I see it, the 997 TT will have a huge mark up while I can get a "steal" on the SL55. It's been really tearing me up...I like the whole hard top convertible thing but the MB seems soft to me and I really appreciate the true sports car nature of the Porsche.

You should go and test drive the MB and TT before making your final decision. If you are more of an engaging driver than the TT would fit the bill but if you like to relax and cruise with the power to mash the gas and go, the benz would be it. GL.

You can have a hell of a lot of fun with an sl55 too. It won't be the same as a tt, but when you're in traffic you'll appreciate the auto more. I don't really see much downside here, it's not like your turning in a TT and switching to a Taurus!

I do sit in a ton of traffic on the NJ Turnpike but I have always driven a manual and would feel like I had a vascectomy (no offense to the tip guys...it's just my own psychosis). On the other hand...I would have the car now along with my Cab...who knows when I would actually get delivery of the TT. I just went to take the Pcar for a spin to clear my mind and it won't start! Just a ton of clicking...sounds like a machine gun almost...as much as I love the car this is BAD timing! Uuurrgh!

One of the members on the forum has or had a 996 and but now drives an SL55 and he prefers the SL55. One is a luxury rocket roadster, the other is sportscar that, even stock, let's you feel like you are part of the road and ready to command it. I wish I could have both. What kind of deal $ are you getting on the SL55 if you don't mind me asking? I looked at getting one used, but drivers tend not to garage queen these like many Porsche owners do, so most of the used Sl55's have high mileage. It sounds like you have found a good price on a new one. I would be very interested in knowing what $ you are looking at. (Just out of curiosity-I'm happy with my 996 cab and not trading it in any time soon). Thanks and good luck!

You can get on the list for a TT (and work out something with Porsche on your 996 untill it arrives) and get it without any mark up. I have 2 friends who are on the list. Hopefully ou have a good relationship with your sales person and they can pull some strings to get you closer to the top. The 55 is nice, although it seems like an older gentleman's car. (my boss has a 500 and he has no idea what a 911 is) I could not seriously compare a TT with an SL.

What about a 996TT cab?

The cost difference between an sl55 used and a 911TTcab would be substantial. The only reason he's looking at the sl is it's an incredibly good deal. Due to Mercedes reliability problems, you can buy used benz's for a song right now, and they are worth checking out at these prices.

The SL55 is a sweet piece, especially in black. If you're ADDING it to your current Pcar, go for it. It will be quite a while before there are TT's in supply. If you're REPLACING your Pcar, forget it. You can't replace the Pcar. No, no, no.

It would be a replacement for when the Pcar lease is up...I didn't actually think about working out a deal to keep the current Pcar until the TT is ready...that's a good recommendation. The deal is pretty sweet as it is a family member who works for MB and they have a crazy incentive plan right now but it's only good until Jan. 3rd...so that means no time for test drives, etc. The relative asked me not to disclose the amount of discount...sorry! The fact that the Pcar won't start right now is pushing me in the wrong direction. I do love the Pcar...that's why this is so tough. I have considered a 996 TT Cab but if I am spending that kind of cash I would prefer to go for the newest technology. It seems like everyone on the 997 board is pretty thrilled with the 997s. Hence the dilemma. Sure there are worse problems in the world but you know what I mean.

I've driven the SL55 twice at Mercedes track days. It's a beautiful car. I love the folding hardtop and the wonderful torque of the motor. As soon as I get on the twisty parts, though, I'm soon thinking how much I'd rather be driving my 996. I'd thought about an SL before, but I now know it could never replace the P-car for me.

Don't know if you've seen this, but here's clip of Tiff Needell of 5th Gear comparing an SL55 AMG vs. a 996TT. http://racingflix.com/getvideo.asp?v=1081

Listen to me on this one, I have both a Porsche and MB sl 500. My sl just sits while my porsche begs me to drive it. The worst thing I ever did was get the SL-500.While its not the 55 I think it wouldn't matter even if it were the 65 ,the cars are built with different purposes.I say 997 TT all the way,now if you could have both fine get a 55 if only one car it has to be a Porsche

Yikes - if the worst thing you've ever done is buy a Benz, that's a life well lived!

LOL I didnt mean it like that, it's a good daily driver, but it just doesnt speak to me, I like looking at the car and even driving it once and a while, Its just so dam hard for me to get out of the Porsche.I think if i were older I would enjoy it more but i havent even hit my mid thirtys yet, and I do believe it to be a old mans car, I just thought I would like it more then I do. With that being said I know I would not be able to drive a benz ..any benz after my Porsche, then again I am bias!

smackboy1 -looks like I need some kind of password to see that vid. I saw an SL on the way to work today...it is pretty sweet looking but I am starting to think you guys are definitely right...I am still a bit on the young side for the MB and I do love the Porsche...at this point I would say that I am going to stick with the Porsche route...if I can ever get the car started! Anyone have any ideas? It just clicks when I turn the key...

I dont doubt that kilrgt is speaking the truth. If both cars are in your driveway, it's going to be the Porsche's keys you'll always want to grab. Maybe going from a Porsche to an mb would be a huge letdown...

my porsche has been sitting for 3 1/2 weeks without being moved... ever since i got the sl55 in march, it's hard to go back to the 996.. i've never been a huge porsche fanatic, i'm not biased, and i've had plenty of "go fast cars that handle great" but the sl55 really has the entire package... it may not handle like a porsche, but if you only have one primary car to choose from for wet, dry, the sl55 imho is the way to go :>

Bob-Just when I thought I made my decision you had to throw that one out there! I saw another SL while I was out to lunch...definitely a gorgeous car. How does it compare to the Pcar for "seat of the pants" feel?

well i noticed you live in new jersey.. which means you definately have your fair share of bad weather.. the nice thing about the SL55 is that it really is an all weather car... when it's sunny, it's a 500hp beast, more comfortable than any other convertible hardtop ever created... and the same when it's raining, sleeting, hailing.. it's a 4 season car, and i never have to worry about being afraid of driving it due to weather conditions due to the mb esp and safety precautions.. if you plan to get a 997TT as a primary vehicle.. and it starts snowing in jersey, i myself wouldn't be too excited to bring it out for playtime.. ideally the sl55 and a porsche is the perfect match, as they are both completely separate types of vehicles.. but if you have to make the choice of only one main vehicle, it's usually always a good idea to choose an all-around vehicle.. and if you like the sl55, it might be something to consider... to each their own though.. drive em both.. see what you like.. you can get a nice used SL55 AMG folding hardtop for under $80k nowadays with a warranty.. cheaper than a base carerra convertible with a soft top.. different cars entirely.. i just happen to prefer the benz, that's all :> i'm in my 20s, and while some people say it's an "old man's" car.. i'd hardly say that to be entirely true.. anything with 500hp isn't an old man's car imho.. :>

Oh right forgot to mention you have to register to download. It's free and painless and then you will have access to oodles of vids.

Just give us your password

drove my father in law's SL55 AMG tonight - you can't go wrong if you buy it - I still prefer my 996 (and it's obviously slower in a straight line), but the MBZ is an awesome car.

I have become a big fan of the MB AMG cars since we got our E55. It has gobs of power when you need it, and is a nice cruiser otherwise. My brother-in-law has an SL55 and it is beautiful. The hard top convertible is awesome. There is a lot of talk about MB reliability but we have had no problems with the E55 nor has my brother in law with his SL55. But, and this is a BIG but, you will not get the same sports car "feel" when driving the AMG. If you like the twisties and such, you will miss your P-car big time. The best solution for me was an E55 for the times when you need 4-door cruising in style and the GT3 for "real" driving. P-car plus AMG equals motoring nirvana. If you have to choose one, keep the 996 and wait for the Turbo.

Personally, I wouldn't buy/lease any car unless I'd driven it.

Your father in law has an SL55? My father in law has a 1985 Camaro Z28. Where did I go wrong?

Thanks for all of the replies. Bob-here's the all important question...can I plug my Ipod into the stereo?? I agree that I need to test drive the car. A local dealer is grabbing a black/black one for me to drive. As soon as I drive it I'll post some pics and impressions. Here's another quick question for Bob-when the top is closed does it really feel like a coupe or just a convertible like the Porsche? I find a lot of noise in my Porsche with the top up, plus the requisite squeeks and rattles. When I drive my BMW it feels like it's carved from one piece of metal in comparison. Hopefully I'll have more to report shortly.

it depends on the year.. the older models have an input in the glovebox for an ipod, but they took it out in 2005 i think.. not to sure on this as i never used it myself.. but the nice thing is.. the command interface on the dash let's you play DVD music CDs... so you can burn a 4.7GB DVD with like 200+ songs and scroll through them on the dash, along with the 6 disc changer behind the seat for another 120 songs.. having a convertible porsche, there is no comparison... the hardtop feels just like a coupe.. of course it's not like a CL, but as far as hardtop convertibles go.. it's pretty damn solid.. i live in seattle and when it rains, hails, snows, etc.. it drives just like any 2 seater hardtop with the top up.. just test drive it both ways and you'll see it yourself.. it isn't solid like a CL or anything, but i don't know any other convertibles that can really compare with a solid frame hardtop out there.. they just can't be engineered to feel like a hardtop when the car is a convertible.. but from what i've seen the SL is the best of the bunch.. they did a good job with the SLK and had 5 years of practice before incorporating it into the SL.. unlike any other cars where their first model of folding hardtops came about, with no previous experience.. aka lexus, chevy ssr, etc.. just test drive the damn thing

just test drive the damn thing I'm working on it!! Thanks again...

Having driven the E55 extensively I can tell you it's a very nice "cruiser". There is no thinking - one pedal makes it go and one pedal makes it stop...just like a golf cart. You can drink coffee, relax and still have the power with the on off switch at your right foot. You said earlier that you have always had a manual. If you are a TRUE enthusiast I personally think you will greatly miss the Porsche's engaging driving experience combined with the joy of stirring your own gears with with three pedals. I don't think I could even compare the two driving experiences....very different.

JRossRSA-I have to admit that every time I play golf I wish the cart was a manual! Still have not heard back from the dealer about a set time for the test drive and time is running out...

And all this time I thought I was the only one that tried to shift a golf cart.....too funny.

On many occasions, especially after several cans of swing oil, I have tried to stop short in my cart and slammed my foot down on the non existent clutch pedal!

"swing oil" That's funny!

Personally, I think the SL is a beautiful looking car. But it's tooo heavy, and automatic only. 500 hp is great, but in a tank it does not make up for the heft. In a recent comparo I think it won out to the porsche tt cab only because the Porsches power in the cabrio made the chassis flex. Plus they also did not like how the Porsche TT looks like the base porsche. 4235 lbs vs 3505 (05 TT) 8.59 lbs per HP vs 7.89 lbs per HP. Does not look like much, but it translates to a lot on the street. Plus you can also consider the 997 TT will be lighter, and no doubt more powerful. I would also take into consideration resale value. They depreciate a little more than the porsche from what I've seen. But I am really not a big fan of the MB cars. Even the SLR is not on my wanted list.

My wife is a Director at one of the local MB dealership here in Dallas so on occassion I get the opportunity to drive some of their models in addition to her CLK320 vert. Having driven an SL55, I can tell you its one hell of a street car. And anyone that questions how fast it is simply hasn't driven one. Heck, the standard SL500 isn't a slow car by any means. The SL55 is a fast car and it feels like an even faster car. As a street car, I'd take an SL55 over my 3.6L 996 any day. On a track, no question the Porsche is world's better. But the refinement and comfort of the SL55 combined with its brute speed make for a fantastic street car. Good luck with your choice. It's one I'll be making in a year when the lease on my Expedition is finally over and I can get a regular car again. You can guess which one I'll likely choose.

Would you believe that after all of the back and forth with the dealer and with all of my mental energy wasted they are now saying that the SL 55 is not available for the "discount"??!!!! They are now pushing the SL600 (actually a very good deal but too little too late). This is the worst experience I have ever had with a dealership. That seals it...I will NEVER buy a MB...oh I mean it NEVER! My experiences with Porsche dealers have been stellar. My next call is to my Porsche dealer to get myself on the TT list. I will take the good advice of keeping my Cab until it is delivered. Thank you everyone for your advice, etc. Looks like I am a Porsche man for many years to come. Man oh man am I pissed off!

Nothing against Chrysler, however, it seems that since they got involved with MB many things have slipped.

make sure you stay under warranty, from the other stuff I've read on here, it is a must.

Excellent point! Thanks.