2003' SL 500 vs. 2003' 996 C4 Cabrio

Hey guys, I'm reading your forum for awhile now and I have a question for all of you I was driving 2001' 996 C4 Cabrio for an year now and I sold it few weeks ago and now I'm wondering what car to buy. I was wondering between SL500 and the new C4 cabrio. It's big fun to drive porsche, I love the sound of the engine, I love driving it with 300km/h on the highway, I love driving topless on the beach streets during the summer. But....SL is convertable as well and it's much more luxury than the porsche. Also SL came 2001 and c4 is from 1999 (I don't count the 2002' face lift because the most people don't even see the diference). I'm in real dilemma now....what car to buy...I know that this is Porsche forum and the most of you will say Porsche...but please give me some opinions...I despretly need a decision. Thanks Guys nasko

Man, they are both great cars but they are totally different cars... I think its actually a really easy choice if you know what you want from the car. So I guess its better if you start by hierarchizing the most important caracteristics you are looking for such as performance, handling, image, re-sale, luxury, confort, engine type, versatility, looks, acceleration, model change date, transmision type, fun at the wheel, etc. in order to make an informed opinion.

If you happen to mostly reside in the great pacific northwest then get the SL500. With the cloth top up, where it would be much of the time up here, the Porsche Cab. is just plain butt ugly, and not very much external appeal even with the top down. But it does look rather nice with the hardtop installed. The SL looks stunningly beautiful (twin to the C2,C4,S in that respect) in all configurations. Is there an SL400 coming?

There is a SL350 out now with 245HP.

If your over 50 get the SL. Unless you use Viagra.

The SL 500 is my choice for a sports luxury car. It is excellent for long distance cruising with all the luxuries and comforts you could want. It probably won't do too bad on a race track, but then,it is not a Porsche. The Porsche is my choice for the luxury racing car. It will thrill you all day long in the race track or some deserted twisty mountain road. It doesn't do too bad foe long distance luxury driving, but then, it is not an SL 500. Two excellent and different animals. It all depends on what you want. Mind you, you have to be definite in what you want, otherwise you will regret thew choice. I've seen the Porsche Turbo maligned on the chat rooms by someone who should have gotten the MB in the first place, and I've also seen the SL500/AMG55 maligned by someone who should have bought the Porsche Turbo in the first place.

If you have to keep council on which car to buy I suggest purchasing, or leasing the Merc. The Merc is better made and represents superior value for money, but the Porsche would be my choice, naturally - then again I'd never own a cabriolet.

nasko, That question is like asking, "What color should I get?" It's impossible to answer without knowing your preferences in greater detail.

I would personally go for the SL. So distinguished. But remember its a heavy beast, unlike the Porsche, and therefore has its disadvantages. And Im way under 50.

It SOUNDS like you want the Luxo and not the handling. In that case get the M-B. The P-car has the handling and performance (and looks in my opinion) BUT the MB has it on LUXO

Man, It is very nice to see a Porsche forum talk so nicely about another automotive make. Refreshing. I see plenty of Benz fans above, and I too want to say that the SL is an excellent example of a wonderful car. Great choice to make. I think if you look at both cars though, you may sway the way of the Benz. I have a 2003 Mercedes-Benz for my wife as well as a Carrera for myself. I don't think there are too many other makes that do what they do so well. You cant go wrong with either. So many great cars, so little time.

Nasko, if you don't need the back seat (which in my mind is one of the best things the 996 has going for it) then it really boils down to what kind of image you want to protray. Because of the sports/hobbiest aspect you can get away with a 996 in a lot of settings where the SL 500 would have people pegging you as vain or pompus. If you're retired and never go anywhere but out to dinner and to the golf course or airport the MB works fine. But if you park in the company parking lot or frequent the soccer fields or after school pickups, get the Porsche. Its a more playful look that doesn't beg for Schadenfreude from the masses. This also gives you a degree of respect and protection even from young thugs who would like nothing better than to mess up a nice MB. And did I mention you can get away with driving a bit on fast side without looking like an a-hole or and idiot...

Long distance cruising... Like 1600 miles on the autobahn? 2500 Miles from POE (Charleston, SC) to Seattle? 2250 from Memphis to Daytona and return? Seattle to Lewistown MT and return? All except one in our 2001 C4, Memphis in the 99 C2. Maybe the MB would have been nicer, more comfortable, but I'll likely never know. I do like the looks of the SL, but I'd bet the C4 draws more looks.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by wwest: [QB]Long distance cruising... All except one in our 2001 C4, Memphis in the 99 C2. Maybe the MB would have been nicer, more comfortable, but I'll likely never know. QB]</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Now there's a man who made the right choice for himself. Can you imagine how disappointed wwest would have been if, for one weak or confused moment, he bought a merc, any Merc?

Disappointed? Me? I actually wanted to buy my wife an SL500 back a few years ago, but she got turned off back when the model looked like the roof had been stepped on by an elephant. Besides which I suspect her plan was to let me buy the 996 so I would be more willing to do most of the driving. Smart woman, so far she hasn't driven, hasn't had to, either 996 My post was to point out that the 996 can be more than adequate as a long distance cruiser, not in any way intended to put down the SL as same.

As much as I am not a fan of the 996 compared to other 911 models, it really does look far better than the new SL, IMHO.