Am I crazy for considering a MB SL55 over 996TT?
03-28-2006, 09:04 AM
#21
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Originally Posted by ProV1,Mar 27 2006, 02:22 PM
am i getting old?? haha, well when i was younger it was all about brute performance & racing, and I bought M3s, S2000s, etc and always dreamed of owning a Porsche 911TT after driving one. (surprisingly the base 911 was very mediocre.. ymmv)
but now that I've driven/owned all these cars, I'm beginning to realize that with the type of commuting I do, and how little time I have for actual track driving these days, they don't appeal to me as much... and that's where the MB SL comes in. I just love how this thing looks, and it's the perfect cruiser w/ the right balance of sporty looks and comfy ride. it's on the porky side and i don't like that tho..
another big concern I have w/ the MB SL is the recent serious decline in build quality & reliability of MBs. Are SLs affected as well?
but now that I've driven/owned all these cars, I'm beginning to realize that with the type of commuting I do, and how little time I have for actual track driving these days, they don't appeal to me as much... and that's where the MB SL comes in. I just love how this thing looks, and it's the perfect cruiser w/ the right balance of sporty looks and comfy ride. it's on the porky side and i don't like that tho..
another big concern I have w/ the MB SL is the recent serious decline in build quality & reliability of MBs. Are SLs affected as well?
You passed on an M5 and a E46 M3 to buy a used 325...
And now you're talking about SL55s and 996TTs...
Sorry,
with SteveC calling 
No soup for you!
03-28-2006, 09:22 AM
#22
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IMHO, the SL is well past it's prime. I never liked the new gen and have been waiting for the replacement since it's debut.
No offence but it's a porker. The SL55 weighs more than the M5 (how's that a good thing?).
IMO MB should re-do it, 'all new' with aluminum and CF or whatever it takes to bring it down below 3700 lbs, less that that would be nice.
I wouldn't touch the SL55 for the money they are charging. I know it's a drop top, but I'd get a Boxster S or SLK350 w/airscarf and with the money left over get a M5.
No offence but it's a porker. The SL55 weighs more than the M5 (how's that a good thing?).
IMO MB should re-do it, 'all new' with aluminum and CF or whatever it takes to bring it down below 3700 lbs, less that that would be nice.
I wouldn't touch the SL55 for the money they are charging. I know it's a drop top, but I'd get a Boxster S or SLK350 w/airscarf and with the money left over get a M5.
03-28-2006, 10:25 AM
#23
Buy a low-mile 993 Turbo for about 80k to 100k
If you want a track car from Porsche, we wouldn't have this discussion after all, because you will be looking at the GT2 or GT3 versions of 911, not the Turbo.
03-28-2006, 10:39 AM
#24
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Originally Posted by steve c,Mar 27 2006, 04:39 PM
I own an S430 and it has no issues. That is not the point here either -- although anyone dumb enough not to wear their seatbelt deserves an annoying buzzer.
03-28-2006, 12:22 PM
#26
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I did not say they have to make the thing out of CF, I said use aluminum or CF (whatever even balsa wood I don't care) whatever to get the weight down. For gods sakes it's a pig.
Far cheaper cars have used selective CF or aluminum for weight savings. MB is asking enough for the car they should give you something for all they charge for the car.
Ferrari just dropped 300 lbs off the F599 and slapped 600+ hp in there for good measure. No they didn't make it into a 1800 lb car. They took some weight out of the F-en car for the sake of making it better. Most owners of the F599 probably don't care how it drives but Ferrari does so they take some weight out.
If you want my opinion, 4200 lbs is OK for a minivan it's not OK for a 2-seat sporty car.
Far cheaper cars have used selective CF or aluminum for weight savings. MB is asking enough for the car they should give you something for all they charge for the car.
Ferrari just dropped 300 lbs off the F599 and slapped 600+ hp in there for good measure. No they didn't make it into a 1800 lb car. They took some weight out of the F-en car for the sake of making it better. Most owners of the F599 probably don't care how it drives but Ferrari does so they take some weight out.
If you want my opinion, 4200 lbs is OK for a minivan it's not OK for a 2-seat sporty car.
03-28-2006, 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by steve c,Mar 27 2006, 03:39 PM
I own an S430 and it has no issues. That is not the point here either -- although anyone dumb enough not to wear their seatbelt deserves an annoying buzzer.
Awesome!
03-28-2006, 12:58 PM
#28
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Yeah, but my point is, the car is about PERFECT for its intended audience. Sure, Ferrari chopped XXXXlbs off, because it's a SPORTS CAR. MB knows the SL audience, knows what they care about, and does a damn good job delivering it. You aren't in the "buy a $100k luxo convertible" market, so why would they build their $100k luxo convertible according to your opinion or "needs?"
Think of it the other way around: MB sells many more SLs every year than Ferrari sells cars total...so why doesn't Ferrari add 1000lbs of folding hardtop, leather, power everything, and slushbox? See how that's ridiculous? It's ridiculous going in the other direction, too.
Think of it the other way around: MB sells many more SLs every year than Ferrari sells cars total...so why doesn't Ferrari add 1000lbs of folding hardtop, leather, power everything, and slushbox? See how that's ridiculous? It's ridiculous going in the other direction, too.
03-28-2006, 01:26 PM
#29
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FWIW, The upcoming 997 TT is about 90 lbs. lighter because they are using some aluminum parts on it. Just wish they would grow a set & make the body out of aluminum, probably drop anoter 100+ lbs. off the car. With a 3100 lb. Z06 & the regular Vettes still around 3300 lbs, Porsche should see the writing on the wall. Aluminum would do nothing to weaken the structural integrity of the car. For the price they charge for that thing they could easily do it.
As for the SL55 they will never aluminize it or put substantial amounts of CF in it. One is those materials cost a bit more (in CF's case quite a bit more) than regular steel. Also the people that buy the SL55 are not into tracking their cars, they want a GT car with high horsepower. The SL55 more than fits that bill. If you were to take 200 lbs. off that car, but have to charge $20,000 more you would lose sales as opposed to gaining it. I like them, like the 2007 model even more.
As for the SL55 they will never aluminize it or put substantial amounts of CF in it. One is those materials cost a bit more (in CF's case quite a bit more) than regular steel. Also the people that buy the SL55 are not into tracking their cars, they want a GT car with high horsepower. The SL55 more than fits that bill. If you were to take 200 lbs. off that car, but have to charge $20,000 more you would lose sales as opposed to gaining it. I like them, like the 2007 model even more.