Guys: I've got an SL jones...

Thanks Elau but I'm not-quite-ready-to-buy-yet (read: haven't done all the homework). As to shipping, I'd just fly one way and Cannonball Run it back to CA. Again - appreciate your looking into it but we've got sooooo many great CA examples out here (what winter? what humidity? what rust? what salt?), I shouldn't have to go too far. Unless I want the manual...
Matt

[DALE DORIA]

I have a 97 SL 320 and it truly is a wonderful machine. My wife has a 2000 C 280 and they are definately different animals. The stick shift cars were early 90's and I believe the first year of the 320. However, these cars are few and far between. I also would recommend that you visit a dealership and tell them what you want......however, you need to be prepared to purchase if they find a car your're looking for. I had my dealership on the lookout for quite sometime. However, my dealership will ONLY sell cars that they have previously sold and have serviced. They know the mechanical history of the car and where it has been. You need to establish a good working relationship with the dealer and have him work for you. Also, I would NOT purchase a car like this without a Starmark Warrenty..they are expensive to fix. Good luck and be patient...I was, and am VERY satisfied with my car...

[BobH]

I purchased a 1990 300Sl one year ago. The performance has really lived up to my expectations. I went for the 300Sl rather than the 500Sl because of price and was fortunate enough to find a model in excellent condition with only 25,000 miles. I purchased from a private party and feel if you know what your looking for, you don't have to restrict your purchase to Mercedes Dealers.

[elau]

BobH,
I agree. I found most of the SL out there are very pampered cars, and you can find a good one if you spend a little effort. My biggest suggestion is the Starmark warrenty on any late model year SL, against most financial "experts" advise on any extended warrenty. It just the nature of this vehicle, anything is twice as much as other MB.

95 R129
98 W163

[tony s]

makakio

Considering the lasting power of the Mercedes you may want to look into an older model 500 SL with slightly more miles. I was fortunate enough to pick up my 1990 from an associate who refused to give it to dealer for trade-in value. He “gave” it to me for dealer trade-in. I wasn’t even in the market for a car but it seemed to good to be true.

I love the raw power of the 500, however at 4200lbs it’s far from nimble. While I miss driving a stick shift I’ve found that you can hold the 500 in gear to take full advantage of the torque curve...talk about fun. Most of my driving is local or highway.

I’m not sure if I would recommend the SL for curvy hills though (please no flames, I’ll reevaluate after I get the chance to make a PA run). Have you looked at the pocket rockets like the little Honda s2000? That’s a convertible that could be fun in the curves but at speeds over 100mph my money is with the Benz. Rock solid at all times.

Like Elau, I find myself going out of my way to take a parkway to get to the corner deli. It’s a fun car to drive. Yesterday (in a light rain) I took the top off, I just couldn’t wait another day.

My advise would be to take your time shopping and don’t rush into anything.
Good luck
tony

P.S. Anyone know what injection is in the 1990 SL 500? And what are the differences of note.

[Edited by tony s on 04-09-2001 at 05:22 PM]