What's your age, SL owner?

[Zestieboy]

46 going on 19.

[DOCJBK]

I turned 50 last December bought my SL 2 weeks ago, but I have wanted one for the past 25 years, finally found one i really liked.

[shortturtle294]

I'd cut my teeth on Jags and MG's when I purchased my first German sports car it was a new 1973 911S. I had expected too much, the closest dealer was a three hour drive, I spent more time working on it than driving it. Than at 23 I got a new 1977 450SL, it wasn't a disapointment. I worked on it and tore it apart just for education and enjoyment. I have owned and maintained several SL's and a SEC since. I always wanted a V12 and we now own a 1995 with 60k miles. It's a challange but fun to work on and a hoot to drive. Trying to see how much money you don't have to spend, yet keeping one prestine has always been my hobby. I'm fifty two so what's that average 35?
Compared to airplanes or boats they are very economical!

I am probably one of the youngest Mercedes SL owners (yes I own it, it's not my parents) I bought it with my own money , I have a 1993 graymarket 600SL V12, I bought it at the age of 16, I am now 17, before I bought it I had a 1973 450SL.
I love my SL its a chick magnet and I get compliments every time I drive it, I haven't yet driven a better, nicer or more powerful car and I've driven/owned many cars for my age, I like it even more then a 2004 SL500 I once test drove. SL's are not (old man) cars.

[wolf_1]

Hey, I'm 57 now but have never felt over 30, go figure? I liked
the quality of the SL so much I got a E320 for a every day ride
and believe the Benz is one of the finest on the road! For my power
feeling days I picked up a 61 Impala SS with a 348 tri power set up
and 4 on the floor. I did the frame off restoration my self. Being a
avid Harley rider/camper, my Road King with big bore kit does the
trick for the wild wolf in me.
Tim the toy man

[xkeots]

Hi All,

Here is my age and a story. I am 53 years old. In 1977 I almost got killed in a brand new Corvette and I was in a neck brace for about 8 weeks.
I was looking after that time for the safest car. My friends said Porsche 911 and I said not safe enough. I was 25 then. I went to my local Me/Be dealer and I saw a VHS looped video that the dealer was playing about the safety of the 450 SL, right then I bought a brand new 1977 450 SL.
Then in 1981 I traded that in for a brand new left over 1980 450 SL (I didn't want a 380SL) and I was 28 then. Both of them were Navy Blue/Palamino. I must say that I have always had an XKE since 1965 but I couldn't get into it and drive it for a while after that Corvette crash.
In 1982 I kept the 450 & bought a new 911 as a 3rd car.
I sold the 1980 SL in 1994 and I bought a 1990 Jaguar XJS convertible. (still have it). I had been missing my 450 SL for 11 years. In 2005 I bought a 1980 450SL with 63,000 original miles that was sitting at the bottom of garage furniture for about 12 years with many body marks and small dents. (I will fix them as I feel that low miles are more important than good looks).
I cleaned it up and it is mechanically perfect. I feel now that the lost puzzle piece has been found. It is like that old sneaker that feels so good. I put a kinder seat in the back for my 6 year old and I can't wait to take the hard top off and take a cruise.

May The Wind Carry You To Safe Places
Jack
1980 450 SL
1989 560 SEC
+ others

[derryb]

52 going on 25

[PH1958]

I bought my Brilliant Silver 2005 SL500 in August 2004 when I was 46 years old. I had worshipped the SLs for over 25 years. The 2005 model had all the bells and whistles for which I yearned. (Of course, the 2007 version with the new V8 is very tempting.) My wife pushed me over the edge to splurge for my mid-life crisis-mobile. The SL is "babied" and has only 2,300 miles on the odometer.

My first Benz was a 1985 190E. While I liked the vehicle, the build quality was marginal. The AC needed an annual repair. I sold it in 1989.

My second Benz is the 1997 S320. It has been my commuter car and is fast approaching 140,000 miles. It has been a reliable vehicle from Day 1.

[David Humber]

I got my 560SL about 6 months ago and I am nust about to turn 44.
Best thing I have ever done ... Boy what a blast ... Little Blue
makes me smile ever time I drive her!

[David Humber]

I got my 560SL about 6 months ago and I am just about to turn 44.
Best thing I have ever done ... Boy what a blast ... Little Blue
makes me smile ever time I drive her!

[rg2098]

Well although not legally mine, we bought our SL when I was 9 but I spent around 300% more time with the vehicle then my father and I put more miles on her then my father as well until we sold it shortly after I turned 15 2 years ago. I called it my car and everyone generally agreed including my father. The 300D I bought as my own right after selling the SL slightly after the 15th birthday (within 2 or 3 months)

[iwrock]

^^^ Also the story here too. My dad is 57 and it is his daily driver. Although, my dad and I spend equal time with her. We both devote most of out time to her. She is his second wife. He is so paranoid about it, he went out and bought the bugscreen the day after we bought her. He is depressed that she doesn't have the stock rims. Its cool though. Now, to get some more seat time.

[Garion]

Hey all.

I guess I'm not the youngest, but I am eighteen and bought a 1984 280 SL from a friend of the family and had it shipped from California to here (Florida) late February. I had thoroughly read through almost all of this forum before deciding to purchase it.

Everything about the car is just so dang cool - I guess I could figure out a more mature way to put it, but that's about how I feel. So far, all that I have had to do was buy a new soft top, which I had put on locally just today. Now, the car is almost flawless - with the exception of a one (or so) inch dent to the left of the license plate; I'm getting it fixed when I get the whole thing re-painted to perfection.

Once again, I fear showing my age (or lack there of), because I also swapped out the non-original tape deck for a very, very nice Alpine radio I removed from my truck. It hides itself in the dash when I turn off the car, which is the main reason I wanted it in this convertable. But I am not going to mutilate the car for the sake of the soundsystem, I promise.

I don't think my car is an old man car - the straight six mated to the five speed is so much fun to drive. However, my boss (an old man lawyer) does enjoy driving the car - this is an honor to me, because his daily driver is an 04 E55 AMG. Yikes, that car has some get-up and go.

Well, I'm sure I have bored everybody quite enough, so untill I have a problem, I'll try not to bother y'alls to much more.

Thanks,
Garion

[Garion]

Oh yea, though - my only complaint is that that sweet V8, 497-Horsepower E55 does not come with a stick. Pity.

G'night.
Garion

[nobby]

I am 23 years old.........Trapped in a 44 year old body. Ironically, my 280 SL is also 23 years old. I have had it for just over a year and enjoy it immensely.
I am a blue collar guy with wife and three daughters and not a whole lot of disposable income however I am finding money to continue to maintain and restore my SL . Some days I wonder what the hell did I get myself into. Other days I am screaming down the highway with the top down. I don't consider it a good investment in money terms but I enjoy it as a hobby. Or so says my wife.