Why aren't there more SL drivers?
 

With the abundance of SLs on the market, used, why don't we see more SLs on the road? It can't be price, because used car prices have come down to more affordable levels, and there are a lot of low mileage cars out there as well.

Stigma. Most people still associate this car with the rich and the famous. It is also an attention getter, not everybody likes to go down the road with the world gawking at you.

I had people gathered around my car peeking the interior while I was inside a diner eating on the way to North Carolina this summer. They were really intrigued by the car and wanted to see it up close. Especially when the own was not around so they could just got their face right up to the window. I was watching them from the inside of the diner.

A whole car load of CleaningMaids screamed at me "Take Me! Take Me!" while I was driving on Route 50 on way to work in Annapolis one morning.

Not to mention, there are only about 250K +/- R129 ever manufactured world wide. I am sure some have already wrecked or butchered.

I like the exclusitivity of the car. Don't like to see one on every road :D

Sounds like you could have cleaned up.... :D

I was behind a school bus from an all girls school in my area. All the girls were at the back window giving me a thumbs up.

Good to own something exclusive....plus lower prices doesn't equal more SL's.

There's no shortage of them on the road in Phoenix - they're everywhere - I guess not all over but certain parts of town. In a half hour drive the other day I saw five - of just the new model, i.e. the 03/04. We're a little backwards here - you see more soft tops and top down in the winter than the summer, but the cars are everywhere year round. I'd say they're like flies - but we don't really have flies here - there's more SLs.

As a new owner of a 98 SL, your right, I do get a lot of 'looks', and I'm always smiling as I drive, so that may be it too.
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Over the 12 weeks I was looking to purchase one, I only saw about 5. One was parked, the others were on the road. I must admit I did look into the one that was parked drooling.
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I suspect that in my neck of the woods, we'll see a lot more once the weather turns..Most people who can afford these new only drive them when the weather is nice.
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Me; I can't get enough, though I did drive the C into work today due to snow.

-D

I would agree that most owners don't use their SL as a daily driver, I know I don't.

Wow, all SLs are a dime a dozen around here...at least when it's not winter. :)

Stigma.
 

I agree. There is even a "podunk" used car lot near my job that has a few R107s and a nice R129, so price is definitely NOT a factor.

But I think even though they are affordable, some may fear the inevitable "mortgage-eating" repair, or perceive ownership as an endless wallet-draining maintenance nightmare! :eek:

After all, if they weren't, wouldn't you see more of them on the road? ;)

Few probably know that these cars are pretty robust and not fussy at all.

But let's keep that secret between us...;)

Come to the other side of Route 50 and you wont feel so special. I see tons of SLs in Bethesda

There are not many around here.... the local vehicle of choice in this neck of the woods seems to be a John Deere..........