Well I already have a Fiat 500 Abarth.

Yes, ABC is horiffic but the changes to the engine plus the addition of twin turbos make it much nicer. You can easily change the suspension to a non ABC suspension from another model.

That's just your Golf GTI II, as far as I'm concerned. Once pieces of this car begin to fall off, you're going to run back to Stuttgart...

I think the Silver Arrow is a better looking car by far.

So, what's with the Silver Arrow, that makes it an apex SL to own:confused: I don't get it......trim, the name, what??

JFTR (JustForTheRecord): IF, one were given to me, I'd choose the SL.:)

6 months on my used Abarth Cab and it's held up better than my new GTI which had rattles and paint defects. It was also losing its finish on the wheels and vw refused to fix it.

I'd pay as much as scrap price for one. Actually, probably a bit more than scrap price. I've never had a V12, and I've heard (and believe) that every car guy should have one once. S600 is probably one of the cheapest V12 cars you'll find on the market. I wouldn't plan on keeping one for very long.

The first generation BMW V12 and Jag XJS can be had much cheaper. Not nearly as powerful as the S600 though.

I currently own an 84 XJS... It's V12 got swapped for a Small block chevy.

...and I've decided on the S600 pending a decent inspection.

They really aren't worth the trouble. The power is meh at best and is slow to rev due to the mass of the reciprocating assembly. It's a poorly built gas hog and is a nightmare to work on. Its the only Mercedes engine I've seen blown up from simply being driven hard. Its my impression that the V12s from all of the manufacturers were rushed to market in a big dick competition. I personally think the M120 is one of Mercedes worst engines in recent history. I've seen plenty of people that just had to have one, I never met anyone that just had to have a second one.

I had an XJ12 C in the eighties. Closest I ever came to getting bankrupted by a car. Beautiful car, essentially an XJ two door hardtop coupe. It was like being in love with a gorgeous model with a bad coke habit.

Well the s600 flunked, go figure. Has a number of electrical problems including a blower motor that will not turn off until you disconnect the battery.

Silver arrow is out as well. Found 2 very good deals on my dealer wholesale site today. Bought one on the spot. thinking hard on the other.

What about a nice Avanti II? Classic Loewy styling with small-block Chevy powertrain.

Well, that stinks. What did you end up buying?

2001 SL500 Sport Package. The original AMG staggered wheels are included. 67,000 miles. Soft top Inop. $5000.00. No brainer.

The thinker right now is the 2001 CLK 55 AMG. 103,000 miles for $5500.

I never liked that vintage of CLK, seemed cheap. That year also had low HP, AMG was like what 340 maybe?

The SL looks good once those horrible wheels are thrown in the dumpster. The R129 is really a good car, I can't believe they have depreciated so much.