2003 SL500 Impressions... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

David C Klasse · #1 08-07-2002, 10:43 AM

Hot, hot.... HOT!!

My friend's mom just traded in her 96 SL500 for a 2003 SL500... glacier white!

Well the other day, she let him drive it for the afternoon, and OMG what a friggin HOT car that is!! It is pretty much a base SL500, but has all features like xenons, ABC, and on and on and on. How I did know that there was options the car didn't have, I can thank to the plastic panels around the shifter that shout: THIS OPTION ISN'T ON THIS CAR! That was cheezy, in addition to the feel of the glove box mechanism (seems like ALL mercedes) was really crappy and cheap feeling. Also the storage bin covers below the seats were pretty cheap. But other than that, the car seemed very well put together, and the materials looked great in the SL layout.

The interior, and Exterior, are so chic... the car is so aesthetically pleasing from ALL angles, inside and out. It is extremely different than past MBs however. And I absolutely loved the climate control system! I can't explain it... but it was the neatest, simplest system.... I can't complain on that. Also, the Bose stereo was absolutely superb. The rear had 2 mini seat belts to strap luggage in!

The top is fast, 16 seconds... but it feels cheaper in it's motions (similar to a Mustang convert), than our CLK Cabrio, per se, which takes a good 30 seconds. Nonetheless, I'm sure it's solid.

Driving impressions are fairly similar to the prior SL500... both cars felt large and solid, yet rather nimble, and a BIG refined motor under the hood.

Obviously the new SL drove similar to a R129, but with improvement in most every category. The car truly hawled serious @ss, and it did it with such authority and eagerness. It handled wonderfully... and (didn't test it too much) with ABC activated, in addition to the adjustable suspension (full firm - 2 leds), the SL had absolutely NO body roll when activated... talk about a firmly tracked car. It was like being in Heaven... it doesn't get much better than this!

Well at the end of the day, as we were back in Alan's measley 99 BMW 323is convertible... we felt a little more comfortable. Two 20 y/o guys cruising in a 2003 SL500 really was kind of embarrassing... it did scream, "MOMMY'S CAR." But then again, it is mommy's car.

G-Benz · #2 08-07-2002, 02:04 PM

"Mommy" went to the dealership this weekend with "Daddy" to look at one as well...

This one had every option available. Couldn't get used to that weird pearl paintjob though...

"Daddy can't afford the payments on this one, so "Mommy will just have to be content with her R129...

At least you got to try one out...the dealers here won't let you drive it unless you bought it

David C Klasse · #3 08-07-2002, 02:06 PM

Expensive I know! Evidently, Alan's mom had to pay quite a premium over sticker cost (Upwards of $20,000!) !!!

Totally outrageous!!

G-Benz · #4 08-07-2002, 02:15 PM

The sales guy blew us a lot of wind about how we could still sell the car for more than the $119K they were asking for 6 months down the road. And even that we could get nearly full value if trading in three years!!!

Yeah right! So why doesn't our R129 trade-in value worth more than it is???

I guess five years down the road, we will be looking at the pre-owned ones...and pay 45% of new list price?

David C Klasse · #5 08-07-2002, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by G-Benz

I guess five years down the road, we will be looking at the pre-owned ones...

5 years! You say it so casually... we are talking about a 2003 SL500! Just playing...

You're closer than I am to an SL500! I'm only 20, and when I get a part time job (I'm moving to Berkeley!), only be making $500 or $600 a month... think I could make $2,000 monthly payments on that kind of income! A one-bdrm apt in Berkeley runs for (the decent ones) over a grand! That's more than what it costs here in Newport Beach! Anyway... it was an astounding automobile!

Holson Adi · #6 08-07-2002, 02:29 PM

I saw the AMG Sl55 today when i was pickin up a part at the dealer. It was beautiful !!!!!!!!!!!

I thought the Sl500 looked amazing! (it does does does). However the SL55 was just one step better! The quad exhaust pipes, the body kit, the lights, etc.

Amazing.... too bad I don't have some $150K to spend on a car.

G-Benz · #7 08-07-2002, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David C Klasse

5 years! You say it so casually... we are talking about a 2003 SL500! Just playing...

You're closer than I am to an SL500! I'm only 20, and when I get a part time job (I'm moving to Berkeley!), only be making $500 or $600 a month... think I could make $2,000 monthly payments on that kind of income! A one-bdrm apt in Berkeley runs for (the decent ones) over a grand! That's more than what it costs here in Newport Beach! Anyway... it was an astounding automobile!

Come to Texas (yeeehawww)!

No state tax (actually no sales tax last weekend), affordable housing, summers like the surface of the sun, and MBs are as common as Mexican restaurants!

The Warden · #8 08-07-2002, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David C Klasse
I'm only 20, and when I get a part time job (I'm moving to Berkeley!), only be making $500 or $600 a month... think I could make $2,000 monthly payments on that kind of income! A one-bdrm apt in Berkeley runs for (the decent ones) over a grand! That's more than what it costs here in Newport Beach! Anyway... it was an astounding automobile!

Just wonderin', what's in Berkeley? BTW, the rent in the East Bay's nothing compared to the Peninsula...I'm still with my mom (my girlfriend also lives with us), so we need a two bedroom that allows pets (for my two cats)...never found anything lower than $1300, except where we are right now...rent-free, but that's only 'cause the landlord is a close friend of my mom's...