You are here: Forums Coupes & Convertibles Mercedes-Benz SL/SLK-Class Mercedes-Benz SL and SLK (all models)

Mercedes-Benz SL and SLK (all models)

766 messages,  Last post on Oct 26, 2009 at 3:12 AM

You are in the Mercedes-Benz SL/SLK-Class Forum. Your Host is claires

What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, Convertible

Messages Page 4 of 77 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 77 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#31 of 766 Current Market Rate for 2003 SL55 by jstyle Mar 07, 2002 (2:52 pm)
I just talked with an associate in CA and we were discussing the new SL. He said his dealer told him that those with early allocation of the SL55 AMG are going to ask close to $US180,000 because this is what some people are offering for the car. I guess it really is a competitor for the Ferrari 360 in more ways than just performance. Mercedes is allowing these mark ups on new cars I guess.
#32 of 766 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Mar 07, 2002 (3:09 pm)
Mercedes can "discourage" markups but can't control them legally, is my understanding, since every dealer (except the factory "front" stores) are independent franchisees.   HONDA--Honda is the exception to the rule of the generalization that the Japanese copy and refine rather than innovate. I think the reason Honda is different is due to their vast motorcycle and substantial racing experience.   If Honda punched into the upper luxury market (unlikely) I'd lose sleep if I made cars in Germany.
#33 of 766 M.B. Quality Slippage by prattster Mar 07, 2002 (3:24 pm)
"Keep dreaming, MB remains the standard of the world" Yeah ok I'll take your word for it. Till Lexus crashed their party.   You can compare the trim inside to anything you want knock yourself out, compare it to my old Nikon camera with brushed trim but it still reeks of higher quality ambience than anything Benz and has lots of fine wood to go along if that's what one wants.   One who arrogantly underestimates the Japanese automakers is one who pays the price just like the Big 2.5 Brass did and were squealing like little piglets after when marketshare went bye bye in the 80's. This is what the Germans did exactly in the late 80's.   When Benz takes Lexus's place as number 1 in quality surveys, dealer satisfaction and realibility than I'll bow down and say their number 1. Go to finestsedan.com and see all the cars tested.
#34 of 766 by imaram Mar 07, 2002 (3:30 pm)
"One who arrogantly underestimates the Japanese automakers is one who pays the price just like the Big 2.5 Brass did and were squealing like little piglets after when marketshare went bye bye in the 80's. This is what the Germans did exactly in the late 80's."   Personally, I don't think you've driven a new Mercedes in 20 years. Could be wrong, but that's what it sounds like.   Saturn has higher dealer satisfaction numbers than Lexus BTW, and I believe Buick topped Lexus in CS.
#35 of 766 prattster by merc1 Mar 07, 2002 (10:03 pm)
I think you're overstating it a bit about the CLK and the SC430. Yes the SC430 has better materials, but I haven seen anywhere that the CLK is just junk, nor have I experienced that myself, having been the car a few times. The CLK Cabriolet easily has a more rigid body than the SC430, you don't hear about rattles and squeaks in CLK Cabrios like you do from SC430 owners, right here on edmunds. The Lexus has better materials/stereo/nav system, yet the Benz is the better driver of the two, with a stiffer body (very important in a convertible) and better styling, with rollover protection, something Lexus is still "researching".   The NSX is not an exotic by choice, IT SIMPLY DOESN'T SELL! Acura would love to import more of these, but time passed it by long ago. Why would Mercedes study Lexus that hard, they only be looking at their own work!!!! Also the CL's door hinge is a BETTER design than the SC's.    I do agree with you about Audi. They make the best interior of any German car. The A4 shames the C-Class and the 3-Series in the materials/styling/layout game. The A6 and A8 have about the best interiors around.   Mercedes aren't made based on wood, leather and aluminum. The guts of the car is what most appeals to me.   And that test that AMCI did was pure BS at it's best. Lexus asked for the test. I can configure a test with specific criteria that will show that a Hyundai Sonota is a better car than a ES300. That test means nothing.   M
#37 of 766 CLK430 vs SC430 by merc1 Mar 08, 2002 (7:09 am)
Well well, seems as though C&D agrees the CLK just beat the SC. So much for that SC430 superior crap.   M
#38 of 766 Japan versus Germany debate by shoes Mar 08, 2002 (8:54 am)
Let's celebrate the fact that we can enjoy the choice between Japanese quality and German engineering.
#39 of 766 by imaram Mar 08, 2002 (8:56 am)
Not to mention the choice between Japanese appliances and German driving experience!   D'oh!
#40 of 766 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Mar 08, 2002 (10:45 am)
Let's stick to the Mercedes 500SL if we can.   If you wish to praise Lexus, there are many other topics to do so. This topic is primarily to discuss the pros and cons of this particular car, not other makes.

Messages Page 4 of 77 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 77 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Coupes & Convertibles Mercedes-Benz SL/SLK-Class Mercedes-Benz SL and SLK (all models)