Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible (5.0L 8cyl 7A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $5.22 per gallon for premium unleaded in California.
I purchased my SL55 AMG in Feb of 2010.
The bad... had to repair air suspension on front and back.
The good... MB significantly reduced the cost of the repair.
The excitement of most new car purchases ware off in a month or so.
Not this car.
I look forward to driving this car every day.
Performance is very good, looks are great with top up or down.
I can't belive how well it handles … based on the weight being over 4,300 lbs.
It goes where ever you point it with plenty of power on tap.
It is a shame this care does not come with a license to speed.
Pay the extra cost for the AMG.
It is definately worth it.
Probably the best-looking car Mercedes
has ever made. The retractable hardtop
is fabulous and should be copied by all
convertible car makers. It is however
seriously marred by two major flaws.
The engine pings as if it is running on
low-octane gas all the time. (I use
91 ). Going uphill with a passenger it
sounds like diesel sometimes. For a
car this expensive, it … ought to run
much smoother than that. Spoils the
otherwise perfect ride. Mercedes
tells me they all do it, its not a
repairable item. Also, the controls are
very badly designed. You better keep
the manual with you at all times or be
a computer engineer.
Geat body style and excellent handling. It would be helpful if the trunk were an inch wider and deeper to accomodate two golf bags. Averaging 21.5 mpg. Negatives: Command system reliability. Navagation and sound system occasionally malfunctions. Sound system not up to par for a $100,000 vehicle. No fade control on sound system.
I bought this car because I wanted a toy. Something to drive on nice days with the top down. The car is beautiful. People stop me all the time to tell me what a nice car it is. It looks great weather the top is up or down. I don't really get to open it up because here in Chicago there is always too much traffic but I have driven it late at night and the car is a rocket. It sounds great … when you start it and press on the gas and heads will turn to look where the roar is coming from.
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