rjsmd

Like the interior, hate the exterior.

Although you and I have spoken almost exclusively about spyders to date, I too have perceived value in the SL market.

Re: CLK Black Series These are unfortunately overpriced. Had the MSRP on these been about $20-25K over the price of a CLK 63 AMG, they would be flying off the showroom. This is definitely a second owner car, unless you enjoy watching your money burn. I could be wrong, but my feeling is that these will speed toward the 5 figure range once a few of them hit the used market, and I would not be surprised if the two year depreciation on these was as much as 45%.

That's what my instincts were telling me. Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to drive one of these, but my assumption is that they are somewhat like an SL AMG (comfortable, stable, easy to drive), with a sh*#load more power under foot. I have had the pleasure of sitting in one and blipping the throttle a few times and I was intoxicated by even that breif experience. It was only coincidence that I had run across it while visiting the delership to test drive another car. Sadly, I was sufficiently enamored to shift my focus to the SLR. I say sadly, because the SLR is about a hundred large north of the level I was prepared to jump into at the moment. I still have a few cars on my test drive list, but I'll be surprised if any supplant the SLR as my top choice. I can only hope that the market on these will remain stable (i.e. not go up) for a few more months whilst I amass the necessary funds. I'd say I'm about 6 months away from being in the position to take a run at one of these. Perhaps in the meanwhile, I can talk the dealer into a little test drive.

Any concerns that the upcoming MB Gullwing revival will affect the SLR market? This is certainly not to suggest that the Gullwing will serve as a replacement for the SLR, as I see it more as a coupe variant of the SL with a uniquely nostalgic door. The styling seems more SL than SLR. That is, of course, based on the renditions that have been circulated as to the expected appearance of the Gullwing. My impression is that the Gullwing is intentionally softer in appearance, so that it will have greater cross-sectional appeal. The suggested production numbers would make it a less exclusive car than the SLR. The proposed power numbers, however, put it in similar circles as the SLR (620 hp).

I will certainly try to oblige. I have been rather busy of late. When not at work, in meetings, or checking my daughter's homework, I have been researching and test driving cars as part of my due diligence in the quest for my first exotic automobile.

I like the wheel, but feel similarly to others about the stagger. The 2 inch difference just doesn't work for me. The 20 seems to fill the front wheel well nicely. I woud like to see a 20/21 set up.

I'm wondering if they are already at their nadir. Perhaps they will touch $250K at some point in the near future, but I doubt they will go much lower, if they even hit that mark.