Pretty funny it should appear there first. A CA Ferrari dealer had a Mercedes SLR not too long ago. Everyone has everybody else's supercar before the authorized dealers do.
I saw one in the storage garage at FoSF last week when I dropped in. Still looks too much like the Batmobile for my tastes. Gary
Just to be clear, it was an SLR at FoSF, not a 430. They apparently will not get their first 430 in for a few more weeks. Gary
The 430 in Northern California was turned two times, and I'm told the final price was 150k OVER MSRP!!!! Somebody has more money than sense, I suspect. FoSF will get its first 430 in about two weeks. Art
Well,either way, I think it's been about a month or 2 since my last visit, so I'm overdue for a visit to Mill Valley. I think I might go by BMC on monday if I have time.
I doubt the SLR is still there. It was in the paper Sunday, priced to sell. Plus I saw one on the back of a flatbed going down 101 a few days later - probably the same one - how many could there be, after all?
guys, to ask a stupid question since i am not from the Bay area.....what dealer is BMC? might they have a pic of the 430 on their website and if so, what's the web address?
BMC is British Motors Cars in San Francisco, CA. They do not have a website but they have an awesome collection of cars upstairs in their warehouse (they are also Lambo dealer).
4i2fly...BMC is British Motors Cars in San Francisco, CA. They do not have a website but they have an awesome collection of cars upstairs in their warehouse (they are also Lambo dealer). just wanted to say thanks for the info. and prompt reply!
do'h! I am really wanting to see a 430.....I was at BMC Tuesday, but it wasn't there then. dang! I went to FoSF Thursday, they said they'll get one any day, but it won't be in the showroom, given the 3 year waiting list....bugger....
they have cars upstairs??????!!!!??!?!??!?? last I checked (tuesday), they had a lotus elise, 360 spider, 5 gallardo's, 2 Murcielago's (one with funky rims), and 2 Murcielago Roadsters. Am I missing somewhere?
Here is their website http://www.bmcd.com My understanding is that BMC is owned by The Qvale family. Can someone confirm this?
You are right, Qvale family owns BMC and used to own the car Qvale Mangusta before they sold the rights to "MG", I think.
Bah, I don't care about the SLR! I've seen a couple before anyways. ;-) I was looking foward to seeing the F430.
I guess everyone has a favorite - I actually like the SLR better than the Japanese influenced 430, which I think will look dated in 5 years. Saw another SLR at Kinkos in SF yesterday.
I spotted a Black SLR in Palo Alto yesterday, could be one you guys are talking about. It was on Quarry Road next to the Stanford Shopping Center. Very wide car, wider than I expected. Intially I thought it was an SL500 but as it got closer i could see the distinctive slits all over the front of the car. I must admit I don't like it very much. For that kind of money I'd go for a Carrera GT, but to each his own. Still a very impressive looking car, however.
The SLR is nice, but the number of "gills", just like on a Saleen S7, is a design detail that I could live without. It is crossing that gentleman's express vs. "flashy nouveau riche boy racer" divide, IMO...Not that I would throw it out of my garage. When it comes to styling, I am finding myself drawn to the Murci and the Gallardo. They are fresh, but without the antagonizing Bangle disharmony factor. It does not remind me of the Pokemon, like the new Elise does. And I am not seeing any Supra / RX8 cues in the Lambos, like I am in the 430. Speaking of which....All the details on the 430 are nice, but the elements do not fuse into a coherent organic whole. Maybe time will cure my first impression. Of course these days, it is pointless to talk about national design character. I can armchair quarterback car design, but the designers themselves are a shifty lot. Italians designing for Koreans, Americans for Italians, etc, etc....Global economy !
I saw a silver SLR at SVAG in Los Gatos a couple of weeks ago. Asking $550K if I remember. It wasn't there last weekend (there was a black Saleen S7 though, asking about the same).
Saw the black SLR around Palo Alto also...IMO it looks like crap. The proportions are cartoonish, and the gills all over the place really don't help. The SL is a much cleaner design.
The design of the new SLK can almost make you think it's an SLR (from the rear), but with much smaller proportions. I agree about the SLR, that's what I don't like about it, all of those slits. I think it clutters it up a bit too much, but yeah, to each his own. Went by BMC today, they still had the 430. Went inside and took some pictures. Asking price was $290K, but it had a big "SOLD" tag on it, so I guess someone bought it. It looks like it is a european car, as all of the rear markers were clear, instead of 2 clear, 2 amber as on a normal US delivery. Not a bad looking car in person, in my eyes. Apparently someone messed with the car or something, or maybe it happened during shipmet, but the "Ferrari" on the rear decklid had it's "a" bent out of place, so as it was slanted to the left, almost breaking off. They also had a nice Murcielago Roadster over there for $345K. Went up to FoSF as well today. They still had the SLR in the garage. Someone had a nice 275 GTB/4 in corsa while I was there, very nice car! Also had a nice TDF Stradale, but whoever detailed it did a pretty bad job because there was some serious hologramming of the paint. Poor thing. Everything else there was the standard fare.