Thanks guys, all of you. I know it's a bit odd to be cross-shopping these 2 vehicles, but I suppose being eclectic is both one of my strengths and weaknesses. The SLR to me would be, and this borders on ridiculous, an over-the-top weekend car and non-winter daily driver. Sure, it's status symbol first and performance vehicle second, but I'll be the first to admit that I am ridiculous when it comes to cars. I drive them, and I drive them a lot. I'm not on the track often so I'm not flogging my cars, and I will put 10,000 - 15,000km on each exotic that I own, each driving season. Hell, I just got my Murcielago 2 months ago with 1280km and it is just about to hit 9000km. I guess I just want something a bit different from everyone else. When I started thinking Murcie, there was maybe one or two in town. Now, there are Gallardos and Murcies running around everywhere. I'm not saying that I don't love the Lambo, because I do, but I'd like to have something else in addition to. I'm just at that point in my life. My short and realistic list at the moment is Ford GT sans stripe, SLR, or perhaps yet another SL55. The criteria is low maintenance, low service bills, and a bit of pop to the looks. For example, the windshield on the Murcie is about $11,000. I've not had to replace it yet, and I dread the day when I have to. Those are the kind of bills I'm not looking to deal with, no matter what kind of car I am driving.
Here's what I'm talking about. With the SLR, I'd probably powdercoat the wheels to turn them black and retain a polished rim. I know the pic is the 722, and I'm not really interested in that. Just the standard SLR. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Have any of the MB dealerships upgraded their equipment or had the proper training to service the SLR? Last time I heard, you had to ship the car to Vancouver to get a simple oil change!
Powder coating the rims would look sick! Picture these, but flat black and not glossy Image Unavailable, Please Login
We never had a SLR in our dealership. The other dealership in town was the one that sold it, i'm pretty sure. As for the Ford GT and SLR....SLR>FGT.
Agree there. About the SLR servicing, I believe that the Vancouver issue still stands (so far as I know, correct me if I'm wrong). I believe there are only 1 or 2 SLRs in Calgary, and I doubt Lone Star or Hyatt would ship in the nessacery equpiment for those 2 cars. However, it might be a possibility. ZR Auto could be coaxed into servicing it The GT I'm sure can be serviced here. I think we've probably got 4 or 5 of them now (at least). It is a good value, IMO (link), but I suspect it also is a bit coarse. PS: Yes, you can get the limiter removed. I've heard that MB dealerships will do it. The only reason the 155MPH limiter is there is because the 3 major German luxury manufacturers (Audi, MB, BMW) made a pact because the German government was panning on introducing much tighter emissions standards or something like that. It was a deal between the manufacturers and the government.
New Ford GT, tax in, roughly 220,000 CND New McMerc SLR, tax in, roughly 550,000 CND That kind of puts things in perspective...
I'm a little biased, but a FGT around a track feels very nice. CHEAP to maintain in comparison to italian counterparts. More raw than an SLR. But what do you think of the value of the car in 2 years? All the cars are bought new now. What will the value be with mileage - Limited production or not? Big Bad John
But have you heard the numbers on a slightly used SLR?! Go that way; let someone else take the head-first-dive-off-a-cliff! BTW, I'm sure the GT could be serviced here (the engine isn't anything too unique). No offense, but I wouldn't service an SLR at ZR... warranty issues and such.
Good points, all of them. The depreciation issue regarding the SLR is important. They aren't moving these cars, as the market is limited. No matter what price point I get in at, it's not going to be the most liquid thing to get out of. I'm guessing it's costing dealers a pretty penny simply to floor the car. Kds probably can comment more on this, and my guess would be around 2k a month simply to show. I called up to Weber in Edmonchuk and sure enough, the black SLR is there. Of course "there is lots of interest on the car." Uh huh. Anyway, the salesman said it's windowed at 513k and change. I mentioned the number 450k and he started to press asking if he were to hit that mark, would I sign on the line which is dotted. This tells me these cars aren't selling. I'd be interested to hear from others what these slightly used SLRs are stickered at these days. Dupont has several below the 399k USD mark, and one at 369k I think. Regarding the Ford GT, I went to Maclin today and checked on their red one with a white stripe. I asked a few questions about it and the salesperson started to fill out an Order To Purchase form and started looking for my home address and such. Slow down, buddy. Long story somewhat shorter, they are asking 250k for it, or roughly 50k CND premium above MSRP. The one buyer for the car has had his deposit on the car since March, but has yet to complete the deal and is still stalling. Total number of other people on the list behind him for purchase = 0. Oh, and I confirmed that FGTs can be serviced at the dealership. Then again, the guy who marked me as an up seemed not to exactly know what the score was with these cars.
Brim...... The window sticker when this SLR was in Calgary a month ago was $443K USD.......IIRC.......and FOREX was calculated on the date you wrote the cheque. Don't know where the Edmonton salesman got the other number from.........also, to answer the other question, MB floors the SLR......the dealer does not finance it......$2,000 a month would be exact as far as a dealer's interest costs go for a 30 day period if they were footing the bill. Now tell me.......because I just gotta ask........you didn't drive your Murci over to Maclin now did you ? Sounds like the salesman saw you get out of the car. LOL !!!!!! You should have said here's the deal.......that you'd make an offer on the car.......and if it was accepted, he'd have to go into a dunk tank in front of the entire dealership and you got 3 balls to throw at him.
I read in a magazine (autobild) I think that so far they have sold 1500 SLR's, and want to sell 2500 but they just aren't moving. That's why they are releasing a more exciting version, the 722, to try and spark some interest. So they aren't moving fast, that's for sure. When they bring out the 722 in showrooms the SLR will come down in price.
And after that, I would get to strike the gong. I hope we are both referring to that silly King of Cars show. What a farce that dealership is. I've actually been there and it's as much of a zoo as the show depicts.
I think the SLR is overpriced by $150,000 Canadian. As for the FGT, it seems like it created much more of a buying frenzy south of the border than here. I've never been able to get my head around paying a premium over MSRP. Heck, I've usually not been able to get my head around paying MSRP itself.
Brim, from an economic standpoint the SLR will be a hard car to sell in the next little while and will come with heavy depreciation. They have sold about 1500 and are on contract to produce a minimum 3500 which is why they are talking of a 722 and even a roadster. Buy one, but wait a few years. In the meantime a Carrera GT or even an F40 would be a much better way to go. My 2 cents which by U.S dollar standards is going up.
Of all the times to not have my camera with me today: Silver Porsche 997 Turbo Red Ferrari 355 coupe at the Westhills movie theater (had a Zr auto license plate frame) Grayish Lamborghini Gallardo at the westhills movies theater. Looked like it could use a bit of cleaning, plus some curb rash on the rear passenger side rim. Lamborghini Of Vancouver license plate frame. Other than that, this has to be the nicest looking car I have ever seen on the road.
