Anyone here own an SLR with thoughts on the SLR roadster compared to SuperAmerica?

I've never owned one but I have probably done around 2000km in each of the SLR and SLR roadster on a touring events. They are fast, practical, comfortable and sound good. I was driving them back to back with a DBS and I would say however the DBS had the edge on handling. They don't come with much thrill factor (nothing like a Carrera GT for example). With BHP on supercars increasing, outside of the looks they are no longer as special as they once were from a performance point of view but they have come down a lot in price and they have rarity going for them.

Summary: If you want a proper GT car for touring; get one, there is probably not much better out there. If you want a supercar for weekend thrilling drives; get something else...

 

I asked this same question (SLR Roadster vs. Superamerica) in December 2012. See this thread: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/456-550-575/392438-superamerica-benz-slr-roadster.html.

Split opinions, but a majority favored the Superamerica, not surprising for a Ferrari chat room. SA owners almost universally love their cars and speak very well about them. And they are experienced owners, too, both with other Ferraris (vintage and modern) and other makes. That's a very strong recommendation for the SA.

The sense that I get is that the SLR Roadster may be a bit less practical and user friendly than the Superamerica. As others have said about the SA, limited production front engined V12 Ferrari drop (or flip) top: what's not to like? Most SLR Roadsters also have higher asking prices than Superamericas by $50K or so, sometimes into the low $300s.

There is also the "camaraderie" factor, if you will, that has some influence on my decision process. The wonderful community of friendship and willingness to share information that FChat, FCA, and local/informal groups of FCar owners foster is important to me. I have owned a number of Mercedes models (but never an SLR Coupe or Roadster) over the years and prowled Mercedes chat rooms. While there would certainly be a "WOW" factor associated with ownership of an SLR that would likely generate some e-chat, I never found much participation by SLR owners in the Benz chat rooms. The SLR is pretty much an orphan and on its own. This is in sharp contrast to the generous information and feedback from many Superamerica owners when SA topics are posted to FChat. Also, the many events sponsored by the local FCA regions as well as independent events and concours that look for Ferrari entrants are another nudge in the direction of the SA over the SLR.

The SLR Roadster really rings my chimes visually. Acceleration-wise, the SLR should be at least the equal, if not the better (by a bit) of a Superamerica. While I still have not settled on either the SLR or Superamerica side of the "which to buy?" fence, the Superamerica is having the stronger pull for me when all factors are considered.

Hope this helps. Best of luck in your decision and search!