996TT vs SL55

SL55 as quick standard, once off the line and moving. It handles extremely well for a 2000Kg car, but you will never hide the fact that it weighs almost 500kg more than the Porsche.
Aside from the obvious, sexy fold away roof etc what are you after, sexy GT or sports car? The SL is the former and the Porsche is the latter IMO.

 

My dad has been looking at SL55's for a bit and pretty sure he will get one. For a mid 50's guy it's an awesome car, fairly quick, comfortable, easy to get in and out of. It's also a wee bit more stealthy if you like to drive fast, old guy in a MB gets away with a lot more than a turbo porsche.

That being said the SL portrays the old guy image a lot more, don't see many 20-30's men driving them, quite a few more in 996 TT's.

Ohh, and in that price range, NEITHER, get a 360M

 

I had a 01 996tt and now own a 04 SL55. The tt taught me that I do not like awd in sports cars. The SL55 is a nice gt car that is alot more nimble than I thought it would be.

 

not sure about that, 996TTs and SL55s cost around or under 100k, all of the 360ms that i have seen were 140k+

 

Yes I did. This may get me some feedback but the SL55 feels alot ike my 575 on the highway. Fast, lots of torque and a great criuser. Steering and driver feedback no where near a Ferrari (though not so far off a Maserati). I bought the car bacause my wife thinks I drive like a nut and wanted me to have a hardtop convertable. Scott take a test drive, car as a nice exhaust note. In the end it is your butt in the seat. Alot of the guys I know with Ferraris have a SL55 as well. That should tell you something.

 

I've owned 2 SL55s and have driven my partner's 996TT dozens of times.

He prefers the TT, I certainly prefer the MBs.

Handling-wise, the Porsche is superior by far. The Merc is heavy and even with all that HP it still rolls and wobbles about on twisties. The Porsche handles like a Porsche - tight, tight, and fun.

Sound-wise, the MB sounds incredible. In fact, I've never heard a V8 that sounds better. And that includes my 360 with Capristo exhaust. The MB note is deep, throaty, and growls with increasing volume as your foot moves towards the floor. Even with aftermarket exhaust, the Porsche still sounds like a Volkswagen with bronchitis.

Looks-wise, well that's very subjective, isn't it? I prefer the SL55, specifically in black, and think the hardtop convertible is amazing. I put the lowering module on it and upgraded the wheels to something a bit more aggressive. The Porsche on the other hand looks okay too, but to me it looks exactly like every other Porsche model from every year.

If you've been looking for something for the track to replace your 911, the SL55 isn't it. If however you want a GT that has good straight-line and great sound, the SL55 is a sweet ride.

 

Scott- if you haven't gotten behind the wheel of an SL yet, I'm off until the 23rd and wouldn't mind getting lunch and trading cars for a drive..

 

Scott,

Stephens is usually on the money and I have discussed this with him in private message as well. I can't say about the switch from a sporty little car like the Turbo but I have a fun past with the big cars... Personally I think the SL55 is the best GT/cruiser I have ever driven. This from a person who thought his 575 was a cruiser as well. Performance wise it is beyond being put below what it deserves. Pending if you fight real winter weather, I can not think of an easier yet satisfying car for everyday use that you won't grow immidiately tired of. One doesn't have to worry about it sticking out but it still looks good. Funny but useful extras like keyless entry, adjustable ride height, crazy seats, and decent room in the trunk if the roof is up. I have driven the old SL, new CL55, new 6 series BMW, had a tank of a GT in an 850 Beemer, and the SL feels like it's in another comfortable yet quick level. Im sure just your first drive in it you will agree how disapointing it is in terms of being understated in performance. But as mentioned, a very, very heavy car but that suits its style. Highway miles, straight miles, would fly.

The only thing I worry about is that since the SLK had a recent face lift, Im almost positive last visit to the book store I saw some blurbs about the SL to be up soon as well. The old SL aged fast and I was quite impressed with the baby SLR look of the SLK compared to the old. With what I thought was an improvement on looks at a debut of the S class at my local dealer, one would just assume and guess good things about a new SL body?

RocketBoy

 

Haven't driven a TT but SL is a great ride.

 

Why not an Aston Martin Vantage V-12 or the newer Vantage V8? The new V8 is probably in the same price range as a 360 modena, while the vantage V-12 is in the 100k range. The merc and the porsche are amazing cars, but the aston is just pure pornography.

 

Yes I drove a GS. It is sharper in the curves, louder inside, though not quite as quick as the SL. If I were looking for everyday driving, I'd take the SL.

 

If you like the TT, you won't like the SL. Lets put it this way.....Doctors drive TTs, Doctor's WIVES drive SLs.

 

yeah, whatever.
Bring on your TT and leave the stoplight next to the doctor's Wife driving a Renn Tech 600sl. Just see what happens..........

 

She will be sitting next to me by the time the light turns green.

Leaving the poser MB behind

 

LOL..........

 

Street light to street light battles in such cars, how cool. Hey, Im sure you can download some real cool clips of Lindsay Lohan on your Ipod right before you get out of your bro's Accord on your way to see Eminem in concert. Yo, represent!

If an SL55 or DB9 pulls up to some guy cruising in his 575 at a light and they floor it, the Maranello is going to get wasted in the epic and hard fought 150 yard battle! That is because without sport turned on and the too much involved traction control, 1st gear barely moves. 1/4 mile at a time baby!

Regardless, you're an idiot to think that type of behavior is a pure test or a true measure of a car. I'd rather have a Ferrari any day over a 996 Turbo, SL, DB9... but according to the true measure of a good car I guess that should be left to the doctor's wife's grandmother as a mode of transportation on weekend away from the resting home.

Come on boys, you got some better things to add than who has a smaller weenie. Someone asked about the details of a potential car buy, not something 16 year olds do.

RocketBoy

 

Hey Skippy,
How about taking a chill pill. We're just having a little fun.