Gojirra99

The SL still has the hardtop convertible roof which to many is a plus, but the current SL is not selling well anyway compared to the previous generation. The S rear seats are very usable though, and this will be more expensive than the SL .

Gojirra99

^^^ that is a non sports package S class, I don't know why they bother with it. In the US, I know the base S class coupe comes with non-sport, but in Canada, the sports package is included in the base model, I think most people would want the sports package with this model anyway ...

TangoRed

This is true. In regards to the current SL's sales- it's important to note that there's increased competition in that space and convertible sales in general have been slipping. The SL really doesn't have any direct competitors outside of the Ferrari California but there's plenty of other convertibles in the price range.

Gojirra99

I think the biggest factor that affects its sales is still the exterior design, which is not as desirable as the previous generation. The fact that it looks like a bigger SLK doesn't help either(not the case with the previous generation)

sick21

I agree. The last one was sexy. The interior wasn't so great though.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

same here. while it does have the 6 series as a "closer" competitor, but i think the styling is the big problem here

Gojirra99

6 series did not came out that much later than the previous SL, so even the previous competes with the 6 .....

rominl

iTrader: (4)

yes but personally i feel the prev generation 6 series (first try) was not totally on par with the prev sl. the new 6 series, to me, seems to be a much bigger step up though

RXSF

...so that they can charge you an extra $5K

TangoRed

I just went back through the sales figures. The SL sold better in 2013 than it has since 2006. In 2014 it sold better than it has since 2008. The data has spoken. This all after the economy crash as well. If you look at pre-2006 sales figures...well good luck finding many luxury cars that weren't selling at huge numbers back then when the economy was very healthy. The 3/4 series is one of the few cars that have really posted gains since then.

All in all, looks like the current SL is doing just fine. Until perhaps this S-class vert rolls in.

EDIT: For the record, the current Mercedes design chief, Gorden Wagener, hates what his predecessor (Peter Pfeiffer) did with the SL.

Gojirra99

Well I just can't see myself not getting it

Gojirra99

Back in late 2002 the SL500 was really hot, I was considering getting it and was told there was a 3 year waiting list. Thus I went to choosing between SC430 and E500 instead.

In 2003/4, a used SL500 can sell for more than a new one's MSRP because you don't have to wait and the car didn't have too many miles on it.
No such phenom happened withthe current SL.

Pfifer has better taste than Wagener

TangoRed

No car in that segment has waiting lists that long anymore. Touring convertibles aren't bringing in hot sales anymore-not even the Jag F-type. Guess what vehicles have huge waiting lists in that price bracket? Range Rovers.

Also you misunderstood the last part of my comment. Pfeiffer is the guy that designed the current SL.

Gojirra99

OK, the guy who designed the previous SL has better taste than the one who designed the current

RXSF

Exactly. Worst part is that all the previous generations had the sport package for free. Then the new S class and C class came out as priced options. Now only the current E class has the sport look for free, but Ill venture a guess that the new one next year will be about 3K extra