I am going to be selling my CL500 in the next couple weeks because I have already had it for 2.5 years (I get tired of cars fast) and because I want to sell it before the new CL comes out this winter and really drops the value of the car. I am considering several options....but mainly the SL500, the 645ci, possibly a new 7 series, and maybe even the LS460 (although I would prefer a coupe). I've driven the SC430 but it is a little too small for what I want. The 6 series would be the coupe because I hate the non-hardtop convertible. Thoughts? Opinions?

I hate that Mercedes just came out with the SL550 which basically makes all SL500's in effect old. I heard alot of SL500 owners were angry about that. The SL55 is solid but not sure I want to pay $80k for a car, matter of fact, I don't. I put way too many miles on my cars due to driving to school, for work, etc. I would cut that car's (SL55) value in half in 2 years probably. Not worth it.

The new Jag....not sold on Jag's reliability, especially with the coupe being the first year of that group. Or I could just take what I would pay per month for one of these cars (likely to be $1k) and buy 2 cars...maybe a used SC430 and a new GS (lease it). Thoughts?

 

well 645ci owners hates it just as much with the 650ci too. even worse i believe the 645ci was pretty short lived.

anyway if i were you, if this is just a car you get through the time until the new cl comes out, i would just get whatever is cheaper. you should be able to get the 645ci for lower price than the sl500 i assume, with similar mileage. and i would probably trust the reliability on the bmw more than the mb myself

if you wanna get something "new", then i dont' think any of those two choices are "new" anymore

 

That's right, I forgot they changed the 645 too.

Not planning on getting the new CL for a few years, if I even like it. I learned my lesson from this CL that the new one is going to have a ton of bugs. I will keep this next car for another 2-3 years. What is the pricetag going to be on the LS460, do you know rominl?

 

I've always been a huge fan of the SL... One of my favorite cars on the road infact.

 

I would suggest BMW M5.

 

Porsche 911 GT3

 

beware of the MB 7 speed trannies, lots of problems

 

I'd wait for the LF-A. Or the next Gen SC. Just the reliability of MB and BMW scares me. If you lease, then that should be less trouble. I'd go for the 645Ci. Hell, go with the M6...

 

imho if you are going to wait a couple of yrs, get the sl550 or the 650ci? or you want to stay in the used market?

 

Id get the Bimmer. The SL500 is too dime-a-dozen for an "expensive luxury coupe" imo. I almost inclined to say its "played out." The SL550 was due in part to the commemoration of the 50th year. The car really did need some type of update though. The 6 series would also offer you two rear seats, although not that useable, though the SL doesnt. Coming from yout current CL you may or may not be concerned with that.

 

I love both cars, but if I were to chose between the two, I would pick the Sl500. You get the best of both worlds since it is a convertible hardtop. It's lighter on its feet compared to the porky 645. Timeless design that one will not get tired of. The v8 gurgle from the Sl is intoxicating as well

 

New XK8. It already beat out the SL and the 6 Series in a top gear test.

 

Tough call mjr since I've been contemplating on getting a CL (while you're getting rid of yours)
(or even an NSX ????)

Since you already had an mb, go for the 6. Plus maintenance is also covered under warranty.
SL has the hard top and the 6 has a cheesy soft top

Genearch can tell you more about the 6

Edit: Here mjr, get this

 

In this price class, consider the Audi S6........AWD Quattro traction, plenty of power and handling, and more reliability ( if not by much ) than the BMW or M-B. The Audi grilles, though, take some getting used to.

 

If I could, I would jump in the new XK8 coupe or the Maserati coupe Grandsport.

I had a friend on the MBforums come to our SELOC meet and he was in Germany for some AMG event and they had the new CL there for viewing. He said it was drop dead gorgous, which would be a change from teh pics we see