seanA8

Where do I go if I want a V8 German sports car? My Dad had Corvettes when I was growing up and I love V8s. Ever drive a 6 speed Corvette? What a rush! I have an SL 500 and it's the only German V8 sports car south of $100k. Audi only offers the TT and it's great but not the same experience as a V8. I would love to see a 4.2TT or STT.

The Z8 is probably my ultimate car, more than any Ferrari, Porsche or Aston Martin. I love the sound of a V8! Still, the Z8s are so rare they will never hit the $30s like a used SL 500.

So is it ego or love of the V8? I am laughing at the ego statement as certain people at work buy MB, RR, BMW, etc. when they start making more money. These same clowns thought they were cool when the 87 Tempo was upgraded to a Civic, Jetta, or Altima.

bpower1

trade in for anything. i lusted after it since it came out, and now that i have it, it's fantastic. i've just always been a fan of the original 500e/e500. the sleeper looks, the monster engine, the porsche connection.

but, it's older and would need lots of work as paul noted, it's not quattro, it doesn't look as smooth as the a8, etc.

so,... having said that, here's my other dream car. the one i'd like sitting next to my a8. this has been my faovrite since, well, 1984. fyi, text on the page is incorrect. it's an '84, not '74.<ul><li><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&amp;item=2463097885&amp;cat egory=6212">http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&amp;item=2463097885&amp;cat egory=6212</a</li></ul>

Egil A64.2s - S6

Grass is always greener on the other side. When you get the lust, just talk to us and we will set you straight ;-)

nikhil

known as the hammer...built/modified by porsche...not just a regular car here!

airbil

only 2.2 liter 317hp in stock form.
Nice sig BTW. gotta little of everything in der

bpower1

actually, the hammer was a different car from amg. like a 500e on steroids

Arkay

The E500/500E were neat cars and had the distinction of being assembled by Porsche, just like the RS2 of similar era.

The V8 is virtually bullet proof, the identical engine as in the older 500SL/500SEL lines.

I was stunned by the car the first time I saw it at a dealer way back when. The wider fenders were subtle but very cool...at least it was to a 21-year old.

I still like that old W124 body...and really one of the last solid Mercedes-Benz models to be engineered by the engineering department instead of the accounting department.

The car is far more subtle than the earlier attempt of making the 300E more aggressive...anyone remember the AMG Hammer??

Of course the 'bling bling' factor on Mercedes-Benz is alive and well here in Manhattan and surrounding areas. The number of chromed wheels on these cars is stunning and mystifying.

Roy
'04 A8L Oyster Gray/Platinum

Arkay

I disagree that MB makes a great sports car. A great sport tourer no doubt, but IMHO not a sports car.

I just had the chance to drive my father's '04 SL500 with the sports package (cool wheels...they look like the original SLR concept car wheels) While I came away impressed with the quality (especially compared to recent Mercedes-Benz products...horrendous material and build) and the sheer power of the car, I also came away numb...and it wasn't because the wind was blowing with the top down (gotta take advantage of the 60F weather when it arrives early here in NYC).

For comparison, I had a Porsche Boxster S until recently and that, to me, is a proper sports car. The SL500 is simply way too heavy. And while I love the V8 torque and rumble, the flat 6 stirred to a frenzy with the 6-speed manual gearbox in the Porsche possesses the right characteristics for a proper sports car.

As Colin Chapman of Lotus fame would say: "add lightness". The level of response and feel from the SL cannot come close to those provided by the Boxster S. It's simply numb through the steering wheel and the brake pedal, the SL wouldn't be my choice to take on a country road to hustle through...to a country club for sure, but not a country road.

So, while I am enjoying the few days I'm spending with the SL, it doesn't stir my soul like my Porsche did.

Which makes the soon to be available here Lotus Elise such an intriguing proposition...now THAT is a sports car!

Roy
'04 A8L Oyster Gray/Platinum
'99 BMW M3 - Track Queen

nikhil

you're right...my mistake