Mercedes-AMG SL vs Porsche 911 - is the SL finally a true sports car?
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Date: 2023-01-14
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Comments and reviews: 14
autos
What I loved about the SL was the hardtop convertible. That was the unique feature amongst all the other alternatives. I hope they bring that back to the new SL. A Carbon convertible hardtop would be sick AF. Not like a buyer for an SL would be penny pinching anyway.
As much as I love Porsche, I completely admire the SL. It s not only a sports car, but it s a Mercedes Benz, meaning it has to provide the comforts and technological advancements that a Mercedes has to offer. That s the point of the SL best of both worlds, where the Porsche is clinically sharp as a sports car only which can be a detriment for some.
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What I loved about the SL was the hardtop convertible. That was the unique feature amongst all the other alternatives. I hope they bring that back to the new SL. A Carbon convertible hardtop would be sick AF. Not like a buyer for an SL would be penny pinching anyway.
As much as I love Porsche, I completely admire the SL. It s not only a sports car, but it s a Mercedes Benz, meaning it has to provide the comforts and technological advancements that a Mercedes has to offer. That s the point of the SL best of both worlds, where the Porsche is clinically sharp as a sports car only which can be a detriment for some.
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Ash
In Canada, we only get the SL63 variant, but we can choose any variant of the 911. The SL starts at 215k while the 911 Cab starts at 140k, with the GTS Cab at 170k. This means the SL in Canada is a total fail. If the new GT is even more expensive, then its failure will be even more spectacular. No idea what AMG is thinking, esp since you can get a fully loaded flat-plane crank naturally aspirated V8 C8 Z06 for less money. Total fail. If you're determined to get a Merc, then get a used AMG S63 Cab. At least it won't be confused about its mission.
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In Canada, we only get the SL63 variant, but we can choose any variant of the 911. The SL starts at 215k while the 911 Cab starts at 140k, with the GTS Cab at 170k. This means the SL in Canada is a total fail. If the new GT is even more expensive, then its failure will be even more spectacular. No idea what AMG is thinking, esp since you can get a fully loaded flat-plane crank naturally aspirated V8 C8 Z06 for less money. Total fail. If you're determined to get a Merc, then get a used AMG S63 Cab. At least it won't be confused about its mission.
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geoffk777
There are things that I like about the SL, but the interior is a deal-breaker. The huge, ugly screens are impractical and just not what I want to see in an elegant 100 Quid car (that's true of the S-Class too, unfortunately. The Porsche has an elegant, restrained and traditional interior, with screens that are functional and not too obstrusive. So it's a place that I'd much rather spend time in.
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There are things that I like about the SL, but the interior is a deal-breaker. The huge, ugly screens are impractical and just not what I want to see in an elegant 100 Quid car (that's true of the S-Class too, unfortunately. The Porsche has an elegant, restrained and traditional interior, with screens that are functional and not too obstrusive. So it's a place that I'd much rather spend time in.
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RTL
I miss the old autocar back in the early to mid 2000s reviews, there was something cool about seeing all the cars reviewed in the same way same roads. Slalom tests and so on and so forth. Back on my homechoice/tiscali box it was the best thing going!
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I miss the old autocar back in the early to mid 2000s reviews, there was something cool about seeing all the cars reviewed in the same way same roads. Slalom tests and so on and so forth. Back on my homechoice/tiscali box it was the best thing going!
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Lawrence
They always do this comparison. If we wanted 911 s we be buying them. But SL drivers didn t want track rat Porsches. We wanted the autobahn bred glass roof V12 SL roasters of the R230 generation. Mine is already appreciating.
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They always do this comparison. If we wanted 911 s we be buying them. But SL drivers didn t want track rat Porsches. We wanted the autobahn bred glass roof V12 SL roasters of the R230 generation. Mine is already appreciating.
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Saqib
So. not even close to a 911 beater. Mercedes die hards will still buy it, but they care less for driving balance and outright performance. I ll take the Porsche, it s not even close. I just wish you had a 4S for the comparison.
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So. not even close to a 911 beater. Mercedes die hards will still buy it, but they care less for driving balance and outright performance. I ll take the Porsche, it s not even close. I just wish you had a 4S for the comparison.
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CK
Stuttgart s finest BoxEngine remains unbeatable in this class, the SL ironically stands for sports light as it weighs more than a London double decker bus with a big screen TV to set your computer aided drive, no thanks.
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Stuttgart s finest BoxEngine remains unbeatable in this class, the SL ironically stands for sports light as it weighs more than a London double decker bus with a big screen TV to set your computer aided drive, no thanks.
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Muzi
Is it me or opf fitted cars are starting to sound pretty decent? Nothing like those from 5+ years ago yes but I think manufacturers are slowly finding ways to fit opfs to new cars while making them sound acceptable.
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Is it me or opf fitted cars are starting to sound pretty decent? Nothing like those from 5+ years ago yes but I think manufacturers are slowly finding ways to fit opfs to new cars while making them sound acceptable.
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Dino
I have had my '03 SL55 since new and I just don't think this does it for me on many fronts: looks being the main thing. and what happened to the hard top? If I want an all out sports car, I'll take my McLaren.
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I have had my '03 SL55 since new and I just don't think this does it for me on many fronts: looks being the main thing. and what happened to the hard top? If I want an all out sports car, I'll take my McLaren.
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fast_eddie
Watched it but I'm unsure why anyone would want to compromise chassis integrity by having half the structure missing and extra weight in its place if they really wanted a drivers car.
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Watched it but I'm unsure why anyone would want to compromise chassis integrity by having half the structure missing and extra weight in its place if they really wanted a drivers car.
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Ross
RE the screen - not going too critical of it because most of the time it works pretty well. For the amount of money they're charging it should work well ALL of the time in my opinion.
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RE the screen - not going too critical of it because most of the time it works pretty well. For the amount of money they're charging it should work well ALL of the time in my opinion.
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MarcYanOfficial
No it doesnt compete with the 911. Not in my books. The SL was my favorite car in the 2000's and 911s have always been my favorite. The Merc is definitely more luxury.
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No it doesnt compete with the 911. Not in my books. The SL was my favorite car in the 2000's and 911s have always been my favorite. The Merc is definitely more luxury.
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Wardy5
24 odd minutes, quite a bit of waffle, quite a bit of repetition and no mention of how these two rivals compare on price.
Come on Autocar, you can do better than this.
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24 odd minutes, quite a bit of waffle, quite a bit of repetition and no mention of how these two rivals compare on price.
Come on Autocar, you can do better than this.
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Georgi
Mercedes thinks that the SL is competition for the 911 and people are cross shopping the two. I wouldn't have expected such levels of delusion coming from the Germans.
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Mercedes thinks that the SL is competition for the 911 and people are cross shopping the two. I wouldn't have expected such levels of delusion coming from the Germans.
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