Convertibles
 

I think the Mrs and I are in the market for a convertible to use as a fun car.

Daily driving duties are handled by my 8.1 Suburban (which I absolutely love) and the fun car is a Hellcat Challenger. I’m driving the Hellcat less and less these days, and with the very high propensity for theft and a very high value, I’m thinking it’s time to put it up for sale. The Hellcat was a bucket list item for me and I’m glad I had the opportunity to own one, but it’s time to go. With the equity I have in the car, I can walk away with some real cash and buy a used replacement outright or have a very small note that could be taken care of very quickly.

Convertibles. Must be performance oriented but comfortable/capable for long trips.

Some cars on this list:

SL550/SL63
CLK550
S550 (would need to be a really good deal)
Maserati Granturismo (2013 plus+)
Jag Type-R (V8)

And my favorite… 911 (997.1 - I think the 997.2 is out of the range).

I’m not interested in a Corvette and not a big fan of BMW. A few of the ones on my list have big maintenance costs, but I can do a lot myself (interestingly, the Maserati suffers from the worst depreciation making it really affordable - it’s also very reliable which is a rarity for Maserati - though may be too gaudy for me and the Mrs).

Would love some thoughts and any other suggestions as well as experiences.

TIA!

I specialize in Mercedes, keep an eye on our inventory www.mercedeshowroom.com. SL550 is always a great bang for your buck. SL63 is definitely more fun but the maintenance will be more, brakes more, etc. I also have a really nice 2011 E550 Cab in rare Designo Mystic Red/Beige with 44k Miles we’re prepping.That car is a lot of bang for the buck and a little newer looking then a CLK.

Stay away from a Maserati, just my opinion.

Tom - curiosity here, but why shy away from the vette??

mine is FABULOUS…..

Museum Delivery was a great experience and I’m loving the car….


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...6aa689ee9.jpeg
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No idea why these are the best photos I could find of the car but don’t judge it based on how dorky I look or why my wife snapped a photo with the door half open in the street, but…..

Folding hard top 2004-2008 AMG SL55/SL63 (R230)! Its a tried and true V8 with a Kompressor (supercharger). The maintenance can be expensive BUT the performance is top notch.
SL500/550 if the AMG level of performance (complexity) is not required.

I really love Mercedes-Benz. I drove an early 2k’s SL500 quite a bit while dating a lady that had one. Awesome car and I did some good road tripping with it, too, so it may be something to get give a go. The thing is that because I already semi-owned one for a while, I feel like I’ve already done it. I guess I need to check out a newer one and go for a spin. It was at the top of my list for a long time.

lol

The C8 would be out of my planned price range for now - have considered a C7 but there’s just something about it that makes me shy away. Once the kids are out of the house, I might try a C8 - I feel it’s right on par with its European super cars counterparts - just not in the cards right now.

I’ll say though… the C8 is one quick car! Lots of traction. I’ve run a coupe with the Hellcat, and it takes everything I’ve got to come around one on the street. With drag rubber it’s another story - I’ll miss driving a stock mid-10-sec capable street car (bragging rights mostly).

I hear you on the Maserati.

I’ll keep an eye on your inventory. I do like the E550 cabriolet for sure.

I had a older SL (folding soft top) and swore OFF MB until I drove my SL55 AMG. The power/brakes and dynamic ABC suspension are (were) outstanding. Due to age/complexity/maintenance costs (when the ABC started to have too many issues), I pulled the ABC and replaced it with a great adjustable coil-over suspension and swaybars...knock on wood, trouble-free.

Maserati is sexy but if you get a deal on one you will have to give a deal on it to sell it.
I just traded a 2022 911 C4S cab and the resale is insane, replaced it with new 911 GTS coupe. I'm not a convertible guy, too hot in Florida/never put the top down.
AMG stuff is great but a stock SL550 is certainly no slouch.
I drove the Jaguar F type 6 cyl and V8 back to back and I actually liked the 6 cylinder better (handled better too). The previous generation XKR is great looking and they can be had cheap.

I have known Bobby/ Lucky Strike for almost 20 years now and just did a car deal with him last month. Easiest car deal I've ever done! Everything was done via email, wire and flatbed truck!

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Best bang for the buck 2019 last year Buick Cascade rag top under $20k!:flag:

Nice German import under the Buick banner. Front wheel drive though so not really my cup of tea.

Yep, that’s what I understood about the Maserati, too.

Interesting observation on the Type R. The Mrs has driven the V8 and loved it, but I think she was more in love with the looks vs what it could really do. This was a few years ago. When she looked, the local dealer didn’t have any 6-cyl cars on the lot so the V8 was it. I was surprised that she really liked the cracking exhaust note!

Porsche - I’d really like to but as you said, the resale is insane. Prices are continuing to go up on the used ones especially cabriolets (fallout from the pandemic). While I’d like a 997.2, a 997.1 is probably in the range of paying cash without going into any other accounts. The 997.2 is so much better a car though so I’d end up with the other and be second guessing/wanting - I don’t want that to happen. My goal is a car that I’ll hold onto for many years.

That brings me back to the SL. I really loved driving the 2003. Definitely no slouch. I have not driven a newer 550 or an AMG so that will be next.

Looks like I need to start getting after this a little sooner than later. Prices are starting to drop on the slightly older Hellcats - at least from trends that’s I’ve read about recently.

Tom, that whole suspension issue was the only real detractor for me.

My former girlfriend sold hers because it was going to need an insane amount of money to fix (for her anyway… she replaced it with a 3-series - junk).

I didn’t know there’s was another option to fixing those issues, and you know I like to work on stuff so…

Gotcha - I wasn’t real attracted to the vette platform until the C8, but now that I’ve gone down this path I’d love to circle back around to a Z06 C7 - would love to have that Manual Transmission.

it’s quick. Lacks a bit of grunt at certain times that I’m sure the Hellcat has but if you point it somewhere it goes wherever you point it. It’s honestly like my childhood go-kart, despite its weight and the DCT is simply incredible. Unreal that you can buy a 1LT entry level vette with that performance for 6x,xxx bucks….

As a Merc F1 fan - go with the AMG!!

Replace and play:
https://www.goldelementautoworks.com...s-r230-03-11-1
https://www.vvkusa.com/products/vvk-...s-and-hardware

Got a sawzall (or 25K)? Apparently there was a company that made Challenger convertibles for Dodge

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...challenger-15/

These were the last generation XKR's. The previous ones were 50 HP less but cost 1/2 what these sell for
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...convertible-4/

not sure on your budget, but the 13-16 SL550, ABC became an option. I look for the ones without it. Those have a 4.6L Twin Turbo V8 with 429hp. Car moves well.

However, I agree there is nothing like a SL55 AMG. I like the 07/08 best as there are a few changes over 03-06. ABC repair $ has come down quite a bit and I’ve never seen all struts go out at same time. Usually LF goes first. We get reman struts with warranty I think they are $600-700 if I remember correctly.

AGREE with above.

Thats a sacrilege. Talk about ruining a car!

That’s not bad really price-wise. My limited experience with the ABC failure on the 2003 was related to the front struts and something with the steering pump. I think there was a B service as well as a leaking trans mount issue that made the dollar figures go up big time.That and also hydraulic top issues (had one of those pop up too - fortunately, it broke something trying to open versus trying to close). Those things have always added a measure of concern.

The SL55 has always caught my eye. Talking about it today with the Mrs, she seemed to really like the SL option, too, so that’s probably the direction.

Just throwing it out here but I have enjoyed the S5 Audi Cabriolet that I have. just a thought, AWD makes for a good platform, and supercharged.

I agree that the SL55 is complex (suspension, top, etc...) and I have had a few years of high maintenance costs...but when it's good, it's great.

It also depends on where you take it to service. If you have to go to the MB dealership, forget it. People need to find a good independent specialist and the repairs shouldn't kill you.

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I love my 09 C63AMG

You definitely wouldn't regret a 911 Cab and the PDK is amazing.

A convertible on my short list is the LC500 vert. One of the most beautiful cars ever designed and extremely reliable. Has enough go to be fun and comfortable enough for cross country trips.

Ummm....Boxster? Case closed.

I like Boxster very much...I understand a couple of early years had some "weaknesses".

I like them, the 718 really updated the car nicely. Me: GTS 4.0 manual is perfect. I wouldn't want the harsh spyder suspension (nor the GT4).
I think the 4 cyl platforms are a disaster, I'd rather have a 7-8 yr old S with the 3.4 6 cyl than the new 4 banger.

Biggest problem: a nice one is 100K!?!?!??! That's insanity for a Boxster or Cayman but then again a nice 911 crosses 150K pretty quickly too.

nah.......just in 1998 they were 201 HP.......decent 25 yrs ago but not exactly lightning today. Accept it for what it is and you have a nice car to run around in. The main argument is you can get a C5 Vette Convertible for the same money and 150 HP more. There were a few oil pump issues in the early ones but unless you are running the car hard on a track you will likely never have a failure. In the middle years the IMS bearing was a fatal flaw but the failure rate is 1% or something crazy but it gets the Porsche guys all amped up about replacing it vs risking buying a new motor.

I've owned 3 911's, never a Corvette or Boxster. If you said 98 Boxster or 98 Corvette I'd probably pick the Corvette. If you said 2015 Boxster S or 2015 C7 I'd go Boxster, If you said new 2024, I'd go Corvette.

Car is awesome, love those big sleds but you shorted yourself a letter............that's a CL63, not a C63 (much smaller car)

Pre owned? Not really.....

You need to look at prices..........
https://www.porschewestpalmbeach.com...d2a83ps216084/
CPO 2023 asking 117K

https://www.porschewestpalmbeach.com...a2a87ks211214/
5 yr old 4 banger with 20K miles asking 59K.............I'd bet it was 65K new!

They were hard to source new in the last 2-3 years so the used market is going to be tight and pricey. Same dealer shows 2 new 4 cyl Boxsters coming/in transit and the MSRP is 95+96K.

I wouldn't consider a 2023 CPO to be a "used" car.

My point being the Boxster should be on the OP's list....he did ask for opinions on the matter. Yes, you can find 6 figure ones and 4 figure ones. They have been in production forever, so the well is deep and varied.

Heck, I would throw a Miata in there too if you want a REAL bargain and smiles per miles.....

Women like both....that is a big consideration too.

I've never been much of a Boxster fan, really. If I was going down the Porsche road, it would have to be a 911 of some sort.

Have been doing a lot of reading as well as watching older used reviews (Doug Demero). The SL is still at the top of the list - even the newer SL 63 AMG cars are in the price range.

I do not mind a 10-15 year old car for this - maybe even older if it's the right one. I'm getting away from "new" - frankly, I'm just tired of paying for the latest and greatest.

I know you said you're not a Boxster fan and I wasn't either until I acquired one. Now I have to say, it's a blast. Super fun car to drive with the mid engine & manual trans.

We have a couple of really great independent shops here at the beach. If something is needed that I’m unable to handle, I’ll be well covered. One specializes in MB only and the other specializes in Audi, MB, and Porsche. Both have been in business for over thirty years.

I’ll definitely take a look at one.

We’re not in a hurry outside of selling the Hellcat before the market drops even further. I’m not really looking forward to the tire kickers and joy riders. I may take a bunch of pics and throw it up on GiveMeTheVin to see what I get.

Once that part is done, we’ll start looking more closely.

Any thoughts on the SL 55 vs SL 63?