Is there anything like an SL55/SLK55?

[Rawwr]

A friend of mine is pondering a fat-engined Mercedes without a roof and asked if I could think of a better alternative. I was a bit stumped to think of a super-comfy tourable vehicle with an engine the size of the moon that can be had for under £30,000.

Obviously considered M3/M6 Cab but apparently they don't have the right side-profile, which I can understand to a degree.

Surprise me.

[ewenm]

Are RS4 convertibles under £30k?

[Rawwr]

RS4 ragtop is definitely same category as an M3 Cab.

[andye30m3]

What about the latest shape XKR? must be getting close to £30k

[ewenm]

DB7 Volante?
XK?

[isee]

Funny I just looked at SL500 on autotrader myself. Didn't realise that once 100k+ car can be had for 12-15k nowadays. Lovely cars those! However, For the same money I could get an Alfa spider that is 5 years younger anhd is only a tad slower... (I know the two cars are not directly comparable, but one could still come with a warranty and the other one as good as it is, will be rather dated)


edit: apologies. missread the title, you weren't talking about the 500 anyway

Edited by isee on Monday 24th January 09:59

[Deanf]

Basically he wants a 2 seated convertible. Not a 4 seated convertible?

An xkr?

Dean.

[isee]

Deanf said:

Basically he wants a 2 seated convertible. Not a 4 seated convertible?

An xkr?

Dean.

I also looked at XKRs, and cannot understand how a less powerful car wth a much worse reliability reputation and of the same age, can command a premium over the BMW M6.

[excel monkey]

911 cab?

Smaller engine, but still a competitor to the Merc SL.

[ewenm]

isee said:

Deanf said:

Basically he wants a 2 seated convertible. Not a 4 seated convertible?

An xkr?

Dean.

I also looked at XKRs, and cannot understand how a less powerful car wth a much worse reliability reputation and of the same age, can command a premium over the BMW M6.

Because it's not pig-ugly

[excel monkey]

before 300bhp/ton says it...

'Vette?

[McSam]

isee said:

Funny I just looked at SL500 on autotrader myself. Didn't realise that once 100k+ car can be had for 12-15k nowadays. Lovely cars those! However, For the same money I could get an Alfa spider that is 5 years younger anhd is only a tad slower... (I know the two cars are not directly comparable, but one could still come with a warranty and the other one as good as it is, will be rather dated)

Each to their own, but I wouldn't go down that route.. I'd much rather have a five-year-older top-end Merc than a newer Alfa. And I rather love Alfas! The reason being that quality and engineering don't really get old.. The original price point of a used car always seems to shine through. My fourteen-year-old A4 is still a nicer place to be than new Focuses!

For the original topic, I'm not sure you need an alternative to the SL55 but the XKR would be my vote.

[Rawwr]

Just had a mooch over the classifieds and the SLK55 looks a bit bargainy for what you can get!

[Smike]

Can't add anything other than to say I like this clip at Spa with an SLK55AMG ( and a GT3 and M3 )

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLHxwc65-KU

[edc]

CLK 55/500?

[DannyVTS]

MX..... Nevermind

[braddo]

The impractical option could be a Morgan Aero 8 i(f the budget stretched a bit further).

Maserati 4200 cabriolet?

I'd just go with the SL55

[williamp]

911 cab? Can you get a 996 Turbo cab for that price??

[Tuvra]

Thinking Outside the box, How about a TVR Tuscan II Convertible?

[Wadeski]

BMW Z4 Sdrive thingy + chip?