2008 Best Car Series: Chevrolet Corvette vs Mercedes SL65 Black Series

[YSSMAN]

Well, it is an interesting twist to an already interesting race so far. Both the 911 and the Corvette being eliminated, the two finalists from 2006, should paint a very different picture by the end of this contest. To the next set of cars!

 

[Omnis]

Yes we can. If asked.

Crap. So, I guess we can expect an indigo Clio to win the overall tournament by a landslide.

 

[niky]

but you can judge it by its interior!!!

please tip your waitress

Uh... because her panties are white?

----

RE: Mercs: Despite liking these new Mercs immensely in terms of dynamics compared to Mercs of old (i.e.: Old mercs had no dynamics to speak of... new Mercs are actually fun to drive)... they're still not the "driving machine" that BMWs claim to be (despite the nannying understeer... there's still more connection between your rump and the road in a Beemer than a Merc). But raw power forgives a lot of sins. While I'd still love to have an M3, a ride in a reasonably quick C-Class gave me more respect for the car than I had after trying (fruitlessly) to explore the dynamic limits of one for about two hours down a winding road.

I'm not all that excited about the SL65 Black... a... hum... yawm... big GT with a big engine... oh... and it's much lighter because... errh... the original weighed as much as two regular cars, whereas the Corvette is already one of the lightest cars in its class?

I'd love to have a C63. Because that's looney-tunes manic. It's an insane thing to put an engine like that and a suspension like that in a car like that. I don't know why more guys aren't excited by it... it's like the Lotus Carlton reincarnate. The CLK63 AMG Black? Wow... tight body, great engine... the Brabus Bullit? Just bonkers. But an SL65B? Hohum. You knew they were eventually going to do it... but I'm betting it just won't be as much fun as, oh... a Corvette.

---

Interesting way the ballots are going... no 911, no Corvette (though, with the ZR1 being one of the most significant new sports car releases of the year, I thought the Vette had a fighting chance). It's anybody's guess who's going to win this one.

Oh well... on to the next round, where the Commodore whips the Merc!

 

[Jim Prower]

I'm guessing the GT-R won't make it to the next round...

 

[niky]

With the number of anti-car votes going in (seeing what's happening to the 911 and Vette...), it's possible... but the GT-R might be that magical case where fanboyism wins over anti-fanboyism.

Still... I kind of have to give it to YSSMAN's bracketing... these brackets are interesting, and hard fought. I have no doubt the GT-R bracket will include a lot of votes and a ton of flames, but in a just world (the world where the Vette would have beaten the SL65... or at least have gone up against the CLK instead...), the GT-R should win. The Exige 240R doesn't really push the envelope for Lotus... not that much faster... not that much more desirable... and not that much better than the Elise... which I would have preferred to have gone through.

 

[Muzaffar]

Woah, that is a close battle between the Vette and the SL65. Anyhow, good to see the SL65 won, as (I think) is the better car than the Vette overall...... but lets hope the competition does stay alive like this one. Had quite a good debate actually.... 👍

 

[gator of kana]

With the number of anti-car votes going in (seeing what's happening to the 911 and Vette...), it's possible... but the GT-R might be that magical case where fanboyism wins over anti-fanboyism.

Still... I kind of have to give it to YSSMAN's bracketing... these brackets are interesting, and hard fought. I have no doubt the GT-R bracket will include a lot of votes and a ton of flames, but in a just world (the world where the Vette would have beaten the SL65... or at least have gone up against the CLK instead...), the GT-R should win. The Exige 240R doesn't really push the envelope for Lotus... not that much faster... not that much more desirable... and not that much better than the Elise... which I would have preferred to have gone through.

If we have that R35 GT-R in that next round then you know that I'm voting for it. 50% of the reason is because I'm a member of the GT-R club.

 

[1X83Z]

Can't believe this bunch let a flavor-of-the-month overtake an icon. Also can't believe the poll timed out so fast. Count one more posthumous and irrelevant vote for the Corvette on my behalf!

 

[neanderthal]

the SL is just as much an icon as the vette, IF NOT MORE! period.

 

[TheCracker]

the SL is just as much an icon as the vette, IF NOT MORE! period.

Perhaps an icon as a soft, heavy boulevard cruiser.

 

[Danny]

Perhaps an icon as a soft, heavy boulevard cruiser.

Or one of the most beautiful cars ever made?

I'm not even allowing this to be subjective, Dan.

 

[TheCracker]

Or one of the most beautiful cars ever made?

I'm not even allowing this to be subjective, Dan.

Maybe the original 300SL. They've become steadily blander looks-wise ever since.

 

[Danny]

You think? I still reckon the SL230 looks incredible.

 

[///M-Spec]

No, actually it was supposed to be RIP CSL but I took a jab at BMW's because I wanted to--and I'm a Merc kind of guy. I hope the CSL gets reborn as it was my favorite BMW ever.

I know you are, and that's fine. But that doesn't really make you all that different than Mr. Speedster, now does it?


Ninja EDIT: On topic: You know, I've never driven an SL of any vintage, but they don't exactly have a stellar reputation as a driver's car.

Let me put it to you guys this way: My mother was thinking about getting one.


M

 

[gator of kana]

You think? I still reckon the SL230 looks incredible.

That's an SL55 AMG, I know it's hard to figure out their performance trims but if you look at it very carefully, you can tell. I epecially knew it was an SL55 AMG by just looking at the front bumper

 

[Danny]

Whoops, I meant R230, the chassis platform code.

 

[Tornado]

Perhaps an icon as a soft, heavy boulevard cruiser.

By far the best one ever made each generation it was sold.

 

[homeforsummer]

By far the best one ever made each generation it was sold.

Though this was my personal favourite, and my favourite Mercedes ever:

There's never been a Mercedes that combines elegance and understatement in the same way. The one posted above is a little too organic-swoopy and ostentatious for me, and the Black Series heading this thread is Mercedes laughably attempting to pass off an extortionate posing tool as a track day car.

 

[YSSMAN]

While its easy to say that the first generation is the best choice, the second one is actually my favorite as well. Its just something about the look, the straight six, the whole way the car was screwed together. Although, the third-gen was pretty bad-ass too...

It just screams 1980's...

 

[Tornado]

I always had the SL129 as my favorite, even now.

 

[gator of kana]

I think the Mercedes-Benz you are looking for if you're talking about the butt-kicking factor is this

This was my most favorite Mercedes. The CLK-GTR AMG

 

[JCE]

I always had the SL129 as my favorite, even now.

What I wouldn't give for that V12. Definately that and the following generation are my favorite. I cound the 300SL as its own seperate car BTW. Its just too godly to just put randomly in the SL generations.

 

[McLaren]

That's an SL55 AMG, I know it's hard to figure out their performance trims but if you look at it very carefully, you can tell. I epecially knew it was an SL55 AMG by just looking at the front bumper

That's not a SL55 AMG.

SL55's have pretty unique multi-spoke rims.

 

[JCE]

SL55:

SL65 (one of the best looking cars ever):

 

[gator of kana]

That's not a SL55 AMG.

SL55's have pretty unique multi-spoke rims.

JCE just made the point on the picture. But why are there SL500 rims on an SL55 AMG, and the styling on the bumpers are different on the SL55 if you look closer

SL500

SL55

SL600 (wearing different rims than the SL500)

SL65

You see the difference in the trims

 

[JCE]

JCE just made the point on the picture. But why are there SL500 rims on an SL55 AMG

Because the SL55 rims are hideous!

 

[McLaren]

SL55s also have a V8 Kompressor badge. The car Danny posted that you claimed was a SL55 doesn't have it. The car Danny posted is not a SL55, but a SL550. The SL550 shares an extremely similar bumper to the SL55 AMG.

 

[gator of kana]

Whoops, I forgot that trim model

 

[JCE]

SL55s also have a V8 Kompressor badge. The car Danny posted that you claimed was a SL55 doesn't have it. The car Danny posted is not a SL55, but a SL550. The SL550 shares an extremely similar bumper to the SL55 AMG.

To be pedantic that was an SL500. The SL550 was only in the facelifted current generation because the Americans want "50 better" than the rest of the world where it is still badged as an SL500.