Test drive: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG
Gas prices have been dropping steadily, and that gives me hope. But when it comes to the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG, it almost doesn't matter if gas costs $3.50 or $350 -- unless I take up killing people for a living, I don't think I'll ever be able to swing the $133,000 price tag (for the base model -- let alone $150k+ for the one I tested). And yet... after spending the week with the super-fast, super-decadent SL63 AMG, I'm starting to wonder if a life of white-collar crime would really be such a bad thing. I mean, the Federal prisons are supposed to be pretty easygoing, right? You may not be taking me all that seriously, but I bet if you took a spin in the SL63 AMG, you might start thinking about a little harmless law-bending yourself. Get the details in my 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG test drive. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Aaron Gold
Comments
*drool*
I drive by the MB dealer every day, and leave eyeprints all over the SL’s.
You know, as a middle-class close-alternative, you can buy a used //AMG SL55 kompressor for about $40k, and have it easily tuned to over 500hp, save $90k for another frivolous over-priced gas-guzzling toy, and return the finger gesture back to Aaron and/or the upper class as you blow past them. That way you don’t have to resort to taking up a life of white-collar-crime, murder, running narcotics, or being Alan Fishman (CEO of WaMu for 3 wks - leaves with $19mil).
This is car and others like it are what revolutions are made of. Drive it today and end up swinging from a tree tomorrow. As the rich get richer, the poor get poorer and the middle-class disappears, cars like these only produce the ferment that angers the vast majoity of have-nots. Made you think of criminality, didn’t it? History is rife with examples…we need only to look 90 miles south of Florida for a constant reminder.
I didn’t really enjoy the “vote republican” dig in your review, Aaron. I doubt you’ll see many of these monsters touring the gravel roads in the red states.
I have to agree with Joe in the sense that, PLEASE don’t ever reference political parties in your reviews because all it accomplishes is bringing out all the MORONS who want to get into a debate.
We are here due to our love of cars and cars alone. If I want to hear about someones political opinions (even if it is just a joke) I’ll turn the news on.
Autos and autos ONLY please. I happen to like your site and don’t want to put it on my don’t bother list.
What an amazing car!
hawaiian don,
You do realize don’t you, that the “rich” will have to buy this car from a middle-class salesman who will get a commission, have it serviced by a middle-class technician who will get a paycheck, etc. etc. etc. But I guess you would rather just have Obama take the money from rich directly and write you a check from Uncle Sam. Am I right?
The rich get richer by doing the intelligent things that made them rich. The poor get poorer by doing the stupid things that made them poor - having kids they can’t afford, buying cigarettes instead of college textbooks, etc.
Joe,
I knew I liked Aaron for some other reason than car reviews:)
Georgia…ok you got me…the rich are richer cause they do the smart things that make them so rich…like being the CEO of WAMU for a few weeks, driving the company into bankruptcy and getting a 19 million parachute, or the Milliken and Boeskys who bilked millions out of their life svings with junk bonds, or the millions around the world who stand to lose their middle-class savings if the US Govt. doesn’t come to the rescue of those brilliant wall streeters and investment bankers, with taxes paid by millions of middle-class tax payers…all while the US dollar crumbles and that salesman and mechanic become poor because can’t afford to buy anything because those smart rich guys found that it’s more profitable to close our factories here and produce abroad where our dollar doesn’t buy squat…you’re right, I just wish I was as smart as one of those intelligent rich guys!
Sorry Aaron I just couldn’t resist just one hour before the veep debate…no more, promise!!!
Wow, I’ve set off my own set of political debates!
— Aaron
So… um… uh.. how about those AMG cars, eh? Pretty amazing stuff they do…
Aaron, are you going to get a crack at the new C63 (or have you done so already and I missed it)? That is one of those cars we should create a new category for… sub-super-luxo-sedan has a nice ring to it.
Naw, Jeff, you missed it.
http://cars.about.com/od/mercedesbenz/gr/08_C63AMG.htm
:)
hawaiian don (7)
I dont think that Alan Fishman drove WaMu into any turmoil… it was already in a financial tailspin when he arrived (just like all the other banks). He just happened to be in the right place at the right time. $19mil and he probably didnt even finish new-employee orientation. haha. I wonder if he drives an //AMG now?
Aron, have you ever done a review on the crossfire coup or roadster? If so, gotta link?
The AMG I would really like to get my hands on is the E63 wagon… remove the badges, then take it down to Newport Beach and surprise the s*&t out of the guys driving Porsches and 2-door BMWs. I only wish we could get the BMW M5 Touring over here in the US…
Fritz(12)
I believe that the Crossfire is the resurrection of the Mercedes SLK. (Right Aaron?) The Crossfire SRT-6 has the same engine as my //AMGC32.
LOTS of power! But the ride of the SRT-6 is harsh and the side/rear visibility of the convertible is horrendous. Since you can’s see anything in the blindspot that encompasses the car from the doors rearwards, in order to pass someone on the freeway, you just need to punch the accelerator and change lanes… and hope the guy in your blindspot didn’t do the same.