Jason Fogelson, About.com's Guide to SUVs here. Today, another blast from "Exotic Kristen." She's Kristen Hall-Geisler, About.com's Guide to Exotic Cars, and she just spent time under the wings of a $200,000 dream car.
When someone asks if you'd do them the favor of driving the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG nearly 200 miles so it can be put on a truck, the correct answer is, "Yes, please, may I have another?"
As a fan of the first Mercedes gullwing of the 1950s, I was excited to drive the latest AMG-powered iteration from Seattle to Portland -- as a favor, of course. The car drives as politely in rush-hour traffic as you could want, shifting early and often through its seven speeds. But when the highway opened up, the SLS was game for whatever I dared do, and probably much, much more.
The cockpit is cozy, the nose is long, and the engine note is racy. The iconic doors are not automatic, so you get to do your coolest Stirling Moss impression as you climb in and pull down the door. That alone is worth $200,000, no? -- Kristen Hall-Geisler
Photo © Mercedes-Benz
An amazing car. An instant classic. Pity I do not have the money for it so have to keep on dreaming……
Where is Aaron? He quit?
You’re right about the car doing much more than you want or need it to on the highway. I’ve heard that not all that long ago, someone here in Germany got caught on the Autobahn with one of these going somewhere near 200mph. Contrary to what some of us Americans think, there are speed limits on some of the Autobahns. This particular transgression earned the driver an 800,000 euro fine (over $1m American) or three months confinement and loss of driver’s license.
@ Chris: Aaron’s on a well-deserved vacation with his wife. He’ll be back on Monday. He’ll be glad to know that you missed him. Hope it hasn’t been so terrible to have me sit in — I’ve certainly enjoyed it.
@ Erik. this was Switzerland not Germany. There you pay by what you have in equity/income. A wealthy person pays more that a poor guy! And in Switzerland they are as precise as their watches where it comes to speed limits. In Germany there are speed limits on quite a lot of autobahns. The myth that all of the autobahns have no speed limit is so to say bullocks. The majority do have them. In Bavaria where the HQ of BMW as well as Mercedes is located the number of speed limits is lowest especially around Stuttgart. On average speed limit is 130 Km/H or approx 80 Miles/hour. But be aware if you have an accident above 130km/h you will pay part of the damage whether the accident is caused by you or someone else. (take a good look at your rental papers!)
No Jason! I like your reviews as well.. He usually advertises his days he will be absent from class..:)
Chris:
Thanks for setting me straight on the location. I heard this fourth+ hand, so I’m sure that certain details changed along the way, along with my own misinterpretations of the event.