TTAC commentator doctorv8 writes:
My beloved 2005 CL65 AMG (https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/mercedes-cl65-amg/) is about to meet its maker after the lease ends next month. As a soon-to-be-displaced torque junkie coming off a 36-month fix, I must have another AMG-tuned twin turbo V12. Because that’s how I roll: completely high on big-block turbo boost and grinning like an idiot. Never thought MB could outdo themselves after they introduced the 604 HP twin turbo V12 in 2005, but with the new SL65 AMG Black Series, they have seemingly done exactly that.
As much as I have tried to resist that muscular flared carbon fiber intense bodywork that conceals the most powerful engine ever installed by those nutjobs at AMG….after seeing an especially stunning one locally, it has become difficult to justify waiting for prices to drop.
But obviously there are concerns about an expenditure this large, so I wanted your opinion . . .
1. Crippling depreciation paired with an insane price tag: with so few (175) built for the USA, will it drop as hard as other AMG cars? I plan on keeping mine for a long time.
2. The upcoming Gullwing/SLS supercar: how will it affect the SL65 Black Series’ value? It isn’t supposed to have the V12.
3. Do you know if there’ll be a 2010 SL65 Black Series?
4. Have you heard if the V12 BiTurbo will remain in the Mercedes lineup, or is this the end of an era? I wonder if Euro carbon footprints and US CAFE regs will kill it . . . though BMW does have a new Direct Injection/TT-equipped 12 pack coming out soon . . . .
TTAC’s Guru of All Things Amazing, Jay Shoemaker, writes:
Unfortunately I lost my close contact at AMG, so everything I say is speculation. But, since you mentioned it, you can have my 2006 S65 for $55K.
1. Depreciation will always be an issue for AMG cars, particularly these days. I think this will be a very bad investment. Wait a year, they will cost $200K on the resale market.
2. The new Gullwing will change everything, wait for it. It will be lighter and faster than the Black Series and less expensive and probably better looking.
3. I don’t believe there will be a 2010 Black Series SL.
4. I heard a rumor that Mercedes would phase out all its V12’ss. But then BMW goes and announces a V12 for their 7 series, so I doubt Mercedes will cede this ground.
Sajeev adds:
Here’s the problem: Jay’s applying a well-needed amount of rational thinking to what is an unbelievably irrational purchase. This doctorv8 guy is my brother, I don’t know if he can resist pulling the trigger on the last (last?) of the monster-thrust Mercedes. But time is on his side, so let the depreciation curve begin!
[Send your queries to mehta@ttac.com]
That depreciation curve looks like it wants to be a right angle when it grows up.
I love depreciation. It gets me into cars I cant afford new. And so long as folks like doctorv8 continue to buy them new and drop them a few years later i will have mighty nice rides on the cheap. I agree with Sajeev, this is a completely irrational purchas, even used.
Sajeev,
I assume your brother’s practice is leasing the SL for him? If that’s the case you need to keep that in mind – it’s not that irrational a purschase as it is tax deductible.
It’s an obscene car at an obscene price. Rational??? You’ve got to be kidding me! If you want it, buy it and screw depreciation.
I love this country.
Rational? The purpose of a car is to get from point A to point B. from that point of view, anything beyond a Toyota Echo is irrational. Of course, if cars are more than transportation appliances, pleasure enters into the equation, and marginal benefits on the pleasure scale, and marginal costs have to be weighed. Only DoctorV8 can decide how best to maximize his utility. But if he has enough money that this isn’t compromising his retirement, it sounds like it would make sense. And it might also help maximize Jerseydevil’s utility, if doctorV8 eventually sells it to him for a good price.
jerseydevil:
I’m actually like you….got the CL65 used at a fraction of its original price. Makes it a bit less irrational, but as David said above, I’ve enjoyed that ride tremendously, and it’s been well worth it.
If you guys haven’t seen an SL65 Black Series in person, I highly recommend it. But yes, it would still make (slightly) more sense to buy one in a year, when the new SLS Gullwing has become the flavor of the month.
Did he turned the boost up? or that is an unthinkable thing in a gazillion $$$ worth AMG?
Because… if it’s turbo… 600HP is just the “baseline”.
It looks like doctorv8 is in no way suffering from performance car irrationality – like me, he enjoys every minute of it.
Man, I wish I could have these problems. As it stands, I’m looking at “Should I rent a steam-cleaner to get the spilled chocolate milk out of the Sienna’s seats, or go to a detailer?”
Why not keep the ’05? There must be ways to extract a few more ponies. I’m sure the aftermarket can help out. There is always a way. More boost, bigger turbos, bigger intercoolers, bigger pistons, that sort of thing. Not cheap, but a lot cheaper than a new Black. But then again, I can’t even afford a used ’05 AMG, so perhaps I am not qualified to have an opinion.
Buy the new car. Drive the wheels off of it. I believe in buying every bit of car you can afford and then using it to the utmost!
I like the SL65 Black better than the SLS.
If you could afford such a car why be rational about it at all? There are plenty of drawbacks, including practicality, loss of inconspicuousness, 8,000lb curb weight, etc. Thinking about such things defies the reason for this car. Yeah, it’ll be cheaper next year, and there are plenty of cars that can crush its performance for 1/10th the price, but right now, at this very moment you can’t have anything exactly like it for any less. You could get hit by a car tomorrow and then you’ll have wasted your chance to toss that twin turbo widebody around. Carpe diem, buy it.
buy it. There’s really no argument against a house priced car that dosen’t boil down to preference. Myself, I’d take a Carrera GT.
I’d bet lots of other people’s money that this turns into a collector’s piece.
Buying this car RIGHT NOW could be the smartest decision you ever made.
Start heading for the dealer immediately. Call me if you need any help.
jmo : I assume your brother’s practice is leasing the SL for him? If that’s the case you need to keep that in mind – it’s not that irrational a purchase as it is tax deductible.
The only thing harder to lease than an SL Black Series is a Chrysler product. The bubble has burst, and no company in their right mind will make that happen. Alas, this would be a purchase purely motivated by twin turbos, 12 cylinders, fender flares and a lot of carbon fiber.
And I wonder just how bad the depreciation will be on these cars, they only brought 175 of them to the states. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s nothing like the “50% of the it’s value in 1.5 years” of the CL65. Who knows.
BMWnut : Why not keep the ‘05? There must be ways to extract a few more ponies.
Or you can RENNtech a black series and never look back. But seriously, you should see the inflated residual on Doc’s CL65 (bought slightly used) lease: the number of dollars between residual and market value is laughable.
Anyone who thinks credit is the lifeblood of our economy (sorry, Mr. President) needs a somber reality check. And a stronger debt/equity ratio. Immediately.
“Anyone who thinks credit is the lifeblood of our economy (sorry, Mr. President) needs a somber reality check.”
The vast majority of homes, cars, college educations, business start-ups and business expansions are all funded at least in part with credit. Without the availability of student loans, I never would have earned my engineering degree. Nor would I have ever bought a house. So yes, credit is the lifeblood of the economy.
Personally I only buy a car if I am ready, able and willing to write a check for the full amount of the purchase. As such, I would never piss away the money required to buy a new AMG anything. But, that doesn’t negate the truth of the fact that credit is indeed the linchpin of all modern economies.
But seriously, you should see the inflated residual on Doc’s CL65 (bought slightly used) lease
No doubt. Even after “negotiating” a lower buyout, it’s still $10k over market value.
Getting another used 05 or 06 CL65 and doing the ECU mod is not out of the question, though….how does 840 ft lbs of torque grab ya?
John Horner: Not that I disagree much, but credit comes from money in someone else’s hands. Money is the lifeblood, credit is just a wonderful supplement that you must never, ever get addicted to.
Sajeev,
Not that I disagree much, but credit comes from money in someone else’s hands.
True – but not as true as you might think. You many want to google Fractional Reserve Banking.
jmo: good point, The Simpson’s had a great skit about this when there was a run on the Springfield bank. Moe ended up punching someone for “taking” his money.
Somewhat back OT, I’d like to thank the Bretton Woods system for letting us have our Bi-Turbo Benzes.
My beloved 2005 CL65 AMG…
The bank’s beloved 2005 CL65 AMG…
How about being a nice guy, keeping the already awesome car you have, and donating the money to charity?
It’s certainly much better than donating it to the depreciation gods.
Bretton Woods FTW.
Even though there’re only 175 of them in the ‘states, they’ll still suffer massive depreciation. Just not as much as other AMGs.
Why not lease one on a term short enough to let you pick up a Gullwing when it comes out?