THE CAR

It is a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG roadster with Iridium Silver paint and Dark Grey leather interior. The SL55 AMG comes standard with a 5.5-liter supercharged V8 making 476 hp. This example has less than 27,000 miles on the odometer, and is currently being offered for $40,500.

OVERVIEW

When new, the SL55 AMG cost over $120,000. Because the AMG is a premium designation, it not only adds performance to the standard SL, it also has options like 22-spoke wheels, 8-piston caliper brakes, and the heated and cooled seats as standard equipment. Seven years later, and a low-mileage example like our test car is worth about $42,000.

$40k is an interesting price in the automotive world. It is well above the $25k mark for average transportation, but it is not yet the kind of cash that ensures ultra-exclusive motoring. $40,000 is a price point that opens up a world of many automotive options where buyers are expecting luxuries, but they are willing to make compromises.   So, our first question is what else out there rivals our test car?

This SL55 AMG is being offered at the same price that could purchase some convertibles straight out of the new car showroom. While a prestigious name like Mercedes doesn’t have a single convertible in this price range, a new Lexus is obtainable. For the same money as the SL55, a base Lexus IS 250C can be purchased. Both are hardtop convertibles, but the tradeoff is giving up 272 hp from the Mercedes for the new car smell of the Lexus.

Holding a halfway point between brand new and this SL55 would be a car like the Chevrolet Corvette convertible. The Chevy and the Mercedes are similar on power (AMG has only about 10% more hp,) and they are both roadsters. The Corvette’s lower base price and steeper depreciation means 2007 model has the same retail value as this Mercedes. The odd catch in this comparison is we are basing this figure on a Corvette with average mileage for its age, which is about 50% more than what is currently on this SL55’s odometer.

So $40k is a matter of individual taste, and as we found out with our test drive of the car, this AMG has a lot of flavor.

DRIVELINES

A 5.5-liter V8 engine is easily large enough for muscle cars, so with the attached supercharger, the SL55 AMG is simply a beast. But this is also a Mercedes, so it knows how to behave.

For urban driving the car is smooth tight, and refined. In this situation, the exhaust note is the only indication of the animal that lies within. It is not an overbearing sound, but it is a constant low-level rumble that almost feels like the exhaust is taunting the driver for not letting the entire engine come out and play.

Once the driver can’t take any more of the exhaust’s teasing, it is just a quick stab at the throttle to unleash the fury. The full force of the 476 hp engine kicks in almost instantly. It pins the driver to the back of the seat with so much force that we had to look under the seat for items that were forced out of our pockets on multiple occasions. This is also the time the Active Body Control takes over to keep the car firmly planted (there is actually a button to raise the suspension for parking lots, but we never felt like spoiling our fun.)

In the end we realized this is a car with a dual personality. Like most of the products touched by AMG, this is the wild child of the SL lineup. But no matter rowdy the SL55 AMG may get, it still has to carry the refinement of the Mercedes family name.

MINDFUL ITEMS

Always make sure to pay attention to cars with mileage that is well below the average. This SL55 has less than a third of what cars its age should have. We’re not that worried because there are plenty of premium cars out there like this SL that have very low miles. This is usually a sign that they were a weekend toy for the rich and spent most days in garages nicer than the average home. A good test drive and a check of the service history can usually alleviate this mileage concern.

PRICING

Current price ranges for similarly equipped vehicles averages $41,200 – $43,000, this car is currently being offered by Dealer Auto Exchange for $40,500. For more details on this specific car visit Dealer Auto Exchange’s website.