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Buying a Car is a Serious Matter
Words by Christian Parodi / Photos by Mercedes-Benz
Buying a car is a serious matter. It is a moment that marks a new notch in the motoring journey of an enthusiast and – whether you like it or not – it will remain there, even decades later and even if the purchase in question turns out to be a bitter disappointment. This is why it is important to carefully consider where to put your savings, especially when it comes to a substantial check. You do some research, analyze deep, take notes exactly as I usually do with my “pros and cons” list when I find myself choosing the next daily car, perhaps less exciting than the weekend sports cars, but the one I will find myself driving the most miles in.
Then there are those gut purchases, those obsessions that assail you by launching themselves into your head from the proverbial nowhere. That’s right, a random day you get out of bed and you’ve decided you want an SL500, the legendary Mercedes-Benz cabrio. Whether it was a dream with subliminal messages or some little devil who wants to put the fuel card to the test, I couldn’t think of anything other than an R230, the one with the double round headlight updated from 2003 to 2008. I remember well the enthusiasm of my friend Giorgio when years before he brought home a brand new AMG SL65. A crazy expense, absurd and more stupid than throwing money in a lit fireplace. The fact is that every time he started it up it was pure pleasure. Add to that the fact that they made few of them and sold even fewer and the SL65 was a unicorn, now providentially revalued after a nosedive to historic lows of around €200,000 in devaluation.
My choice is more sensible and so I convince myself to at least leave aside the overbearing AMG and let the grand touring side prevail, aside from the fact that with this restyling the SL500 brought the power of its V8 to 387 horsepower, +81 compared to before. Greater incisiveness in acceleration, but also in delivery, ensuring a markedly more dynamic behavior between the curves and an even greater involvement, especially with the hard top folded behind the two seats, which – for the record – takes 16 seconds flat to go from coupe to cabriolet. You will have therefore already understood that in the end the SL500 ended up in my garage, ousting the M6 purchased towards the end of 2013, much faster, but also aseptic.
The fact is that the choice for its engine was simple and due to a quick reasoning. As for the search, it was a real suffering. Either because of the terrible sales network of the parent company in Italy, or because many owners have no real intention of parting with it, I found a model in excellent condition in France. Bonus: a warranty and a state of conservation that was nothing short of astonishing. From that moment on, it was basically enough to put on my favorite Arbre Magique of the time and drive, dusting off – if there was ever a need – the awareness that a large engine under a generous front hood is the best definition of driving pleasure. A relaxed style but always ready to scratch the asphalt, a full-bodied soundtrack, yet never invasive. I loved it unconditionally, also and above all for its now obsolete interior and when I had to say goodbye I made sure it ended up in good hands (those of a Dutch enthusiast, ed.), with the certainty that the next hundred thousand kilometers will be as special as each of those shared with me.
PS. When I smell Fruit Cocktail fragrance, I always think of her, the SL500!
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