320 or 500

yes...it is a HUGE difference...take it from a guy that just came from a 412hp corvette to a 505hp z06....the difference is unfathomable. And if its a manual, u can actually still maintain very good gas mileage by shifting from 1st gear to 4th at a lower rpm. I vote 500hp over mpg anyday.

I dont think the Corvette and SL's are apples to apples. Corvettes have a primary mission in life: speed, the straighter the speed the better understood is the Corvette's role. They are amatuerish in their engineering and quality. SL's are a different concept entirely and while the SL320's 227 hp vs SL500's 302 (?) hp is a significant difference there are a great many other dynamics in the SL world. But, thanks.

lol try to help someone....and they turn out to be...well, like you...amateurish engineering? the LSX motors are leading world wide...anyone who has anything to brag about swapped their motor for an lsx....granted the corvette is not designed for the 60year old man who needs his seats to tickle his asshole while driving but when it comes to performance there is nothing better (for the price, obviously you can spend a million dollars on a honda civic and make it faster), If you are looking for performance, mercedes was night the right choice, even the SLR Mclaren is not great when you compare it to other cars with a similar price tag. But then again, if you are worrying about gas mileage maybe a Prius would have been a more suited vehicle

You've got a low boiling point, young man. Your better off with the silly plastic slingshots you're driving -- they probably fit into your asshole better. A mercedes would break you in two.

dont bother reponding. dont want to waste my time wth new drivers.

ah 'vette vs. benz... classic. it really just comes down to what you're willing to pay. 99% of the time, although you may or may not be following the speed limit, you're not going to be using the extra power, on the other hand, you're not looking at a ford fiesta, so it can be argued that you like the style and performance of the mercedes. gotta love these cars. nothing says style like a benz. it's a matter of preferance, though. i think you'd be happy with either one, because let's face it. it's a m-f'n benz. that's a lot of car.

Price is about a thousand to 1200 more for the eight so not really a factor, tho I've seen a couple of places where the six is the same or more than the eight. Gets down to mileage and condition, as always. (Same for women!) For now, I think the straight 320 six is the way to go, then the 500 eight, then the later 320's Vsix. The I6 is silk (24V), also has a 5-speed in all years vs the eight didnt go five speeds till '96. I kinda like the old hydraulic shifts.

lol the only thing about the mercedes that could break me in half is its ridiculous weight, it's a 4000+lbs heap of metal that needs a 12 cylinder 5.0 liter engine to achieve a hardly impressive 0-60mph in 5.1seconds....you don't even know what real power is my friend. Again, I have no issue admitting that corvettes don't come with bells and whistles but its because...again...you don't buy a vette to trim your toe nails and fan your most likely bald head, you buy it for the insanely powerful performance. Seriously man, look into a Prius, I hear the 2011's come with a piss container for you older folk who are having bladder control issues.

if youre concerned about fuel efficiency you cant afford a benz.

????????????????? Who said anything about fuel efficiency? I'm talking about the different characteristics of an SL320 and an SL500. They both can handle anything the road throws at them but they do they have different responses. Anyone with a feel for a Mercedes, from a 67HP 240 diesel or a whatever, loves them -- they just are doing their jobs differently. My question is asking what chatacteristics of a 320 and a 500 stand out. MPG has nothing to do with it. If all you can respond with is MPG and affordability, you shouldnt be driving a "benz". Get a focus, man.

i think he said that bcuz you said "Are the better MPG and lower mainenance costs worth giving up the 500's HP?" lol why are u so mean to everyone on here hahaha, poor guy was just answering your question

well actually i posted this before you sent me your lets be friends email...but ok i guess telling time isn't for everyone

thats exactly what my point was. if a person brings up mpg on a benz it brings into queston why they are even looking at one in the first place.

you brought up fuel efficiency. mpg is fuel efficiency. it was in your originial post. are you on crack or something?

OK, my question wasnt clear. I can see that. Having owned a '95 SL500 and now owning a '94 SL320 I was looking around to see if my feelings on how they were different (but both more than worthy) stacked up with other people's experiences. I should've been clearer about that. So, let's stop all this crazy, okay? Just consider you'selves lucky Parsa and Chase that we're not playing on the Interstate or racing on a track somehwere cause I'd whip your asses baaad! ONLY KIDDING, ladies. Oh no I've just lit another stick of dynamite....Calmate, hombres. May the speed be with you!

the 500 is better. and id love to see you try and take my gto lol

LOL!!! the day a 94 sl320 beats my z06 is the day I drive my car off a cliff with me inside

what you, young lad, you refuse to get thru your happy head is that anyone, including your grandmother and mine, can push a pedal and make your corvette go. that's what corvettes do and they're probably the best at it on a cost to hp basis. and that's why your corvette's taken seriously only at one level. read aound a little bit and you'll see. there's more to cars than how fast your corvette goes. it starts with the person driving it. if i could i'd be glad to run you from san diego to sacremento with you at your goofy looking zo6 and me in an appliance car like a corolla or focus. i'll be on the other side of la before you're out of orange county. i dont need to tell you my driving credentials but how fast your car can go has nothing to do with how well it's driven. but still, your corvette's one helluva place to grow up in.

it's the driver. mano, the driver. our grandmothers can push a pedal and go fast. big deal. i'd be glad to run any interstate or back road with you: you can take your gto and i'll rent a focus or corolla from enterprise. i'll have lunch waiting for you.

lmfao. yeah sorry but only a moron would say that.

you sound like a real pleasant fellow. adios, sucker.

lol that might have been the dumbest thing ive ever read...in my life. u just push the pedal and go fast? have u ever driven a stick lol?

lol dude that doesnt even make any sense....you dont just push the pedal to go....clearly you've been racing go karts for way 2 long....i actually have to understand the engines relationship with the transmission differential and clutch to make it perform at its potential...i realize you've probly only driven automatic cars in which case...gas break break break gas is the formula for taking a turn....when ur balls drop try and take a manuel car (doesnt really matter what car) around a 90 degree turn at 70mph and tell me if all u did was hold the gas lmfao...the more u talk the more respect i lose for you as a car enthusiast, you clearly know nothing, and for the record....90's SL's are gay as hell....if ur gonna talk trash about "my car is better than yours" atleast have one that was made in the last 5 years.

parsa, you dont own that corvette - it's your little wet dream. adios, sucker.

I do own it hahah...well technically I don't I still owe 13k on it, but its definitely mine. I know it must be hard to watch a 20 be more successful than you are at 60 or 90 or whatever , let's just call it wrinkled age...but this isn't about who's name is on the title...it's about your idiotic excuse for car knowledge. And if u REALLY want I'll show u any proof you want ;)

Actually, grasshopper, I'm in my early 40s, own a karate school with three locations, and am used to pushing little fellas like you to the edge of their box. You withered faster than most. First step for is to go on an ego diet and learn some self control. Maybe drive an old ford ranger automatic for a month and learn some humility and respect. Just dont try pushing around any of my students with your mouthiness -- you wont be driving a while. Now let's end this nonesense and get back to work.

So youre saying your students are so poorly disiplined that mouthing off will set them over the edge? Or what was your point? Besides karate is useless in a street fight.

btw...i hope u stop and realize somewhere along ur next retarded rant that this all started bcuz i told u to go with the hp instead of the fuel efficiency...i mean what kind of schmuck keeps this going for days on end....starting with some douche bag remark about how SL's are better than vettes....later to find out what you call an "SL" is a dinosaur....a 20 year old piece of junk....I was laughing at you when i thought u were talking about atleast an 06 or newer....im just baffled now....

but then again...i guess somewhere in life...when the balls start sagging to the floor and the wrinkles and crow feet start kicking in...we all have to accept what we have and pretend that our achievements are the best...because well...otherwise u look back on ur life and realize after 40+ years of the waste of time you call living..all u have to show for it is bragging on a forum to a 20 year old guy that you teach 5 year olds how to punch air and that you roll around in a hardly impressive "vehicle" from the flinstone era that you find more amazing than a z06...like a give a shit what some old man thinks...

In my opinion, absolutely not! Part of the thrill owning a Mercedes is the response and torgue. Plus, 6 cylinders do not hold their value nearly as well as an 8 or 12. I've driven several MB 6 cylinders, and I even owned a CLK320. Now I have both a CLK430 and an SL55. They are both awesome cars!

Interesting. That SL55 must be a monster. Never driven one but I can see why after that kind of eight a six would be kind of a nag. The 4.3 and the 3.2 are pretty close in numbers but still i gotta admit an eight has that extra sauce. May the speed be with you!

The fact is that each car has distinct characteristics that differentiate themselves from each other; those distinctions also create a bond with each other. The needs of the driver of each of these cars is heghtened by the fact that the 6-cylinder 320 does what it is so well beyond its definition as does the 8-cylinder 500 exceed the expectations of its driver. I personally see the 320 as a more personable car with a more even temperment; I see the 500 as always urgent, seldom relaxed and a great drinking buddy. Either way the music's great whichever dancing partner you choose.

im not sure i should join y'all in this silly,insulting debate,but i happen to own a 95 vette and a 96 sl320 [i got on this site to find out the weight of my sl cause whats on my reg.is wrong,2930] any way the 300 hp 6 spd. vette is faster but not night and day faster BUT on real roads with bits of sand,bumps and rain the vette will keep you on the edge of your seat staying on the road going straight anyway. it may be the weight distribution but on a tight bunch of turns the benz will leave the vette in the dust,every time,rain or shine and leave you confident and relaxed doing it.the vette is a profilers platform and thats why mine is for sale,below trade in value,5185329444, say 9k.Back to the point i like the 320 more than the v8 which I've only drove older[still,for the snobs]ones a 450 and a 560.the 320 is lighter better balanced and the 96 l6 24 has 231 hp not bad for 195 cu. in. Im old,not bald and have owned a lot of cars,raced motorcycles on a track,cars being too expensive for me.The SL320 is the best all around sporty car I've ever driven,Its balanced,predictable,quick,forgiving,controllable at the edge,solid,and nearly bulletproof.The M104 engine,made since 1990 has NEVER had a bottom end failure,you can beat this car if you are an idiot or need to and the car will not be fazed a bit ! thats about it please somebody buy my vette,very reasonable i think.

I've had a Corvette, '62, and an SL. Like the man said, there's more to cars than putting a huge motor on a frame. The SL is light years ahead in engineering. I hate it when a young "know it all" takes up valuable space on these forums to exercise their ego. I'd seriously like to know the answer to the question at hand. What are the differences to consider between a 320 and a 500. I am about to buy one or the other. I consider the 320 because I don't need to beat anyone off the line or race it. I do like the smoothness and quiet reliability of the 6 which I now have in a 300E. I would also like to have the raw power of the 500, but only if it is quiet and smooth. The difference in power is a trade-off between the 21 MPG of the 500 and the 24 MPG of the 320. It does matter to me as I'm not rich but have good taste in cars and want quality, not quantity. Can someone get this discussion back on a serious track without al the BS of youthful boasting.

I owned several Mercedes including a 350 SlC, ,560 Sl and Sedan and now a CLK350 Cabr. The difference btw Mercd and Vette is Style and Personality, Refinement and Brute force, sophistication and not so sophistication of the driver/owner like Clinton and Trump. I would not get into the reliability and dependability. There are other cars which surpass both these cars. The attributes I mentioned are all emotional/ psychological. So neither of these people win by calling names to each other But Trump won.,I enjoyed these discussions though.

I'll never give up two things in my life my weapons and my Sl 500. This car is awesome... Its a 94 and still runs strong the suspension it tight and the doors still shut solid.absolutely no rattles or shakes..Great car to own.MPG and Maintanence well worth it.. I'll take less mpg