2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-CLASS NEW CAR BUYER'S GUIDE

What's New for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?
For 2005, the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is no longer offered with free scheduled maintenance during the standard warranty period. Updates for 2005 include an updated Comand head unit with a new DVD-based navigation system that replaces the CD-based system which relied on nine discs to map the entire U.S. A new center console rounds out the changes for this year.

Advantages of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class:

• Near perfect balance between sport and luxury
• Hardtop coupe to open-air convertible in 16 seconds
• Chock full of impressive techno-wizardry

Objections to the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class:

• All this technology costs money, and plenty of it
• Fussy control layout and operation

Editor's Advice:
Sure it costs an arm, a leg and a kidney (you really need just one), but the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is one of the most beautiful, most desirable cars that we've laid our eyes on in quite some time. Fantastically gorgeous whether the hardtop is up or down, the SL dazzles with its beautifully outfitted interior as well as for its myriad of safety and technological features. The Mercedes-Benz SL is both a grand tourer and a sports car; we found that it surpasses the Jaguar XK and Lexus SC 430 in terms of refinement and can out-handle a Porsche under controlled circumstances. Since BMW cancelled the sexy Z8 last year, Mercedes-Benz effectively corners the market on ultra-luxury roadsters with the SL-Class.