1997 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review
Price Estimate: $3,490 - $5,275

Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Beautiful, high-performance, wind-in-your-hair, roadster.
Cons
- Price.
What’s new
A Panorama hardtop is now available, and it helps improve top-up visibility. ASR traction control is now standard on the SL320. A rain sensor is now standard on all models as well.
For sale near North Charleston, SC
14 listings
- $6,995good price$2,980 below market
- 119,871 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, personal use
- 8cyl automatic
- C&L Motors (369 mi away)
- Bose Premium Sound
- Dual Power Seats
- Telescoping Wheel
Close
Located in Tampa, FL
Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, absolute accuracy cannot be guarantee...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
16 Combined MPG (14 City/21 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WDBFA67F3VF146500
Stock: 11698
Certified Pre-Owned: No - $15,495fair price$3,137 below market
- 52,909 miles
- No accidents, 5 owners, personal use only
- 8cyl automatic
- Driven Motors (403 mi away)
- Power seats
Close
Located in Bradenton, FL
1997 MERCEDES SL500 5.0L V8 BLACK WITH BLACK LEATHER INTERIOR power windows, power door locks, power top, am fm stereo, ice cold ac, power seats come ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
16 Combined MPG (14 City/21 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WDBFA67F6VF144059
Stock: 3560
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 06-24-2025
Vehicle overview
For years, the classic roadster to own was the Mercedes 450SL. From 1973 to 1989, Mercedes peddled so many of these convertibles to the rich and famous that they became as ubiquitous as cocaine vials at high-society social events. Then, Mercedes revamped its classic, upping the technological ante by light years over the old car. The redone SL has been available in three styles since then; 320, 500 and 600 Series droptops.
The SL600 is a whompin' V12 two-door roadster. The SL isn't merely a S600 coupe with no roof. It is lighter, more nimble, and based on the SL-Class of roadsters. The bloodline it shares with the gargantuan S-Class is the 6.0-liter V12 that makes 389 horsepower and moves the car with authority. Stuffed into the SL, the V12 is a better performer and costs less than its big brother coupe, but at a stupendous $123,000, that's kind of a moot point.
The...ahem, lowly SL320 and SL500 are the more reasonably priced and more popular Mercedes roadsters. Prices for the SL320 and SL500 fell dramatically in 1995. The SL320, which was base priced at $95,000 in 1994, is starting at about $80,000 this year. Likewise, the SL500 fell nearly 10 grand to $90,000. So, do you get less car for your smaller payment? No. The SL320 and SL500 have gained equipment since then.
We don't think you should go for the SL600. The SL500 is just as good, and better in some respects, than its more muscular brother. And with your savings you could get a Jeep Grand Cherokee for the kids to take to Keg-A-Beer University in the fall. In fact, with the soon-to-be-released SLK on the way, it doesn't make sense to buy any of these big beasties. The SLK is faster than the SL320, has a convertible hardtop, and costs less than half what M-B is asking for its SL320.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in South Carolina
$208/mo for SL-Class SL500 SL1 Sport
SL-Class SL500 SL1 Sport
vs
$152/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
AS GOOD AS IT GETS!
4.88 out of 5 starsalan, 09/12/2009
1995 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible
Had this for a year. After investing for minor items [about $3,000] it is a new car. The lines are timeless. Great performance at any speed. Rides like a magic carpet. This is one great vehicle. No regrets.
6 month toy
4.38 out of 5 starsduck, 02/18/2003
1995 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible
The looks this car gets are off the
charts, but they come at a hefty
price. I only drive my SL500 6 months a
year. Therein lies the problem; already
expensive cost of ownership,
exacerbated by spreading the costs over
only six months. That said, I still
keep it, and wait for the spring to
bring nice weather. The thrill of
hitting the accelerator on this 300+ HP
beast … is beyond compare. Driving with
the top down on a nice day is one of
the finest auto experiences around.
Then, pulling into valet parking of a
crowded cafe or club is bound to stroke
the ego of any redblooded American male.
My SL320
4.88 out of 5 starsJoan Ortlepp, 07/23/2003
1996 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL320 2dr Convertible
This is my 5th Mercedes. Have had an
older 230SL, 2 diesels and my most
recent large sedan 300SE. Have sold my
300SE and Miata convertible and
combined the features of both in
SL320. This car is fun to drive, very
comfortable and quick (even though it
is only a large 6 cylinder). I got the
SL320 because it had the same engine as
my 300SE.
Love my buggy
4 out of 5 starsSean, 03/22/2016
1997 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL320 2dr Convertible
This is my 1st SL and I am having fun, Purchased it to be a weekend toy but find myself driving it more and more. i have had no maintenance issues and she is 19 years old.....finger crossed. Everything is expensive on this car so when it breaks I am mentally prepared to deal with that.
All in all...just a great and fun car!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the SL-Class since its last redesign.
1997 SL-Class Highlights
SL320
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $191/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 7.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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