Mercedes Is Gunning For The MX-5 RF With A New Entry-Level SLC
Mercedes is about to release an SLC that will be cheaper to put on your drive than the Mazda MX-5 RF – in monthly payments, at least.
The company is planning a four-cylinder SLC 180 that will offer cheaper finance than that of the hard-top Mazda, with ballpark performance, too. Longer gearing means fewer gear changes on the way to the benchmark sprint time.
It’s six tenths slower to 62mph than the RF, but it’s a whisker better on fuel, claiming to return 1.6mpg more. For CO2 it’s worlds better, with 134g/km versus the MX-5’s 161g/km, but both will cost the same to tax after the first year.
The SLC is a hell of a lot heavier than the RF, though, leading us to suspect that the performance and economy figures might not be telling the whole story. Although the SLC 180 will be the lightest version in the range, at 1435kg, the heaviest RF is almost 400kg lighter than that.
Despite being over £8600 more expensive than the cheapest RF, though, the SLC 180 will have much better residual values, says Mercedes. That means the buyer is paying for less depreciation and has lower monthly payments.
Which one would you have? The lightweight, short-geared but small MX-5 RF or the larger, more spacious SLC 180 with lower payments but a sacrifice in driving fun?
Via: Autocar
Comments
To be honest I would love to try Mercedes bit when it come down to reliable and resale value they are not that great. I hope MB would take their time and pay attention to their quality of their product instead of trying to get into people check book by making them look appealing.
put whole punch of unnecessary gadget / sensor in their car that needed regular maintenance / replace .I have
family own a 2000 ml 320 with 100k. It run great but it cost so much maintenance . I have a 2001 nissan pathfinder with 240k and it run fine . So I would pick the mazda miata over the Mercedes any day unless Mercedes improved their quality on their product. I didn’t mean to put negative comments on Mercedes Benz by any mean. I just try to hope that they pay attention and care for their customers by build a quality and owner friendly product so people have faith in them or they will loose all their customers to the Japanese . It’s not too late but the way it heading there is not many loyal Mercedes Benz owner out there only new onwer . People who dream of own a Mercedes Benz when they don’t have money but now they can afford . But after own a Mercedes Benz for a few year that dream become a nightmare. Because Mb brand quality is so low. Dont guess me wrong they have build quality car but that is in.the pass unless you can afford to have it regular maintenance their MB dealer.