Fantasy Faceoff: The $400,000 Showdown - And We Let YOU Pick The Winner!

Fantasy Faceoff: The $400,000 Showdown - And We Let YOU Pick The Winner!
The life of an Agent here at AutoSpies.com can from time to time seem like all fun and games.  The fact is however that there is a lot of behind the scenes work that goes into bringing you the latest automotive news ahead of the competition.

Never one to shrug off the office duties, Agent 001 is off to San Francisco to drive the new Mercedes-Benz SL65 Black Series.  Right around the time he headed to northern California to drive a car the rest of us only get to drool over, pricing was announced putting the SL65 Black Series into some pretty exclusive company with a base price just north of $400k.

Let that sink in for a minute, FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.

That is a lot of money, and the people able to plunk down that kind of change on a car like this probably can buy several cars in this price range, or already own several cars in this price range.

So it got me thinking.

Agent 001 loves the car vs. car stories as you the reader battle it out in defense of one car or another.  My initial thought was follow his formula and have a car versus house showdown.

Imagine the headline...

"Mercedes SL65 Black Series VERSUS 3000 Sq. Ft. House on 1/2 acre lot - We Line Them Up Side By Side and Let You Decide!"

Or something like that.

But we are AutoSpies.com, so a car versus home comparison probably wouldn't fly, so why not gather some cars that hover in the exclusive $400k atmosphere, and allow you to enlighten us as to which car you would buy if you had the extra money sitting around (or if you hit the PowerBall Jackpot tonight).

First up the new kid on the block, Mercedes-Benz SL65 Black Series.  For a mere $415,000 you get 670 horsepower.  Power like that corrupts, and I am confident that with the over the top bodywork, this MB is sure to be noticed by all those fortunate enough to be stuck in traffic with you.  Of course once traffic clears up, that kind of power will certainly insure a lot of blacktop between you and the lesser cars trying to catch that glimpse.

The Lamborghini Murcielago is no stranger to the AutoSpies.com readers.  While the Gallardo is a civilized daily driver, the Murcielago is built on the "old" side of the Lamborghini factory by the same group of workers who turned out other Lambo's like the Countach and LM002.  This is old school Lamborghini, and when this model is finally retired and replaced, the entire Lamborghini culture will have been replaced by a sensible Corporate template that insures the cars start everytime, and can be driven cross country without having to bring a mechanic along for the ride.  This over the top car WILL be the center of attention whenever and wherever you drive it, however before you jump on the Lamborghini bandwagon remember that this car while beautiful, is hard to get in and out of and expensive to maintain.  Depending how you option this car, you probably will get a little change back from your $400k bill, you can use that to help pay for gas or the maintenance.

The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is one good looking car.  Lucky for Ferrari, wanna be owners are willing to wait months and often times years to own the latest greatest Ferrari, and this one is no exception.  Resales on eBay and other sites often list for thousands of dollars more than the original sticker price - this Ferrari is destined to be a classic that people will lust for long after production ends.  Combining details from several Ferrari's of eras gone by, the 599 is a visual as well as driving treat for anyone fortunate enough to be able to purchase it.

Well, the competitors have all been laid out for your consideration.  Will it be the Mercedes, the Lamborghini or the Ferrari.  There really is no loser when you get into this arena, so it comes down to personal preferences.  For me personally the Ferrari 599 gets the nod, but we want to hear which car you would choose.

So go ahead, enlighten us to your choice.

While we are here dreaming about the 'what if' in terms of cars like these, Agent 001 is driving the Mercedes-Benz SL65 Black Series.  It will be interesting to hear his take on this new super car from Mercedes.

So which car would you choose, Mercedes, Ferrari or Lamborghini?

And while you are daydreaming about cars, be sure to check out the 2008 SEMA Auto Show Gallery


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 11/9/2008 12:41:16 AM
+5 Boost
599 GTB. It's my favorite car, period.

The SL Black would be a close second, though.


pacotacololpacotacolol - 11/9/2008 9:09:28 PM
+2 Boost
I'd take the Ferrari during the day, show off its speed, and at night take the Lamborghini, show off its sound and extremist color


CLK63BlackSeriesCLK63BlackSeries - 11/9/2008 1:19:12 AM
-4 Boost
1) SL Black
2) 599
3) merci


hao420hao420 - 11/10/2008 5:30:04 PM
+2 Boost
NSX...


HarrimantutuHarrimantutu - 11/9/2008 1:22:14 AM
+4 Boost
Ferrari 599 GTB and the Lamborghini in close second. To me an SL at $400k just doesn't make sense!


njsidekick3njsidekick3 - 11/9/2008 2:10:52 AM
+1 Boost
The 599... Hands down. The Lambo is Old now & the SL is turning that corner.


BJS470BJS470 - 11/9/2008 2:27:09 AM
-2 Boost
Lambo/Ferrari
Merc


lambo98lambo98 - 11/9/2008 3:17:25 AM
-3 Boost
easy LAMBORGINI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ferraris suck mb is good but not as good as lambo


SpeedoholicSpeedoholic - 11/9/2008 3:41:58 AM
+4 Boost
1. 599 GTB
2. SL65 Black
3. Murcielago

Nothing Special in the Murcielago except its sound. SL65 looks gorgeous and the 599 has it all.


JUGNUJUGNU - 11/9/2008 4:32:16 AM
+4 Boost
599 GTB for me. Murcielago is second and the car is now 5 to 6 years old. Mercedes SL65 black though looks stunning and certainly with that much power going to be close to the 599 but still it's a Mercedes and also comes in a form that's under 100K(SL350) so that makes it less exclusive. Also to me Ferrari and Lamborghini are too ahead of SL as far as design goes/the basic shape.

JUGNU


xj13xj13 - 11/9/2008 8:14:21 AM
+2 Boost
The merc thanks.


t_bonet_bone - 11/9/2008 10:21:34 AM
-1 Boost
I'll take the house! (In this economy...)


Agent63Agent63 - 11/10/2008 8:23:20 AM
+1 Boost
The people these cars are geared towards are not likely hurt in a major way by the horrible economy.

- SL65 for more comfort, luxury, and brute force.
- Ferrari 599 for a Ferrari experience GT-Style.
- Lamborghini Murcielago for an experience of a lifetime (sound, soul, and speed).

All arguments aside, you all know darn well you would take any of these cars and their all good in their own ways.


ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 11/9/2008 12:14:02 PM
+3 Boost
Ferrari 599GTB


mercuryguymercuryguy - 11/9/2008 12:27:32 PM
+1 Boost
Most people in this economy can't afford a $200K house let alone a $400k car.


snatchandgrabsnatchandgrab - 11/10/2008 4:27:20 PM
+1 Boost
lol...As much as I love cars, I'll take the house. In Atlanta...I can get a 3800 sq ft house w/ a 2000 ft finished basement for that price.


Htay7500Htay7500 - 11/9/2008 12:54:01 PM
+3 Boost
The SL.


BondMI6BondMI6 - 11/9/2008 1:39:02 PM
-1 Boost
612 Scag with the 599 motor thrown in....


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 11/9/2008 5:55:25 PM
+4 Boost
Ew, why? The 599 is so much better-looking. You must REALLY want those extra seats.


AudiNewEnglandAudiNewEngland - 11/9/2008 2:31:20 PM
-1 Boost
Murcielago
599
SL65 Black


DenaliDenali - 11/9/2008 4:33:27 PM
0 Boost
MBZ in the same sentence as the horse and raging bull, LOL, ill take the horse, and VW bull


AudiNewEnglandAudiNewEngland - 11/9/2008 6:02:44 PM
-3 Boost
I agree,
I feel the Ferrari is a more show off car where-as the Lamborghini is much more of a drivers car. Don't get me wrong, the 599, as with all Ferraris, is an incredible machine. I just think the Murcielago is a superior.


carE10carE10 - 11/9/2008 6:54:00 PM
+5 Boost
"I feel the Ferrari is a more show off car where-as the Lamborghini is much more of a drivers car."
hahhaahhahah, your kidding right? Its the other way around.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 11/9/2008 9:26:31 PM
+4 Boost
"I feel the Ferrari is a more show off car where-as the Lamborghini is much more of a drivers car."

I think it's the exact opposite. That's just me, I guess.


ste_u6ste_u6 - 11/10/2008 9:12:55 AM
0 Boost
im sure $400k would buy you 6000sq ft in 10 acres in this economy!

but,,,,

1. Ferrari
2. SL Black
3. Lambo

You'll never beat the scream of a ferrari and the lambo is a little dated now. But from reports in the UK the merc sounds like its going to take a lot to beat.
Italians dont do a lot of things right, but making a super car is definately one of them.


HantraHantra - 11/10/2008 11:40:52 AM
+1 Boost
599. . . But I'm going to need a body kit to add another pair of rear tail lights. I can't deal with only 2. A proper Ferrari needs 4.


golfer38golfer38 - 11/10/2008 1:17:46 PM
+1 Boost
599 GTB...


snatchandgrabsnatchandgrab - 11/10/2008 4:24:11 PM
+1 Boost
Ferrari 599GTB
Lambo
SL65 Black


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