New Car Roadtrip 2.0

onewhippedpuppy · 11-25-2025, 05:52 PM

This time it was a success! I didn’t jinx it this time by posting in advance, but I just got back from Boise with this 2004 SL55 with 45k on it. Very clean and loaded with the designo Graphite package, stock minus Brabus wheels that greatly improve the appearance. It has a few odds and ends that need addressing by me and my son, and will eventually become his unless he makes me mad.

Here’s a few pics, interior ones are from the PO because I forgot to take any.

onewhippedpuppy · 11-25-2025, 05:55 PM

javadog · 11-25-2025, 06:26 PM

Nice. Let me know how you like it. I have thought about one of those instead of R-129.

onewhippedpuppy · 07:25 PM

Love it, this car absolutely devours the highway. It’s the definition of a GT, super comfortable with tons of power and fantastic on the long sweeping highways through the mountains. It’s not a sports car but it’s also not a boring car, still fun on a twisty road if you’re not trying to set lap times. Despite the massive power it’s still a little too laid back for me, I’m planning to do a resonator delete for some exhaust sound and a little more open intake to introduce some supercharger whine. Compared to the R129 I drove there’s no comparison, this is nicer in every way. I still prefer the SL63 because the M156 V8 and seven speed Speedshift clutched automatic is more responsive, but they are also a solid $10k more. If my son eventually takes over the 55 as planned, I’ll be looking for a 63 for my wife as a daily driver.

I personally think the R230 is very unappreciated on the market. They are incredibly well built and beautiful inside and out, and offer stunning performance for the money in 55, 63, and 600 guise. The 600 is a twin turbo V12 that with a simple tune will challenge modern supercars, they are ridiculous.

rwest · rwest's Garage

Nice,

I would like to do a remote purchase and then road trip it back home. Maybe some day...

onewhippedpuppy · 11-25-2025, 08:05 PM

Do it! I’ve done NC twice, AZ twice, MN, KY, and closer cities like Houston, Dallas, Chicago, and Denver more times than I can count. Many others that I’ve forgotten. Hard to beat a good road trip.

911boost · 911boost's Garage

Dang, you didn’t go too far past me…

Zeke · 11-26-2025, 01:04 AM

Bought an '88 Carrera up north and had a wonderful trip home staying off the main roads somewhat. I could do that for a living, if I lived under different circumstances. As @rwest says maybe someday again. Trouble is I don't want anything.

Skytrooper · Skytrooper's Garage

Wow ! That’s a beauty ! Congratulations!

Seahawk · 11-26-2025, 04:29 AM

Nicely done.

What route

vash · vash's Garage

Stunning. Your car purchases never disappoint.

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Congrats on the new acquisition. Love watching your automotive ADD.

We should get you to buy long distance cars for us (on PPOT), and Milt to deliver 'em to us, if we can't swing time for the trip.

KNS · 11-26-2025, 05:58 AM

You did well. Great looking interior/exterior before MB got weird and cheap looking.

onewhippedpuppy · 11-26-2025, 05:58 AM

I sadly took the boring interstate route home, with Thanksgiving coming up and my son’s football team playing in the state championship this weekend, I didn’t have time to mess around. Boise to SLC, then I cut east and stayed in Laramie. Really sad I rolled into Laramie after dark and left early, as that would have been a scenic drive. Dropped south through Ft Collins and then hopped onto I70 by the Denver airport. I think I made like five turns the entire trip.

javadog · 11-26-2025, 06:04 AM

In all my transcontinental trips, I've always been in too much of a hurry to cover ground. A shame, really, what we miss.

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

I've enjoyed the Interstate highway system for a lot of trips for quite some number of years. I've never felt like I missed anything by traveling on them vs other roads. I got to go to a lot of places I wouldn't have had time to get to via slower highways.
I think they're one of this country's greatest engineering achievements.

jhynesrockmtn · 11-26-2025, 08:30 AM

Beautiful car! Congrats. I've done a few arrive and drive/ride trips. The best one was NE Maryland to Seattle on a R1150GS.

pwd72s · 11-26-2025, 12:30 PM

Beautiful car...and a much better lengthy road trip choice than any of the exotic supercars.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 11-26-2025, 12:45 PM

Cool car, congrats Matt!

911boost · 911boost's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I sadly took the boring interstate route home, with Thanksgiving coming up and my son’s football team playing in the state championship this weekend, I didn’t have time to mess around. Boise to SLC, then I cut east and stayed in Laramie. Really sad I rolled into Laramie after dark and left early, as that would have been a scenic drive. Dropped south through Ft Collins and then hopped onto I70 by the Denver airport. I think I made like five turns the entire trip.

I will rephrase what I said earlier in the thread, bummer you were in a burry. You drove right by my house just about once you got in FTC after Laramie. I could have given you some advice on where to eat in Laramie, I ride up there a lot on the motorcycle.

We could have taken the GT3RS out for a quick spin.

Bill