Why are there few people driving the SLS AMG?
2 Answers
There are few people driving the SLS AMG due to its discontinuation and the gull-wing door design. Discontinuation of the car: One of the reasons for the scarcity of this car is its discontinuation. The pricing of Mercedes-Benz's SLS was too high, and at this price range, people have too many choices. For example, Ferrari's California, Lamborghini's Huracán, and McLaren's 570S. These models are all from the world's top sports car manufacturers. SLS's gull-wing door design: The experience varies for each user. The stylish appearance is indeed undeniable, but the hinges of the gull-wing doors are unreliable and prone to damage. Additionally, they have poor safety; it's difficult to open the doors after a rollover. Despite the many drawbacks of gull-wing doors, their manufacturing cost is still high.
I think the main reason why few people drive the SLS AMG is its high price barrier. The new car price is basically over six to seven hundred thousand dollars, which is not something the average working class can easily afford. Additionally, as a high-performance sports car, its fuel consumption is extremely high—daily fuel and maintenance costs combined can eat up half of one's salary. The insurance is also outrageous; high premiums are due to the high risk of accidents, with annual premiums easily exceeding ten thousand dollars. More critically, as a two-seater sports car, its practicality is terrible—the trunk space is so small it can't even fit a large suitcase, it can't carry family or friends, and it's unsuitable as a daily commuter. Nowadays, sports cars like the Toyota Supra or BMW M4 offer similar performance at much more affordable prices, making them the preferred choice for most people. These financial pressures make the SLS AMG a toy for only a few wealthy individuals.