Road Test: Inside Line's 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Vs. 2007 BMW M6 Convertible Comparison

Posted by www.eMercedesBenz.com on February 12th, 

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Any time an automotive review begins with the following statements:   
"It's not easy to compare the 2007 BMW M6 Convertible and the 2007  
Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG. The whole idea teeters on the brink of the  
ridiculous...", you know you're about to read an an article that  
consistently attempts to convince you that despite the aforementioned  
warning, it somehow isn't ridiculous.

Typically, any time statements of this nature preceding a review are  
made, three distinct sections follow, all three of which I will  
outline below.

First, there's the requisite ass-kicking the inferior of the two  
vehicles receives.  Normally, this ass-kicking is written off by the  
reviewer, because despite its deficient performance, the lesser of  
the two vehicles still performs at a level above that of any vehicle  
the reviewer will ever attain.  To make the dismissal of this ass- 
kicking more believable, the reviewer typically use words like  
"engrossing" and "enthralling" to compensate for the subordinate  
vehicle's performance inadequacies.

Secondly, there's the deliberation.  During the deliberation phase of  
the article, the reviewer again attempts to convince you that somehow  
the comparison of the two vehicles is relevant by highlighting  
several inconsequential features of both models (i.e., the  
availability of high definition radio). By attempting to showcase  
trivial features shared by both models, the reviewer attempts to  
create the false illusion that this in some way supports the basis  
for a comparison.

And finally, the third (and my favorite) section of the review: the  
cost factor is entered in.  Inevitably, it always ends with the fact  
that despite one vehicle's clear superiority when compared to its  
opponent, for the money, the other still performs respectably,  
somehow making it the better choice of the two.  Never mind the fact  
that if they were ever given the ability to actually keep one of the  
vehicles for their own private use they would always choose the  
vehicle that performed at the highest caliber, giving no relevance to  
cost; the reviewer's advice instead is to choose the lesser, a  
decision that by all indicators, is based solely on price.

How then should automotive comparisons be conducted?  In my modest  
opinion, rather than taking the absurd approach utilized above, I  
want to know - cost not a factor - which vehicle is the better of the  
two.  I'm an intelligent individual; I can form my own conclusions as  
to whether or not increased performance justifies increased price;  
but don't give me some ridiculous tripe explaining how despite its  
clear inferiority I should want the lesser of the two vehicles  
because it's cheaper and comes standard with parking proximity sensors.

That's not a comparison ladies and gentlemen; it's a joke.

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