well, i live in los angeles, and as i said, its a draw. i don't know, didn't interview any people as to why they were staring at the sl500, maybe they were all looking at my girlfriend. but don't forget, about 50 percent of people love the looks of the crossfire, the others detest it and think it is hideous. I love the design of the car, as i said, i just personally think that the sl is a prettier car. but you are right, the new sl's aren't nearly as nice looking (although they come with one of the great motors ever put in any car, a 6 liter twin turbo v12, 604 hp, 700 lbs ft. of torque, over 700 hp and 800 torque if just tuned), but i find the last generation, 1990-2000, more striking.