South Africans who wish to own the new Mercedes-AMG SL 43 will need to earn at least R273,200 per month, according to a calculation by TopAuto.
The high-end convertible has a starting price of R2,466,046, and for this price, the topless AMG brings a lot to the table.
Potential buyers can look forward to a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric exhaust-gas turbocharger and 48-volt mild-hybrid system for greater efficiency.
This setup provides 280kW and 480Nm and is married to a nine-speed automatic gearbox with a rear-wheel-drive configuration, which results in a 0-100km/h time of 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 275km/h, while fuel consumption works out to 9.0l/100km thanks to its hybrid assistance.
This SL also features a new AMG Ride Control suspension system, and driving modes for Comfort, Individual, Slippery, Sport, Sport+, and Race.
On the equipment list, the sports car has four seats decked out in Nappa leather, an AMG multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch MBUX infotainment screen, dual-zone climate control, voice assist, smartphone mirroring, adaptive LED headlights and daytime running lights, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, and 19-inch alloy wheels.
What you need to earn
We can use the following formula to work out the monthly payments on the new Mercedes-AMG SL 43.
- Car price – R2,466,046
- Payment term – 60 terms (5 years)
- Interest – 11.75%
- Deposit – 0%
- Balloon – No balloon payment
- Extras – No optional extras
According to this, buyers will need to commit R54,640 per month to take home the sports car.
Financial experts then recommend that you do not spend more than 20% of your gross monthly salary on vehicle payments.
This means you’ll need need to earn at least R273,200 per month to afford the cheapest SL in the country.
Note that this figure does not account for insurance, fuel, and maintenance, which all need to be factored into your budget.
Keyword: The salary you need to afford the “entry-level” Mercedes-AMG SL 43