I am 6ft but 41 years old, so will not require chiro sessions from inconvenient cockpit access for years to come. While the Pagoda is really nice, almost too nice to be driven regularly, I want something fast and sporty that I could take to the track to get juices flowing every once in a while. A 911 or a 308/328 would be logical for that, I just love the lines of the Jag, and from what I read it pulls quite nicely.
I see two solutions:
1-Sell the SL, buy something else. Repeat every so often for variety. I get the impression one cannot preserve equity easily this way, especially when it comes to truly nicely preserved or restored cars. Which is possibly why #3 and #4 cars change hands way more often than the #1s and the #2s...
2-Least resistance: keep everything as-is and be happy. I believe this is the solution -outside of a square trade of cars of equivalent value- that will preserve equity the best, as I could not afford this car if it had not already been in the family for 12 years.
Thanks to all who provided advice. I had an opportunity to buy a restored -but not completely assembled- 69 roadster in Signal Red over black from a man I know, the mechanics is fitted to the car (frame-on resto), but it needs the rest re-assembled. The price seems fair for a #2-#3 car (35k$ Canadian), but I will have to factor in reassembly costs (I have no time, busy job and 3 young kids), and then what? Oh, we're missing this little bit of trim, etc (...). I am told absolutely everything is available for these cars, so it is not like an early 230SL to keep right.
I only like a car that looks really nice. High #2 or better. Which means I would need to spend more money on shiny bits etc. But the paint is done, and done well. But I know there is panel fitment to consider, etc. And also, a Series 2 is not as nice as the earlier cars I agree. It just seems now is the time before they are completely unaffordable...but then, the Pagodas are going up as well...
I appreciate the first hand accounts of those who have experienced both. Like I said, I am still early in my classic motoring journey, and though I could live with this SL forever, it seems like there are so many other interesting fun ones to try out in my (hopefully) 30+ years remaining in the hobby. A trade with someone in the same situation seems like a good equity-preserving solution (for both parties) to me.
Best,
Jerome