adamrs80

Looks like I'm going to be trading in my 02 Coupe and getting something else. The used car sales manager at the MB dealership can get me a pretty good deal on a starmark slk230...probably a 00 or 01 model. Or for about the same price I can get the new C230 sedan. Anybody have both that could give me some advice? I know of the obvious differences between the two but I'd like to hear some of your opinions. I don't mind only being able to carry 2 people.

vraa

I would go for a SLK because of the hardtop and stuff. A C230 doesn't appeal to me.

Buellwinkle

I would love an SLK, best car MB made in a long time. What prices is he quoting you. Get either the 2000 sport package or 2001 because the 2000 and older had a black stripe along the sides that looked pretty bad unless it had the sport package. Also the 2001's have the lights in the mirrors which is nice like our coupes. The new ones are being discounted heavily like the coupes so don't overlook that option. My dealer wanted 35K for a 2001 and 38K for a brand new 2003, no brainer in my book. I would get an SLK but my coupe is practically worthless. Hopefully the coupe prices will firm up next year and the SLK will soften due to the new body style, then maybe I'll get one.

adamrs80

My dealership doesn't have exactly like what I want right now but they do have an 02 SLK 230 with 45k miles for 33,900 and I'm sure a little negotiating could be done. I bet it's all highway miles because it looks perfect and thats alot of miles or one year. Yeah I've noticed the black along the bottom of the pre-01 SLK's and agree with you completely. It just seems to me that the SLK still has that 90's MB solid feel to it. I love my coupe but theres just something that feels different about the inside of an SLK verses my coupe. I'm sure it has something to do with the large price difference, but a good friend of mine has a C220 and it just feels more solid to me than some of the most recent MB's.

Buellwinkle

At 45K miles there's not much of a warranty left. The way they'll negotiate is to strip off some of the freebies that the Starmark certification may give you like a longer warranty and then hit you up for it in the finance office. It's not worth it, think of how many miles miles you'll have on it in a few short years and it will be very hard to sell. Also the finance deals on new cars is better so the payment difference may be minimal. For example, I would take the brand new one, no miles, 50K/4 year warranty with an extra year on my loan, same payment as the used one with high miles. For example, say you drive 36K miles in 4 years so this is what a 4 year old SLK230 will be worth with 81,000 miles vs. a 3 year old 2003 with 36K miles, trade-in KBB value. As you can see, there goes your 5K in savings. Don't compare MB's to other American cars where the values plumet in the first year or two, MB's plumet in the 4-5th years and you don't want to be owning it then. Either go new or go 4-5 years old and get a bargain. If I can get a 2001 or 2002 for about 25 to 28K I would do it, otherwise it's new. To me there's got to be a 25-30% difference between new and used to make it worthwhile.

1999 SLK230 with 81K miles = $16,750 - in excellent condition
2000 SLK230 with 36K miles = $24,475 - "" ""

Also don't be tricked into believing the car was always perfect, the dealer has access to some of the best detailers around, they can take a dog and make it look unused, that's their job, they are good at it. So a totally abused POS can look great until you get it home and the shine goes away. If you go used, have a body shop look it over, they can spot body work or repaint from a mile away.

tifosiv122

Having a SLK, C-Coupe, and C-Sedan I will give you my opinions.

The SLK and the C-Coupe give two totally different rides. The SLK is much harsher.

IMO the SLK is not an everyday car. The space inside is very limited as is the trunk space.

The C-Sedans ride like any other luxury car, but nothing like the Coupe or the SLK.

I would drive the SLK for more then a short test-drive before making your choice...take it around for a few miles.

Erik